Kazuma can only sit by the fountain, pondering on what to do next. The war that he waged ground into a stalemate as both armies have essentially been weakened. He can't exactly press onward now that the walking corpses he commanded remembered that they were supposed to be dead, and sure, he can bring them back, but he has officially returned to square one, and the only reason there was an undead apocalypse lies upon the fact that his commanders and crows functioned as conduits, extending his necromantic reach. Well, along with the fact that he caught the Black Dogs off guard, and their hubris essentially ignored his undead until it was too late.
He only got lucky, as he assumed to himself. You can't really retrace your steps the same exact way after all, and it still sucked for him that the campaign he sent Dennis and the other lords too was only a waste of time. He should've known that they would learn, they're not that stupid. They wouldn't have ruled for 5 years if they didn't know how to pull the strings.
Now that he thinks about it... 5 years... They ruled for 5 years, and he was practicing his magic for only 7 years. It's quite surprising to him in how small the scale of time was in between those points in life. He felt like he spent at least a decade in that fort, maybe something like it being 13 years at the minimum with the knowledge of how to use his Dark Magic... Either time moved differently, or he just learned quicker. Although, that could be because he was already an apprentice by that point, and... He studied all the time to distract himself from his exile.
Regardless, he finds himself in the loop of thinking what to do next, and just being indecisive. He must've been badly shaken up with how things have been lately, and he still beats himself up over it. Even if he knows damn well that it wasn't his fault that it turned out bad, he still sent them there. Didn't help that he barely got anything out of it, it was a loss after all. To take his mind off it, he looks upon his hand, and wonders if he's good enough to cast his magic once more.
He concentrated, and from there, a faint wisp of green fire comes forth. Weak, but not bad, and not what he's technically aiming for either. He puts thought into it once more, and the whisp crackled into lightning. He points his fingers at the pavement in front of him, and it quickly shot out. It startled him for a bit since he wasn't actually aiming to shoot it, just see if it will reach and kiss the ground in a sense.
"At least I can do my magic." He mutters to himself as he stands up, and gets startled by the sight of Maia.
"Woah, did I scare you that bad, or were you just happy to see me?" She teased, but she did raise her hands up. "Trust me, I'm not here to fight, just wanted to say hi."
"I-it's okay, it's on me." He said, trying to defuse the situation. "I should've known... What brings you to me anyway?"
"Well... I wasn't lying about saying hi, but... I also wanted to see how you're doing." She said, putting her hands down, but she also sounds somewhat solemn. "It... It has been rough after the whole 'caught in an explosion thing' that happened with you."
"Was it that bad for you guys? Sorry for putting you through that." He apologized, but Maia shook her head.
"No, no, don't be. More than anything, I should be sorry. At least, I am in regards to the rest of the Seven Shields. You're the one that saved and rescued us, but... We should've been trying our best to stop the dogs in the first place."
"Maia, the war with Olga rife with attrition. Even if you had an army loyal, that wouldn't be enough against them. Especially since Olga's own army was willing to betray her, what makes you think there wouldn't be others to try the same?" He retorted, trying to show her that it wasn't entirely their fault. "I'm not saying it was inevitable, but it was something that would've happened eventually."
"Yeah... Pretty much the reason why Tribes started happening in the first place. Well, at least how I assumed it happened, because the others kinda dismissed it as a coincidence."
Kazuma thought about that. He was surprised to know how much they started being a thing in the 7 years he was gone. As much as the war between Olga and Celestine raged, there were times that both sides stopped. He wouldn't be surprised if it went cold every now and then, and these clans became a thing for the broken and downtrodden, trying to carve out their own lands despite such a war. He also does find it odd how they survived, but then again, it's not worth it trying to spend resources throwing soldiers against a group that doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things, so the same must've applied with the Black Dogs being in charge.
"Think they're willing to help us now? I planned to have them join us before, along with the others until... that happened."
Maia only gave a shrug at that. "No idea." She said, curtly. "Like I said, these people wanted to get away, start over... Also, don't blame yourself for that. Again, you didn't know, how would you? Besides, one of your friends got a bad hit on Vult, so he should be dead, hopefully."
"Chloe filled me in on that when I woke up." He added in. "I'm surprised we haven't gotten a confirmation on it. The only thing I know is that the dogs apparently dragged him away when... Y'know, got blown up. I still hope he actually is dead."
"I mean, I only think he is because we caught ourselves in an awkward stalemate. We don't have an undead army anymore, yet, somehow, that isn't enough for them to continue pushing. You see, I kinda know this because it's a bit rare for armies to keep fighting if they don't have a leader to carry them. Cut off the head of the snake, then you'll see how it falls apart. More than anything, the only way I can see this war continuing is if his commanders keep the push forward. Last time I checked, it was Hicks, Graves, and Kin to name a few." She says matter-of-factly before smiling. "Of course, we know what happened to them."
"Executed two of them. Kin is still kicking because you wanted something from him..." He said, reminiscing before looking at her as he realizes something. "What do you actually want from him anyway? You did request us to keep him alive at the last moment."
With that, she only smiled ominously, really ominously, as if she knows something that he didn't. Of course, that made him concerned, and he was about to ask until she cut him off.
"Let's just say, he looks good in a maiden's dress, if you know what I mean." She said before giving him a nudge with her elbow. "Besides, you have nothing to worry about him, just keep a good head on your shoulders and you'll be good."
"Right..." Was the only thing he can say after all of that. Regardless, it was nice to meet an old face, and he gave her a handshake before leaving to do something else in the meantime.
He heads over to the mess hall, wanting to at least get something for his troubles, maybe help him process what needs to be done. From there, he saw Dennis talking to a Dark Elf, but it wasn't the same one he saw a glimpse of during the schism of the ruined settlement. Obviously, it wasn't Chloe or Olga, but another one, that much was clear. It doesn't surprise him that there were other elves roaming around, but they have been a bit of a rare sight from his experience. Maybe some of them went to distant lands, but that's only assumed by the imagination.
It appears that she noticed him however, and gave him a wave to acknowledge his existence. From there, he couldn't help but look at her in curiosity. With the way how she framed her ashen blue hair over her left eye, her body lithe and slim, looking like a soft bridge between Chloe and Olga's and with the way how she carried herself, she seemed quite aloof, and inquisitive of who she sees and meets.
Of course, by then, Dennis notices him as well and looks at him with a light smile. Although, he should probably suggest with him getting his hair cut as it's starting to turn into a mop. Funny how his brown hair starting to overgrow is basically the most striking thing from a guy so... Average that you could lose him in a crowd of people without trying so hard... Probably might make a good assassin now that he thinks about it.
"Anything you need?" He asks him. "If you wanna have a drink with us, it's okay. You're kinda like my boss in a way."
"Oh nononono." He replied while swiftly waving his hands. "It's alright, I just saw you two and I wanted to say 'hi', that's all."
"We?" Dennis asked him, raising a brow, until he realized that he was talking about the elf. "Oh...! her, yeah, I was talking to her since it was a while since I last saw her, and... Well, I wanted to fix some bridges, that's all."
"It was a... Weird debacle, more than anything." The elf said as she sipped her ale. "My name is Faye by the way. Only thing you need to know."
"Faye..." Kazuma said to himself. "Nice name, I bet. What's your story?"
"Eh, not much honestly. At least, not worth sharing what came before, it's a private thing." She shrugged. "As for everything else, I'm more of a spy than an assassin. My ears keep on hearing, and no secret hides from me. I basically had to do after Phoeri recruited me in his spy network."
"How is he by the way?" Dennis interjected as he looked back at her. "I didn't know you work for him."
"Well, he is a merchant, and he is loaded. Waterways are always like that, sailing and trading, it's how they built their fortunes. He makes a lot of money because he needs people to keep an eye out for what sells and everything." She answered nonchalantly. "That led me to him, and... Well, I don't want to discuss it."
"Well, that's why I'm here to see if I can fix the bridges and whatnot." He says, remembering their encounter. It really was an awkward thing, but Kazuma can sense that, and decides to leave them be to sort things out. Considering that despite that hanging over them, it didn't really stop them having a conversation to know each other, much less fix where they went wrong when they first met.
Of course, he doesn't exactly know such details, so he essentially leaves them be, and gets a simple iced glass of a fruit juice, whatever the servers had, and he got it. As he drinks his glass, he goes back into thinking about that day. Dennis was claimed to be the one that struck the blow that made the dogs cease, but the fact that people seem to be so uncertain makes him doubt he's dead, and the fact that the lords and commanders of the Black Dogs essentially went cold also worries him. The fact that things went cold feels unusual to him... Could it be because he's overthinking things? Or was it just really that simple? Regardless, Volt's condition seems to have done great damage to the morale, but the Dogs haven't fled Eostia yet... Maybe he's injured? Seems probable, but that's him.
'Guess time will tell then...' He thought to himself, and continues on drinking his juice until Valeria shows up. He vaguely remembered her as she was one of Dennis' cohorts, but he does remember the sight of a warrior woman standing taller than most men, along with her bearskin pelt. Of course, there was her half painted face, making her look like some sort of highlander warrior.
Now that he realized it, he didn't often take a good look at the people around him. Bit of a shame since, of course, people would know what the Seven Shields would look like, along with Olga and Chloe, but he also remembered that, you don't often see them, yet remember. Doesn't excuse you from not noting down what makes some commoners unique, or who they are because you see them all the time. Either it slipped his mind, or he just forgot to do such a thing... he facepalmed at that, feeling a bit insensitive over at such a lapse, and of course, the sound of flesh made her look over at him.
"Is there anything wrong, friend?" She asks him.
"Nothing at all." He says, waving it off. "Just a fly needing to be dealt with."
Whether or not she bought that little lie, it doesn't really matter much now as she looks at everyone in concern.
"We have a bit of a problem, everyone." She calls out to all of them, and it made at least good few crane their heads in curiosity and intrigue.
"What's going on?" Dennis asked, leaning on the back of his chair. "If you have to let us know like this, it's usually something important."
"It's Prim..." She says aloud. "She's a cousin to Alicia, and she has arrived."
"With an army, I bet?" Kazuma asked as well. This time, everyone looked over in concern. It hasn't been that long in regards to engagements against the mercenaries, so the fact that there could be a major battle right now is a big concern. Even though most people were willing to believe that Volt is dead, or very wounded, technically, that loss in regards to convincing the "Conglomerate" to join is just as bad to Kazuma since he got measly returns out of it. Doesn't change the fact that they had a similar plan against him when the "Feast of Blood" happened, at least, that's how people called it.
Before any words come out, the people within the mess hall reluctantly get up from their seats and armed themselves, heading to their battlements. As much as they hated fighting so soon, clearly they had no other choice, nor is it anything in their control, but better than just letting them do as they please without a care in the world. Of course, Kazuma joined because he has as much investment as the rest of the people are, so he marched on to the battlements with them.
When he gets there, he was surprised by the sight of someone. A lone Prim Fiorire, but she doesn't seem to be with anyone. Much less have an army with her. The people quickly sounded alarms, and what soldiers they have to spare sallied out to retrieve. Thankfully, things went without a hitch, or a problem occuring. All that mattered was that she was brought in safe, and secure. Kazuma was able to join up to his others, he saw a closer look of her.
She was haggard, and grimy. Seems to be exhausted as well, along with her clothes being torn from the long time she wore them. She seems to have been abandoned, but it seems odd why. Granted, he may not have met or known her personally, much less even seen her over the course of said war as months came by... It still doesn't change the fact that she's in need of help.
After she was finally settled in, the nurses and healers did their best to secure her state, and thankfully, she wasn't in too deep of danger for her own health, as she was stable, and they all assured her as she needed some rest.
It didn't really stop Alicia as she's holding her hand, hoping that she can recover soon, while at the same time, remorse and regret is clear on her face as she looks at her prone body. Kazuma can only put a hand on her back to comfort her. She flinched at first, but that was only because she wasn't expecting it. Regardless, she allowed his touch, and he knelt down with her.
"I didn't think it'll come to this." She said mournfully. "Ever since I saw them ganging up on her, I blamed myself for the fact that I wasn't strong enough to protect her, and I also blamed myself for letting myself go after they... They broke me..."
He didn't say anything for that, much less give her an answer, but he did make it clear that she can continue on. So she did.
"Y'know, I was also avoiding her ever since this happened." She looked at him. "But I was only avoiding her since it became clear that she went on a different path than me in a sense... She.. She basically became a key figure with the Black Dogs, got some power with them. Ever since you waged your war, and you got us out. I was so scared of fighting her that, I tried so hard to ensure I don't have to look at her. I didn't want to see the results of my failure in a way."
"Well..." He began, but it's also clear he's uncertain in how to say this to reassure her, but better trying than not saying anything. "I don't think you have to worry about that now... Seems like fate brought you to her, but without the family issue. Wouldn't have to be worried about Kinslaying if I say so myself, but that's just me."
Alicia pondered on that, but Kazuma also seemed relieved that she didn't get mad, nor did she get offended by him insinuating that they would have killed each other, but that didn't really matter to much since at the end of the day, it's not like he was wrong. She only sighed as she looked at Prim's sleeping form.
"It would be better if we can rewind time, fix our mistakes to ensure that it won't happen... Am I selfish for wishing that?" She asked him.
"No, I understand why you'd want that." He said reassuringly. "It's normal to wish for things to be better when things go wrong in a way. I'm not going to try and say that it's bad, but... It's how things can be. One moment, you're flying high, the next... Crashing down."
"But still... Things would still be better than just... Falling down a pit. I lost my cousin, I lost Prim... I don't know if I can even... Fix everything." She said as she started sobbing. "I fucked up enough as is, I just wish that things could've went better."
"Well think about it like this." Kazuma said once more. "Sometimes, not every single person gets to have a chance to make amends with the people in their lives. Even more so if things started drifting them away from each other. Both of you came crashing down, split off... And you feared to be enemies with her. At the same time... You knew it was unavoidable, if not, inevitable... She's here now, and you now have an opportunity to fix what went wrong between you. Even if it doesn't go well... At least you got some kind of closure. Gods know you have a better chance at that than me."
"Why do you say it like that?" She asked him. "Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that your advice is unwelcome, it's just... What do you mean by that?"
"Exiled, remember? Past 7 years, I was learning Dark Magic... The only company I had were the ghouls and wraiths that lurked. Doesn't feel the same though..." He says to himself in regards to the last part.
"What happened to those things? Sounds like they could've helped."
"Well, I mostly had them guard the place where I learned these things for 7 years, didn't want it to be weak, but this isn't about me." He tries to shift it back to her and Prim. "Point is, you still have a chance, and now, the opportunity is there... You can be with your family now. You literally have a chance, so don't waste it."
Alicia smiled a little at that, understanding his point. She supposed it's only right, and worth a shot. Worst Prim can say is no, but at the same time, she also couldn't help but at least... Focus on him as well. At first, she didn't understand, but then it became clear to her after remembering that trial of his.
She was pretty neutral after that whole debacle. If you were caught doing dark magic, then don't be surprised if you get caught and sentenced, simple as. Of course, she had her own opinions on it, but that matters little now as times have changed and... If he really had a grudge, he wouldn't have saved them then. The rebellion of his could've just had been him switching hands between him and Volt, and the Seven Shields would remain toys, simple as.
"I'll try." She said, and gave him a hug that somewhat caught him off guard. "Here's to hoping even you can have your family back."
He can only look at her after she mentioned that, but he reciprocated nonetheless, returning her hug, showing that he really did appreciate such a thing.
"Now go... Make your amends." He whispers to her as they separate. Alicia's hands go to Prim's once more, and from there, he saw it with his own eyes.
Prim woke up, very weak, and very exhausted. She barely opened her eyes to look upon her concern, and she held her hand as well before smiling lightly... Very lightly. With what little strength she has, she raises her other hand, and she caressed her face. Happy to see her again.
"Sorry that it turned out like this..." She said to her. "But at least... We're together now."
Alicia can only give her a pained, and yet, elated smile and hugs her. Overjoyed to be reunited, and happy that their own bridge can be now fixed. Kazuma can't help but smile as well, and left them be. It was their thing after all, and who is he to butt in, or be the third wheel of what they had to deal with.