I do appreciate reviews, especially your reactions and constructive criticisms.

Er, yea.

Also, I said 399 in the previous chapter regarding the year Tir was born…er, it's 439, haha. Originally, before the Suikoden Radio drama, Tir was assumed to be born 439, but that was because we thought he was a 16-years-old! So yea.

True Runes: Freyjadour of the Rebellion

Chapter 4: The past to fight for

"Frey, join us."

His chin rose, meeting an almost similar copy of his eyes. This copy was darker and strong, but behind those eyes is something tender and kind. His eyes, however, had lost those. It had been beastly like a wolf and it had been a loyal dog, but his eyes were different now.

"The Toran Liberation Army."

In the pit of darkness he had always sought only the light, he rejoiced on a single ray and was satisfied. But then, he realized…

"No."

He realized that this bit of happiness…

Her eyes broadened, but she wouldn't take just a single word for an answer. She relaxed her face. "Why?"

This bit of happiness wasn't enough.

SY 445 – (5 years ago)

"This," said Lazlo. "is your new home!"

It wasn't a grand house, nor was there was a grand entrance. Freyjadour's jaw dropped as he innocently dropped at their new home. Lymsleia was less to be pleased by the appearance of the house with her lack of sight. Her face changed with a familiar voice though that called her name.

"Lym!" The voice burst out as soon the door opened. The surprise was more on Lymsleia who couldn't see. Freyjadour recognized the person immediately, but was too happy and shocked to speak.

"Who's that?" asked Lymsleia obliviously, turning her head. She frowned. If her eyes were opened, she would be squinting.

The voice was affronted. "WHAT?" she reacted violently. "I can't believe Lymie forgot my so easily!"

Lymsleia looked equally affronted with the name used on her, but the voice soon registered in her mind before she could retort. She gaped. "Miakis!"

Miakis' smile became warmer. "There we go…Princess."

At the release of the last word, Lymsleia left Freyjadour's side and burst to run to where Miakis was. Freyjadour tried to reach her in the last second she ran, but then just smiled as she watched Lymsleia embrace Miakis. Lymsleia buried her face on Miakis' clothes, possibly crying.

"Hey, don't wipe your runny nose on my new clothes!"

Lymsleia sniffed. "Shut up!"

Freyjadour chuckled. Hearing a loud laughter from behind, he turned and saw Lazlo laughing very genuinely. The contagious laugh made him laugh as well.

Hearing the chorus of laughter, Lymsleia turned her head to them angrily. Her face was red with embarrassment and washed in newly dried tears. "Shut up, you two!"

"Sorry, Lym," said Freyjadour with a smile he couldn't hide.

Miakis beamed at the young boy. "Prince! I mean, Frey, look at you!" Miakis hugged Freyjadour tightly. "You look adorable!" The nineteen-year-old pinched the young boy's cheek tightly. Freyjadour's face suffered from the pain of too much love. "And as girly as ever!"

The comment about his effeminacy made him blush terribly. He could just hide his face behind his palm, but Miakis was still painfully holding onto his cheek.

Fortunately, Lazlo felt the boy's pain. With the man's smile though, it was only sympathetic. "Relax, Miakis. You're going to disfigure his face."

Miakis let go and bent down a bit to get a better look of his face. "Aw, I wouldn't want his cute face to become ugly and old."

Freyjadour stared at Miakis whose still, grinning face made him nervous. "Uh…"

"You're so CUTE!"

Miakis scoped the boy and squeezed him tightly.

"Mi-mi-a-a-kis! Pl-plea-please-sto-stop!" His voice shook as Miakis swayed him like a doll.

"All right, all right!" she giggled, obliging to the request of the boy. "It's too bad you're getting older. When you were just a tiny boy, you'd always run to every woman and hug them." Miakis' face darkened to a smirk. "You little pervert…"

Freyjadour doubted he ever had the intention, or had done the exaggeration at all, but Miakis got the expression she wanted. "Miakis!"

"You even peeped on Lym once!"

Both Freyjadour and Lymsleia's eyes grew. "WHAT?"

"What are you talking about?" demanded Lymsleia. Though blind, Freyjadour could feel her eyes on him. "You!"

Miakis' teasing face burst into a bewildered look. She frowned. "Lym, is that how you call your brother?"

The siblings seemed to be holding the same expressions recently. They were baffled for a moment, but became quiet upon realizing what has been meant. Instantly, it became an awkward moment.

Miakis was quite in the mood now to be a mother and speak up a thing or two. Her hands were on her hips and her face was disappointed and angry. Her lips were about to let go of the words, but Lazlo interrupted her.

"Let's talk later. Gregmister is a big city to explore," he said, smiling at the three faces turned to him.

It was already settled and no one spoke about anything else anymore. Even Miakis realized the bad timing and decided to forget about what had just happened for now. Even so, she did not pretend having a cheerful mood as they strolled.

After a delightful lunch, they stepped out of the restaurant and stopped in the middle of their discussion with the expensive cheese clam appetizers and the beef that worked like magic with spice. The royal entourage of the crowned prince, Barbarossa was exiting the city. Freyjadour loosely dropped his jaw, smiling in awe at the prince who smiled gently and waved at his people.

"Oh, it's that time of the year, right?" Miakis asked Lazlo, who nodded.

"The what?" Lymsleia asked.

"Every year, Prince Barbarossa conduct prayers for good harvest in the Kunan region," answered Freyjadour with a hint of excitement. He remember himself how it was, having met the prince he admired during one of the ceremonies. Freyjadour then noticed. "Lady Claudia will not be coming with him?"

"No," replied Lazlo, who looked in thought as the city gates closed in the distance. "Maybe it's time you get back to the house."

"Where are you going?" asked Freyjadour.

"Just something to check on…"

Lymsleia frowned. "Does this mean Miakis is cooking dinner?"

Freyjadour often sparred with Miakis, who wielded her usual daggers. Freyjadour was still not on Miakis' level, mainly because his use on his tri-sectioned staff had many flaws. The family heirloom was difficult to use and Freyjadour have to self-study often times, learning from his crash and loses against Miakis. Their spars became less becoming because Lymsleia demanded Miakis' presence. Miakis felt the need to attend to both equally, but Freyjadour soon understood that he should give up time with Miakis so she and Lymsleia can spend more time together.

Freyjadour often studied by reading books. He learned to enjoy them once he's buried in it, though he used to have problems having the initiative to actually read one. Fortunately, he learned how to love reading, mostly about the details of Scarlet Moon Empire. He didn't enjoy much of the classics and novels, even if they detailed an epic war. His imagination was a bit short, so even as a child he found it difficult to feel excited reading such books. He felt it more interesting to read on factual events.

And eventually, when Lazlo found Freyjadour reading more often alone, he felt that he was not doing well as a parent. After all, boys his age should be outside playing or going out in a make-believe adventure. He knew Freyjadour well enough he wasn't much of the type, since even he didn't like make-believe adventures when he was a child.

Lazlo saved at least one day for Freyjadour, and this he completely formulated. Whilst there was something going on in the shadows of the empire, he personally came up to General Teo McDohl in what the general thought to be a serious matter. He could not believe his ears that broke the tense atmosphere in the castle when Lazlo asked about his son, Tir.

"Having a parental problem?" General McDohl asked, humored.

Lazlo smiled. "Perhaps so."

"My son's surrounded by people I trust, so I have nothing to fear. He's always energetic and fiery, so I know he's doing very well. Every night, we join together for dinners and I would hear his story. Even though nights can be tiring, listening to him makes them less weary."

Lazlo figured there weren't a lot of people in the house. He knew more importantly that Freyjadour is constantly concerned for his sister and he was persistent to always becoming better as if he really needed to. He needed to lighten up.

"Frey," Lazlo called.

Freyjadour looked up from the history book he was reading. "Yes?"

The kid was still formal. "Got some time?"

Freyjadour nodded, closing his book.

Lazlo smiled. "I just want to spar with you, if you don't mind."

Freyjadour grinned, nodding feverishly. "Of course not!"

Lazlo was obviously going easy on Freyjadour. He wielded a single sword and deflected every strike Freyjadour made. The strikes of his tri-sectioned staff were still basic and uncreative. Freyjadour was smart enough to notice he was making no actual progress, so he began to eye on Lazlo's openings. In response, Lazlo revealed them secretly, each time hoping Freyjadour to spot it, and each time Freyjadour successfully did, Lazlo's heart fluttered in success. He didn't spoil Freyjadour though. He made sure he would taste nasty counterattacks out in the blue, in which Freyjadour first reacted poorly.

Lazlo started to summarize what Freyjadour needs to improve on in his mind and unconsciously making up plans on how to have Freyjadour learn it on his own. At times before he sleeps, he became distracted and this thought became addicting. Unfortunately, each time he enter the castle, his focus became divided. Although it was sad, he'd have to attend to some other business for the few weeks…

When Lazlo hadn't been coming home again, Freyjadour eagerly set up his own practices. He wasn't used practicing out in the open (at the back of the house, they have a garden), but as it became a normal routine, he felt at ease. Practicing in the air, he used less force and managed his fingering on his weapon. His hands, his wrists, and how his arms were to react on attacks. Occasionally, he would drop his tri-sectional staff. He couldn't twirl them properly yet too.

One time, while at the garden, he saw boys of his age playing roughly with their fists. It crossed to Freyjadour's mind about martial arts and if he could imitate it more. He put into thought how his feet would move and the position of his feet in consecutive attacks and at retreats. Each time he managed to impress himself, he thought of using it against Lazlo and expressed in his mind how Lazlo would react. And then Freyjadour would execute his defense and attack again.

And then in another time, when Lazlo checked on Freyjadour, he came back and saw a small crowd near the back of the house. He grinned at the sight and felt more in ease. When one sees girls starring at one's child and boys red in jealousy, one would know he was doing a very good job.

SY 446 – (4 years ago)

Freyjadour had one time with Miakis to spar after so many practices. He was anxious yet excited to see his own work pay off. He wants to prove to himself he was making progress. In this, he became aggressive in their spar, so Miakis was forced to raise the level of difficulty. In Freyjadour's delight, he disarmed one of Miakis' daggers and hit her after a twirl. Freyjadour felt very satisfied, but he knew he had many flaws and worried he was not going to prove anything to Lazlo now.

Times suddenly changed when the house was filled with a spine-tingling scream and cry. In horror, he saw Lymsleia crying and writhing in pain in her bed. She held close to her stomach. For a moment, he thought she was stabbed, but there was no blood in her hands. Miakis called in a doctor and treatment Freyjadour didn't learn until later on underwent throughout the night.

The two were extremely anxious as the doctor let them in the room.

"Internal wounds reopened," the doctor told them straight. "It was only for a fraction, but it would naturally still cause serious pain. Fortunately, strong magic was used on the closing of wounds, so my Water Rune was sufficient enough to heal the small reopening…I suggest she rest for a week and avoid unnecessary movement. She'd need a lot of vitamins, too…"

The doctor patted the drops of sweat on his half-bald head. "Be careful now."

Miakis thanked the doctor, nodding. Freyjadour stared at Lymsleia's sleeping face, suddenly filled with dreaded fear.

The following day, Freyjadour realized his mother was dead, his father was dead, and his sister was lying at the edge of the plane. He felt no need to read, no need to practice. He thought of Falena and his status. He thought of his sister and their future. Somehow, this home he lived in for many months became distant and he knew more that he was far away from his real home.

"Is something wrong?" asked Lazlo, putting down his sword.

Early morning, he asked Freyjadour the time to spar. It has been months, and Lazlo felt disappointed Freyjadour wasn't as excited as he was. He's been forced to observe the events lately but his concern has been on Freyjadour still.

Freyjadour gave no instant response, curling his lips.

Lazlo crossed his arms, giving only too silence. It's not like he was pressuring Freyjadour to speak up, but he completely have no idea what could be troubling Freyjadour. He wasn't on the house often, so it was partly his fault, but he was genuinely concerned to know.

"Nothing," answered Freyjadour quietly.

Lazlo tried not to sigh. He has to have a guessing game. "Is there something you want?"

"No…"

"Did you want to do something?"

"No…"

"Is it about Lymsleia?"

Freyjadour's eyebrows furrowed and he dared not to look at Lazlo. Lazlo got the subject now.

"What about her?"

"Nothing…"

Back to square one…

"Did she do something to you? You two got in an argument?"

Freyjadour shook his head. "No; nothing like that…"

Lazlo was a patient man, though he mused of this kind of behavior briefly.

"Are you feeling bad about something?"

Freyjadour was motionless.

"About Lymsleia?"

Again, he didn't move, but Lazlo stared carefully at his eyes and knew he was getting closer.

"It's not as if you did anything to her, right?"

Freyjadour shook his head.

"Then what is it?"

The former prince looked away and Lazlo remained stiff as well.

"Wait here," he told the boy. "I'm going to get us breakfast…"

The two ate quietly, Lazlo expressing warmer affections to Freyjadour, hoping it would help him open up. They sat on the bed of cold grass. It rained last night, but the cool air and wet grass made it feel like they were by the shore of the sea. It was quiet and slightly dark, peaceful and relaxing.

They sipped on warm chocolates. Lazlo liked chocolates, and so did Freyjadour. The two didn't really have a sweet tooth, but they were chocolate fans. They didn't go crazy over sugar-induced chocolates though. They wanted the cocoa-rich ones, not the chemically engineered chocolates…expensive chocolate they were.

"If there's something you want to say," Lazlo began. "I'm willing to hear it."

They continued to eat in silence, Lazlo raising topics almost randomly.

"What time did you sleep last night?"

"Ten o'clock."

"Did you sleep well?"

Freyjadour nodded.

"Have you heard of the Island Nations?"

"I have."

"I was born there."

Freyjadour looked up at Lazlo, curious. "Really?"

Lazlo nodded. "I sailed a lot. I love the seas, traveling, and getting to see many people. There were many fishes and mermaids…"

"Mermaids?"

Lazlo nodded again. "They weren't a common sight though."

"When did you see them?"

"…a long time ago."

Freyjadour was in awe. Mermaids haven't been sighted for a very long time.

"What was your job?"

"I was a knight." Lazlo grinned.

"For how long?" the boy asked excitedly.

"Not too long," he answered.

Freyjadour sipped on his hot chocolate. "Both my fathers came from the Island Nations," he said. "Lym's father said many things about it."

"Like what?"

Freyjadour looked up. "The sea, food, ships…Mother said it was a great place, too."

"I'd take you two there," said Lazlo warmly, putting a hand on Freyjadour's shoulder. "Wherever you want to go. The world is not perfect, but it's beautiful."

The prince's eyes stared in Lazlo's eyes, stunned. He felt Lazlo's grip tighten, as if telling him to squeeze all out his pain. The prince's heart obeyed, slowly warming and expanding from its cold, stoned form. His eyes relaxed, letting go of tears he never realized he had so much of. Lazlo really have no idea if this was actually related to his problem, but it was a start.

Freyjadour didn't know how to clean his tears. He balled his hands into fists, still trying not to cry, but he was too emotional to have the real will. For long minutes, he cried as the sun began to appear. The new light made him realize he has cried for too long. He finally wiped some of his tears with the back of his hand and hiccupped.

"Lazlo…" he tried to say with his hoarse voice. He found himself more prone to tears. "This bit of happiness…" He quivered, hiccupping and finding his vision blurred in the light reflected by his watery eyes. "This bit of happiness isn't enough."

Even as they talk of going and traveling of a bright future in each new day, he fretted that the small light that barely casts a shadow is followed endlessly by the darkness that will return to blind Freyjadour, filled with the feeling of being powerless. His inability to protect anyone or anything, that even though he impressed himself with his skills and progress, he was nothing against the large shadow that followed him and the dim room that waited at the end of the tunnel.

They were now both covered in light and Lazlo was struck by the sadness in the young man's face, completely weakened and blank at the thought of how to give Freyjadour the happiness he deserved.

Freyjadour spent more times with Lazlo, who became more available each day. Lazlo even spent time with Lymsleia for a change, since he could rarely attend to her. Lymsleia treated Lazlo with respect, oddly enough, and Freyjadour could see from the looks in their faces during their conversation that they talked about serious topics, unlike the usual Lymsleia and Miakis chatters that included many poking and teasing.

After another spar with Miakis, Freyjadour engaged in a discussion, directly asking her: "Miakis, before you came to us…how was Falena?

Miakis made a double-take on Freyjadour's face, a bit surprised by the sudden question. She was a bit hesitant to answer.

"The truth, Miakis."

"Well, Lady Sialeeds is now Her Majesty and Gizel is the Commander of the Queen's Knights, but Marscal is like…" Miakis made a horn out of her fingers, mocking the man's face. Freyjadour smiled slightly, but Miakis became a bit more serious. "It isn't the same Falena, Prince."

"…"

"Just…forget about Falena, Prince."

Freyjadour changed the topic. "Why are you calling me 'prince'?"

Miakis poked her tongue out. "We were talking about Falena, so…oh, forget it. Sorry, Frey!"

Still, he was bothered. Forget Falena?

He thought of the injustice and what was rightfully theirs. He thought of what was right and what should be, yet…

He knew it would all come back. It would be a large shadow, a shadow that has been tailing him.

Freyjadour slept with ill thoughts, and so he dreamt of hazy characters and forces that disturbed him. Shadows blurred in his dream, images barely can be made out, yet he felt like he was being swallowed and destroyed. In an instant, in the few seconds on dream, he woke up with a shout. His hands scrambled for the blankets, having felt that he has left the bed and he was elsewhere in a place he didn't know.

"Frey?" Lazlo came. He was still in his casual clothes. It was obvious the man hadn't slept yet and was bothered by the scream.

"A nightmare," he said hesitantly.

Lazlo shut the door quietly, coming in the room. "What was it about?"

Even if Freyjadour would share, he couldn't. "I forgot."

Lazlo peered at the clock and saw that it was past eleven. He knew better than to persist. "You should get back to sleep. Do you want anything?"

Freyjadour shook his head.

"All right," conceded Lazlo. "Good night."

"Good night."

But after that, he could no longer sleep. It was already one in the morning. He stood up from his bed and quietly stalked in the hallway. He realized he was going to pass by Lymsleia's room, so he entered to check on his sister. As he slowly opened the door, a voice snapped at him.

"Sneaking in a girl's room, how rude!"

Even so, Freyjadour opened the door widely and saw Lymsleia sat up in her bed, wide awake. Her arms were crossed, completely disapproving.

"Erm, sorry," he said. "Can I come in?"

Lymsleia's frown disappeared and she nodded. Freyjadour slowly closed the door and stood by the far end of Lymsleia's room.

"Why are you just standing there? You can sit on my bed, you know."

"Well." Freyjadour obeyed and sat by the foot of her bed. "Why are you awake, Lym?"

"I'm not very tired," she answered. "And you?"

Freyjadour smiled weakly. "Nothing…"

Lymsleia's face stared at her blanket. "You've been thinking of Falena, haven't you, brother?"

Freyjadour was less shocked or surprised, but curious where Lymsleia was going as she seemed to be not yet done.

"I've already thought of Falena, but with how I am, there's nothing I can do about it. I want to move on and live happily. I can do that, right, brother?"

"Of course you can."

"But then, I thought." Her voice threatened to break. "I thought that I would have to face Falena again someday." Her hand dabbed her eyes. "I don't want to…but I know I have to."

"Lym, you're no longer the princess of Falena," said the prince, emphasizing it as he felt her tears were as the princess of Falena.

"But what of Mother? Father? They died for Falena—"

"They…" Freyjadour's eyes narrowed. "They'd understand, but please, Lym, don't think of…don't think of leaving me, please. I also feel that I would have to face Falena again, but if I do, then I don't want to be alone. But never leave me, Lym, please."

Lymsleia raised her head and felt her brother's warm gaze on her.

"Then promise me something," whispered Lymsleia firmly. "Never leave me behind."

"I won't!" answered Freyjadour.

"Even if I am blind and injured," she continued with the same firmness. "Never, ever, leave me behind. Always take me with you, brother."

"I will."

"Because if you leave me, then I will also leave."

It was the time of the year when Prince Barbarossa would lead once again the annual prayers for good harvest. Unlike last year, Lady Claudia will accompany the beloved prince this year.

"Frey, want to come along?" asked Lazlo while equipping his rare dual swords on his belt.

The boy wondered. "To where?"

Lazlo turned. He was about to leave, but had offered Freyjadour something he wouldn't be able to resist. "I will see His Majesty and his wife before they depart."

"Prince Barbarossa and Lady Claudia?" he asked eagerly.

"Who else?"

The two went to the empire's castle, located a distance from Gregminster. They were to depart directly from the castle unlike before where they would come to Gregminster.

Lazlo was a common and respected visitor in the castle. As they past guards, they greeted him warmly. The sight of Lazlo also allowed them to put even a smile on the man. Freyjadour's head stared at the soldiers even as they left.

"Do you go here often?" he asked.

Lazlo was aware the awe in Freyjadour's face, but he pretended to be oblivious about it. "Very often."

Freyjadour never really knew what Lazlo does for work, but he never thought it was related in anyway to the empire.

"Are you a soldier, just how you fought as a knight?"

Lazlo chuckled. "No, not at all. You mean, you have no idea?"

Freyjadour pondered deeply. "I remembered Lady Windy mentioning your apprenticeship with…"

"Lady Leknaat," he finished for him.

"Who is she?"

They entered past the doors of the castle and were directed to the waiting room (as usual). The servant already knew who they were here for.

"Lady Leknaat is the Seer of the empire from the Magician's Island. The island's very far away protected by magical barriers. Every year she sends her observations of the stars to the empire. Since she's not capable of doing many things at a time, I have to help her out, in and out of the island."

"Observations of the stars?"

"We call them Astral Conclusions," explained Lazlo.

"I read something about this…like reading the future?"

Lazlo nodded. "Something like that. Of course, it's not that…true. Lady Leknaat gives vague information of the 'flow' of events to happen. It can be misinterpreted or mistaken."

Soon, the two majestic figures appeared before them and Prince Barbarossa greeted both warmly.

"Why, if it isn't Freyjadour."

Freyjadour blushed slightly over his wide smile. "Your Majesty!" He responded with a bow quickly.

"Formal as ever," commented Lady Claudia. She put her hand gently on his head with compassion. "You've grown! How is your sister?"

Freyjadour tried not to remember and mention in guilt of the reopening of Lymsleia's wounds. "Very well."

"Is there something you need?" asked Prince Barbarossa towards Lazlo.

Lazlo raised his hands in defense. "No, just saying goodbye and a blessed journey."

Prince Barbarossa eyed at Lazlo carefully and laughed. "I thought of seeing the other regions after the ceremony, but must I return early?"

"No, I think it's a good idea for the prince to see his people as well."

He nodded. "I'm glad you approve of it."

"Keep your heads up, your Majesty."

Because the tide of fate is now about to change.

Prince Barbarossa looked at Freyjadour. "Freyjadour, have you thought of your future?"

Freyjadour was silenced, his eyes wide and blinking. He thought ill of his future that he imagined to be filled with shadows, but he said nothing of this.

"Not a lot." He then hesitantly added, "What have you thought about yours, Your Majesty?"

The prince raised his head and his distant eyes softened. "I had and it would be the same, and it's an empire of peace." His eyes steadily looked at Lazlo. "Unless fate has a different idea."

Lazlo only closed his eyes and made no reply.

Freyjadour didn't know this would be the last time he would see Prince Barbarossa and Lady Claudia…the last time the same person the prince would be.

Two days after the departure, Geil Rugner, Prince Barbarossa's uncle, had removed the prince as the heir through a trial that obviously favored Geil Rugner due to the political favor he gathered, making sure that the prince would lose in a trial he is miles away from. Lazlo was long prepared for this, but as he said goodbye to Miakis, Lymsleia, and Freyjadour, he may be wrong.

Lazlo would look at Freyjadour. The boy was only silent and he wondered, was he filled with thoughts? He couldn't read his face and it made it more difficult to say goodbye.

He was not experienced in saying goodbyes. Often he left, but he never had to consider that someone would be sad.

"Frey," he told him. "I will come back."

And he believed him.

Freyjadour had read many history books, books of the creation of war and states. It was ironic in many ways that he remained clueless of the escalating war.

There was a girl a few years older than him. He never heard of her and Lazlo never mentioned her name even once. One day, as Lazlo was about to leave, she came barging in the house, looking upset and appeared to be ready to attack. Freyjadour was just as ready to defend because he really thought some mad woman entered the house.

The said mad woman was Odessa Silverberg who was Lazlo's pupil and even as she came angry and upset, she burst into tears, tears that Freyjadour thought he should be having as well as Lazlo left. Yet, for some reasons, he couldn't.

They lived in peace under the Silverberg, far from the succession war in the Scarlet Moon Empire. After the war, Lady Claudia was gone, and Freyjadour felt deep inside that the man too had died.

"Why?" Odessa asked quietly. They remained deaf to the cries of the imperial guards approaching.

"I have no plans on bringing ruins to peace," he answered quietly, silently shaking at the selfish idea of this woman.

"Don't you see what's happening, Frey?" she demanded. "The government is corrupted! It will bring itself to ruins!"

"In the land's state, we will fall behind powerful nations and a slave to their ideals! The Queendom is too timid!"

"I believe in the emperor!" His voice shook yet firmness. "And as your friend, Odessa, I suggest you stop this, before mercy can no longer be given!"

"I'm afraid I cannot do that, Frey. I have seen the corruption ever since Barbarossa took the throne. If this goes on, then the empire will surely fall."

"We have to learn from the mistakes of the past! Falena must prosper through aggressive means to strengthen our power!"

"Then are you saying you deserve to lead the empire?" he hissed quietly.

"Not at all, but I fight for reforms," answered Odessa. "There is no right in the empire anymore."

"I believe that I am putting Falena in the right path to avoid the destruction that threatened within us."

Freyjadour's blood boiled. "Who are you to speak such an ignorant thought?"

"Ignorant?" repeated Odessa, her glares showing. "You're the one who's been ignorant! You who Master sheltered from the corruption for so long! But Lazlo is DEAD! Open your eyes, Freyjadour! The empire we both once knew is long gone!"

"We are to enter in a new era of peace...and POWER!"

"I will fight for that empire no matter what!" His hand dramatically swiped the air. "For that empire I will not abandon it in times of danger…" Freyjadour took up his weapon.

"Odessa, if you dare to cross with the empire again, then I will fight you."

"Then do know," she said heatedly. "That I have already decided to destroy the empire along with its corruption, and I am not going to hesitate to bring you along, you who have become a DOG OF THE EMPEROR!"

"For this, I have brought destruction even to the royalty to bring the phoenix back from the ashes!"

"Then you must be the wolf who turned snarling at its master."

Odessa gritted her teeth. "In a land that is truly free, there are no masters."

Freyjadour's eyes sparked as he smirked. He would no longer let the Godwins have their way and become a shadow to further rob what was his.

"Your definition of freedom, Odessa, is childish."