Chapter Five
But did you know,
That when it snows,
My eyes become large and
The light that you shine can be seen.
One year pass:
They walked, arm in arm, silently to their destination. Rose couldn't contain her smile when Zieg surprised her again. They now moved onwards to Fort Mangrad to ask Emperor Diaz to marry them once the war was over. She couldn't wait for the final battle to commence.
Every attack they made had been perfect and executed flawlessly. Anytime Emperor Diaz planned, he cared about how many humans would return while Zieg kept tactics in mind and how to do the most damage. Both leaders have already brought down three great wingly cities and now, with Kadessa, the Wingly Capital and the only one that held any real strength, they had their opportunity to finish this bloody war. Then, Shirley would have a field day stripping Rose out of her dreary armor and into a flowing white wedding gown.
Just that thought sent a mixed shiver down her spine. She couldn't deny that she would look wonderful in a weeding gown but she never wore a dress and a white anything seemed so unlike her. But she would be happy in anything as long as Zieg was by her side. They both were so untamed and neither wanted to control the other. The wedding was and they made it without question, going to be truly a unity. A unity of two fiery, strong willed spirits.
So they traveled uneventfully, enjoying the closeness of one another. To them, they were unstoppable with the power of both dragons and Dragoons and the grand leadership of Emperor Diaz. Indeed, they both couldn't believe how much they grew from one another. Rose found a way to tame the insanity of her Dragoon Spirit thanks to Zieg. Like he, she gave into during battle only, finding peace in life by feeding the spirit in battle. And Zieg realized that, through Rose's demonic dance in battle, she always concentrated on her opponent and never had she underestimated them. Zieg incorporated that into his own fighting style, knowing now that he's been a sloppy, reckless fighter for the few years he known Rose. Most of the time, he believed Rose would make a better leader than he.
And it was the same out of combat as well. Rose always kept to herself, never opening up to her friends unless she absolutely needed. But Zieg's good nature shattered that wall as if a hammer slammed into glass. She smiled more now and enjoyed chatting with her friends and even Kanzas, who seemed to have kept his word by befriended her in combat and they returned the enjoyment of her company. Zieg was not talkative for he never knew what to say, shy for the most part as well. But Rose's determination to be better now than she was yesterday gave him the strength to talk more and not always in combat alone.
It was a chilly day out in the Glacier Trail, which made Rose happy as any excuse to get closer to Zieg was a good one. His armor kept her warm at the distance she was at but that didn't matter. Leaning her head on his shoulder she secretly enjoyed such times. She was always a warrior first and rarely could she act like a woman.
Rose giggled, remembering a conversation she had with Shirley. The noble red head had all sorts of plans for the wedding and when Rose said she would, under no certain terms, walk down the aisle without her sword, Rose never seen Shirley so livid. Anger seemed so foreign to the Light Dragoon and they "fought" all that day. Rose giggled again that she won the "battle" saying she rather walk out naked with her sword on during "her wedding" than even wear a dress at all. Shirley submitted with a smile.
"We're here," Zieg softly said, pulling Rose out of her reverie.
She almost dragged Zieg out of the fort by seeing Emperor Diaz and his human commanders working on the final battle. To be interrupting Diaz while in the war room was never a good thing, let alone while he was taking measures of attacking Kadessa and more importantly, his rival leader of the greater species, Melbu Frahma. She actually tried to drag Zieg away but he was planted in the earth as if she had better luck moving a building.
"Good afternoon, your grace," Zieg proudly announced, strutting over to the great emperor. Rose slapped her face and shook her head.
"Good afternoon, General Feld," the emperor paused and took Zieg's hand in his. "Have you come to be included in the planning of the up coming battle?"
"Nah, I got something more important to ask you, your grace," Zieg said, leaving everyone in the chamber with their jaws slacked, including Rose. "Rose and I would be honored if you would marry us after this war is over."
Rose shrank back down at being something more important than the Dragon Campaign. How bold Zieg asked made her blush and she wanted to flee. But laughter erupted in the chamber, coming from the emperor himself.
"Indeed, I've heard you were going to get married. Aye, it would be an honor to marry you. Marriage… after the war. Aye, it does my heart good that you two are looking forward to the future. A future I will give to you. Come, General Feld, General N'Berg, we got a battle to plan, not so as important as your wedding," Emperor Diaz said, ending with a wink at Rose, which caused her to blush all the more.
Together, they came to the battle map where Xs marked main targets, Ds where dragons would attack, Ws where wingly forces were, Vs where virages most likely would be and a huge red circle where the godling Melbu Frahma must be hiding. The plan was more or less straightforward. The Divine Dragon would assault Kadessa alone, causing enough chaos that the winglies would have to play one of their trump cards, The Dragon Block Staff just to suppress the King of the Dragon's power. With the staff being used on the Divine Dragon, then the true assault would begin with dragons, charging into kill any virage in their way.
The final plan was the Dragoons, somehow, needed to get into the center of the Capital and destroy Melbu Frahma. The three dangers that lurked in that battle was Melbu Frahma's incredible intelligence, the sword that could slay dragons and Dragoons alike, the Dragon Buster blade was in his possession, and the wingly dictator held a sphere that gave him nearly limitless power.
Once the battle was planned out—several times—Zieg insisted everyone to leave for tomorrow's final conflict to see if humans could defeat fate. Returning through the Glacier Trail, it began to snow a light snowfall. Rose turned in front of Zieg and saw the same large glowing eye, those same eyes that caught her in his charming gaze. She still wasn't sure if they symbolized his passion for her or the thrill of the soon-to-be battle. Her thrill, however, was not of the battle but of the soon-to-be wedding after.
Their light of love was seen from anyone who saw them, be friend or foe. Friend, by the romantic settings they could always find themselves in such dark times. Foes, by their joint dance of death when they were together. Rose began to feel Zieg's impatience and leaned up to kiss the man she loved tenfold. She was impatient too but for different reasons. She wanted the war over so she could finally put down her sword and be the woman she always wanted to be. She was going to get married and soon. She couldn't wait.