/Since I have more free time than usual, I'll write up another chapter while I'm at it. They should be quick reads, but satisfying nonetheless!
Now I hope you guys enjoy this.

For reference: ././././. = Flashback

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The Palace's hall echoed with each footstep the figure took. His short red hair and blue eyes glittered off of the ornate walls. He was part of the Imperial Guard, a sect specifically designed to protect the royal family. It was without to say, an honorary title. Sadly though, he knew that he was only chosen due to being of nobility, much like the rest of his comrades.

Approaching the golden brass doors to the Emperor's chamber, he nodded to the two guards. They were plated in full armor, yet moved with ease. Who's to say that even the privileged get to slack off? The doors groaned loudly as they opened inwardly, bathing him in a bright light.

A giant strip of red carpet led to the man himself. Agress. The Emperor sat in his throne, with his adviser, and the commander of the Guard by his side. Gyras, his superior, smiled at him. Despite the intimidating size of the weapon strapped to his back, and the countless battles he had been involved in, he had that friendly aura always around him. Johan, the Emperor's closest adviser, looked at him with distaste, and turned his attention back to the man.

"My liege, it is imperative that we do something about this daemon. If we continue to ignore him-" "Then what? Have you any ideas yourself?" The commander cut him off, sounding fed up as if he had been hearing this conversation for too many times. Agress slumped in his seat, seemingly bored. "You there, stop where you are!" Johan commanded.

Even with his effeminate appearance, something told him it was for the best to obey. The commander of the Guard raised an eyebrow in surprise, "Ordering around my subordinates now?" Pointing at the young man, he raised his voice. "Well? What are you doing just standing around? If you have something to say, then come."

Taking a timid first step, he felt the advisors glare burn into him. It was never good to get on his bad side. A fact he had learned from his superior. Kneeling at the throne, he bowed his head, "Your majesty, I've just received news from scouts on the whereabouts of the Daemon." For the first time, Agress's eyes lit up with keen interest. "Oh? Then do continue." He said.

"To be completely honest your majesty, we didn't necessarily scout him out. The Randall Guard had been patrolling near the southern depths of the forest." He continued, "They stumbled upon him, and were nearly eradicated in the process."

A small sigh escaped from the Emperor's lips. He motioned with his finger towards Gyras, and whispered something to him. He gave a short nod in response, and headed for the entrance. Johan wasn't someone he would like to trifle with, but he was completely protected by his relationship with royalty.

The adviser's lavender eyes glowered at the commander, before having him turn around to face him. "Would you please stop staring at me? I don't need another woman at my heels." He teased. His face instantly went beet red, matching the highlight on his silver hair. "N-Now that was just uncalled for! I want you out of this palace immediately!"

Giving a quick bow, he exited the room; leaving the three men to themselves. Reaching into one of his coats pockets, Johan took out a small notepad. "My liege, we still have other things to attend to. The citizens needs are being neglected due to the recovery from the unification wars. If we don't lower the taxes soon, then you'll lose all of your supporters." Hearing this caused the Emperor to frown. A decade ago, he had lost a majority of his supporters due to the dissolution of the Volunteer army. Yet the damage done to neighboring lands, and his own, greatly salted the wound.

If a foreign nation were to attack, then they were doomed. Thankfully, they were also the largest country in all of El Gaia. "Lower it down to a sixty percent." He muttered. "Sire….that's still too high." "Johan. Did you not just hear what I said?" Agress repeated himself coldly. Facing the young man at his feet, he shook his head, and forced on a smile. "Your commander is waiting for you, Regil. Best to not keep him waiting."

His adviser glanced quickly at him, and huffed in annoyance. "Well? Didn't you hear him? Best not to keep that idiot commander of yours waiting." Sometimes, Regil really wondered what his and Gyras relationship was like…

Once he had left the two to themselves, Johan cupped his chin in his hands, and thought for a moment. "Remind me again why we needed those blubbering buffoons." He asked. Chuckling at his comment, the Emperor rubbed his wrists. "Well, let's just say we are, who we are."

././././.

The battlefield was littered with bodies, those of familiar comrades Agress had grown to love and trust, and unfamiliar enemies, who probably had families they fought and died for. His blade was coated in blood, glittering as the sun's dying rays of light shone over the horizon. "Guess this is another victory for us!" A cheerful, feminine voice spoke up, slapping him hard on the back. Her hair was matted with swat, making it appear a darker shade of blonde. Her pistol and dagger were sheathed into their holsters; worn from the eventful battle.

"The losses were much more severe than I had anticipated…. Is what I'm doing right?" He inquired. His cause was just, and fair, but the lives lost… Maybe this hadn't been the best path to choose. Noticing this, she winked at him in her usual cheeky fashion. "Follow what your heart believes in." She admitted. "Even if the path ahead seems dark and shrouded in mystery, just know I'll be here, right by your side!"

"Thank you, Alessa." He smiled, reaching out towards her hand.