Author Note: Hope you guys all enjoy and like this chapter! We're really nearing the end of the Elan Arc. It's pretty pivotal in moving the story forward, lowkey. Think of Berserk Lost Childrens ARC. After this expect the chapter lengths to start 'Decreasing.' Not in word count, but per episode. For example, the Elan ARC in the show would've took me maybe a chapter or two to write...however, we're probably going to be nearing ten by the end of this ARC. After this, we shall hopefully be on episode 7 and it's going to be pretty smooth sailing from there.
Still, 25 chapters...a quarter. Thanks for everyone that has been alongside this journey. Please remember to follow, favorite, and review. And for those on Wattpad. Don't forget that we still have the Q&A running.
Best Regards,
The Author
Chapter 25
Guel's memories unfurled like a tattered banner in his mind, recalling the first encounter with his brother. They didn't share the same surname, but the blood they bore was undeniably Jetturk. There was honor in that lineage, though their relationship with their father was distant. Guel sought approval, while Laude sought only to serve. If only Guel had listened, perhaps his brother wouldn't be fighting for his life now.
In the hospital, Guel nursed his injuries, his left arm broken and his head wrapped in bandages. Through the glass, he watched the broken form of his brother hooked up to machines, wires snaking like veins. The hospital buzzed with activity, a stark contrast to the turmoil in Guel's mind.
"This is all your fault!" Petra's accusation pierced the air, tears streaming down her face as she clung to Felsi. Guel's heart ached at her anguish, a testament to her love for Laude. Why had he intervened? What had possessed him to show compassion to Elan? They had no history, and now, his own flesh and blood teetered on the brink because of it.
He wanted to dissolve into nothingness, to trade places with his brother. He loved Laude deeply, and the thought of him suffering because of Guel's actions was unbearable. His mind drifted to Aiden, the reckless firebrand from a dead world. How he had charged past Laude, fixated on his own vendetta.
Guel felt bitterness welling within him, a bitter realization of loss. The Sons of Harmony loomed in his thoughts, their roles reversed. Once unbeatable, now reduced to a shadow of his former self. Aiden now held the mantle, inheriting what Guel had lost. He had been stripped of everything, even his betrothed, Miorine.
In the zero-g cells across campus, the Sons of Harmony stirred, each shackled by the ankles. Jack strained against his restraints, seething with rage. Aiden lounged casually, seemingly unfazed.
"You fucking idiot!" Jack's voice reverberated, the strain audible as he fought against the chains. "When I get my hands on you, I am…"
In the confines of their cell, Aiden's voice cut through the tension like a knife. "That's just going to be another assault charge," he muttered, his gaze heavy with resignation. "You want that on top of an attempted murder charge? Hell, maybe an actual murder charge..."
The weight of his words hung in the air, draining the fight from Jack. He crumpled, hands covering his face in a desperate mantra. "This can't be real, this can't be real, this can't be happening."
Connor's snort broke the silence, his incredulity evident. "What's your problem, both of you!"
Aiden snapped back, frustration lacing his voice. "What's wrong with me? What the hell is wrong with you lot?"
"My life is fucked, Aiden, we're so fucked!" Jack's outburst echoed through the cell, his hand striking the wall with a sickening crack.
Aiden ran a hand through his hair, his mind spinning. Jack's bitter chuckle drew their attention, his words piercing through the haze of despair. "Laude was right, look at us... hunting some boy to do what?"
Connor's laughter grated on their nerves. "That's real rich. Don't tell me you're feeling sympathy for that blond twink, or the son of that corpo that I stabbed. Hell, it's the second son, right?"
Aiden nodded, a sinking feeling settling in the pit of his stomach. Connor's smirk widened. "So, he didn't lose his heir. Heck, we probably made the succession for him more guaranteed."
The implications of their actions hit Aiden like a blow. "You do not realize what you have just done."
Connor shrugged off the warning, his nonchalance unnerving. "He took a brick to me, and that whole house was protecting an actual attempted murderer. Remember Aiden, remember what that bastard tried to do to your Suletta?"
Before Aiden could respond, Jack interjected with venom. "And how did you repay him taking that brick to you? By stabbing him five fucking times!"
"How did you even get that knife?" Aiden's voice was laced with disbelief. "We've lost the tech to make data knives after the destruction of Harmony."
Connor's smirk didn't waver. "Picked it from Axel, you remember him."
Aiden's eyes widened at the mention of Axel. Jack's too, the realization sinking in like a stone. "How did... how did Axel die?" Aiden's voice was barely a whisper, filled with dread.
"If you're asking if the druid overdosed to see the sight, no," Connor's tone turned bitter, a shadow crossing his features. "He was alike to you, Aiden... he believed in the purity of it all. Like you, he saw the weakness of substances. Yet, that would've betrayed his final moments." And with those words, the bitter truth hung heavy in the air, casting a pall over the trio.
Jack's question hung heavy in the air, his voice tinged with disbelief. "What happened?"
Connor sighed, the weight of his memories evident in his expression. "Before you left the legion, Marko had sent me away to harass the IMC with potshot raids and terror tactics," he began, his words carrying the weight of history. "Yet, he sent Axel away with me as well. He took half the regiment assigned and left me the other. The plan was to meet up between Earth and Mars to combine our forces and leave when the mission was accomplished."
Aiden's stare bore into Connor, a mix of confusion and frustration evident in his eyes. "You still didn't tell us..."
Connor hesitated, the memories a heavy burden on his shoulders. "I accomplished my mission, early shockingly. This was around the time you lot left, thanks for that by the way," he added with a bitter edge, his gaze flickering between Jack and Aiden. "Marko and the rest needed you, and you pulling out of the long war led to a couple of our plans being foiled. So, Marko demanded for my warband to take over for a bit where you left off. So, we went to where we were meant to meet... Axel wasn't there. It was unlike him, and maybe it was instinct, but I knew something was up. His titan had a blip to track, and we found him on one of the floating satellites around Mercury. We went into the satellite… Aiden and Jack, it was horrible."
Jack and Aiden listened in stunned silence as Connor recounted the grim scene. "The room smelled like death," he continued, his voice strained with emotion. "He was beaten and tortured. He had syringe marks and everything... I picked up the data knife and slit his throat, a mercy."
Aiden's hand went to his face, the realization sinking in. "So, Axel as well, he's..."
"...and like what you said about Gerald, Aiden," Jack interjected, his voice heavy with sorrow. "I suppose that makes you the last of the druids."
The weight of Deacon's words echoed in Aiden's mind, but he pushed them aside. There were more pressing matters at hand.
"Syringe marks?" Jack's voice broke the silence, his brow furrowed in confusion. "Though, you just stated that..."
Connor nodded, his expression grim. "That wasn't Axel's doing," he stated plainly. "Marko called it merely torture, but what other belief was there. They found Axel with half a dozen titans and over twenty foot soldiers. They killed them all, and they left everything behind. They didn't raid, they killed everyone else... but they captured Axel."
Aiden's eyes widened as realization dawned. "You think..."
Connor cut him off, his voice firm. "Marko chose to believe that they were raiders or another warband, but I won't ignore it. Something killed all my men out there. It couldn't have been another warband, or we would've found their wrecks alongside ours. And strangely, there were no shell casings... only laser wounds. And they took Axel, beat him, and chained him to a chair, loading him with just enough drugs to trigger a vision. No, this wasn't random... someone knew that Axel was a druid, and they knew of the power of the future. Marko didn't believe it, but I did."
After his speech, Connor sighed, his features smoothing into a semblance of calm. "But that doesn't matter right now," he added with a smirk.
"Yes, I suppose it doesn't," Jack muttered, his gaze drifting to the wall, the fight leaving him. "We just got back today, and I had a girl in my bed. I smoked my weed, and I just wanted to relax. How the hell did I get thrown in jail?"
The harsh light spilled into the dim confines of their cell, casting long shadows across the floor. Connor, his features twisted with determination, turned his gaze towards Aiden, his voice cutting through the stagnant air like a knife.
"Aiden," he said, his tone commanding attention. "When they release one of our chains, you go for their gun or weapon. Whatever you can make work. We'll jump them, break our bonds, grab their guns, and fight our way to the hangar. The transport shuttle still has enough fuel. Doesn't it?"
Jack, his face contorted with skepticism, sneered in response. "You want to escape?" he snapped, his voice tinged with disbelief. "They'll cut us down before we reach orbit!"
Connor's patience snapped like a brittle twig. "And what do you plan to do?" he yelled, his voice echoing off the walls. "All I hear is whining and despair from you. Do you still have your balls, or did your spacian slut take them from you? If Cooper could see you now, he'd be disgusted!"
Jack bristled at the insult, his anger flaring before quickly extinguishing. "You watch your fucking tone with me, Connor!" he shot back, his voice losing its edge. "I'm grateful for everything you've done for us, but this is too much. What were you..."
"Shut up!" Connor snapped, his patience wearing thin. "Mewling like a woman. You should be called daughters of harmony. And what is it that you want, huh, Jackie? To return to your mansion paid for by that strange benefactor? To return to that spacian whore? Your crappy business books? No, I won't have it. Fuck you."
He turned to Aiden, his gaze intense. "What do you think, Winters?" he asked, his voice softer but no less commanding. "Do you want to stay here like Jack and be a slave to the judgmental corpos of higher power, or fight our way free and become the masters of our own destiny? You told me before that you were searching for something, and I'm telling you it isn't here on academy grounds... it lies up there." Connor dragged his hand upwards, pointing towards the sky.
It took a moment for Jack to realize what Connor was implying. His eyes widened in realization, his gaze darting towards Aiden. "Don't listen to this nut," he scoffed, but Aiden remained silent, his eyes fixed on Connor.
"A worthy adversary," Aiden murmured, the words slipping from his lips almost involuntarily. Even he seemed surprised by their utterance, but Connor's smile widened at the admission.
"Maybe that's what I've been searching for all this time," Aiden mused, his eyes shining with a fierce determination. Jack remembered the Matriarch, Guel, and now... who knew what opportunities lay ahead? Did Aiden truly believe that in these trials by combat, he would find what he was searching for? Perhaps even find himself?
Deacon's words echoed in Aiden's mind like a persistent drumbeat, a reminder of unanswered questions. What was he searching for?
Their thoughts were abruptly interrupted by the sudden opening of the door, flooding the cell with blinding light as a figure emerged. Connor, ever quick and agile, sprang into action, ready to seize whatever opportunity presented itself.
The air in the cell thickened with tension as Prospera's voice, soft yet commanding, wrapped around them like a suffocating shroud. Connor, frozen mid-action, registered the glint of her pistol aimed in his direction, a stark reminder of her lethal intent. Jack and Aiden, equally subdued, remained rooted in place, their wariness palpable.
"You aren't security," Jack declared, his tone tinged with suspicion, to which Prospera simply nodded, her features concealed behind a steel mask.
Lowering her pistol, she approached them with an eerie grace, her movements defying the laws of gravity. "Of course, I am not," she confirmed, a smile playing at the corners of her lips. "I am your benefactor."
Halting in front of Aiden, she fixed him with an unwavering gaze. "You're Aiden Winters," she stated, her voice carrying a hint of familiarity.
Aiden met her gaze with a steady resolve. "Deacon has spoken a lot about you," she acknowledged, his tone measured.
Prospera's smile widened. "You're a music major," she remarked, a note of jest in her voice. "What's a boy who plays piano all day doing here?"
Aiden's response was swift and defiant. "You forget that I am a pilot, first and foremost," he asserted, rising to the challenge. "I'll one day die, and my death will be on the battlefield. The tales of my triumph will be carved into my titan and weapons of war. I will forever be a warrior."
Prospera's approval was evident. "Good, Winters," she praised. "Luckily, your spirit is still intact... your warrior spirit. You'll need it for this upcoming duel."
Jack, however, voiced his frustration. "Upcoming duel?" he echoed, his irritation evident. "Listen, Lady. I don't know who you are or what you want, but more fighting isn't what we need right now."
Prospera chuckled, her amusement palpable. "You'd be surprised by the number of problems that can be solved with violence," she remarked, her gaze lingering on Jack with a knowing glint.
Connor exchanged a knowing glance with Jack, a silent acknowledgment of their shared secrets. But it was Aiden who held Prospera's attention.
"Aiden Winters, are you willing to allow me to give you a reason to exist?" she asked, her voice carrying a weight of significance.
Aiden hesitated, his gaze probing hers for answers. "Who are you?" he queried, a flicker of recognition crossing his features.
Prospera confirmed his suspicions with a simple statement. "I am Prospera Mercury," she revealed, watching as realization dawned in Aiden's eyes.
"You are..." Aiden began, only to be cut off by Prospera's interruption.
"Yes, Suletta's mother," she affirmed, her tone tinged with resolve. "And like you, I am greatly angered by what Elan was trying to do to my darling daughter. That is why you set out to deliver justice upon him?" she prompted, seeking confirmation of their shared goal.
Prospera's voice cut through the air like a whisper of fate, her words hanging heavy with promise and uncertainty. "Excellent," she declared, her gaze fixed on Aiden as she extended her hand. "There are things in motion, but do you desire freedom for you and your friends? Do you desire a purpose? I can give you a reason to exist."
Aiden stood frozen, his eyes wide with disbelief, grappling with the weight of her offer.
"Jack," Connor muttered in a low tone, his voice tinged with suspicion. "Who is this woman?"
Jack could only stare, a sense of foreboding creeping over him like a shadow. Despite the allure of freedom, there was an unsettling feeling gnawing at his gut, warning him of the dangers lurking beneath her enticing words.
Prospera knelt before them, her gaze hidden behind a blue visor, fixed on Aiden. "How much do you love my daughter, Aiden Winters?" she inquired, her question laden with intent.
Aiden's breath caught in his throat, memories of Suletta flooding his mind, mingling with the haunting words of Gerald. His resolve solidified, fueled by a fierce determination to protect the woman he loved.
"I'd fight for her, I'd live for her, I'd die for her," Aiden asserted, his voice brimming with unwavering certainty, sending shivers down Jack's spine.
"And is it true that Elan Ceres tried to assassinate her?" Prospera probed, her gaze piercing.
Aiden nodded. "Yes," he confirmed, his tone resolute. "I intended to fight him and—"
Prospera cut him off with a dismissive gesture. "No, Aiden Winters," she interjected, her voice carrying an air of finality. "The time for fighting is gone. Elan Ceres has crossed a line, and as her mother, I can't let this offense stand. You know what Peil will—"
"What are you asking Aiden to do?" Jack interjected, his voice laced with concern as he struggled against his restraints, his gaze darting between Aiden and Prospera.
Aiden met Jack's gaze, a flicker of resolve in his eyes. "She's right, Jack," he affirmed, rising slowly. "This is too big of an offense. If Suletta's mother is giving me the green light, maybe, maybe..."
Jack's heart pounded with dread. "No, Aiden," he implored, his voice trembling with fear and desperation. "No, you can't be doing what I think you're doing."
He turned to Prospera, his expression pleading. "You are speaking of the rule."
And she nodded with a smile.
"The rule?" inquired Connor.
Jack sneered, a hint of disdain etched on his face. "The Academy has been here for years; it isn't just dueling for sport or for pride. Instances have occurred where students harbored deep grudges and rivalries. Deacon feared that one day it would come to this between Guel and Aiden. But..." He paused, locking eyes with Connor, who slowly grasped the revelation. "A trial by combat," Jack declared.
Connor's eyes widened in disbelief. "Trials by combat? Are we in the medieval ages?" he questioned incredulously.
Jack shrugged. "It's a practice still honed even on Earth, and Harmony was a big fan of it," he explained, turning his gaze toward Aiden.
Aiden sneered. "We'll fight with titans and mechs, armed to the teeth. I don't give a damn what Elan brings to the table; he'll die just the same. Innocent or guilty, we'll let God decide."
Connor stared, taken aback. "Holy crap, you're really going to do it," he remarked.
Aiden locked eyes with Prospera. "I... I love Suletta Mercury, I love her with all my heart. All her enemies are mine, and..." He paused, shifting his gaze toward Prospera. "Tell me what I've got to do. I'll kill him... I promise you that."
The dueling committee lounge wore an unfamiliar look. The massive windows that typically showcased duels were now battered by rain and hail. The storm raged like a hurricane, trees swaying and grass plains undulating in the harsh breeze. Shaddiq, accompanied by his entourage of girls, stood at the center stage, surrounded by darkness.
Miorine, Suletta, Oscar, and Jack raced up the dilapidated steps, with Suletta leading the way. On the other side stood Elan, supported by an unfamiliar figure.
"What is this?" Miorine exclaimed, drenched from head to toe after running through the storm. Her eyes widened as she took in the scene. Jack, Oscar, and Suletta swiftly joined her.
"Hello, Miorine," Shaddiq greeted, his usual smile replaced by a more serious demeanor. "I see you frequent the dueling center. Nice to know you care so much about your friends."
Miorine scoffed, shaking off the rain. She moved to sit on the couch alongside Suletta, Oscar, and Jack. Cecilia occupied the opposite side, her gaze shifting between Miorine and Elan.
"What is the meaning of this, Shaddiq?" Miorine demanded, her eyes narrowing as they settled on Elan. She winced at the sight of the blow to the side of his head. "Why is Elan here?"
Shaddiq's gaze lingered on Elan and his handler. "It seems that Elan and Aiden have had a little... disagreement," he remarked with a touch of sarcasm.
Belmaria scoffed. "A disagreement?" Her tone dripped with contempt as she glanced at the swaying figure of Elan, struggling to maintain his balance. "Those Harmony boys came at him with a baseball bat!" she spat out the words.
Miorine, Suletta, and Cecilia's eyes widened in shock. Miorine whipped her head around to Elan, then to the injured Jack. "What?" she snapped, her voice laced with disbelief. "Is this true? Did you attack Elan?"
Jack hesitated, his gaze dropping to his shoes. "It wasn't exactly us, but Aiden's guys did…" he began.
"Of course," Miorine interrupted with a mocking smile, her annoyance palpable. "What is wrong with all of you!" Her voice rose to a crescendo, reverberating off the walls.
"Miorine…" Shaddiq attempted to interject, but she cut him off with a sharp glare. "Quiet, Shaddiq," she snapped. "This isn't any of your business." Her breathing was heavy, her anger evident as she glared at Oscar and Jack, who both looked stunned.
"Jack, what happened?" Oscar demanded. "You need to tell me what's going on."
Jack opened his mouth to respond, but Miorine's glare silenced him. "Oh, isn't it obvious," she spat out, her eyes boring into Jack. "You Harmony boys did what you always do—hurt people. And what's this going to be... another lie upon a lie."
Jack sneered and shrugged. "Whatever, Rembran," he retorted, turning away from her to fix his gaze on Elan, then on Cecilia. "Got nothing to say, Jack?" Miorine snapped, her tone sharp. "No excuses for Aiden or for Deacon? You want to hear my issue with you?"
Jack chuckled derisively before speaking. "I bet you're dying to tell me," he said.
Miorine's anger flared, a vein pulsing on her forehead. "It's your indifference that infuriates me," she spat out. "You see everything, but you never speak up. Deacon told me you're his second in command, but it seems like Aiden practically runs the show at Harmony House."
Jack laughed again, ready to retort, but he paused. "Whatever, Rembran. If you've already made up your mind, then what's the point of us talking?" He turned to Shaddiq. "When is Aiden coming here? We've been back at the academy for hours, and good ole Elan ruined it for us. I didn't plan on us getting into a duel today, but Elan pushed Aiden to his limits."
Suletta stuttered, "M-Miorine, let him speak."
Miorine refused to back down. "What could Elan have possibly done to deserve that?" she demanded, her voice sharp as she fixed her gaze on Jack. "What justified hitting him in the head with a club?"
Jack sneered, but unexpectedly, it was Cecilia who spoke up next from the side couch.
"Enough, Miorine," Cecilia interjected, rising from her seat with narrowed eyes directed at her friend. "Let Jack speak. He knows the situation better than anyone, and…" She paused, turning to Elan, and for the first time, Elan saw the bitterness etched on her features aimed at him. A mess of emotions clouded her expression. She sighed. "Let him speak. I can vouch for him. I don't know exactly what happened in Jetturk House, but you, of all people, should hear his side of the story."
"So, you're on their side?" Miorine snapped.
Cecilia's annoyance was palpable as she glared at Miorine. "I don't know what your problem is, Miorine, but there are no sides here," she declared, turning to Shaddiq. "Elan isn't as innocent as people think."
Addressing the entire group, Cecilia continued, her voice authoritative. "As a member of the dueling committee and as someone with a presidential role, I was there before this situation escalated. I can attest that Elan isn't as innocent as people make him out to be."
"I was at House Harmony when…" she began, only to be interrupted by Oscar's question.
"At House Harmony?" Oscar repeated, his curiosity piqued. "What were you doing there?"
Cecilia paused, exchanging knowing looks with Jack and Oscar. "Oh, I see now," Oscar chuckled, grasping the implications.
"Really, Jack…" Oscar started, but Jack cut him off.
"I know, I know," Jack interrupted. "Oscar, we have bigger things to worry about!"
Suletta and Cecilia exchanged a glance, their cheeks flushing at the unspoken implications.
Cecilia's face flushed as she turned to Oscar. "Miorine, Aiden, and the red-haired boy came to Jack's room. Elan broke into your garage."
A heavy silence descended upon the room. Even Shaddiq shot a glare at Elan, a rare display of anger.
"He did what now?" Shaddiq's voice was edged with frustration, and even Miorine realized that this was one of the few times she had seen him truly angry.
Cecilia nodded grimly. "Yes, Shaddiq. He was caught on camera breaking into Miorine's hangar. He tagged Suletta's mech and even tampered with it."
"What!" Suletta erupted from her seat, her anger palpable as she stared daggers at Elan. "He did what now!" She yelled, her fists clenched, and Miorine reached out to restrain her.
"Suletta..." Miorine began, but Suletta was on the verge of tears, her anger boiling within her veins.
"What, Miorine?" Suletta snapped. "He... he did what to Aerial!"
Even Cecilia and the others were taken aback by Suletta's outburst. They had grown accustomed to her kindness, forgetting that beneath her gentle exterior lay a fierce spirit. "Aerial is practically family to me," she continued, her voice trembling with emotion. "He broke into my mech, he... he vandalized it, he practically violated...!"
"What's going on here?" Miorine interrupted, turning her attention to Elan. Her anger toward the Sons of Harmony had dissipated almost instantly.
Cecilia added, "It's all on camera, Miorine. I've seen it, and so has the rest of Harmony. That's where the conflict started."
"And you saw it all, Cecilia?" Shaddiq inquired.
Cecilia nodded. "Every moment. There were some cuts in the feed, but I saw him clearly enter her mech. He had no business being there, Shaddiq."
Shaddiq sighed, regret beginning to seep in. He had initially believed Elan's actions to be minor, but now he realized the gravity of the situation. Guel's brother was now in the hospital because of Elan's actions.
"They tagged Aerial with 'Witch,'" Cecilia added, causing Suletta to stop struggling in Miorine's grip. "That's an important detail."
Shaddiq turned his gaze to Elan and his handler. "What do you have to say for yourself, Elan?" he demanded. "Is it all true?"
Elan remained silent for a moment, studying the stunned expressions of Suletta and her friends. Then, he nodded. "Yes, it is."
Miorine was stunned into silence, releasing Suletta as she recoiled from the shock. She had expected him to deny it, to offer some explanation. But it seemed he was trapped in his own web of deceit.
"So, you admit it," Shaddiq said with frustration. "Why did you do this, Elan?" he pressed, narrowing his eyes.
Elan remained silent, frustrating Shaddiq further. "Keeping quiet won't save you," Shaddiq warned. "I saved you from their clutches, believing your actions to be minor. You never mentioned any of this, and now Guel's brother is in the hospital because he defended you."
"Laude is in the hospital?" Miorine echoed, disbelief coloring her voice.
Shaddiq sighed, his fingers threading through his hair in frustration. "House Harmony found out that Elan was hiding with House Jetturk somehow. There was a confrontation, and now Guel and another one of their guys are in the hospital... and Laude was stabbed. We're not sure how he's doing, but..."
He trailed off, and Miorine could only stare in stunned silence, Suletta taking a step back in shock. Though opinions about Laude were mixed, the idea of him being stabbed by someone was jarring to them all.
"Who... who did it?" Miorine stammered.
"Connor," Jack said simply, rising from his seat and passing by Miorine and Suletta, their eyes following him as he addressed Shaddiq. "If you can, call Guel and offer our sincerest apologies for what happened. This has spiraled out of control, and I apologize for his brother."
Shaddiq looked at Jack, shaking his head slowly. "An apology won't fix this. One of your guys stabbed his little brother."
"I know," Jack replied with a sigh. "I know what it's like to lose a brother. Even if Laude survives, he'll carry the scars."
"Who is this Connor?" Suletta asked. "Was he..."
"The new guy," Jack explained. "He's been with us for years... there's a bond there. He's a medic who's saved us countless times, but when we found him, he..."
"He's the reason I'm still alive," Oscar interjected.
Jack nodded. "We owe Connor a debt. He's been through a lot, and war has shaped him. We thought being here would help, but we can't risk him in battle. He's too volatile, too steeped in violence..."
"You're right, Jack," Aiden's voice cut through as he entered the room, already dressed in his pilot gear, accompanied by a woman. "Connor and the others shouldn't be handling this mess. Leave the rest to me."
Suletta turned to Aiden to speak but froze, her gaze landing on a figure she hadn't expected to see for months. Someone who should have been away on business along the rims of Mercury.
"Mom..." she whispered, a warmth spreading through her as she smiled.
"Hi, Suletta," her mother replied warmly. But Jack and Oscar's eyes widened in alarm. This was their...
Belmaria's face drained of color, her eyes wide with shock as if she'd seen a ghost. Her fingers slipped off Elan as she stared at the woman.
"No, no, no!" Belmaria's voice echoed through the room, her hands grasping at her head in disbelief. "You can't be real, you can't be alive, you can't!" Her scream cut through the air, but Prospera only smirked in response. "Well, it's nice to see you, BelMaria," she stated coolly.
Aiden stood beside Elan, his gaze burning with contempt and anger that seemed to pierce even the most stoic hearts. "You should've just laid on the floor and died," he snapped at Elan, the venom in his tone palpable to everyone in the room. "I don't like Guel or his brother, but this is all your fault," he growled.
Elan winced at the accusation, and Miorine hesitated to speak, knowing her words would fall short in the face of such intense emotions. She remembered Oscar's words in the dining hall, and it all started to make sense. Violence seemed to be the only answer for them.
"Aiden, I..." Miorine began, but he cut her off sharply. "Shut up, this is out of your hands now," he commanded, his attention turning to Jack. "Did you tell them what we found in Aerial?" he demanded.
Jack shook his head. "There was no time. I was busy gathering everyone for the group battle, but I couldn't find Deacon or..."
Aiden shook his head, his gaze sweeping across the room before settling on Shaddiq. "Shaddiq, I have something to say. Can I speak it?" he asked.
Shaddiq chuckled, his expression tinged with resignation. "That hasn't stopped you before, so out with it," he replied.
Aiden sighed, then turned to Cecilia. "Cecilia was in House Harmony, and as a member of the dueling committee, no one would doubt her word," he explained, pointing an accusatory finger at Elan. "Within her testimony, with the eyes of me, Aiden Winters the Holder, I accuse and declare a trial of combat toward Elan Ceres for the attempted murder of Suletta Mercury!"
The room fell silent, a heavy tension settling over them all. Fear flickered in Elan's eyes as he backed away, the weight of Aiden's accusation bearing down on him. Even Belmaria was stunned into silence, her gaze shifting between them all.
"Elan, did you..." Belmaria began, but Elan cut her off, his own anger flaring for the first time. "Lies!" he snapped, pointing a trembling finger at Aiden. "Shaddiq, Cecilia, he's lying!"
Shaddiq emitted a weary groan as the weight of his decision settled over the room like a suffocating fog. "Cecilia," he called out, his voice heavy with exhaustion. Her teal eyes fixed on him, awaiting his inquiry. "Is what Winters speaks of the truth?" he asked, his gaze searching for confirmation.
All eyes turned to Cecilia as she nodded solemnly. Miorine staggered backward, her disbelief evident in every quivering muscle. Even Suletta, usually composed, found herself trembling, collapsing onto the couch with wide, terrified eyes. "H-He... he was trying to kill me and Aerial?" Suletta's voice trembled with shock and fear.
Cecilia didn't spare Elan a glance as she confirmed, "Yes."
Miorine, struggling to comprehend, stuttered in disbelief, "I-I... I don't understand. Why... why would he..."
But Aiden's exasperated sigh cut through her words, filling the room with its weight. "We have the bomb he planted in Aerial at Harmony's mansion," he declared, his gaze piercing as it settled on Elan. "You didn't think we'd catch you. The moment you stepped into Miorine's garage, you were caught. You thought you could target Suletta and evade the wolves of Harmony..."
Elan remained silent, his eyes darting between Shaddiq and Cecilia. "These are all lies," he insisted, his voice barely above a whisper.
But Shaddiq and Cecilia remained unmoved. The jovial facade of Shaddiq had vanished, replaced by a steely resolve. "Which ones are lies?" Shaddiq retorted. "The part where you were caught on camera breaking into Miorine's garage, or the part where you planted a bomb?"
Elan fell silent, his protestations fading into nothingness. "The bomb... I had nothing to do with that..."
"Yet," Oscar interjected, rising and hobbling toward Aiden with his crutches, his disdainful gaze fixed on Elan. "It's quite a stretch, isn't it? You break in, leave behind a mess... and it wasn't you who rigged Suletta's mech?" He sneered at Elan, his accusation hanging heavy in the air.
Belmaria watched it all unfold, her mind racing to make sense of the chaos. This wasn't part of the plan. Elan, so obedient, couldn't have acted so recklessly. The scheme was unraveling before her eyes, revealing a malevolence far beyond her expectations.
But her attention was drawn to Prospera, her daughter—or was it Ericht?—smiling serenely amidst the chaos. Something wasn't right. Her daughter nearly murdered, yet there she stood, unperturbed. Belmaria's heart raced as she realized they were being set up.
"Belmaria," Prospera's voice pierced the air, dragging Belmaria back from her thoughts to confront a woman from her past, a past she'd rather leave dead and buried. "My darling daughter's life was attempted by one of your pilots. Do you have nothing to say, or does Peil wish to issue any reparations for such a deed?"
Belmaria's jaw clenched as she turned her gaze to Elan. "We did not do such a thing," she declared firmly.
Aiden's raucous laughter shattered the tense atmosphere. "What a load of fucking bullshit!" His voice reverberated through the hall as he pointed an accusatory finger at Elan. "Everything that comes out of blondie's mouth is a whole hunk of crap. The only mistake that was made today... was that the wrong boy was stabbed."
Belmaria's expression hardened, her eyes flickering to Shaddiq. "Within the rules of Delling Rembran, we demand that Campus Police escort us away from this place. Elan needs medical attention, and likewise we are innocent until proven guilty..."
Prospera smirked, her demeanor oozing with disdain. "I believe that we are far past that point, Belmaria," she interjected, nodding toward Aiden, whose grin widened. "You're within the wolf's den now. You've been a real rotten witch, and with this storm, I imagine that many things in the academy aren't working the way they should've. Maybe, you really should realize just how in danger you are."
Belmaria's narrowed eyes sparked with defiance. "Is that a threat?"
"No, it isn't," Aiden snapped, stepping forward and locking eyes with her and Elan. He withdrew a knife from his pocket, its blade catching the flickering light, casting their faces in an eerie glow. "I am going to carve Elan over here, from balls to brain. Tell me, Elan, clone, abomination, or plastic surgery freak... I wonder what sort of parts you've got different about you compared to me."
"Clone?" Miorine's voice cut through the tension. "What are you talking about?"
Aiden chuckled darkly. "Prospera's been very informative about the way this shitshow of a school is run by the corps," he sneered, his laughter growing more menacing. "You see, Mr. Ceres over here hasn't been exactly honest with us all. Even Peil. They've been doing a bunch of messed-up experiments. What you see here isn't even the real Elan Ceres. He's... he's... I don't even know what to call him. An honest-to-god abomination of nature, a doll playing in his master's role."
Elan remained silent, his expression unreadable, leaving everyone stunned.
"I don't understand," Suletta's voice trembled with confusion. "So, this isn't..."
"No, it isn't," Jack's realization came quicker. "This Elan Ceres, he's not the real Elan Ceres that is going to inherit Peil technology. He's a..."
"A fucking body double!" Oscar erupted, his eyes wide with shock. "He's been a damn body double this whole freaking time. He's been going to this school... and..."
But Oscar's words trailed off into exasperated disbelief, drowned out by the thunderous revelation echoing through the room. Shaddiq's mind raced, already plotting his next move. The Sons of Harmony had just proven their deadly prowess, not just in their mechs, but also in the deadly political game. And as the truth unraveled, it became chillingly clear: they had been fooled, and this Elan wasn't even real.
"What even are you, Ceres, or is that even your name?" Aiden's voice dripped with scorn. "You prefer Elan... or you'd like it if I call you forth. I wonder, what sort of things they've done to you. No matter, you still tried to murder Suletta and that's a death order to me."
"A death order..." Suletta echoed, her voice trembling with fear. Bravery surged through her as she rose to her feet, facing Aiden's back. "Aiden, you can't..." But her protest died on her lips.
Then, silence fell. Only the wild winds and hail outside dared to intrude. Lightning crackled in the distance, casting an amethyst glow over both boys' faces as Suletta watched, her eyes wide with shock. "A duel to the death," Aiden declared, a smile playing on his lips as he turned to Elan. "... and that was what you wanted."
Elan met his gaze, nodding slowly. "Yes, it is," he confirmed.
"Is this the reason why you wanted to hurt Suletta, to get to me? What does Peil have on you for making you do such a thing?" Aiden questioned, a hint of doubt creeping into his voice.
Surprisingly, the blond boy answered. "For freedom."
Aiden snickered. "That's ironic, isn't it," he mused, narrowing his gaze at Elan. "We're all trying to be free, and I suppose that's the reason why we've hurt so many people..."
For a brief moment, vulnerability flashed across Aiden's features, a shared understanding between them. One shackled by Peil, the other by prophecy and destiny. He glanced at Suletta, seeing the tears in her eyes, but he turned away.
This wasn't about Guel. This was a true fight to the death.
"Shaddiq!" Miorine's voice rang out, filled with desperation. She advanced, pointing accusingly at Shaddiq. "Are you seriously going to allow this, are you really going to allow them to kill one another?" she demanded.
"Mind your business, Rembran," Aiden snapped, his voice hollow as he met her gaze. "This has nothing to do with you." He turned back to Elan. "Watch after Suletta, and have no fear... I am not going to lose to blondie over here. You've been a real pain in the ass, Elan. You've lived long enough."
Elan returned Aiden's glare with a sneer of his own, uncharacteristic determination in his eyes. Aiden chuckled at the defiance. The slave of Peil had his own will for freedom. "I think so too."
Shaddiq rose from his seat, positioning himself between them. His gaze shifted from Prospera to Belmaria. "So, the corporations have agreed to this," he confirmed.
Both women nodded. "So, what's at stake for the duel?" Shaddiq pressed.
Elan remained silent, but Belmaria spoke up. "If Elan wins, then we'll..."
"Shut up," Aiden interjected sharply.
Belmaria stared at him, her mouth agape, her expression a mix of shock and disbelief. He sneered back at her, his gaze piercing. "You aren't the one risking your life. Let Elan speak, that's the very least that you can do."
Prospera's laughter filled the dueling committee lounge, echoing off the walls. She sighed, then turned her attention to Elan. As he opened his mouth to speak, the tension in the room thickened. "If I win," he began, his voice steady, "Peil Technologies will take the Aerial as our asset. Likewise," he glanced at Belmaria, "all prior knowledge and blackmail associated with Peil shall be renounced and never to be spoken of."
"Protecting them to the end," Aiden retorted, his voice dripping with disdain. "Like a good little slave."
He paused, turning to Shaddiq, a smug grin spreading across his face as he wrapped his arms around himself. "Your life is enough for me... but Ms. Mercury wants all information and files on Pharact." A bead of sweat trickled down Belmaria's face at the mention of Pharact.
"How do you know about Pharact?" she snapped, her voice laced with urgency.
"Pharact?" Shaddiq echoed, his brow furrowed in confusion, while Aiden chuckled darkly.
"Yeah, that was the first thing I said too," he spat back, his eyes fixed on Belmaria. "It's ironic, honestly, that Suletta had the aerial unit taken from her on the grounds of being a Gundam. Even more ironic that Peil Technologies had a fully functional one this whole time."
Belmaria felt a wave of nausea wash over her as the weight of Aiden's words sank in, drawing shocked and scornful gazes from those around them. "Those machines that cruelly took the life of their pilot," she murmured, her voice trembling with emotion, "it's fitting that you'd get men and women like Elan... blank slates that you wouldn't care if they lived or died."
Shaddiq realized then that whether Peil won or not, he had to report everything to his father. Peil Technologies had started work on a Gundam, and that... but now was not the time for that. Now, it was time for the duel.
"Aiden, you are going to duel with one of your Titans, I assume?" Shaddiq inquired.
"Yeah," Aiden nodded, a smug smirk on his lips. "That's why Connor isn't with us right now. I've sent him to radio the Harmony mechanics to specially fit my Titan for this duel."
"And Elan?" Shaddiq turned his attention to the blond boy. "Are you going to fight with your standard mech or..."
"No," Elan scoffed, lifting his gaze boldly. "FP/A-77 Gundam Pharact."
The name hung in the air, causing a stunned silence to descend upon the room. Only Suletta found her voice. "No!" she snapped, rushing toward Aiden. She seized his false hand with both of hers, but it was cold and lifeless. "Aiden, you can't," she pleaded, tears streaming down her cheeks. "You... you're going to..."
"Leave him be, Suletta," her mother interjected. "Aiden Winters, he's killed Gundams before. Isn't that right, Winters?" she repeated, her voice cutting through the heavy atmosphere.
Aiden's nod was resolute as he locked eyes with Elan across the room. "I've fought bigger and stronger," he declared, his voice laced with confidence. "Do you really believe you can best me?"
Suletta's voice trembled as she spoke. "A-Aiden, please," she pleaded. "Don't throw your life away for..."
"I'm not throwing my life away," Aiden interrupted, turning towards her with an intensity that made her shiver. His hands gripped her shoulders firmly as he met her gaze. "I won't lose, not to him. I promise you, I'll come back, and we'll make as many snowmen as you want..."
His attempt at a smile was strained, his emotions barely contained beneath the surface. Suletta knew it was a facade, a feeble attempt to offer her solace. Yet, she could only stare, her heart heavy with a mix of fear and longing.
As Aiden turned away, their connection broke, leaving Suletta alone with her thoughts. Her mind was a whirlwind of conflicting emotions, oscillating between the warmth of Aiden's false smile and the chilling specter of death. She winced, wiping away tears, her hand reaching out for him, but he was already gone...
Miorine stood by her side, offering silent support as Suletta's thoughts were consumed by a turbulent blend of dreams and nightmares, all set amidst the cold embrace of winter.