Second update tonight. Go back to 53 and start from there, if you haven't already.

Enjoy the second-to-last chapter before we get into completely alien material.

"I can't believe you people." –Sync

"Dark's right. I'd even suggest ditching him if he were wearing a Kimlascan officer's uniform like he's supposed to." –Reighn

Chapter 6.1 – Conflicts and Sidequests
Part 54

Dark's POV

Asch and Jade's departure was a quiet one, mostly because Jade was unconscious and Asch was in no shape to be arguing. Seth, being only a few inches shorter than Jade, had filched one of his uniforms, as well as his spare glasses, while I explained everything I could remember about what had happened the last time we were in Engeve.

Seth may have preferred a different weapon—he called it a sparrow-blade?—but if he could pass off as the colonel, then we'd use that to our advantage. Besides, the both of them were fonists first and foremost.

Noelle had us flying over Rugnica Plains when Natalia pointed out the obvious.

"They're fighting."

Tear nodded. "Yes. That would make evacuating Engeve difficult even if the land weren't about to fall."

"We have to do something!" Natalia cried. "All those soldiers... They have families, too! We have to get the generals in charge to call a ceasefire!"

I crossed my arms. "And how do you plan to do that? I don't have the authority to order that, and we can't say for sure where the Kimlascan commander is. Seth might be able to talk General Frings into a ceasefire, but..." I trailed off. Reighn crossed his arms.

"Sync's still got an extra set of Ion's robes."

"No."

I sighed. Count on Sync to shoot that idea down immediately. Well...

I frowned and thought about it. True, Sync hated the title of Fon Master, but...

"Get over it," I snapped. "Sync, Reighn, Natalia, Guy, and I will go to Kaitzur. Count Almandine should be there, he should be the one in charge of the Kimlascan army. Natalia and Sync, posing as Ion, can order a ceasefire from there. Tear, Ion, Anise, Selenia, and Seth posing as Jade will go to Engeve."

"What?!" Sync sounded like he was whining, and I rolled my eyes.

"Listen. Selenia is the daughter of General Glenn McGovern. Colonel Jade Curtiss isn't just an officer of the Third Division, he's in charge of it. Tear, Luke, and I got caught up in the mess with the cheagles, Rose should recognize Tear. And with you and Ion both acting as Ion in two places at once, Anise, the Fon Master Guardian they're familiar with, will be more helpful. Besides, I'm sending both ligers with you," I said. "But Natalia needs to go to the Kimlascans, and I'm going with her to confirm her identity. Guy's coming to confirm that Luke is alive. If anyone asks, we'll say he's helping you guys. And, again. We need Ion. He can't really be in two places at once."

Sync stared at me, expression unreadable, before Ion took a deep breath and nodded.

"Dark's right."

Sync groaned. "I can't believe you people." He stood, grabbing his bag and heading off further into the Albiore. I sighed.

Tear crossed her arms. "Why not send Sync and Reighn with us instead? We could use the fighters to help defend the civilians."

"Except the citizens of Engeve would find it strange that I'm suddenly fighting myself instead of letting my Fon Master Guard do it," Ion said. "Although I'm quite tempted to ask Sync if he'll help me learn a little self-defense. I feel bad watching all of you fight for me."

Reighn crossed his arms. "With your weak constitution, I'd rather you asked Dark. Sync, and Zion before him, are both short-range fighters. Their bodies can take the stress. Yours can't. You'd be better suited to something like the fonic guns Dark uses."

Ion looked up at me hopefully, and I sighed. "I'll think about it. Right now certainly isn't the time to be worrying about that. Besides, if Seth can pull off his Jade act well enough, he should be able to commandeer a platoon or two to guard your rear."

Tear nodded, and Sync walked back into the cockpit, dressed up like an almost perfect mirror of Ion.

Except for his hair, which was still in its classic, gravity-defying, spiked-forward do. I sighed, and he scowled.

"I'll fix my hair later," he grumbled.

"Where should I go first?" Noelle asked from the front. I crossed my arms.

"Kaitzur. Then take the evacuation group to Engeve. See if you can't transport the children, elderly, and wounded to Chesedonia. That should make things a bit less dangerous for them," I said. Reighn was pulling something out of his wing pack, and I couldn't help but stare when I saw what he'd extracted. "Is that...?"

"My old uniform. I haven't actually grown much in the last few years, it should still fit me," he said, already heading back to the cabins to change. Ion smiled a bit before walking over to Sync and messing with his hair. The older replica grumbled some, but didn't stop him. I noted with some amusement that Ion hadn't cut his hair in some time. His bangs were practically covering his eyes now, and he kept brushing them off to one side.

A few moments later, and Sync and Ion could have passed themselves off as reflections... Except for the fact that Sync's side-bangs were an inch or so shorter, anyway.

Perfect matches... right down to the way they kept brushing their bangs out of the way. Well, and the staff Ion carried around. I swear that thing was missing half the time and then there the other half.

Reighn came back in, and I noted that a few people stared a moment. He crossed his arms. "What?"

I smirked, having finally figured out why he seemed to like the light blue slacks so much. They covered his usual black boots, while a white, sleeveless turtleneck had taken the place of his long-sleeved dark gray one. A blue tabard, the same sky blue as his old coat had been, had silvery designs on it that were almost identical to those on Anise's. What looked almost like a silver cloak was actually attached to the tabard, swallowtail ends draping down Reighn's back. Dark blue outlined it. Equally dark blue sleeves were held up by silver, probably elastic, and black, fingerless gloves peeked out from under the equally silver cuffs.

"You look... very different, all dressed up like that," Tear said.

"We're five minutes from Kaitzur. The negotiating party should probably head for the hatch with someone to tell me you're off," Noelle said. I sighed and pushed away from the wall I'd been leaning against. I glanced down at Twilight and Sorylle. The sea-green liger was asleep still.

"Take care of her for me?"

Twilight lifted his head slightly from where it had been resting across Sorylle's shoulders. "I will. Don't die."

I smirked and walked off, heading for the hatch. Natalia, Sync, Ion, and Reighn were ahead of me. Guy followed me out. The six of us stopped just inside the hatch.

"What happens if Count Almandine can't call a ceasefire?" Ion asked. I shrugged.

"If we can't stop it from there, we'll try to head back to Baticul. Even if that means crossing the battlefield on foot," I said. The hatch opened, and I nodded to the others. Sync glanced at Ion.

"Stay safe," I heard him mutter before he followed me off. Reighn, acting the part of his omnipresent guard, hovered behind his right shoulder. Guy stayed as close to me and Natalia as he could stand.

Once we were off, Ion headed back toward the cockpit. I glanced around. We were barely a hundred yards from the gates of Kaitzur. "Let's go."

Natalia nodded, leading us to the border town. Our timing must have been perfect, because there was a platoon leaving the city as we approached. Brigadier General Cecille's eyes widened, and she stepped to the side, ordering her troops to continue forward before practically running over to us.

"First Lieutenant Daemione! Princess Natalia! Fon Master Ion!" She saluted smartly, and I reluctantly did the same. This woman was my superior, after all.

Natalia crossed her arms. "General Cecille. We need to get these men off of the battlefield. The entire area is going to fall, just like St. Binah and Akzeriuth," she said quickly. Cecille looked uncomfortable.

"I had a feeling that was why you were here... I'm sorry. I can't order the troops off the battlefield. General Almandine is the only one with that sort of authority."

I crossed my arms, noting something. "You're not even going to question how we're alive?"

Cecille sighed. "Duke Fabre received a letter shortly after the fall of Akzeriuth from Kairi Balfour explaining everything. Though... If Guy is with you, where is Master Luke?"

Guy sighed. "We sent the other half of our group to evacuate Engeve. Luke went with them. I came with Natalia and Ion as his representative."

Cecille nodded. "I see..." She was quiet a moment before she sighed again. "And before you ask to see General Almandine, I'm afraid I can't allow you to do so. He's in Chesedonia right now, seeking confirmation from the Order of Lorelei that this is justified retribution. No one seems to be listening to the Duke at court when he says that the princess and his son are both alive."

Sync frowned. "That's not right. Mohs doesn't have the authority to officially sanction aggression. Only the Fon Master of the Order of Lorelei has that ability," he said. Reighn sighed.

"And how often does Mohs disregard your position?"

Sync nodded. "True, unfortunately." He paused a moment to look thoughtful. "We have to stop this fighting before the land falls."

"I can't let you cross the battlefield, and it's too dangerous to send you out by sea," Cecille said. "Please, wait here for Count Almandine's return. I must lead my troops."

With that, the blonde woman raced off, chasing after the men who had gone on ahead before. The five of us glanced between each other, before Sync double-checked the area around him and crossed his arms. "We're going, aren't we?"

Natalia looked at me, and I shrugged. "It's a battle field. It won't be easy to get across, but if we're careful, we should be fine."

"It's not like we're actually dragging Ion along, either," Guy said. Sync nodded, holding his hand out. A small flash deposited a black dagger in his hand, and I smirked.

"So, you figured that out too."

Sync chuckled, a dark sound that actually sent a shiver down my spine. "Yep. No way am I going to walk around unarmed. I can't carry my usual knives because of this damn outfit, so I'll just use these."

Reighn rolled his eyes. "Alright. Let's go, then, before someone tries to detain us."

Natalia nodded, and we left Kaitzur just as quickly as we had entered it, maybe even faster. All five of us were light on our feet, fast enough to cover the ground between Kaitzur and Chesedonia in five days, if we could keep up a reasonable pace. I hadn't set up the group like this on purpose, but it certainly helped.

The first night we made camp was boring. I took first watch, Reighn took second, Sync took third. Then we were up and going again with the sun.

The second night was a bit more amusing. Well, it started with me about shooting someone I probably shouldn't shoot, but in hindsight, it became amusing.

Snap!

I lifted both guns, sharp eyes scanning the shadows around our camp. The others were still eating dinner, though my sudden movement had Natalia and Guy scrambling for their weapons. Sync shifted, indicating readiness to summon a dagger and throw it, while Reighn had picked up his scythe without a word.

I spotted a shadow moving and trained a gun on it, finger tightening on the trigger.

"Don't shoot!"

I huffed. "Why don't you come out of the shadows so we can see you, General Cecille?" I grumbled, lowering my guns but not putting them back yet.

The brigadier general stepped out of the shade of the trees with her hands up, away from her sword. Smart move, and part of the reason why I hadn't shot her before she could speak. I'd seen them go up even before I recognized her voice.

"Princess Natalia, Fon Master Ion... I thought I told you to stay in Katizur. And Lieutenant Daemione, why did you let them leave?" she asked. I reluctantly put my guns away.

"As my boss, Princess Natalia outranks you, unfortunately," I said.

Natalia nodded. "We have to stop this fighting. If that means crossing the battlefield, so be it."

Cecille sighed. "I had a feeling you'd say that. At least allow me to assign a platoon to guard your rear. I'd feel a lot more comfortable knowing you're protected."

I shook my head. "No."

Natalia blinked. "Dark?"

"We're entering Malkuth-controlled land tomorrow, if we continue at our current pace. Brigadier General Frings and Lieutenant Colonel Miles can keep them from attacking us, especially if Colonel Curtiss made contact with them in Engeve. If we're dragging a platoon of Kimlascan soldiers behind us, they'll have no choice but to attack. Besides, we'll be more noticeable if we've got a large group behind us," I said. Reighn nodded.

"Dark's right. I'd even suggest ditching him if he were wearing a Kimlascan officer's uniform like he's supposed to."

I snorted, but didn't say anything. Cecille looked conflicted, and I sighed. "Look, we shouldn't be that far behind enemy lines tomorrow. If you're that worried, you're welcome to come find us. Heavens knows Frings probably will. You can talk it out then."

She sighed and nodded. "Very well. Protect Her Highness well, Lieutenant."

I clicked my heels and saluted. Can't say I can't be proper, at least.

Cecille turned and left then, and I called one last sentence after her. "Announce your presence a little sooner next time."

I rolled my eyes and turned around, pulling my guns out and double-checking the ammunition before locking the mechanism and putting them away again.

Natalia took the first watch this time, Guy second, and me third.

As usual, our travel was boring. The soldiers we slipped past were mostly Kimlascan, though we were seeing more and more Malkuthian soldiers as we went.

The third night was a little less interesting that the second. Frings came, as I'd expected, and he brought newly-promoted Colonel Avarice Miles with him. Cecille showed up too, this time almost getting shot by Natalia. The three officers argued until Reighn butted in and managed to get them to shut up and leave.

Travel was just as boring as usual the next day.

Then came night four, which was rather a bit more interesting than anything else that had happened so far over our journey.

"We should reach Chesedonia by nightfall tomorrow," Reighn stated.

I nodded, then swiveled on my heel and brought my guns up. Two sets of footsteps halted, and upon seeing their owners, I sighed and lowered my weapons again.

Asch and Jade.

Fun Fact: And Ari's been promoted. Hmm... Someone else mentioned in this chapter is going to be getting a promotion, too... Okay, not for another twenty-some-odd chapters, but someone is going to receive a promotion. Anyone care to guess who?