"I'm going back to Lescatie."
"Something about your father's last wishes?"
"Kind of, some unfinished business I must attend to, better get it done now before the demonic energy concentration went too dense it's impossible to reach. Shouldn't be too difficult, it's all in the family manor, get in and out via family's secret tunnel and nobody should have any idea I was even there at all."
"Regardless of how much I explained how stupid and suicidal your idea is, you'll go anyway. So, while you're at it, the eggheads wants someone to test out the protective gear and energy concentration monitor..they called it Gregory counter or something. Hope those will work and you don't have to jammed that drug into your bloodstream every hour to prevent exposure and eventually went into coma due to overdose...again."
"Trust me, those monsters won't think a human would use the same tactic they did in the same place. By the way, do we finalized the list of our losses yet? I might be able to fill "that book" if I managed to reach Heroes' Memoria. I still have mourning uniform in back in my closet."
Main Hall, Noscrim Manor, Demon Realm Lescatie.
1 Months after the invasion, 2 weeks after Priest Noscrim's trial.
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"Zenith?"
The man turned towards the source of the voice.
"Big sis?"
Wilmarina did not expect her first return to her family's manor after the invasion will result in this encounter. She came to this manor to survey its current state. She was surprised the manor was practically abandoned, as if the inhabitant knows about the invasion and leave before it happens. She did not expect to see her brother, still fully human, wearing a mourning uniform, adjusting his tie and combing his hair in front of the mirror. His usual rapier exchanged for an exquisite ceremonial one.
Before the former inspector can react, she leaped towards her brother, hugging him tightly.
"I heard about what happened to you and the refugee, are you hurt anywhere?"
"Its all good now, I survived, that's all that matters. Tell Sasha I'm sorry for trying to kill her, nothing personal, it's all for children's sake."
"I'm sure she'd forgive you, with no orphans to attend to, she now focus all her effort into the mamono orphans and Elt." Wilmarina then quickly placed herself behind her brother, adjusting his suit's collar and his tie.
Her brother silently smiled, it reminds him of the time she help adjust his uniform on his very first day at work at the internal investigations.
"So, why wearing mourning clothes? Something happened?"
"I want to see mom, for one last time. Before demonic energy makes it impossible for me to return here."
"We never worn that when visiting mom, weren't we?" His sister pointed out.
"Father's dead, executed for treason against humanity. The only reason I was off the hook was because Inquisitor Lothner vouched for my contribution during the evacuation. They even recommended me for receiving the goddess's blessing. Also, I have the list of the heroes and soldiers who perished during and after the evacuation. They asked me to filled their names in the memorium tome."
Wilmarina nodded in acceptance, memorium tome, resting at the top of the hall of heroes, is where they record the names of those who fallen in service to Lescatie. Naturally, only heroes and high ranking military officer had the honor of being remembered in this book. But as the saying goes.
In that darkest moment of Lescatie, those who still stand and fight are all equally heroes to the people.
The dark heroine admit, she did not has the best of relationship with her father. With him banishing her darling's family and other manipulation he'd done during her life. But to know that her father was executed for her actions makes her heart sank. The priest must someday face the consequence of his actions, but she never expected to ended up like that. To be branded as traitor and executed by the organization he spend his life for.
Her brother noticed her change of expression, he placed his hand on the succubus's shoulder and added.
"It's not entirely your fault sis, politic within the order runs deep. There are many people out there who will come after our family, they had the chance and took it. Simple as that."
"S..so...I asssumed you already visited mother?"
"Already done, I was making the final preparation then thinking about going through the backyard then through the noble's district then head towards the hall of heroes."
"How about I carry you all the way to where the tome is? The other mamono won't lay a finger on you as long as I'm around, just like old times." Wilmarina offered.
"Really? That'd be great. Hope I'm not too heavy for you." There's still some risk of his sister go back on her words and send him to one of her subordinates who had a crush on him *cough*Luciana*cough*, but if she really intend to do so. Then his fate would be already sealed from the moment they met, with her becoming a monster, and "All-for-you" awaken its true potential. He stood no chance to prevail against her, let alone escaping.
"Alright then, hold still. This will be a bit frightening but you'll eventually get used to it." The fallen heroine sweeps her brother up in a bridal carry then flew up into the air towards the memoria hall.
Memoria Hall, Hall of Heroes, City of Lescatie.
"Big sis, if you have anything else that you have to do, you can go. I'm going to be here for quite a while." Zenith said as he finished his short prayer. Then opens a hidden compartment under the altar where the memorium tome placed upon, and picking up ink and quills that were stored within.
"It's fine, I have all the time in the world with my darling Elt, but so little time with you." The dark heroine answered as she sits on the steps near the altar.
"That's true." Zenith then unfold the paper from his suits pocket, placed it next to the tome. And started copying down the list.
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"Alphabetical order or Chronological order?" Zenith wondered, tapping the end of the quill against his temple.
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"What?"
"When there's a mass casualty from a specific long-term operation, should we write down the names in order of Alphabetical or in order of their time of death?"
"Alphabetical. Memorium tome only remembers the name and deeds, not the details." Wilmarina explained. She once written the name of one of her subordinates in this very book when she just started out as a hero.
"Thanks, it'd be a shame if I make a mistake in this book."
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"Zenith."
"Yes?"
"What will you do next, after this?"
"Back to the manor, open the family vault. Father said he had a parting gift for both of us in the vault, ancestral heirloom or sacred artifacts I think. He said he left another letter down there."
"I mean after that too, would you remain with the refugee?"
"Until they find their new home, finding refuge in other nations or building a new one, doesn't matter. Once they have a safe place to live then I'll consider my duty to the people of Lescatie completed."
"Then after that..."
"No solid ideas yet, been thinking about using the remaining fortune to start a business. Or going after those nobles who accused father for treachery. Come to think of it, it's best not to actively do such things. Let's be like them, when opportunity arise, then I'll serve them a cold plate of revenge."
"I mean... will you return to serve under the Order...under Chief God again?"
"Inquisitor Lothner asked me once, he told me he's assembling a crack team of talented heroes to take on special cases... I told him I want some time to think about it, maybe after I'm done with the refugee. Other than that, no. I'm no longer wished to served under the order anymore. We both know how rotten they are, if not the heroes than it's the priests. Besides, they'll eventually get rid of me, considering how they're about to brand the whole Noscrim bloodline as traitors. And the whole debacle about Almeria. Humanity is worth fighting for, the Order is not.
"Perhaps...what if I offer you a proposition, become my left hand at the Dark Ice Flowers order. Just like when you help us out during weekends, but as a full-time job. We need someone of your talents. Besides, you'll be safe here, no Order fanatic can reach you here."
"Isn't that nepotism? Besides, you already have Eva. He's as good as me at information digging."
"Her skillset isn't as vast as yours. She can plan strategy, but she can't also be in a middle of a fight alongside me. I. Want. You. The man behind a deception than managed to fooled even a lilim."
"Actually a combined effort from everyone for all the details, I just come up with an idea of 'Hey, let's throw some bullshit ritual that looks powerful and terrifying enough to fool the monsters that they have to stop the ritual else shits will falls down from the sky and kills everyone.' Stills. if I stays here with you. Then eventually, I'll ended up with someone. That's the problem, I want to have a proper relationship first. Not just let's fuck and call it married."
"Lucia once masterbated about you. The whole thing is more detailed than this but this is the main point."
Fortunately, the younger Noscrim is quick enough to lifted quill out before he make a mess on a hundred-year tome.
"I know she wished to be able to keep up with you, and I fully endorsed that. Even personally helped her out quite frequent back in the days. Still, I did not expect her to developed a crush on me, I thought she had a crush on you, sis."
"You're correct on both parts."
"Wait, what? This is going to be complicated as hell. And you're already married to Elt, it's impossible for her wish to be fully realized... Wait a minute, it can be done...if..."
"If you become an Alp." The dark heroine finished.
"Which assumed that I'm gay for Elt, which isn't true. We just been through some crazy stuff together, saves each other's life on the fields. A thing any comrade in arms would do. I even set a secret date with you two. How can I have a romantic feelings for him."
"But not entirely false, is it? You two always drink together every Thursday night, know how each other will react, even better than I do. I wouldn't mind you being an Alp though. I sometimes wondered what it's like having a little sister to dote on."
Her brother blushed... and silently return to writing down the list of those who fallen in duty.
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'Guess I went too hard on him.' The succubus wondered.
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"Sis? I want to ask you something." Zenith asked while rechecking his work.
"What is it?"
"Do you really love Elt? Even before you became a succubus?"
"Honestly, thanks to you. I fully realized I do have feelings for him, Lady Druella only speed up the process."
"Then it's all good. That's all I need to know."
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"Zane, what if one day. Mother come back to life as an undeath , say... a wight.?"
"That'd be bad. Someone must tell her that father's been executed. Which is likely to be you. When that time comes, can you handle if she drowns herself in sorrow, or married to another man?"
"What if she also managed to resurrect father."
"Then it's for the best, let them finally be together again. Only her can bring the best out of father. You may eventually have to ended up transferring leadership of Dark Ice Flowers to her though, since she knows more about managing things than both of us combined."
"Yeah, I think so too."
"Wait, this is all your plan? To let mom handle the work while you spend the rest of your day with Elt? Never thought you'd come up with this idea."
"Well, I learn from you after all."
"Good grief, give me a break."
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"And...all done, finally. Takes almost two hours to complete."
The Noscrim siblings then goes down on their knees, make a prayer for those who laid down their lives for the people. Then walked towards the stairs down the spire.
"Not going to fly me back to the manor, sis?"
"Let's walk back, I'll show you around. The city isn't that bad as you think."
Noscrim Boulevard, Lescatie City. Demonic realm of Lescatie.
To the former Inspector's surprise, the city is actually fulled of life and lights from the buildings. The only signs of the conflicts is the efforts to rebuilding the building that were burned down during the invasion. The streets were clean, shops that once sells armors now sells lingerie for mamonos. Judging how demonic realm silver works, probably still an armor. Book stores that once sells the tales of famous heroes, children's stories and bibles now sells romantic novels, erotic novels...and a type of Zinpanguese comic called "Doujins".
Bloody tanuki caravan sures travels fast.
What surprised him is the people who walks on the streets, mostly are a pair of man and his mamono wive (or wives for some). Some mamono walking and chatting in groups, some walked alone. Some looked at his sister and slightly bowed, some looked at him and blows a kiss.
And there's quite a number of them who looked at him as if he's a snack...or a prey waiting to be pounced.
He had never felt so helpless before, his ceremonial rapier is mostly for self-defense but not enough to take on armored opponent. His revolver only has six shots and creating a ruckus in the heart of Lescatie would surely doomed his fate.
The only thing he can do is to rely on Wilmarina, hoping that the dark heroine's presence would be able to keep those horny beasts at bay.
Just like when he was a child, clutching the arrow embed into his stomach while helplessly watching his sister defeating their assassins.
"My my, how scandalous. Lady Wilmarina walking down the boulevard with a man other than her 'darling' ." Said a demon wearing a hat which has a strange flower-like decoration.
"Have your thought of that childhood friend of yours already clouded your memory, Oliver?" Wilmarina rebuked.
'Holy shit, Oliver? So the ice flower went dark is actually true then. I hardly recognized her at all." Zenith thought, surprised with how her appearance changed.
"Just jesting, that's all. Surprised seeing you here out of all places, Zane. I wondered how did you managed to mask your scent? I only recognized you because of your sister." The Demonic musketeer asked.
"Same reason with how Winter air and Summer air smell differently, then take it up to eleven. Shopping for new lingerie? I don't know what's the fashion around here now but that breast of yours looks like it's about to burst at any moment. I can understand the fact that becoming a demon can change the size of certain 'assets.' But If it's not your skin tone then I would be confused with a Holstaur."
Oliver and Wilmarina laughed.
"Still the same Zane as ever, I see."
"Always I am, always will be... hopefully." He replied with a smug.
"Alright, enjoy your day off then. See you on Wednesday." The Succubus heroine cutted in. While the Poison Flower tipped her hat in respect.
Wilmarina then grab his hand, signaling him to keep going as more mamono started to heard the conversation. And instantly pulled her hand back due to the intense cold on his skin, on the other hand, his clothes shows no sign of freezing at all. So she decided to grab his clothed wrist and pull him towards the manor.
'So that's how he hides his scent. Using ice magic to condense the air and prevent his scent from leaving his body. What a cunning brother I have.' She thought.
Noscrim Family Vault.
Priest Noscrim was a cautious man. Corrupted to the core and no hesitation to manipulate and murder his way to the top but still a cautious man. In the end, he still loves his family more than anything in this world, a man willing to sacrifice the world for the sake of those he cherished. The siblings were too young to fully understand how broken he was when he lost his wife, too naive to understand his action, too blinded with devotion or contempt to understand his motive.
Now, in the vault of their family, they finally understand. Their father cares about them, always have been. He's just terrible at expressing it.
In front of them lies a series of letters orderly organized in a box. The one on top is addressed to both of them, telling them to read this letter first. Inside, their father writes about how he watching their progress. Saying how proud he was with them, he'd wished their mother was still watching their progress from the heaven. Telling them that without him, they should rely on each other's strength and shoulder each other's pain. Just like they always did. And apologized for all the wrong he did to his children all these years, some of which is with good reasons, some isn't, and he'd always regret doing so.
The other letters are separated into two groups, one for each of his children. Some are to be opened only when a certain condition are met. Some are the instruction for his late gift to both of them. Telling them what code to enter into the vault, what room and box to look for.
For Zenith, the final gift from his father is a white sword with darkened edge. with a sheath that makes it passed as a holy staff.
'One who chased the flames. No matter which part you take, as long as you continue to chase the flames, this sword will answer to you.
p.s. Please don't jump into a fire in order to 'chase the flames' this isn't one of those case where riddles can be solved with literal solution.'
Also inside the box which contains the sword is two vital filled with a glowing blue liquid with sterlied syringe. One for each of the siblings.
'Our bloodline is a bloodline forged in fire and steel, groomed and refined to become an ethernal shield of mankind. This vital will awaken those memory, those purpose which lies dormant in your body and soul. Take your time before making a decision for unlike a potion of temporary strength, it cannot be undone.'
For Wilmarina, the gift is a pristine pistol with no room for ammo to enter. She wondered if her father confused the gift with her brother, until she read the notes.
'Laws of Retribution, your will shall ignite the truth within. Your power will shape the world. Honestly, it's better to just shoot that poor sod in the face and be on your way. The world is changing, swords and spells aren't enough for an edge. Ask Paula or your brother on how to wield a pistol.'
Their father didn't give them the weapon to replace what they're using, he gave them the backup tool in case all else fails. Such as a father's instinct. Always looking out for his children.
The other letters are addressed for a certain situation. Such as 'Open this if I died', 'Open this letter if your mother was raised as an undead.', 'Open this letter if Captain Ace didn't make it out of Lescatie.' 'Open this letter if Zenith becomes an Alp.', 'Open this letter if Cardinal Vandire becomes a pope.'
'Give this letter to Elt at the earliest convenience.'
'Read this letter if Wilmarina still in loves with Elt.'
'Read this letter if the rest of our family is being hunted down by the Order.'
'Read this letter if the Order raised their sword against fellow humans.'
'Read this letter if the Chief God was defeated.'
'Read this letter if you have to raise your sword against each other.'
'Read this letter if Humanity failed.'
'Read this letter if the demon lord was defeated.'
'Read this letter when you falls in love with someone.'
'Read this letter when you're about to get marry.'
'Read this letter when you're about to have a child.'
'Read this letter when you're about to have grandchildren.'
'Read this letter if one of you died.'
'Read this letter if you feels doubtful about yourself.'
'Read this letter if you doubt your faith in the Chief god.'
'Read this letter if you need to become stronger.'
'Read this letter if you missed me.'
'Read this letter if you resented me.'
'Read this letter if you don't know what should you do anymore.'
After reading the letters that fulfilled its condition to be read, they decided to sort it out by person and condition, leaving it in the secured container and then leave the vault. Zenith collected some of the letters that were personally addressed with him.
Gods know how long the priest spends his time in his study to compose such amount of letter for the day he's no longer able to tell them in person.
That night, Zenith sat on his bed in his quarter for what's going to be his final sleep on this very bed for a long while. He had learn some important thing he already knew, but the day's event has solidify it.
'They are also people, just like us. Those monsters. They are capable of achieving great things, just like humans. Other than the whole no male offspring thing, they are almost no different than humans.'
Then again, the action he did that night, all the bloods on his hands. Was to make sure the people had the freedom to choose their life. To stay and be changed, or to leave and remain human.
"Are you sure you're going back to the refugee?" His sister, standing at the door, asked.
"They are our people, my responsibility lies with them. I'll see them safe and sound." He answered.
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"Zane"
"Yes?"
"This will sounds so selfish from me but..."
"'..."
Wilmarina suddenly hugged her brother, tears falling down on her face.
"Please, don't go back to them. Please, stay with me...with us. I can't bear seeing my brother choose to take my place. I became a hero all those years ago so you don't have to. Those people are safe here, you are safe from the Order here!"
"I know."
"And why did you still decide to leave?... Why can't we be together, me , you and Elt, like we used to be? " Wilmarina cried.
Zenith was silent, surprised from his sister's demand.
"Because I owed you too many things. Because you always protecting me, helped me, forged me into who I am today. From a helpless brat crying for attention he doesn't deserve into the man I am today. I want..." He then started sobbing.
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"I want to prove to you that I can now stand besides you. No longer within your shadow."
"I want to make you be proud of me. Of the child you help raised and trained all these years."
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"It's not just about following your heroic footstep, Not walking on the path you once walked. But people sacrificed so much for me to get to this day. You, Elt, Father, Uncle Castor, Captain Ace and everyone else at the central inspection. "
"I'll make sure their sacrifice was worth it. I'll see the people they protected safe and sound."
Zenith wondered, it's been years since they last cried into each other's arms like this.
"Zane, that part you are about to walk, that's hell you're walking into." His sister pleaded between her sobs.
"I know, no matter what father talked about our bloodline was meant to be, I won't stays on that road forever. But, for now, I have to. For their sake."
He answered.
"Big-sis...thank you...for everything."
Wilmarina's grip around her siblings becomes tighter, her tails wrapping around his leg. While her wings enveloped his body.
"Then at least, let me stay with you for tonight."
"B...But you're with Elt."
" But this is the last night that I'll see my brother for a very long time. I want to spend more time with you. Elt won't mind, he will be occupied with someone else tonight." His succubus sister replied.
"Isn't that cheating?"
"W...wait, sorry, that came out wrong, wasn't it? I wasn't meant that. I wouldn't do that to you...unless you'd ended up an alp."
"Sis, You're into woman?"
"Who else do you think keeping Lucia from going after you then? Just kidding though." She joked.
The Noscrim siblings spending the rest of their night cuddling, chatting, wondering about what the future brings, gossiping about their friends and colleges, like before they splits apart into becoming a hero and an inspector. Until the former inspector falls asleep, his sister then pulled a blanket over him. Then put out the lights and leaves the room before locking it with a magic seal.
The next morning, she finds her brother's room emptied. His bed was orderly made, The closet was orderly organized. On the table lies her portion of the blue vital and syringe, including a copy of father's note regarding it.
"Be safe, my little bro. You don't know how much you meant to all of us."
"How long do we have?"
"Until Lescatie fully turns into a demon realm? Or you mean how long do we have until we have to get out of this place?"
"Both."
"Judging from the clouds and calculations, less than a week. Another two and it'll reach here."
"My contacts at Winterhome said that they can take about 350 peoples. The elderly, the crippled and the orphans will be brought there while the rest can endure a bit more until there's more settlements willing to take us in."
"What about Inspector Noscrim? Heard he's sneaks back to Lescatie."
"We'll go without him, leaves enough clue here for him to figure out where we're heading. Dark Sector protocol will be applied, as with everyone else."
"Corrupted until proven otherwise...strange how willing we are to pointing a sword at the one who makes all this happens."
"It is the rules, we can't afford another Luprical's betrayal. Regardless of how valuable his experience there will help us figure out what Druella's up to now, we don't have the luxury of time to wait for his return before making our next move. Let alone confirming that he isn't compromised."
"Sounds like you don't want him back into us the refugee."
"Considering what his family is going through with Priest Noscrim's trial, That cursed city is probably the safest place he could be right now, if not for it's current inhabitants or environment then it's because his elder sister. I swore, the way her 'Orufoyu' shines that night at the cathedral. We were fooled thinking that it's a holy sword. If it's not for Commander Ace's sacrifice then nobody would have make it out of that cursed blow. "