KS: (enters tent) Knock knock.
Dahau: KnightSpark. How are you?
KS: Couldn't be better. Just turned 18 yesterday.
Zig: Alright, man! We're the same age now!
KS: Nice to meet you too, Ziggy. (fist bump)
Zig: Hey! Don't call me that.
KS: You're used to it. So, Dahau, I need to do me a favor.
Dahau: For you, anything.
KS: Good. Tell me where Gusurg is.
(Dahau and Zig exchange uneasy looks)
KS: Well? Where is he? (looks around) Also, where's Lydia?
Zig: About that...
KS: (sighs) Are they... getting it on?
Dahau: That's not how I would put it, but-
KS: Yeah, I got the idea, man. I'll go get him myself. (walks away)
Zig: What do we do, Dahau?
Dahau: Read the chapter, I guess.
"So, these are the commanders you captured?" a soldier asked.
"Yes, sir," Avan answered with his usual grin, putting a hand on Baldren's shoulder. "They're all tied up and ready to go."
Baldren and Audrey were tied up, in fact. Their wrists were bound in ropes as a makeshift restraint to make sure that they don't try anything funny.
"And they surrendered?" another soldier asked in surprise.
"That, too. Still having trouble believing it myself. Anyway, we'll leave them in your care now. Try not to be too rough on them.
The siblings shot Avan a dirty look as the soldiers escorted them into the APC.
"So… that's it? Is it finally over?" Cosette asked hopefully.
"It is too early to say, but I believe that the end is in sight," Mischlitt responded. "Soon, all Darcsens across Gallia will suffer any longer."
Zeri had a look of disappointment on his face. True, but that doesn't mean they will be free from discrimination."
Avan put his arm around Zeri. "One day, dude. It will happen. I'm sure of it.
Zeri sighed. "I pray that it does."
"Hmm… where… am I?"
Audrey was surrounded by darkness. Everywhere she looked, there was absolutely no light at all.
"I must have dozed off while I was on that APC," she muttered, rubbing the side of her head. "But why am I here?"
"You are here because of me," a voice said. Audrey turned around to see a woman in a white dress walking towards her.
"W-Who are you? What do you want with me?" she asked, slowly backing away from the woman.
"Oh my, I never expected a response like that," the woman said sadly. "Especially not from my own daughter."
"Daughter…?" As soon as the woman came closer, Audrey got a clear view of her. She had long golden hair and hazel eyes, just like her. "Mother, is that you?"
She smiled and nodded. Without a second thought, Audrey ran towards her mother and hugged her tightly while crying into her chest.
"Oh Mother, I've missed you so much!" she sobbed. Katarina hugged her daughter and softly stroked her hair.
"I've missed you too, my dear. How are you?"
Audrey wiped her eyes and broke out of her hug. "I'm feeling fine, and so is Baldren. We also read your note, Mother."
Katarina looked surprised, then turned away from her. "I see. As much as it irks me to ask, does your father know about this?"
Audrey shook her head. "He does not. Although, news of our capture should reach him in a few short moments."
"Captured? What do you-"
"We surrendered, Mother. After reading your note, we've realized that this revolution has been nothing more than mass murder," Audrey explained with remorse.
"I see," Katarina replied. "Listen Audrey, there is something you should know about the note I hid."
"What is it?"
"It was not the only note I had written regarding the truth behind the Darcsen Calamity."
"So… there are others?"
"Yes, but since I have passed on, the notes have been scattered all across southern Gallia. I fear that if anyone else should find them, they may be destroyed."
Audrey was bewildered. "But why would they destroy them, Mother? Surely, if they read the notes, wouldn't they want everyone to know the truth?"
Katarina shook her head. "I wish that were the case. The current history of this country has been drilled into people's minds. Any notes saying otherwise will probably make them go insane with denial and destroy them."
Audrey nodded, understanding her mother's logic. "So basically, it's up to me and Baldren to find these notes before anyone else?"
"Yes. I believe that the Darcsens should suffer no longer because some corrupted backstory." She placed both of her hands on Audrey's shoulders. "I believe that you can bring the truth to light."
"Do you think so?" Audrey asked.
"No, I don't," Katarina replied before she kissed her daughter's head. "I know so."
Audrey smiled, glad that her mother had so much faith in her. She was about to say something, but she notice that the area around them began to glow.
"Mother, what's happening?"
"You are about to awaken, my dear," Katarina answered, beginning to fade away. "I enjoyed our time together, but I must go."
"Wait!" Audrey reached her hand out to grab her arm, but it went through her. "I have so much more to ask you!"
Katarina smilled brightness filled the void they were in. "I will answer any questions you have next time we meet. Until then, farewell…"
Audrey began to tear up as her mother faded from existance. "Mother…? Mother…!"
Baldren shook her sister gently, who looked like she has having a nightmare.
"Audrey? Audrey, wake up!"
"MOTHER!" she shrieked while suddenly waking up, surprising her brother and the soldiers assigned to watch over them. As she regained her composure, she looked around to see expressions of concern. "What?"
"Are you alright?" Baldren asked. "You started muttering in your sleep, then began to toss violently. What happened?"
Audrey exhaled deeply. "Baldren… I saw our mother."
Baldren's eyes widened. "What? You saw her?"
"Not exactly. It was more of apparition of her. But it had her looked and voice and… that familiar warmth that I've missed for so long."
"I miss that warmth too," Baldren said with a look of nostalgia. "Did it- I mean, she say anything to you?"
"Remember that note you showed me earlier?"
Baldren nodded.
"Well, Mother says there are more."
"What? That wasn't the only note she had written?"
"Apparently not. She said she has written more, but since her death, they've gone missing. She says that we need to find them before anyone else does. If we don't, they may be destroyed."
"Destroyed? Oh my goodness," Baldren sighed, putting his hand over his mouth. He turned his gave to the soldiers watching over them. "I understand if it is not my place to ask, but where is this vehicle's destination?"
The soldier turned to his comrade, who nodded, meaning that he gave his approval. He turned to Baldren once more. "Well, since you asked, our destination is Castle Randgriz. It appears that Lady Cordelia would like to have a word with the both of you."
Baldren looked towards Audrey, who looked just as confused as she did. Why would the Archduchess want to see them at a time like this?
"So, we're on our way to Randriz now?" Audrey asked.
"Actually, we just arrived. You were dozing off for the whole trip."
Audrey just blinked while Baldren chuckled to himself. Soon, they were escorted out of the vehicle and saw that the soldier was right. They had reached the capital of Gallia and were standing in front of the castle where the archduchess resided.
"Follow me to the throne room," the soldier ordered. "And don't try anything smart or we'll be forced to shoot."
"Sure, sure, whatever," Baldren said.
Cordelia sat on her throne, looking at the former rebel commanders with a surprised expression. Not even she expected them to surrender out of the blue like they did. But despite that, she needed to get some answers from them.
"I bet you're going to question us on why we decided to surrender," Audrey said. Cordelia was taken aback for a brief moment, wondering if Audrey had somehow read her mind.
"How did you know I was going to say that?" she asked.
Audrey shrugged. "I just took a stab at it."
Cordelia sighed. "Since you brought it up, I am interested into why you surrendered. Last time I checked, you were determined to kick me off the throne and wipe every Darcsen off the face of Gallia."
Baldren spoke first, while having a look of remorse on his face. "We were, but we found something that made us realize that we were mistaken."
"What do you mean?"
"It involves the truth behind the Darcsen Calamity."
Cordelia's jaw nearly dropped. "How did you know about that?"
"It was in a note from our mother. I found it while I was cleaning."
"Cleaning what, exactly?"
Baldren was about to answer, but Audrey interrupted him. "That's not really important. What's important is that we are willing to do anything to make up for what we did."
Cordelia raised her brow. "Anything?"
"Anything," Baldren said. "Whatever you say we should do, we'll do it without complaint or question."
Cordelia smiled, but it was not one of glee. No, this was a smile of devious intent which made Baldren and Audrey feel uncomfortable.
"To be perfectly honest with the two of you, I saw this coming." Baldren and Audrey exchanged confused looks at each other, wondering what Cordelia had in store for them.
"Deep down, I knew you would come to your senses about this revolution, and have found a way for you to atone."
"What is it?" Audrey asked warily. A soldier that was standing near Cordelia walked towards them with two slips of paper in each hand. The moment they set eyes on the paper, their face were quickly drained of any color.
"You… you are not joking about this, are you?" Baldren asked, turning to the archduchess.
Cordelia continued to smile. "It's either that or a life of imprisonment."
Baldren sighed and turned to Audrey. "I have a feeling that we have no other option."
Audrey nodded. "Redemption is never an easy task, Baldren. But this… this is going to be hell."
Class G was lively as ever, students either gossiping or goofing off. Only a select few were actually studying dilligently. And no, Avan is not part of that few. Big surprise there.
"Avan, you should study," Cosette advised. "You do know we have a test in the next few days."
"Just give me a few minutes," Avan groaned, slumping over his desk. "My brain still hurts from reading that book."
Zeri sighed while ajusting his glasses. "Avan, you only reached half of the first chapter. How can your brain give up on you when you haven't even read the whole page?"
"Oh, well excuse me that I'm not a genius like you."
"Please don't start again…" Cosette whimpered. The class went on about their usual activities until Brixham walked in. They immediately stopped what they were doing and sat down.
"Alright class, before we get started on today's lesson, we have a new student joining us today. Actually to be precise, we have two new students."
Whispers rang throughout the classroom, wondering who the new additions could be.
"I bet it's pair of hot girls," Joachim giggled.
"Or maybe cute boys," Sofia purred.
To their disappointment, the additions were neither cute or hot. In fact, they looked very familiar.
"I am Baldren Gassenarl. I will be your classmate from this day forward."
"I am Audrey Gassenarl. If there is anyway I can assist you, please feel free to inform me."
The whole class went dead silent. A pin dropping on the floor could be heard at this point. That, and three people yelling out in shock.
"HUH?!"
Lydia: You're not half-bad. You might be better than all the other boys I've been with.
Gusurg: (chuckles) You haven't seen nothing yet. I'm only getting warmed up.
Lydia: Ooh, you're feeling confident.
Gusurg: (smirks) I'm always confident. (pulls blanket over their heads)
Lydia: (giggles) Oh my, you're good with your hands... OH! (giggles) I didn't see that coming.
KS: (disgust) I swear, they're like horny teenagers when it comes to this. First it was Cezary and Nadine, then Harry and Melissa, now this. What is with these people and getting lucky all the time? (pulls off blanket)
Gusurg: What the- KnightSpark!? What the hell do you think you're doing?
KS: I'd ask the same thing, but it would be regard to 'who' instead of 'what'. Nice to see you again, Lydia.
Lydia: (covers her chest) I could say the same to you, if it were under better circumstances.
KS: Well, whatever you've been doing to each other, stop it. Gusurg, get dressed and get out of here.
Gusurg: Why, were are we going?
KS: Take a hint.
Gusurg: (groans) If it's what I think it is, forget it. I can't see them again, not after what I've done.
KS: Come on, dude, they're not holding it against you. At least, I don't think they are.
Gusurg: (sarcastic) Well, that's reassuring.
KS: Okay, okay, how about this: you make up with Kurt and the others, I'll let you and Lydia have some alone time for about... two months.
Gusurg: Four months.
KS: Four and half and I'll even get Lydia some new... (clears throat) undergarments.
Lydia: Take the offer, Gusurg.
Gusurg: Oh, for the love of- fine, it's a deal.
KS: Good. Now get in something decent. You too, Lydia.
Lydia: Why me? I'm not going anywhere.
KS: What, you thought you'd be warming the bed until Gusurg gets back?
Lydia: Well, kind of.
KS: Not happening. Get up and get your clothes on.
Lydia: Aw man...