Chapter 10
Two hundred and thirty-seven students and faculty stood just outside of the broken walls of West Genetics. The steady rainfall continued to soak the combat uniforms of the people gathered. Far ahead of them across the open grasslands of Asakura was an army that dwarfed their numbers many times over. Thousands of Asakura military, Chevalier Pandora, and Limiters stood in rank and file. Rows of Interceptors spread out behind the army idling their engines.
"God help us…" Cassie said in awe staring out at the army assembled against them.
"God can't help us now." Varen responded standing beside her. He watched as a small amount of movement in the front ranks of the army advanced forward. He glanced to the side seeing Sister Margaret who nodded.
"What is it?" Ingrid asked.
"They'll offer terms. Wait here alright?" Varen answered gesturing for Sister Margaret to join him.
"Sure." Ingrid answered nervously.
"Headmaster, will you join me?" Varen asked.
"Of course." She answered.
"Us too." Arnette said stepping up with Elizabeth.
"Alright." Varen agreed walking forward. Although a far distance to walk it felt longer than it should have. Perhaps because they were all more aware of everything around them taking in the sights and smells of what had been their home for years. Faced with overwhelming odds nothing escaped their senses as they tried to engrave each into their minds knowing it could soon be the last time.
Halfway between the two forces Varen and his group stopped and stood a few feet away from a group of four people facing them. Two of them Varen was very familiar with and he looked between them both matching their stares. Both Claire and Charon's faceplates were off, but their armor still made them look imposing. An older man and another girl stood beside them. The man was in a clean uniform decorated with multiple medals and decorations. The girl was in a Chevalier uniform with the insignia of commander on her shoulder.
"Good morning Justicar. You are looking much better than when I last saw you." Charon said cheerfully.
"Yes, I am feeling much better thank you." He answered.
"Excellent, then I'm confident you are prepared to see reason." Charon responded.
"Of course. We are more than prepared to accept your unconditional surrender. Chevalier will accept full responsibility for its part in the E-Pandora incident, as well as the deaths of the Pandora involved. Along with this acceptance Chevalier will dissolve releasing control back to the countries kingdoms. Finally, you and Claire will accept the judgement we render unto you for the deaths of all those who perished in the first attack on West Genetics." Varen answered calmly. Claire and Charon's features did not change, but the man and the Pandora with them could not hide their shock.
"Listen here boy, thankfully you are in no position to make any sort of demands. Sister Margaret I am confident will see reason. Your students do not need to die here today. Relinquish West Genetics to Chevalier, and this ends peacefully." The man said.
"General Strick, it has been quite some time hasn't it? You command the entirety of the Asakura military now? Congratulations." Sister Margaret answered.
"That's correct. Please, don't make me kill these children. They have families and futures. You are the headmaster of West Genetics and you can stop this right now." General Strick answered.
"Do you feel the same, Michelle Taylor?" Sister Margaret asked to the Pandora. She looked at the headmaster for a few moments before nodding.
"This was my home years ago. I grew up here and was trained to become the Pandora I am now here at West Genetics. It pains me to see it like this." The girl answered.
"Now you command Chevalier's Pandora legions. I am proud to say that you were a student in my school." Sister Margaret answered smiling.
"I had a good teacher. Will you please surrender and avoid unnecessary bloodshed?" Michelle answered. The headmaster looked over at Varen and then back at her former student shaking her head.
"I have given command to Varen Askiligar. I am in no position to make any decision involving West Genetics." She answered.
"Outrageous you must see reason! This boy will lead you and your students to their deaths!" General Strick yelled.
"Address me as Justicar or commander if you would please General. Let's not allow our emotions tarnish formalities." Varen said making the man shake with rage.
"You son of a…" He said, but Charon cut him off holding her hand out.
"Elizabeth Mably, and Arnette McMillan. This is what's left of the founding members of the Nightingales correct? Since Varen came to West Genetics your limiter has died. Attia Simmons and her Limiter have perished. Andre Francois was maimed, and my own dear sister has lost her life. All he has brought to West Genetics is death and loss. Unnecessary losses that could have been avoided." Charon explained.
"Perhaps, but what would today look like if he had not come? Amelia Evans would be dead along with the rest of the E-Pandora. Not to mention the countless others who would have died to the Novitiate crisis. No…our losses were not avoidable, and they will not be in vain." Elizabeth answered. Arnette suppressed a smile feeling encouraged that her friend now stood beside her united in their determination.
"We're offering pardon to all West Genetics students. They can relinquish their stigmata and go home. No questions asked, no punishment. A clean slate and forgiveness from Chevalier. Varen Askiligar is to remain in service of Chevalier alongside myself and my sister as our Limiter. We will become the elite Nova defense for the world. Just kneel, and we all go home." Charon said.
"Like hell I'll let you have him." Arnette growled.
"Muzzle your dog Justicar. This is the last time she will make this offer to you." Claire answered just as angry.
"Love is not for the battlefield. It is something for the common people. People like you and I are above that. Our very existence is bred for war. Together we can fight back the Nova threat and years from now when peace finally settles over this world maybe we can find love." Charon said.
"It's a foreign emotion to you, so it is understandable that you cannot believe in it." Varen answered. Charon took a step forward making Arnette and Elizabeth flinch. Her movements were not aggressive and Varen held his ground as she stood directly in front of him.
"Then teach me it. This is an offer with no disadvantages to you. You are the enemy of Chevalier, but we offer you freedom and I am throwing myself at you repeatedly regardless of my pride. I do not understand love like Chiffon once did, so teach me it." Charon said staring into his eyes. Arnette swallowed hard trembling with anger barely holding back from moving. Varen reached his hands up and brushed Charon's hair back holding a number of strands on either side of her face.
"You look like her." Varen said.
"She was my sister." Charon answered. Varen stared at the girl for a long time watching the blue energy dance across her eyes. He let go of her hair letting it fall gently back down alongside her face.
"Chiffon is dead. I couldn't save her. Not a day goes by that I don't regret not being able to save her. I'm sorry that I never knew about you. If I had…I would have risked everything for you and Claire." Varen said. Charon smiled slightly nodding once.
"I don't doubt that." She answered.
"I'm done holding onto things I can't change." Varen said and Arnette looked over at him. Sister Margaret also glanced at him silently.
"Accept her offer Justicar." Michelle said with a slight look of desperation in her eyes.
"I accept that I caused this war. That I chose to risk everyone's life for the life of one girl. I acknowledge that now. What is most surprising is that I don't regret it. Standing here facing you all I feel nothing but pride. I'd do it again if given the chance. I'm right where I belong between you and West Genetics." He said.
"And you believe that is what my sister would have wanted?" Charon asked.
"She left us trusting that we would do what's right. I'm done trying to live through her spirit. I'll always remember her, and I'll fight for her memory, but today…this is for ourselves. This is how we say goodbye to those who were sacrificed. This is my way of saying goodbye and letting Chiffon Fairchild go." He said. A gust of wind raced around them all whipping their clothes violently for a few breaths before disappearing as quickly as it arrived. Charon looked down at the ground between them and then back up at him. She reached up and patted his cheek lightly.
"As you wish Justicar. Until we meet again?" She said lowering her hand.
"I suspect that will be sooner rather than later." He stated and she chuckled.
"And I suspect it will end much like it did before." She answered.
"You're a fool. We will hold nothing back." General Strick said turning to leave with Charon. Michelle gave a quick respectful bow towards Sister Margaret before turning to leave. Her face was etched with a mix of emotions.
"I'll be looking for you out there Ivory Princess. We have unfinished business." Arnette challenged making the girl in silver armor stop and regard her.
"You won't have to look far Crimson Queen. Send your friend my regards when you join her." Claire answered falling in line behind Charon. Varen turned and began walking back towards West Genetics his head held a bit higher. He took a deep breath and let it out as they walked.
"You have some sort of plan don't you?" Elizabeth asked.
"No." He answered with a smile. Elizabeth rolled her eyes sighing.
"Typical…just how reckless are you? Attia was right you need a cape to fit this evil persona of yours." The blonde Pandora said exasperated.
"Everything will work out I know it." He answered with a wink.
"What was with that wind? Strange right?" Sister Margaret said looking at Varen from the corner of her eye. He looked at her knowing full well that she understood the meaning of the wind without him needing to explain. Nonetheless he nodded and kept walking.
"Wind? I didn't feel any wind headmaster. Just the relieved breath of friends who can soon find the rest they deserve."