"Welkin, Can you handle a gun?"
"I guess. I made it through training anyway."
Alicia grabbed the rifle and tosses it to Welkin, who caught it and fully cocked it.
"They should be a small scouting party. We should deal with them with no trouble at all."
"I'm with you." He said.
On another side…
Noctis looked outside the window to see what was going it. Little to his knowledge that an Imperial Scouting Party had attacked somewhere in the outskirts of Bruhl. However, He had other thoughts in mind as he still hadn't found his colleagues anywhere. How they could be dead by the moment, and He wouldn't even knew it. Wanting to leave the place, He decides to tell Isara that He'll go out for a moment and then return soon. But little did he know that Isara wasn't around. Instead, There was someone else.
He left the room with his satchel slung on his shoulders and went downstairs. He decided to go out and look for his colleagues. There, on the living room was a lady, pregnant and seem to be around 30. The lady jumped at the sight of Noctis.
"Ahh! Who are you!?" She asked.
"Take it easy, I mean no harm. I'm Isara's friend. My name's Noctis." He said, with his hands raised in the air.
The lady was relieved upon hearing that a he was a friend of someone she held dear. She immediately relaxed for a moment then continued to speak.
"I thought you were a stranger. Haven't seen you before, Isara's friend. I'm Martha, Welkin and Isara's Nanny. I took care of them when they were young."
Noctis smiled. "I see. Who's Welkin?"
"Isara's older brother. They grew up together and shared the same father. You're such a nice boy for your age and I do hope that you and Welkin would make good friends."
"Please, I'm 22 myself." He chuckled.
"Would you like something to drink?"
"Yes please, Thank you."
Later, Noctis and Martha had a little chat. He told her about everything, from where he came from to his title as a Prince. At first, Martha thinks it was a joke. But after Noctis showing other evidence, Martha's smile disappears. She was quiet shocked but understood what Noctis meant and for his reason of finding peace in another place because his old world, even if it was already free from war still wasn't enough for him. Surely he may be acting awkward in their period but Noctis knew just how to budge in.
"You're quite an inquisitive person like my Welkie." Martha smiled.
He showed his smile. "Not that much."
"Can I ask you this, Are you seeing someone?"
"No, Of course not." He said. "And I'm only Isara's friend. But anyway, Thank you for your time and understanding."
"You're welcome."
Moments later, Noctis left to search for his colleagues. He left Martha to tell Isara for him that He'll be right back after 30 minutes. Afterwards, Noctis set off.
In the village, He looked around him and felt an uneasy environment as it wasn't like this in Lucis nor in Tenebrae. On the middle of the village was a windmill and Noctis stared at it. He had never seen a windmill like that. Windmills were turbines back in his old world.
"This is so different but I'll get used to it quite soon."
Around him were some villagers evacuating. The people were in trucks or had to travel by foot. Little did Noctis knew that there was another war happening in the place. If he ever finds out, He was wrong about settling in a more peaceful place.
Later, He went to the station to ask for some further information. And there, He asked from one of the Town Watch members about the whereabouts of his colleagues. Upon asking, He explained to them of what they looked like.
"Hmm… Haven't seen anyone wearing those before but we'll do our best."
He sighed with a slight frustration. "Ok."
On another side…
"Guys, Look! A village nearby. Maybe we can ask where we are."
"Go ahead, Prompto. You're self-proclaiming yourself to be a leader. I'm sure when Noctis finds out He'll give you a severe lesson."
Prompto was Noctis childhood friend. It was usually Prompto who always gets a lesson from Noctis because of his nonsense ideas and rather feeble imaginations that didn't even made sense. But he saved him on several situation where he imitated various people just by listening to their accent. But for a moment, It wasn't a time for jokes and horseplaying.
They also noticed the people leaving the village and wondered what was going on.
"What's going on? You think there's an outbreak?"
"I don't know but just stay alert, chaps. You won't know what'll hit you."
Moments later, They arrived inside the village.
"Ok, Let's find the station. Maybe they'll tell us where we are."
The party went to the Town Watch Station. On the way, They were stopped by a Town Watch Guard.
"What are you people doing here? Many people are evacuating at the moment."
The gang looked suspicious on what was going on but didn't had a hint of what was the evacuation.
"Evacuating? What for?"
"It might be an interest for you travellers that the Imperials are invading any time of this day and Bruhl may be next."
"What!" Everyone went into a state of shock.
"Anyway, Carry on. Do what you have to do. The station is just over there." He pointed.
The party then circled up.
"Oh no, If Noctis finds out about that, sheesh… I don't know he'll do." Prompto said.
"Well, Now that there's a war soon to be happening, why don't we stick around for a while. Maybe we'll find Noct here."
"Ok, Here's the plan, Ignis, go look for Noctis, We'll wait at the station." Prompto instructed.
"Or, Why not we just go all together at the station. I'm not doing all the heavy lifting again, You Cheeky Larrikin." Ignis referred to Prompto.
"Or that to."
The party then decided to go to the station where they hope that it's where Noctis may be. When they arrived outside the station, They could see someone looking at the people restrained. And that person was Noctis. He was telling to the Town Watch Guards if he was one of his colleagues. Prompto excitedly shouted.
"Noct!"
Noctis was attracted at the familiar voice calling his name and it belonged to his childhood friend. He was relieved to see them all.
"Hey, I thought you guys were dead. What happened?" Noctis questioned.
"Well, We were together when we arrived last night. We noticed that you weren't with us and looked around for a few minutes. We left the place from where we landed until we saw this town. We couldn't even leave the place without you." Ignis explained.
"But the good thing is that you guys are ok. Wait for me here. I'll go to somewhere. I'll be right back."
"Take your time." Ignis replied.
On another side…
Later, Welkin and Alicia surveyed Bruhl and what's left. The windmill was still running while houses were getting empty as one truck left the village for the capital and the streets were empty. As for Welkin, He started to think about this Noctis guy. Who was he? Where was he from? He certainly has a lot of question in store for the guy once they meet for the first time.
"Wow, look at this. Bruhl's really becoming a ghost town." He uttered.
"They've been leaving for a while. Just about everyone has been evacuated by now. I can't blame them. Tensions are rising with the Empire. We'll survive. The Town Watch will guard and protect the homefront. Everyone will come back someday. They'll come back when it's safe again, right?"
Welkin replied with a nod.
After a short discussion, An explosion sounded and shook the ground. The two hear a long whistling sound as well as caterpillar tracks rolling.
"That sound…"
Suddenly, Mortars bombard the area. Civilians scream and run for dear life. An old man on the mill fell from the top while the other hung for dear life but it did little. Another one tried to escape but was crushed by a telephone pole. The others tried to escape but were buggered down by machine gun fire.
"C'mon move it!"
"Shoot to kill!"
The Imperials charged inside Bruhl and shot anyone on sight.
"I don't believe it… the mill." He said, referring to the agonizing final moments of Bruhl's windmill.
"Get all the town watch together, now. We've got to fend them off" Alicia shouted.
"They must be at Mill Plaza. I'll help." He insisted.
"Thanks, Welkin. Now, move out. Stay low!"
With that, Alicia with the help from Welkin mustered every able man that could fire a weapon, even for those civilians. Back in the station, The restrained were immediately set free once Alicia and Welkin arrived and were in relieve if they could fire a weapon.
"Any one of you can fire a gun?"
Those who could, raised their palms. Alicia saw that it was those who she had restrained a while ago. With the current situation, Alicia didn't have time to scold them nor to reprimand. They were just handed out with rifles. Especially for Squall, Who tried to rebuke her.
"Let's save the argument later, Ms. Melchiott. Right now, We've got a fight in our hands." Squall said in high spirits.
Alicia nodded and they moved out. Outside, Lulu was being taken out of the town in an improvised stretcher. Susie led the party to escape out of Bruhl and save the woman's life.
"Alicia! What do we do with her? She's still not looking good."
"Get her out of here."
Then, Tidus noticed what was going on and Alicia looked at Tidus and thought that this man could fire a weapon.
"You, can you fire a gun?"
"I can." He said, with a tone of determination.
"Good. Take this." She said, taking the last rifle from a crate. "Now follow me!"
On another side…
As Alicia, Welkin and the volunteers gave the civilians time, Noctis was running for his own. Making back to the safety of Isara's house. As gunfire and explosions sounded, Noctis started to question himself on what he had done. He set off for another place to seek peacefulness and order but instead, He got dragged onto another confilict, taking him with his colleagues.
"This isn't happening! I hoped that I could get to a rather peaceful place but instead, This is what I gave to my friends. Another conflict, Another war. What am I gonna do?"
Along the way, He saw some people holding rifles while a woman musters them. Noctis paused his sprint when he saw some of his colleagues being one of the group.
"Guys, What's with the rifles?"
"Well, The Town Watch was in short of volunteers so we decided to join up. Right now, We're to go and fight."
"You guys be careful. I'll be going back for something. Don't worry. I'll be fine. You worry about the rest. And…. We'll talk later."
With that, He continued his sprint to Isara's house. He hoped that she could get out of trouble now with the situation becoming aware to him. When he had arrived, He went inside to see Isara and Martha. Martha looked as if she was giving birth.
"ARGHH!" Martha went.
"Noctis, help! Martha's going into labor. Get my kit upstairs. It's in the room where you slept." Isara requested.
And indeed he followed, He went upstairs and went back to the room where he slept. He looked around but with adrenaline rushing in. To his left was a cabinet. He opened and looked at each of the drawers until the kit could be found. He turned to the other cabinet to look for it. It was only when he found it after opening the 3rd drawer of the cabinet. Wasting no time, He set off and went back downstairs until he heard a loud crash.
"Martha!"
He hears Isara's voice and Martha's agony in labor.
"What's her problem? She pregnant...or just fat?"
"Who cares? Not gonna make any difference when she's dead." An Imperial Soldier voiced.
"Stop this now!" Isara raised.
Noctis peeked to see two Imperial Soldiers threatening both Isara and Martha. At the sight of the Imperial soldiers threatening the two, Anger flew through his veins. He dropped the kit slowly and took out the knife from his satchel, preparing to combat with the two. Sweat dripped from his face and his muscles started to harden. He closely listened to their conversation.
"See what she's wearing? Take a good look at that shawl. She's a Darcsen."
"Then that explains it. I though this place stunk. Now I know it does. So, we got ourselves a fat one and a stinky one. Pee-eew, it's a regular pig farm in here." The Imperial soldier insulted.
Isara peeked to her left to see a rifle leaning against the corner of a wall. Taking her opportunity, She rolled for the rifle, grabbing it and cocked it full.
"I will thank you to watch your tongue in this house. You have to leave. Now!"
"That's a big gun for such a little girl. Drop it." The Imperial ordered.
Isara didn't hesitate to pull the trigger against the two especially if they harm her and his brother's nanny. Just then, Welkin busted the door open and attracted the attention of one of the Imperial Soldiers inside their home.
"Isara!" Welkin bawled.
"Hold it Right there!" The Imperial pointed his gun at pointblank range.
Suddenly, Noctis jumped off from the stairs and tackled the Imperial soldier, disarming him. He engaged with him in a hand-to-hand combat, exchanging a few punches or more. When he saw the other Imperial preparing to shoot at him, He immediately threw his knife towards the head of the other, killing it. Then his trade with the other continued. Welkin and Isara looked on to see Noctis' trade punches with the Imperial. Soon, The Imperial got on top of him, took out a combat knife and prepared to stab him but He was overpowered by the Prince and in turn, stabbed by his own knife. Afterwards, Noctis got up and took his knife back. Isara and Welkin were speechless. This lead to the two questioning on what type of person Noctis is.
"Are you ok Isara?" He asked.
"Maybe."
Then, Welkin stepped inside and for the first time, saw a man like Noctis. Welkin was curious about him as to where he came from.
"Are you Noctis?" He asked.
"Yes, I am." He offered his hand after hiding his knife back. "Noctis Lucis Caelum."
And Welkin replied back positively. "Welkin Gunther."
Welkin then turned to Isara. "Are you ok."
"I'm okay. Thanks to Noctis. But Martha…."
Martha was still in an agonizing labor. Noctis, Isara and Welkin went and attended to her. Isara knew that it wasn't going to be good. If they don't do something, Martha may die.
"This isn't good. She's gone into labor. Moving her would be dangerous."
"Right...well, we can't just leave here here! What are we gonna do? There are a lot of Imperials out there, Is. It's only a matter of time before they take over the Mill Plaza."
"Welks, listen, the barn out back…"
"What about it?" He asked as if he knew there was nothing in it.
"Our fathers have left us something, something that might get us out of this mess."
Welkin and Noctis followed Isara to the barn at the back. When they arrived, Welkin felt goose bumps on what was inside it. For sure, He hoped it was something. But to his little of knowledge, The barn was a garage for his dad's old treasure. When Isara opened the barn doors at full, The two men were shocked.
"Dad's tank! Whoa. I can't believe it's still here." Welkin exclaimed.
"Never seen anything like it. Rather much different." Noctis said.
"And it's one of a kind. Here it is, the Edelweiss. Theimer built it especially for General Gunther."
"Yeah, and it worked great too. So it's just been parked here in the barn?"
"I wanted to make sure it would still operate. You know, in case of emergencies. I enrolled in a maintenance class given by the military. I wanted to be able to do what my father could do."
Isara further explained about the Edelweiss and how modern it was compared to the other tanks while Noctis was still out of words on what to say about it.
"Well, assuming it does work, what's next?"
"You took the armored vehicle course, didn't you?"
"Yeah. Back in high school...once."
"We'll bring Martha here. She'll be safe inside the tank and we can move to a better location. Just leave the driving to me, okay? All you have to do is give the orders. But one problem though. We need someone to load up and fire at the same time and you can't do it alone. Can you do it, Noctis?"
Noctis nodded. "Alright, I'll be your loader and gunner."
When Martha had been carried inside, Noctis, Isara and Welkin went inside the tank. Welkin took his father's headphones. Isara pointed to where the Ammo storage in the tank was and Noctis learned quite fast. He took one of the AP Shells and loaded up.
"Isara, are we ready to roll?"
"Engaging engine. The Edelweiss is ready for deployment."
"Noctis, are you loaded up?"
"Armor Piercing Round loaded."
"Alicia could still be out there dodging bullets, buying time for people to evacuate. Here's the plan: We're gonna pick up Alicia and get out of town! All right?, Edelweiss. Move out!"