Hello everyone! I'm back again to provide you with another chapter. After this chapter, we will have officially gone through the Festival of Fallen Horns Arc. From that point on, it will be more focused on important things like, what exactly are the details of Leon's Operation Overtake, what lies deep in the caverns of monsters, or how much has Leon's Legion grown or improved.
I hope you are all as excited as I am, I have a lot of ideas on what to write.
However here's a bit of a hint, well, more of a clarification, Operation Overtake, if you already have guessed what it is for, is NOT directed towards the Kingdom of Holfort.
So now you're probably wondering, what exactly will he overtake? If you're smart, you already have the answer based on the clues I left behind, if not, then you'll have to wait until that chapter comes.
Okay, I've stalled you all long enough. Let the show begin!
~THIRD-PERSON POINT OF VIEW~
~Within The Pirate Armada~
Dreams are considered the most valuable treasure. The desire to fulfill those dreams is the fuel feeding the armada's morale. Dreams of conquest, domination, wealth, and pleasure.
All of this they would attain by following the Queen of the Shattered Crown
All their wants shall be filled, said she who has earned their fear and respect, for the land they will plunder is bountiful.
Of course, there are those amongst them who care not for such prizes. No, they were here for something else.
To sate hate...
Shing~
Quenced their blood lust...
Shing~
Settling a dept...
Shing~
Seeking revenge...
Shing~
"Ain't that blade sharp enough?"
Butch stopped the hand that held his wet-stone. He did not look up to the cutthroat lady before him. His eyes are glued to the blade, yet its surface catches her reflection.
"...no."
Shinks giggled at his answer, "You know, no matter how sharp you make that iron blade, it ain't gonna make a difference."
She raised a hand and pointed behind the mast she leaned on, "We got powerful canons, tens of thousands of state-of-the-art Armors, the most advanced rifles in the south, and the boss behind us. You'll probably never get to use that thing anyway."
"..."
Shing~
Shinks groaned, rolling her eyes as Butch returned to sharpening his sword.
"So this is what happens to crownies when they lose their precious home."
Shi-
Butch stopped midway, his eyes finally raising to the leather armor-wearing assassin, "What did you just say?"
"I mean, all you lot ever do is stay on that island. Saying it's safe and all that crap. Hah, no wonder you lost so badly, you lot probably got too used to sitting on your as-"
The sword swung-
CLANG!
-and a serrated dagger emerged from Shank's cloak to parry it.
"Hehe, struck a nerve, didn't I?", The assassin playfully asked, her curled smile nothing short of vicious.
Butch did not utter a reply. He only raised his blade to show a dart stuck on its blade. Shinks didn't need an explanation to realize the situation. Without looking, she flicked her wrist to the right, launching thin needles from under her sleeve. From behind the pile of cargo boxes, a man fell out into the open, dropping dead on the floor, foam flowing from his mouth.
"Well...", Shinks eyed the twitching soon-to-be corpse before returning to Butch, who returned to sharpening his blade, "Seems like someone couldn't resist my charms. Didn't know the pest couldn't keep it in his pants after the spar of ours...but who can blame him? This body is as hot as dragon fire~"
She dragged her hands from her hips to her chest, emphasizing her hourglass figure and well-gifted assets. Yet Butch did not bat an eye, much less a peek. This turned Shinks' teasing grin into a frown, "You know, for someone who can spot a flying dart in this dim night, you are blind to my looks."
"What's there to see? You're a Shadow Cut Throat, your 'charms' come with the job. Ain't nothing I haven't seen already on a bishop piece. Besides-", Butch replied, raising his blade above him, staring into the reflection of his brown narrowed eyes, "-I got my eyes on the king."
"Bishop?", Shinks laughed out loud, "Oh the irony of that. Calling me, the most infamous heretic of the Saintess Church, a bishop? Hahaha! Oh, the zealots and nuns I put in the ground must be squirming in their graves at the thought! HAHAHAAAAAA!"
Both criminals continued what they were doing, not even bothered by the fact that the other crew members around them stared at the two with fear-filled eyes. They all knew who those two were, everyone under her command does.
They are the right and left hands of Pirate Queen Isabella.
Shinks, the Ruthless Heretic. She was conditioned from birth to become a living weapon by the deceased Pirate Lord Exotel, who then gifted her to Isabella. Her renown came from her bloody deeds in massacring thousands of people of religious importance to give way for individuals more 'fitting' to replace them. It is because of her that religions all over the world have so many parasites, especially the Saintess Church.
Then there's Butch. Once an ordinary grunt who was born and fated to die on Devil's Crown, the man had miraculously survived the fall and regrouped with the survivors. Ever since that disastrous event, he's been training, obtaining skills, and refining his techniques, until he's become someone who tied for second strongest in the entire armada. With the pirate queen Isabella at first place and Shinks his only rival in power.
"Phew!", Shinks wiped away the sweat on her forehead, finally stopping to breathe from her seemingly unending laughter, "I can't remember the last time I laughed that hard. So, you got a grudge against this 'king' figure? What did he do? Slaughter your entire crew in front of your eyes?
"...I lost my best pal to 'em.", Butch put the sword back in his sheath and reached for the holster on his hip.
Shinks didn't move or even twitch. She felt no malicious intent in his movements, "Don't you always call him an idiot?"
"Ya...", The man pulled his gun free from its holster. It is pistol-shaped with a tube filled with white glowing liquid attached to the opposite end of the barrel.
Pew!
A fast-moving glob of white goo splattered against the corpse. The substance burned upon contact, filling the air with the scent of burning flesh as the goo cooked the body till there was nothing left.
"But he was my idiot.", Butch put away his gun, rose from his seat, and walked away like nothing happened.
"Heh, I should have realized sooner. No wonder you can walk past this fine ass of mine.", Shinks teased then giggled.
The right hand of the Pirate Queen scoffed and was about to rebut her words until a panting bull demi-human ran up to them.
"S-sir Butch! Lady Sh-shinks! The Boss wants the fl-fleet to go in!"
Shinks grinned in delight at the message, "Haha! So it begins! Keep spreading the word! Rile up the crews! It's time to pillage and plunder!"
Due to fatigue, the messenger gave a sloppy salute before running off again to spread the message.
"It's finally time! Ugh! I can't wait for the blood to start raining. Aren't you excited too?", She turned yet Butch was long gone.
Shinks shrugged her shoulders at his absence, "Oh well, guess we'll catch up later. OY, YA GITS! GET TO IT! GRAB YOUR RIFLES! GET IN YOUR ARMORS! MAN THE CANONS! NOW! BEFORE I STICK YOU DOWN THE BARREL MYSELF!"
The deck burst forth with activity with her threat. Men went to and fro from one end of the deck to another. Rushing to the armory, to their Armors, and carrying boxes of ammunition to anything that needs them. Some tripped, some fell, but Shinks didn't care. The only thing on her mind now is the upcoming blood bath.
"I call dips on the feisty ones~", Shinks licked her lips, her mind filling with ideas.
~LUXION's POV~
~90 miles away from New Era~
"Five minutes till the enemy reaches the ambush site."
"Are the device and containment areas secure?"
"Affirmative. All systems are ready for the operations."
"The Abductors(1)?"
"Awaiting your command."
"Very well. Return to your post, I will see to this, personally."
All factors have been accounted for. Every move the enemy will take is anticipated. Contingency plans and counters are set. Prediction of the coming conflict?
Decisive Victory
The equivalent of glee washed through me as I watched through the many Ravens scattered in the vicinity.
Despite the vermin's primitive desires, I felt an ounce of intrigue. Instead of the usual guns blazing advance, the enemy slowly closes the distance in stealth. I have to give them credit for learning new strategies, unfortunately, their 'tactic' has been thwarted long before it was made.
Thermal and night vision specs made it easy to spot them. Even when they are sticking close to the sea with all their lights killed, they are as seamless as a gillie suit in a cement building to the legion.
What is the metaphor the commander uses for this kind of situation? Oh yes, like a fish in a barrel.
These vermin will be easy to deal with.
The fleet of flying ships grew closer and closer to Newera, unknowingly sealing their fates. The last of the ships should be entering the radius in 5...4...3...2...now.
"Activating Gravity Field: Compression Suspension Mode."
~THIRD-PERSON POINT OF VIEW
The Pirate Queen's army was in the middle of preparations. Progress was steady in readying the armada for battle. Canons were loaded, weapons were passed around and the Armor pilots had boarded their mechs.
The bull demi-human had just finished relaying the order to the captains. The new magical device their Queen found in the dungeon was very useful.
They didn't need to rely on flag signals or mana-consuming spells. Instead, they can now use these 'Ra-di-oos' to speak with each other from far away without the use of magic.
Certainly made his job easier.
Since his task was done now, the bull demi-human decided to rest for a bit. He leaned on the railings and breathed in the fresh hair.
However, he couldn't stay calm, not after his brush with death. The bull raised a hand to the stubs on his head, then flinched in pain. Whatever wounds the Queen inflicted would forever last, so there was no hope in growing his horns back.
"I knew I shouldn't have joined.", He sighed, "What was the Empress even thinking, lending us to her so easily like that... wait... now that I think about it, she has been acting strange lately."
As the demi-human continued to ponder, he suddenly realized something. The ship stopped moving. Being a veteran sailor he knew what it felt like on a moving ship and that feeling...was gone now.
Something was wrong.
The demi-human was about to turn back towards the main deck-
!
But suddenly found that he couldn't move.
'What is happening?! Why can't I move?!'
Despite his panicking state, he was able to realize something. He simply wasn't frozen in place for no reason, but rather forced to stay in his pose by pressure. This feeling...it felt like being dragged down after jumping but instead this pressure was pushing onto him from all sides...and it was growing stronger.
'Harder...to...breath...someone...hel..p..me-'
CRUNCH!
The mercenary died where he stood, his chest caved in, and his innards turned to mush.
Through the Raven surveillance system, LUXION observed his latest project at work.
"Peculiar. The current force of gravity should not have such an effect. However, it seems the energy frequency emitted by the device has more of an impact on demi-humans. Further study is needed. A specimen must be obtained."
The AI searched the entire fleet for a possible specimen, ignoring the nonmoving normal humans. However, it seemed that every demi-human in the armada had already died.
LUXION felt intrigued at the many possibilities for weapons with this experiment, however, he was also disheartened. The numbers had been reduced by half... but at least he now has a fresh batch. He was running low on test subjects... oh?
It seemed one had survived. Zooming in closer, the individual looked human yet scans show she has traces of demi-human genes. Perhaps that is how she survived longer than the others. The field is still having adverse effects on the female but at a slower less lethal rate.
How fortunate...for LUXION.
With the target marked with a yellow hue, the AI began the extraction. Unable to move, the half-breed pirate could do nothing as she felt something cold grabbing her midsection. She could not struggle as she was lifted off the deck. The only thing she could do was watch. Watch as she was dragged into the unknown, watch as the ship she owned grew smaller, and watch as a mass of metallic tendrils descended towards the immobile fleet.
No sound of battle nor screams of the dying was heard that night. Every single soul within that armada disappeared from the face of the world, their fates never known to all but LUXION.
"Harvest complete. Transferring organic resources to containers."
~Meanwhile - Kilometers away from Newera~
Butch walked with purpose through the halls of grey steel and fluorescent lights. At the end of his path lay a wall with circuits like veins. He did not stop, he continued unhindered as the wall slid to the side to make way.
He arrived in a spacious room filled with screens. A sight he was familiar with for dozens of moons.
At the center, as always, is Queen Isabella upon her throne. A throne that once belonged to an empress was now many leagues down.
"Is it done?", The demihuman asked, still facing the screen and her back to the entrance.
Butch kneeled, as he always does to those above him, "All traces of filth have been cleaned, my liege. Not a spec remains."
"Wonderful. With the bulk of the stains taken care of, we may finally work on a clean slate. A steady foundation is needed for building after all."
Isabella watched the screens with her one eye. They played the scene of her 'armada' sailing towards the floating island. Until they were stopped in place by an unseen force. Then, long metallic arms emerged from above, bellow, and to the sides.
They picked up every single person on the floating vessels, moving swiftly yet with care. It was obvious they were needed alive. She has several guesses as to what for, but, those 'subordinates' are of no use to her no more.
The screens shut off with a tap of her finger on the armrest. Another simple tap set the whole room in motion. The wall before her slipped and parted to the sides, making way for glass.
The light of the moon is the first to grace her skin, followed shortly by the glow of embers.
Isabella called out to her retainer, "I sense you have questions. Does it perhaps focus on our method of 'cleaning house'?"
"Only partly.", Butch was quick to reply, "Why didn't we retaliate? Why didn't we attack with our true forces?"
The retainer waited for his queen's answer. A brief moment of silence was shared between the two until he picked up a frustrated sigh.
"It is because I see 'the Hook' as a worthy adversary. An enemy that should not be underestimated. The ease of how he dealt with the rubbish proved that. Our 'assault' was nothing more than a means to clean our ranks and test the waters. Holding onto grudges is foolish."
Violent bolts of violet electricity sparked into existence. Dancing in between the fingers of Isabella's hand.
"Something that you still haven't understood.", The glow of her power continued to grow brighter, basking the room in the color of her eye.
Butch was prepared to endure the punishment he deserved. He shouldn't have stated his opinions and instead, buried them.
To his surprise, the light of Isabella's wrath dimmed.
"You are fortunate that I am in a good mood. Your punishment shall be, lightened."
She eyed a couple of ships trying to flee into the night. An idea came to mind at the sight and she addressed Butch with a commanding voice.
"Two days from now you will track down the survivors. Bring them back to me, alive and unspoiled. Every single one of them, on your own. If you fail..."
BZZZZ!
The copper bracelets and collar on Butch were struck briefly by a violet bolt. His muscles clenched, his nerves screamed, and the skin around his restraints burned.
The retainer gritted his teeth through the pain before laying his head on the floor.
"By your command my liege. I thank you for your generosity."
The tormented man walked out of the room and the door closed behind him. Now alone, Isabella focused on the world outside her room, watching with a steel gaze.
A forgettable kingdom collapsed below. Her mother's homeland, once a thriving state for the production of demi-human slaves, crumbled under the unrelenting assault of her army.
"Missile barrage ready."
"...Fire the warheads."
The dark of the night was cast away, replaced by the bright light of nuclear detonation. Screams were cut short as countless lives were gone in the flash.
"This land has been cleansed. What is the next destination, Empress Isabella?"
Now with everyone who knew of her pirating days now dead or indoctrinated, Empress Isabella of the new Menagerie Dominion was set to build her empire.
"Set a course to the Wild Isles...
She took a quick huff of her cigarette before blowing smoke up into the air. Her eye glued to the heaven above as she once more spoke.
"It's time we tame the beasts."
~Newera~
~Two Days Later~
~Leon's POV~
The festival was a resounding success. All our hard work had paid off wonderfully.
Satisfied smiles are abundant everywhere I look. From children to the elderly, I made sure all of them could enjoy themselves at their own pace.
Time seems to fly by so fast when you're having fun. Before I knew it, it was already the last day of the festival. I've made plenty of fond memories in that time.
"Leon, come on! Everyone is waiting on you."
I turned to the door at the voice of my sister Jenna, "You can't rush this kind of thing, sis."
I chuckled at the annoyed groan from behind the wooden frame.
"You have been working on them for hours now! I am sure they are done!"
"Just need to add a few more details."
"You said that an hour ago! Come on! Do not make me get Livia and Angelica!"
"Fine! Fine! I'm coming out!", I shouted back before grumbling, "I've already finished them anyways."
Jenna wouldn't understand the reason behind my lateness, and if I had my way, she never would.
This... is personal for me.
I opened the door to the sight of a crossed-armed impatient Jenna.
"It is about time. Did you forget that the ceremony can not start without you? You've kept them all waiting."
"Oh please, it's still five minutes early."
"That's five minutes before you are late.", Jenna said with a twitch of her brow. From what I can sense of her surface emotions, she's only feeling annoyed with not an ounce of fear or anxiety.
It is nice to see her recover so much since her depression. Silver Cat has done a pretty good job in getting her back to her feet. Even flushed out all traces of Zola's influence.
To finally have my sister back... I could feel my smile grow bigger and brighter. Something that took Jenna off guard.
"W-what? What are you smiling like that for?"
"Nothing.", I spoke before heading off, "Come on, sis! Let's not delay this any further."
'Idiot... ', I heard her thoughts yet sensed no ill intentions behind them. I sensed... joy.
She followed close behind me, holding onto her work of craftmanship while I floated mine behind me with telekinesis.
The front door opened with a flick of my mind. Passing through, I relished the sight before me.
From atop the hill, my home is on, I could see the people of Holfort gathered to the west and south of the town. Clustered around two important monuments of deep meaning.
One is the Statue of The Hook. The representation of hope, salvation, freedom, and, unofficially, justice. Inspiring adventurers who gathered felt adoration and were inspired by the marvel. The depiction of the faceless figure cutting down a devilish-looking crown was an astounding sight to see.
The other is the Memorial Garden. A place I built dedicated to those whose lives were lost at Devil's Crown and to the cruelty of sky pirates throughout the years. Many before me suffered in the place. Many more perished before my purge arrived. I couldn't save all of them... but they deserved a proper farewell.
Whatever... remains I recovered are now buried in the garden. I tried my best to find their names but I failed most of them. The best I could do was erect a monument to honor the nameless and discarded. That even when we don't know them, they'll still be remembered.
I smiled sadly as the sight of two familiar statues caught my eye. Once I carved myself by hand... a remembrance for the first two people I could have called friends...and the first ones I failed to protect.
Even though one of them is alive, I still can't forget my failure.
"Leon are you... feeling well?", Jenna asked, her voice stopping me from delving deeper into my self remorse.
"Yeah, just... enjoying the view."
Indeed the view is excellent. The last rays of the setting sun basked the land and sky in its colors. The night creeps in with darker shades of blue at the edges of the yellow hues.
One could lose themselves in the beautiful scenery. However, I still have some important things to do.
We resumed our walk in relative silence. Descending some marble steps and taking a turn until we reached a third, less large, group waiting for us.
Amidst the crowd in our small courtyard, I spotted two familiar faces. Angelica and Olivia standing at the front, side by side, holding onto identical colorful crafts.
The sight of the fated villainess and the heroine getting along so well was ironic.
Speaking of which, it's quite pleasant to finally have Phantoms monitor Marie and the 'noble' five without fear of being discovered. It was a pain to keep an eye on the five heirs back then. Thankfully it has become easier. Now he wouldn't have to worry about accidentally breaking the vow.
Thankfully they're over by the Memorial Garden. Things would escalate fast if they and his meet.
Now with that worry settled, we can proceed with the final event of the Festival. One that was inspired by a celebration from the game of wonder, adventure, and mystery.
Honoring those Passed with A Dance of Lanterns Bright.
I stepped up to the podium for elevation. The crowd of locals and visitors soon set their eyes on me. I saw relief and excitement at the looks passed my way.
Taking a deep breath, I composed myself before speaking out.
"Years ago, a torturous land had been felled. Many lives were free from chains and cages on that day. But not all made it. Those who perished under cruelty may released from their earthly burden, yet they still are not free. They are lost, constrained by memories of pain and darkness. Their names are not known to us... yet they are not forgotten. They bleed, cry, and laugh as we do. They are brothers and sisters in arms who have been unjustly taken from the world. They are our family in joy and misery. As a family, true family, we aid each other when no one else will."
"That is why we are here. To aid our kin through the dark by guiding them back to the dawn. We will be their beacons as those that come after will be ours. Let us brighten our lights that is our wish. Let them shine as the stars behind the veil of death."
I lifted my 4 lanterns above my head. Each one stood out with its unique design.
"May those lost find their way home. May they be pleased to still be known. Let our lights dance to guide their way."
My lanterns were freed from my psionic hold. They stayed afloat and steadily rose. Following my lead, the crowd released their lanterns. Then we all watched in comforting silence as they made their way to the sky.
More soon joined them. Hundreds rose from the Hook Statue and thousands more from the Memorial Garden.
The wind stones within them carried them to their utter limit. When they could not rise any higher, anti-gravity pushed them all to their peak.
At that point, their light brightened till they became stars in the darkening sky. Subtly pushes of psionic power were used to put them in place.
They had formed a constellation. A man-made formation of several paths converging upon a single star, the brightest of them all, the gate towards the heavens.
With everyone paying attention to the scene above and with my part done, I stepped back. My presence seamlessly faded into the background.
The Dance of Lanterns was the closing act. Thus, the Festival of Fallen Horns has ended. By daybreak, everything would go back to what it once was. The residents would return to normal life, the visiting nobles would retain their spoiled attitudes as they return to their estates, and I could go back to preparing for the inevitable.
Much has been done since that day I found the ruins of the Dominion. My forces, my legion, had grown into a decent-sized army that could easily take over all the feudal kingdoms. Our technology has made bounds in its advancement, the knowledge we now hold is vast... and yet... I am not sure it is enough.
The world is dangerous. Still filled with countless unknowns and mysteries. Many dangers that could mean the end of all we have worked on.
There is a mysterious cave system filled with dangerous monsters.
Possible surviving remnants of the three Kaprulu factions being hostile.
The unknown cause that seemingly eliminated all the Zerg, Protoss, and Terrans in the past.
Even an existing nation or empire that can go toe to toe with our forces isn't off the table either.
If I had been doing this alone the stress would crush me. It's a relief that I have LUXION with me. I should go get him some gifts. He needed test subjects for his experiments. Too bad we've almost depleted all the criminals and sick scum in our territories.
The forest of ladies was long gone, all the Warhawks had been replaced, Phantoms completely ran the black market, and those controlling the slave trade had been 'rehabilitated'.
Maybe I should extend my hunting grounds to the nearby kingdoms like Alzer or move on to a different region of the world, like the land-bound supercontinent.
A couple hundred should do. LUXION's always so happy when he receives more bodies. Still don't know what he exactly does with the.
Oh well, I'll ask when the opportunity presents itself. LUXION's his person, after all, he has the right to keep secrets if he wishes. I trust him.
"Miss Jenna, can I ask about some of the lanterns look the same and some others are different?", Olivia spoke to my sister, who was in the middle of cuddling her again.
The question made her pause her antics, allowing Angie to pry Jenna off Olivia.
"Oh, that. I suppose it's a bit slow to spread since it's only been used here."
Jenna began to explain one of the relatively new practices of Newera.
"You have seen those white lanterns, correct? They are meant for the nameless dead. To serve as their guiding stars in the realm beyond."
"And the unique ones?", Angie spoke, looking curious herself.
"... Those are for the people someone had lost. Each one is designed after every person."
"If that's so... then the ones Leon had were..."
"To be honest with you, no one knows who they are meant for. Not even us, his own family. I guess that it could be for the people he met during his adventure back then. We... did not want to pry too much. He would get depressed when we asked and answered with the same words, 'They were people I cared for... but I lost them.' We stopped trying since last year."
...
...one for my past mother, one for my past father, one for my past sister... and one for the first person I failed in this life. Those are who my lanterns are for. Even in this new life, I refuse to forget those who made my past life memories possible. Then there was her...
I'm glad I don't have to send out one more lantern again. Knowing that Carla is alive means that I can still repay my debt... but I can't say the same for her. The worst part about this is I didn't get that girl's name. I had spent a lot of days trying to find... any piece of her existence, but all I found were bloodstains.
I'm still hoping that she had somehow survived, just waiting for her to miraculously pop up given the cameras. Carla had reignited that hope in me. That maybe, just maybe, I can make up for the horrible choice I made that day for both of them.
"I never thought of that. Leon always seems so happy and energetic.", Olivia muttered.
"He may not look like it but Leon has been through his share of pain. He is simply good at hiding them.", Jenna spoke with genuinely concerned for him, "To be honest with you, I am glad he has you two as friends."
Livia and Angie looked at each other. I didn't need to dive deep into their minds to know what they were thinking. Still, it's nice to see my friends care about me. It reminds me of the old days... gosh, I keep forgetting I'm spiritually older than any of my peers. I wonder how they would react if I told them I'm a 30-year-old man in the body of a teen. Hahaha! I can already hear them calling me an idiot for the terrible joke!
.
.
.
Still, I wonder... if, not when, if I tell them... how will they see me?
.
.
.
*# #* #*#* #*! #* *#* #*#*!]
Yeah. I'm sure they'll still accept me. They'll still be my friends and family. I can't tell them just yet though, not when I still have so many things to do. I need to make sure my place in this world is firmly set.
* * #* #* , #*#*!]
I refuse to fail again.
.
.
.
"Nev*r agai#..."
~Meanwhile at the Memorial Garden~
~Carla's P.O.V~
I never thought I'd ever see Marie again. To be honest, she wasn't who I was searching for, but I am happy nonetheless.
...if only all of us were here.
The only reason I came to Newera in the first place was to find out if he had survived and got taken in by the kind baron. So far my search, in between spending time with Marie, had come up empty. I searched and searched... but I found not a hint of his presence.
I still remember how he felt. Marie's is the same as back then so his should be the same too. If only I found out about his name, then maybe I could go to the young baron to ask if he'd seen him. Yet all I've got was that he has a harsh tongue, is or was an adventurer, and... missing an arm.
There was a point where I was close to accepting he... didn't make it. Yet Marie's presence brought me hope that he too survived.
I can only pray and hope we can meet each other three of us together... we were like a family... family...
"Carla?", A soft voice brought me back to the real world.
Marie was at my side, a hand on my shoulder with concern clear on her face. Behind them were the five heirs to the founding houses of the kingdom, curious and worried.
It was only after I felt something wet drop from my cheek did I realized it. I was crying again.
I was about to wipe my tears until Marie went ahead and did it herself with a handkerchief.
"Carla... why did you want to come here?"
Oh Marie, why do you have to look at me with those pleading eyes?
"...I wanted to pay my respects. To everyone who didn't make it... and to those we lost."
My question was unclear to the boys, yet Marie knew what I was talking about, or rather... who.
I can vaguely remember it. The time when the Offreys threw my family to their 'dogs' to feed, how I lost my parents and siblings... and those hands... those twisted hands... gripping everywhere... clawing at my skin...
I didn't notice that I was in Devil's Crown, it was all the same wherever I pulled. It was so painful, I felt dirty, filthy... I was so close to ending my life back then too.
...until I met them.
Marie and I shared a cage. She had cleared my head somehow and brought me back my mind from the brink. She took care of me, gave me her rations, raised me back to health with her healing, and became like sisters.
Then that boy, that rebellious, cursing, rude boy from across the room, drew all the attention he could, making them focus more on him. She didn't feel those hands on her since he arrived.
We took care of each other. Treating each other's wounds whenever we could. The only reason we stayed sane for the song was because we were together.
...Until they took Marie away to one of the lords and the boy to the torture chambers.
I was alone... for so long...
Then the monsters attacked the island.
Somehow, the bars to my cage broke during the shaking. I was able to slip away from my cage. By some miracle, I found Marie again and we ran as fast as we could to find that boy. Then we would find a way out together.
.
.
.
But then a piece of the ceiling hit my head. I remembered pain and blood. Everything was blurry, my eyes were getting weaker. But I still heard Marie call my name. scr. She tried to carry me to safety but I felt her arms were ripped away, and the screaming... was the last thing I heard.
When I woke up, I was falling. I had been deemed dead and then thrown off the island. I was heading for the sea... I was going to die... without being able to do anything... I lost my family again...
!
Marie suddenly hugged me.
"It's okay.", She whispered to me, "It's okay. We are going to be okay."
Warm. Marie's embrace still held that same warmth and her words were as comforting as back then.
"...You're right. We are. We... will be okay."
It was hard to speak when I was choking on guilt and tears... but things will be different now.
I'm not the same useless girl who couldn't do anything when everyone was taken away. I've changed, I've grown. I am not going to let anyone take her and I won't stop searching for him. I won't ever lose them again...
'I will never lose anyone ever again.'
'The heart' started beating louder, its song singing like a chorus in my mind. The pulse of power it gave to me brought me strength and assurance that what had happened before would never happen again.
~Third Person P.O.V.~
The peace after the storm was pleasant, filled with much merriment and grand celebrations. Yet as the citizens enjoyed themselves, the many forces of the world did not stay idle during this time.
They have been preparing. Plans were made on all sides, whether known or unknown and are ready to be enacted with a single command.
Empress Isabella heads north to the Wild Lands to expand her new dominion. The floating continent half in through the freezing border of eternal winter is home to millions of demi-humans and beasts that could easily kill a normal human. A fitting place to grow her army
The now-named Maiden, Carla had reunited with one of her most precious people and waiting hopefully for the other. With the secrets and mysteries she found during her travel, Carla is ready to strike back at the cruel world that had once condemned her. She is determined to have her family be whole again and never let them be taken away from her.
LUXION ensures the progress of the Legion's improvement remains steady. Within their arsenal, works never seen before by this world are waiting to be unleashed. The armies of mechs, androids, and AIs await their commands, ready to deal with the enemies of their commander. All while Leon prepares for his next set of moves. To find the truth of the past, to protect what he now holds dear, and to uphold the vow he chained himself to, Leon will bring order to the part of the world he lives in, and no one will be the wiser.
Meanwhile at the royal palace of Holfort, while the castle was bristling with activity, a certain queen was brewing her thoughts. Piles of paperwork were stacked on her desk. A sight that would suck the life out of any office worker. Yet her eyes stared solely at a letter she received from her son. She read of how much fun he and his friends were having. Julius even went into detail about the many different meat skewers he sampled. He was also hinting at having roasting lessons applied at the academy to immerse themselves in their ancestor's lifestyle.
But what caught her attention was the praise he gave to the host of the festival. One familiar young man named Leon Fou Bartfort, a promising adventurer amongst the younger generations and the head director of the Royal Party Planners. It is just like her husband to give such dull names yet somehow, he had the upper vote. He had been for more than a month now. It was like he was possessed by a more competent ruler. Well, in any case, she was having trouble dealing with the seemingly unending papers.
So, after she finished reading her son's letter, a plan had formed in the queen's mind. After all, even she deserves a break from work. So her Majesty, Queen Mylene, began to write a letter of her own. Hopefully, the young man won't be too busy.