Part Three
"I love you."
Daunte stiffened when he heard the proclamation behind the middle north building. He made his way towards the back of the building and saw two people standing there in the moonlight.
"...Did I hear you correctly?" Desiree asked. She was leaning against the side of the building
"I'll repeat it if I have to," Lanny said. He stood in front of her with his shoulders squared, his back to Daunte. Daunte kept himself hidden around the corner so that neither could see. "I love you. I know you already know because the other guys never shut up about it, but I wanted you to know before we fight tomorrow."
Desiree was silent for a long time. rubbed at her forehead and looked away briefly. Then she looked back at him. "Lanny—"
"If you're going to reject me, please get it over with," Lanny interrupted her. "Do you think I can't handle rejection?"
"Lanny, love is a really strong word to use to describe emotions," Desiree said. "You shouldn't use it so freely—"
"Who said I'm using it freely?" Lanny demanded. The boy suddenly stiffened. "Wait...I get it. You think that because I'm akid that what I feel for your isn't serious or sincere, don't you?!"
Desiree raised her hands defensively. "I'm not trying to offend you. I care about you a great deal, Lanny. But you are young, younger than—"
"I may be younger than you, but I'm a soldier!" Lanny shot back. "I'm not too young to pick up a sword, am I? I'm not too young fight on battlefields against full-grown soldiers, am I?! I have SEEN things, Desiree! Things that a lot of people my age have never seen! I've seen people be injured, I've seen people die! I've seen my comrades and friends die! I've killed people!" He shouted. "So I'm old enough and mature enough to see people die and to take their lives by my own hand, but love—oh no, Lanny doesn't know anything about love, right?! Lanny's too young and immature to know what love is, right?! Lanny's man enough to spill the blood of others, but NOT man enough to be in love, right?!"
Desiree stared at him stunned, Daunte saw tears fill her eyes and spill down her cheeks. She let the tears fall without giving them any notice.
Lanny pulled out his handkerchief and handed it to her. "I'm sorry," he said more calmly. "I shouldn't have sprung this on you right before the final battle. I won't bother you ever again."
Desiree accepted the handkerchief. Her expression was full of sorrow. "Lanny—"
"I'll make an oath right now," Lanny said. "Five years."
"Five years?"
"This will be the last time I talk to you for the next five years. When this war is over you're going to be returning to Baltas right?,
Desiree nodded. "I'm going to continue serving Lord Daunte, Lord Keiran, and the new government," Lanny said. "I'll build myself up to be the best soldier in Nagarea. I'll make myself into a great man."
"Lanny, you're already great—"
"But not good enough for you, right?"
Desiree flinched. "Five years," he repeated himself. "I'll make myself great, and then I'll come and see you in five years. If you've found someone else or if I'm still not good enough for you then, I'll leave you be. But just..." he ducked his head forward. "Please give me this chance. I'll make myself greater than I am now. I promise."
Then he walked past Desiree, opposite of the direction Daunte was hiding, and disappeared out of sight. Desiree turned to watch him leave, and Daunte took that opportunity to hurry away and back towards the front of the building. I knew that Lanny liked Desiree, but it's a lot more serious than I thought it was.
And he did feel bad for Lanny. Lanny was a child soldier who had fought shoulder-to-shoulder with full-grown adults on the battlefield. It probably did not feel good for him to have people dismiss him for being a young teenager despite everything that he's experienced. Daunte felt the contrast; he was only a couple of years older than Lanny but was treated like an adult despite being a teenager leading an entire Army. He hoped that he wasn't similarly disrespectful to Lanny in this regard.
If Desiree was going to reject him, she should have been more direct. But she was probably taken off-guard by his confession. Ah well. I hope they both do okay.
Daunte moved towards the front of the building. Nāṭaka was on the stage shouting orders to nondescript Liberation Army soldiers onstage with her. Is she trying to put on a play tonight?! He thought incredulously.
"Oh, Lord Daunte!" Nāṭaka called to him, waving him over. "I was going to put on a preview for a play that I wrote about this war, but it's not ready yet! Please forgive me!"
"That's okay, Nāṭaka," Daunte said. "You can put it on for us when we win."
"That's exactly what I'll do!"
Yaman and Vien were situated at tables at opposite sides of the bar/theatre with their respective gambling games. "Lord Daunte!" Yaman called to him. "Come over here and play some games with me before we go off to battle!"
"No, Lord Daunte!" Vien shouted. "Come over here and play MY game!"
"Shut up, you cheapskate!" Yaman snapped.
"Cheapskate?! I'll show you cheapskate!"
"Both of you BE QUIET!" Nāṭaka shouted. "I'm trying to rehearse a play!"
"Lord Daunte!" Liron called to him from the right side of the stage. "Would you like me to change your voice to one of the six Sound Sets you gave me?"
"Thank you, but I'm fine," Daunte said.
He headed up to the second floor, where the inn was. He heard loud laughter coming from inside the inn and instinctively smiled as he entered. "Good evening, Lord Daunte," Tidur greeted him from behind the inn's counter. "Sloan is visiting with Esther and Ciana right now, but you can go and see them too if you want."
Sloan finally came to see his daughters. Daunte followed Tidur to one of the unoccupied inn rooms. Sloan was seated on the floor holding a book, and Esther and Ciana were sitting in front of him. Whatever line he read from the book caused both girls to burst into laughter again. Ciana laughed loudly but briefly, and then quickly covered her mouth with both hands.
"Ciana," Sloan said to her. He kept his tone soft, gentle, and careful. "You don't need to hide your laugh. You can laugh as loud and hard as you want."
Ciana lowered her hands. "Okay," she said quietly. Daunte remembered Sloan's memories and he knew that Sloan was desperately trying to undue all of the damage he inflicted upon the little girl when he was overtaken by the Black Rune. But he's here with his daughters. That's a step in the right direction at least.
Daunte realized in the moment that Tiara was in the room with them. The small dog was draped across Sloan's lap, wagging her tail happily while he read the story. He idly scratched behind her ears while he read, and her tail wagged harder.
"Oh, Lord Daunte!" Sloan said as he looked up. He picked up Tiara and stood, and Esther and Ciana stood up as well. "Sorry, I was just reading to my daughters."
"No, it's fine," Daunte said. "I'm sorry I interrupted your family time."
"Lord Daunte, did you see the windows on this building?" Esther asked him. "I used all six Window Sets and so they're all different! Did it look okay?"
"It looked great, Esther."
"Tomorrow the war ends, right?" Ciana asked him. Her tone was still stoic.
"Ah, yes," Daunte said.
"Daddy won't die again tomorrow, will he?"
Daunte flinched and looked at Sloan, but the older man was looking at his daughter shocked. "Ciana, who told you that?" Tidur quickly said, entering the room fully.
Ciana shrugged. "I overheard people talking. They said Daddy died in a battle."
"Oh, but I'm not dead," Sloan quickly interjected. He moved over to his daughter and knelt down on the floor in front of her. "Here, Ciana, put your hand on my chest here." He tapped a finger over his heart.
Ciana put her hand over his heart. Esther quickly moved forward and put her hand over his heart too. "Do you feel that?" Sloan asked. "That "thump, thump, thump"?"
"...Yes," Ciana said.
"That's Daddy's heartbeat," Esther told her. "That means Daddy's alive."
"That's right," Sloan said. He covered his free hand over his daughters' hands. "So long as this heart is beating I'm alive. And this heart will continue to beat tomorrow, and the day after."
"Yes," Daunte added. "I'll keep Sloan alive tomorrow. I'll keep as many people alive tomorrow as possible."
"Lord Daunte—" Tidur said.
"I have the Rune the Restoration," Daunte reassured her, holding up his right hand. "And I've unlocked the full power of this Rune. I will protect everyone in this Army and we will succeed tomorrow. You can count on me."
He was confident in what he was saying, but he also knew as Commander that he needed to project his confidence to the people in the Liberation Army so that everyone would believe in him. When he saw the family smiling back at him, he knew that he had succeeded.
"All of you have a good night," he said, looking at Tidur. "Do you have any guests?"
"Just one," Tidur said. "Miss Elina. I believe Soturi is visiting her."
"Okay," Daunte said. He left the room and he headed down the hall but stopped in his tracks when he heard voices from one of the rooms. "I'm not good at expressing myself." It was a young woman's voice he didn't recognize. He knew it was probably Elina. "I don't like talking to fill silence. You always understood that, but—"
"I'm not mad at you for ending the engagement," Soturi interjected. "I have an important job and you understood that, but I also died and you personally nursed me back to health on another occasion I almost died. You were also there for me every step of the way when I did physical therapy, and were there when I got the news I couldn't hold a sword with my right hand anymore. You didn't stop me when I returned to active duty...but I know that it bothered you."
"I know you have to protect Prince Freyr. I know that how important your job is, and dying in the line of duty happens to the Queen's Knight's. But is—is it really wrong to feel upset by seeing you hurt? To see you debilitated? To hear that you died here?! Soturi, I—I love you, but..."
There was a long period of silence. Daunte felt awful for eavesdropping on yet another personal conversation but he couldn't move away.
"I know," Soturi said. "I'm not mad at you for ending our engagement. But I have to ask...did you come all the way here just to tell me why you broke up with me?"
There was another long period of silence. "I miss you," Elina finally said. "A-And I—if you die again—"
"I know," Soturi said. "I understand how you feel."
They didn't speak further. Daunte knew that it was time to leave and hurried out of the inn.
He went up to the third floor to check on the detective. "Hello, Lord Daunte," Oboro greeted him. He was sitting on one couch beside Shou, and across from them sat Masaru and Umeko. "We're still doing research about where the root of the barrier is, but rest assured we will have answers in time for the siege."
"My parents gave Lady Archana a letter to give me," Shou said, holding it up. "There's tears on this page—wait, this is the letter written by my dad!"
"I'll be returning to Rokakku of course after this war is over," Masaru said. "But I won't forget my experiences here. I cannot divulge secrets, but don't be surprised if you happen to see more ninjas travel here to Nagarea in the future."
"I'm so mad!" Umeko snapped, smashing an already crumpled up piece of paper between her fists. "I sent a letter to Rokakku asking to be allowed to return—and they sent me a letter back telling me they'll kill me if I return!"
"That's because you sent a post-marked letter to Rokakku through Falena!" Masaru said sharply. "You outed the location of the village to the post office, and numerous postmen and postwomen who handled that letter! You're very lucky that I haven't been ordered to kill you!"
"...Oh," Daunte said slowly. "A-Ah—is your village okay?"
Masaru waved a dismissive hand. "It has been dealt with. I only know that it's been dealt with because of the fact that I haven't been issued such an order."
Daunte did not want to know how it had been dealt with and turned back to Oboro. "Thank you for your hard work," he said. "I owe you greatly, Oboro."
Oboro shook his head. "Do not thank me, my Lord. When your hands have been stained with as much blood as mine have, you have to cleanse them with good acts. But while they may look clean on the surface, the stains linger underneath."
Daunte knew that he was referencing his time as an agent for Nether Gate, and he wondered if he should tell Oboro that he's wrong or remain silent. Ultimately though he didn't know what to say to Oboro and so he changed the subject. "But thank you all for your work and have a good night."
"...That was morbid, Oboro," Shou mused when Daunte left.
"I was only speaking the truth," Oboro said.
"We should head off to bed," Masaru said. "Tomorrow is going to be busy and dangerous."
"Do we have to go through Winter Hill again?" Umeko complained. "I don't want to go to the place where I died!"
"I died there, too," Masaru said. "And getting through Winter Hill is the only way to get to the Capital."
Daunte walked towards the northeast building. Kakyoku was playing music and singing outside of the restaurant, but he stopped long enough to call out, "I'm writing a song about you Lord Daunte!"
"Thank you!" Daunte responded.
"Lord Daunte!" Yasaka called from behind the counter when Daunte entered. "I think I've got the Moon Bird Recipe done! I'll send it up to your room later!"
"Thank you! I'll eat in my room when I'm done!"
Everyone seemed to be eating the sashimi that comprised the Moon Bird Recipe, and it looked like everyone was glowing. Virgil and Dylan were sitting together eating it, and it looked like the father and son were also glowing. "I'm glad to see you, Lord Daunte," Virgil said. "I think after the war I would like to live in the capital, but I want to retire from combat. I want to relax after the...experiences I've had."
"You should go to Yashuna Village in Falena," Daunte said. "The place did wonders for Varnaz."
"I will consider it. Thank you."
"Lord Daunte, can I join your new government's Army as a recruit?" Dylan asked him. "I want to be as big and strong as my father so that I can protect people from being hurt!"
"That's a good reason to become a soldier," Daunte said. "But think long and hard about it, okay?"
"I have, and I'm sure I want to do it!"
Quasim was sitting at another table organizing paperwork on the table. "Oh Lord Daunte, this is going to be the story of the century!" He declared. "At this time tomorrow night, the Theocracy will be no more!"
"Well hopefully we'll have it all done tomorrow," Daunte said.
"Oh, are you planning on maintain the Theocracy after the war?"
"You'll have to see, won't you? Have a good night." Daunte moved onto another table, where he saw Zuzanna was eating the sashimi swiftly. "Lord Daunte, I feel like I can do ANYTHING!" She shouted. "Just you wait, Holy Army! I will smite you! Then I can join the Zexan Forces, right?!"
"With your success here, I can't imagine how Lady Chris could refuse you," Daunte said. "Hey, try asking Caesar to write you a letter of reference. She's bound to listen then."
"That's a fantastic idea! I'll definitely ask him after the final battle!"
Daunte headed up to the second floor. He knew that River, Clover, their comrades, and Ruggiero and Aristo had rooms up there. He went to check in on Ruggiero and Arisoto first. "How are you both doing?" He asked.
"We're ready," Ruggiero said. Arisoto keeled in agreement. "My lord, I...Arisoto had a discussion and we decided that we would like to make Nagarea our home."
"Really?!" Daunte exclaimed. "You've only seen Nagarea engulfed in war!"
"I know, but I feel that this country is destined for greatness," Ruggiero said. "We've been wandering for a long time, and we're both getting old. It's time for us to make a permanent home, and we want it to be here."
"I..." Daunte was deeply moved by his comment. "I'm—very happy that you've decided this," he said emotionally. "I'll make sure you both get a proper home here."
"Thank you, Lord Daunte."
Only one other room was occupied. Daunte knew that the Nagarean elves were in there. He knocked on the door. "River?"
"Come in, Lord Daunte," River said.
The eight surviving elves were inside of River and Clover's room. Daunte forced a smile at them. "What happened in the previous battle won't happen again," he said. "I'll make sure all of you survive tomorrow."
"And you will grant us our independence?" River asked. Daunte nodded. "I trust you, Lord Daunte."
The six other elves gasped loudly, but Clover smiled. "I trust you too, Lord Daunte."
"I hope that we can coexist in peace forever," Daunte said. "You will have nothing to fear from humans again."
"I trust that promise only because you say it," River said. Everyone else spoke in kind.
Daunte then went up to the third floor. Oisin, Dahlia, Rafe, Trofim, and Indigo had rooms on this floor. Daunte checked in on Trofim and Indigo first. Trofim was in his human form. "How are you?"
"We were about to go to bed," Trofim said. "And since you are here Lord Daunte, we wanted to tell you first."
"Tell me what?"
"We're going to travel to Zelant," Indigo said. "I-I'm not going to lie, I'm nervous. I've never left Nagarea before. But Lady Leknaat said that the wielded of the Red Moon Rune is in Zelant, so we're going to look for him there."
"I'll be glad to see him again," Trofim said. "My Alpha is a good man who is responsible with his True Rune. Both the Red and Blue Moon Runes need responsible wielders because their power can get very dark."
"I will give you money for your travel," Daunte said. "Caesar said Zelant is currently under a dictatorship so be careful." He let out a laugh. "Who knows? Maybe you two will be Stars of Destiny of another story."
Both Trofim and Indigo laughed loudly. "I think one war is enough for me," Trofim said. "I've done little but fight ever since I was turned."
"If Nagar guides us though, we are bound to fall into combat," Indigo said cheerfully. "Though, I am terrible with combat."
"Rest up and have a good night," Daunte said. He left and went to check in on Rafe. "Hey, Lord Daunte!" The Winger shouted, waving a tattered map over his head. "Look here! I bought a treasure map off Cairoh this afternoon! It says there's treasure buried under a place called "Scarleticia"! I think that's in Toran!"
"Luciano may know where it is," Daunte mused. "What kind of treasure is it?"
Rafe's eyes sparkled. "A Diamond Hammer! But don't tell Baldemar, okay?"
Oboro and the others said there's no Diamond Hammer out there, Daunte thought. But he forced a smile at Baldemar. "He's got his Gold Hammer so I think he's content."
He then went to look in on Oisin and Dahlia. "How are you two? How is your father, Dahlia?"
"Much better," Dahlia said, smiling. "He's glad to be awake and back home."
"We're ready for tomorrow," Oisin said. "You will see the might of the Wingers on the battlefield."
"You've both worked so hard for this Army and appreciate everything that you've done," Daunte said. "If you would see us as friends—"
"Of course we do!" Oisin said, clapping him on the shoulder. "You're one of the few decent humans I've ever met!"
"Ah...what about the other humans here?" Daunte asked.
"We're grateful and while we Wingers won't forget the crimes committed against us by humans, we also won't forget all the good that humans have done for us."
Daunte nodded. "I'm grateful to you both. Have a good night."
"Lord Daunte seems sentimental, doesn't he?" Oisin said, rubbing at his shoulder. "His sincerity makes it impossible for me dislike him."
"Why would you dislike Lord Daunte?" Dahlia asked.
"I dislike all humans," Oisin said. "But this human...he's an exception."
"He's allowing us to establish our own country so he's certainly wonderful. But I believe there's good and bad in everyone."
"I know." Oisin suddenly hugged her. "But I'm concerned about tomorrow. I don't want you to die again."
"You died too, Oisin," Dahlia pointed out. "Rafe—he said we died clinging to each other. I don't know how much is that is true, but we were together in the end. That gives me comfort."
"But you still died."
"So did you."
Oisin scoffed and hugged her tighter. "I won't stop you from fighting tomorrow, but...please be careful. If you died again..."
"I'll be all right." She clung to him with a smile. "You be careful, too. I want us both to live long enough to see our new country."
Daunte saw one last person he wanted to speak to in the restaurant, sitting by himself sipping a cup of tea. Daunte deliberately left him for last. "Hello, Luciano."
"Oh, hello Lord Daunte!" Luciano greeted him. The familiar accordion music filled the air and the restaurant patrons groaned loudly in protest. "I will not disgrace you again this time! I swear by my Rose Brooch that you will get the best from me!"
"I'm glad," Daunte said, speaking a little louder so he could hear himself over the music. "Hey, Rafe was looking for you. He found a treasure map for a treasure underneath a place called "Scarleticia"?"
"That's the Flower General's castle!" Luciano exclaimed. He jumped to his feet and raced for the stairs. The accordion music slowly faded away as Daunte headed for the door.
He found May next, standing alone in her empty garden. "As you can see Lord Daunte, we've made good use of our crops," May said. "Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to cultivate this land."
"Thank you for your crops," Daunte said. "They helped considerably in feeding this Army."
"I'm hoping to continue to grow crops and bring beauty to the land of Nagarea," May said warmly.
"Have a good night." Daunte looked towards the front gates and smiled at the trio he saw there. He hurried over and waved his arm. "Lord Lorik!"
"Hello, Lord Daunte," Lorik said to him, smiling. "We're ready for tomorrow. When the war is over, we would like to maintain our new hamlet if that's okay. We don't intend on returning to the original spot where Agameru stood."
"I completely understand," Daunte said. "Whatever you need, it will be yours."
"Our hamlet continues to grow!" Zander exclaimed. "It's nearly twice as big as it was when we first set it up!"
"That's incredible!" Daunte said.
"We will fight and we will win tomorrow," Tala said bluntly.
"We certainly will. Here, come on in and rest here for the night. We have plenty of beds here." There was a sudden rumble in the ground then. "Ah, Öt must be stopping by. I'll go and see him."
"If I may Lord Daunte, are you going to allow a Death Worm to roam freely in Nagarea after the war?" Lorik asked warily. "Öt may be our ally, but human flesh is part of his diet."
"So is the flesh of monsters," Daunte said. "But don't worry, I can handle him. Please, have a good night." He ran towards the gates.
"Zander, go and get a hot meal from the restaurant before you go to bed," Lorik said. "We'll find a place for our group to bed down."
"Will do, sir!" Zander hurried off.
"I'll probably be given my own unit to command tomorrow," Lorik said. "If that's the case I'll have you with me Tala. But I'm second-guessing if I should take Zander—"
"Lord Lorik," Tala said suddenly. He looked at her. "Yes, Tala?"
"You've not said anything about it since we were brought back to life," she said, folding her arms over her chest.
Lorik rubbed at the back of his head. "I...Tala—"
"I kissed you when I died because I wanted to," she said. "That was the one thing I wanted to do before my soul was claimed by the World of Emptiness. But yet you've not said a single word to me about it. Why?"
"Because I know why you did it," Lorik said. "And I regret the reason you did it."
Tala narrowed her eyes. "Why?"
"You have no family left, and the reason you have no family left is my fault. It—doesn't make me feel good," he said painfully. "To know that you feel this way about me when I took everything from you."
"You took nothing from me. My family has always guarded your family, and my kin died in the line of duty. I have never faulted you for that. You are a good man who has the strongest constitution I have ever seen. You continue to defend and protect your people no matter how grim things get for you. You are the strongest person I ever met my Lord. Stronger than any warrior."
Lorik looked away for a long moment before he looked at her again. "We'll discuss this later," he said. "After we win, okay?"
Tala nodded. "You don't make promises you can't keep, my Lord.
Daunte left the ground and walked out a few meters from HQ. The air was calm. "Öt?" He called out.
The ground rumbled, and Öt's head slowly rose up from the ground. His mouth quivered slightly. "Hello. I bring news."
"You do?"
"My mate has laid eggs. Twenty in total."
"Oh, that's great!" Daunte said, though internally he didn't know if this was a good thing or a bad thing in the long run. "Twenty babies! I'm so happy for you!"
"Not all twenty of them will hatch," Öt said. "It is rare for that to happen. Eggs are laid in large clusters just as these, but if we are lucky then half will develop and hatch. More often than not only two or three will hatch from a cluster like this."
"...Oh. I'm sorry."
"No. It is the way of life. We will raise our offspring to be strong Death Worms."
"I see—"
"And we will raise our offspring to never know the taste of human flesh."
Daunte gaped in shock. "You humans are dangerous and deadly," Öt said. "It is because of your that we are nearly extinct. But is because of YOU—my Lord—that the Death Worms have salvation. We will no longer be extinct because of you, so in repayment for what you, a human, has done, after this last battle my mate and I will not eat another human again. And we will teach our offspring to not eat humans. They will teach their offsprings to not eat humans. Then, throughout the generations, we will coexist in peace."
"I—thank you, Öt. I appreciate your dedication like this."
"Do not be thankful. Humans have taken much from me, but repaying blood with blood will only continue the cycle. It must end, and it will end now. I must get back to my mate and my offspring. I will see you on the battlefield."
Öt departed. Daunte rubbed at his forehead and looked towards the sky. "A lot of my allies hate humans, huh?" He mused aloud.
Lorik, Tala, and Zander were gone when he returned to HQ. He crossed the courtyard and saw the dueling area, where Jantu and Viola were having a duel. "Just a warmup for tomorrow!" Jantu called over his shoulder. "I need my muscles ready!"
"I will show the might of a Dunan soldier tomorrow!" Viola told Daunte.
"Jantu, will you return to Dunan after the war?" Daunte asked him.
"I'm considering it," he said, blocking a strike from Viola. "If for no other reason than to see my family. But Nagarea has been my home for a long time now, and I would like to remain here."
"I would be glad to have you remain here."
"I will be returning of course," Viola said, jumping back to dodge Jantu. "I cannot wait to report to President Teresa about your greatness, Lord Daunte."
"Thank you."
Fred and Rico were standing together near the south middle building. Fred was pumping his fists. "This is it, Rico! We can finally show the might of the Maximillian Knights against these evildoers!"
"These evildoers killed us before," Rico complained quietly. "We should be careful this time, okay?"
"It won't happen again," Daunte reassured her.
"See?" Fred said, gesturing dramatically to Daunte. "Lord Daunte said so, so it must be true!"
"I-I suppose..."
"Hey Lord Daunte, I got some new recruits for the Maximillian Knights!" Fred said, turning to Daunte. "You don't mind if they leave and travel with us after the battle, do you?"
Daunte shrugged. "If that's what they want to do, I won't stop them."
"YES!" Fred pumped his fists harder.
Daunte went towards the southwest building. He entered to see Pamukkale behind the counter near the curtains. "Ah, would you like to have a bath before the final battle, Lord Daunte?"
Daunte thought about it for a moment before nodding. "Yes, thank you."
A couple of minutes later Daunte entered the men's bath to see Farzin and Barō already in there. Farzin was at the front left, and Barō was at the far right. There was silence from the women's side. "Good evening, Lord Daunte," Farzin said. "I was just telling Barō about what a hopeless farce marriage is."
"I don't intend on falling in love or marrying so I don't care," Barō said dully, draping a wet cloth over his eyes. "I just want to go back to my Guild with Talgrund and the bastard who stole him."
"Don't get married, Lord Daunte," Farzin warned Daunte as Daunte moved to sit in the center middle of the bath. "It will ruin your life."
"I...haven't thought about it," Daunte said slowly.
"Well you're engaged to that Princess, aren't you?" Daunte lurched when he heard that. "Don't do it. Absolutely do NOT do it, my Lord! Marriage is a scam!"
"Is that why you gave so many divorces when you were a Cleric?"
Farzin laughed. "It was a public service! Say, could you restore me to the clergy when you win?"
"You're going to maintain this religion?" Barō asked, sounding genuinely confused. "Aren't you fighting against this religion?"
"We're fighting against a theocracy, not a religion," Farzin told him. "I don't know if you plan on maintaining the Theocracy, but you're not abolishing the religion are you?"
"In my opinion people are free to worship whoever and whatever they want," Daunte said. "If you want to be a Cleric again after the war, so be it."
"YES!" Farzin cheered.
"I'm leaving as soon as you raise the flag in victory," Barō announced. "And I'm taking Zaj with me. That is my authority as a member of the Howling Voice Guild."
"I told you that you could take Sanji—Zaj—back with you before," Daunte said. "But can I ask what will happen when you return?"
"Guild-master Clive will kill him," Barō said bluntly. "And if Clive doesn't do it, that vampire woman will do it."
"I...see."
Daunte left the baths a few minutes later, while Farzin and Barō remained. "Have a good night!" Pamukkale called to him.
Daunte headed upstairs and into Mooney's shop. To his surprise, all of the cases were empty and Mooney was standing in the center of the shop. "Ah, good evening Lord Daunte," he said. "I will be leaving the country when this is over. I need to spread the word of the greatness of this war to others."
I wouldn't use "greatness" to describe this war, Daunte thought wryly. Aloud he said, "You'll be adding our war to your collection?"
"Yes," Mooney said. "From five there shall be six! I can't say with certainty that your figurines will sell as well as the figurines for the Dunan Unification War, but I look forward to telling everyone how great you are."
"Thank you, Mooney."
"And I look forward to sharing the greatness of ME as a figurine" he added blithely.
Daunte stared at him for a second before he laugh.
He went to Eliasen's shop next, which was likewise packed up. "My Lord," he greeted him warmly. "Thank you for the opportunities you have given me, but I feel that my influence has run its course. Will you be switching Nagarea to the universal currency when you win?"
"Ah...I don't know," Daunte said sincerely. "But you have been instrumental in the wealth of this Army and I will always be grateful to you. We were talking about giving you a position in new government. Caesar said there's a government position called "Finance Minister". Would such a title appeal to you?"
Eliasen brightened considerably and he raced over to give Daunte a hug. "Truly?! I am forever in your debt, Lord Daunte! Thank you!"
"No, thank you Eliasen. For all of your help."
"I'll speak to Lord Caesar after the final battle about this. Thank you again!"
Daunte did not know what he could find on the third floor in the figurine exhibit, but he went up there anyways. Inside he saw Lysander and Brennus playing with the figurines. Lysander was holding figurines from the Gate Rune War and Brennus had figurines from the Falenan Civil War. "Lord D-Daunte!" Lysander greeted him. "I r-r-really want to see the Toran Republic! A-And Falena! I w-want to see our friends again!"
"Me, too," Daunte said. "It sounds like most of them want to stay with the families that are fostering them in Falena, but I can imagine some will be returning to us."
"I want to see the world," Brennus said with awe, looking at Daunte. "I...I feel like there's so much I'm missing out on. I-I know that this is selfish of me to do, my family needs me—"
"You've been through a lot even before the Battle of Winter Hill," Daunte said. "I can imagine it's not easy supporting your family at your age. But I can ensure that your family is cared for if you feel wanderlust, or whatever it's called."
"Thank you, Lord Daunte. I give you my best tomorrow."
"As w-will I," Lysander said. "For my family—I MUST fight and win tomorrow!"
Daunte smiled at them but he felt tears his eyes. The end of this war won't fix everything, but I want everyone to be happy.
He left the southwest building and headed for the middle building. On the first floor he knew Sloan, Adalgiso, Evarr, Nian, and Leto had taken rooms but he knew that Sloan and Adalgiso were not in their rooms. He checked in on Evarr first. "How are you doing?" He still felt tense around the older man but kept his tone calm.
"O-Oh, hello Lord Daunte!" Evarr said, quickly standing up from his desk. Nian's bottle was on the desk. "Ah—do you plan on utilizing either of us tomorrow? Nian seems antsy."
"I will be taking just about the whole Army tomorrow," Daunte confirmed. "So I hope you're ready."
"Y-Yes, I am! I still need to repent, don't I?"
Daunte rubbed at his forehead. "Just don't make a deal with a Djinn again, okay? It brings nothing from trouble."
The cork of Nian's bottle burst from the top, almost hitting the ceiling. Nian quickly rose from the bottle and floated in the air before them. "I will ensure your victory," she said coldly. "But after that."
Silence followed her unfinished sentence. "What?" Evarr finally asked. His tone was quiet.
"Do not mistake me for a spirit," Nian sneered, glaring at Daunte. "Man is weak and thirsts for power. I will no longer be bound to this idiot, and someone else will find me and seek my power."
"...And?" Daunte asked.
Nian glared at him, but after a moment she turned into smoke and disappeared back into her bottle. "I'll be glad to be rid of her," Evarr muttered.
"Stay safe," Daunte.
Then he went to look in on Leto, whose room was very simplistic. Which didn't surprise Daunte as he had been the last recruit. "How are you?" He asked Leto.
"It's been too long since I've returned to Nagarea," Leto said. He was pacing and rubbing his arms. "Too much has changed here. This place doesn't look the same from when I built it."
"I'm sorry, is that a bad thing?" Daunte asked him, but Leto shook his head. "You don't want to know how long ago it was when I was here. Things and places change over time. I don't."
His forehead began to glow. "The Rune of Change?" Daunte asked.
"It wants me to move on," Leto said. "It's fine, the compulsion hasn't fully settled in. I think I should be fine until we achieve victory. After that, though..."
"Where will you go?"
Leto shook his head. "I don't know. I never know. I only know that I will never have rest until the Rune of Change leaves me. It feels bound to me, as it has all these years, but I wouldn't be lying if I said I was looking forward to the time when it finally leaves me."
"It's...really be hard?"
"My existence feels pointless," Leto said feelingly. "All that I have achieve is only fodder for fanatics and to be printed in textbooks. And there is no point in making achievements anymore because all of the people I would enjoy sharing those achievements are long dead."
Daunte swallowed hard. So...is this what I have to look forward to in the years to come?
"Get some rest tonight," he said finally. He didn't know what else to say.
Leto shrugged. "If you don't see me after the battle is won, don't worry. We'll meet again eventually, I think."
Daunte headed up to the second floor. Israfil, Silvano, Áthas, and Sásta had rooms on this floor. Daunte figured that Israfil wasn't back yet so he checked on Silvano.
"Kaylani sent me this," Silvano said excitedly. He showed Daunte the page, which had a pair of small feet on it. "She inked our baby's feet and put them on this page! He's grown so much!"
"Yes, he has," Daunte said, smiling. "You've been away from them for so long, but after tomorrow you can go home and be with them."
"I don't regret coming here," Silvano said. "I'm glad for the people I've met here. I didn't get on well with the Elves here, but River hasn't called me a "traitor" lately so that's progress I think. Say, have you seen Israfil around? He hasn't been back yet."
"I last saw him visiting Lady Archana."
Silvano smiled upon hearing that. "So, Kaylani was right."
"What?"
"Oh, nothing."
Daunte shrugged. "In any case, thank you everything you've done."
"No, thank you, Lord Daunte. All of this is possible because of you."
Daunte went to see the twins next, though the visit proved to be short. "I told you this is Arashi!" Áthas snapped, pointing to the card in front of him.
"That is NOT Arashi!" Sásta protested. "Arashi is when you get three of the same number!"
"No, that's Shipping!"
"No, it's Arashi!"
"You guys are playing Kabu?" Daunte asked him.
"Vien won't play with us so we bought our own deck," Áthas said. "But the directions don't make any damn sense! Look, Lord Daunte, isn't this Arashi?!" He gestured to his cards again.
Daunte peered at the cards and tried to remember the rules of Kabu. After a moment he shook his head. "That's not Arashi."
"HA!" Sásta laughed.
"That's Shuntsu," Daunte added.
Sásta's face immediately fell and Áthas screamed with laughter. "That means I win five times over!"
Daunte hurried out as the twins began to argue and headed up to the third floor. Georg Prime, Nigel, Thea, and Blaise had rooms up there. He saw that Blaise's room was empty so he looked in on Georg. "Good evening, Sir Georg."
"Good evening, Lord Daunte." Georg was in good spirits. He was holding something in his hand as he stood, and he handed it to Daunte. "Here, take a look at this."
Daunte said that it had and official seal on it. He quickly read the letter and gasped loudly. "This—This is a pardon!"
"That's correct," Georg said. "Queen Lymsleia has lifted the warrant and pardon me for the murder of her mother. I am now free to enter and travel through Falena as I see fit."
"That's amazing! Congratulations!" Daunte shook his hand furiously. "Will you be going with the Falenans when they all leave?"
"I'm considering it," Georg said. "But even with the pardon I know I can't stay in the country for long. I'll probably head up to the Northern Continent again once my visit is done."
Daunte nodded and smiled. "Well wherever you go interesting stuff happens, so I hope you have fun."
"Maybe I'll go to Kanakan," he mused. "It's been a bit since I've been there."
Daunte bade him goodnight and went to the other rooms. Blaise was not in his room, but Nigel and Thea were in their respective rooms.
"Lord Daunte, I would like to make a request," Nigel said. "I would like to be part of Lady Tamara's personal security when the war is over."
"That's a good position," Daunte said. "I imagine Tamara will be making herself busy after the war."
"Indeed. She has a lot of plans that she has gone over with her betrothed."
Daunte stilled. "Has she...told you these plans?"
"No," Nigel said. "She will most likely tell you first before she tells me. But I respect her and I want to keep working with her."
"I understand."
"Lord Daunte," Thea said, standing to meet him. "I was thinking of transferring to being part of Lady Tamara Nuori's security."
Nigel asked the same thing, Daunte thought dryly. "I can have that arranged. Nigel requested the same thing, too."
"Oh, he did?" She tried to sound shock but her tone was unconvincing. "That's nice. I'll be happy to work with him, too."
"I'm sure Tamara will appreciate having you work for her."
Daunte left the middle building and headed towards the southeast building. There was no guard attending, which made sense since no one was in the cells, so he headed up to the second floor. Since the library was on the second floor, he knee Blaise would be in there. But as he approached the door, he heard voices inside that made him stop in his tracks.
"You haven't responded to your parents?" Tamara asked quietly. She was seated at one of the empty tables.
Blaise was pacing around the library, rubbing a hand over his face. "There's no point in responding. It's a trap."
"So you don't think they're being sincere?"
"They disowned me!" Blaise said sharply, gesturing wildly. "They cut me off completely! They made no attempts to reach out to me after the Battle of Winter Hill! A battle I died in!"
"I died too," Tamara said quietly.
"They also didn't welcome me home," Blaise hissed. "Both you and I were stuck here for the duration of Lord Daunte's coma, and they didn't care! Now they care?! Now they think they think they can save "sorry" and everything will be all right?!"
Tamara said nothing. Blaise moved over and sat across from here. "They're only saying sorry because they're scared I'm going to send soldiers to their house," he said. "That's why they're apologizing! They're selfish and only think of themselves! Even our engagement was created from their machinations!"
"But it worked out, didn't it?" Tamara asked him.
Blaise's breathing was shaky. Tamara slid her hands across the table to cover his. "I'm not saying you should forgive them," she said. "I meant—I meant you should meet them one last time, hear them out. If you feel that they haven't changed, then cut them out and don't ever see them again. B-But you shouldn't waste an opportunity to see your parents again."
"They abandoned me," Blaise said quietly. He squeezed her hands tight. "If I hadn't run away they would've had me arrested. What could that possibly say to me that would make up for that?"
"I don't know," Tamara admitted. "But there are a lot of things I wish I said to my father before he..." her voice trailed off. "If for nothing else," she deflected. "Meet them for your own closure. Don't do it for them, do it for yourself. You owe them nothing but they owe you everything. You may as well see them to see if they understand that. I-I can go with you, okay? So you won't face them alone."
Blaise sat very still for a long time before he slowly nodded. "I'll...think about it."
Tamara smiled, but then Blaise said, "You'll be careful tomorrow, right?"
"I will," Tamara said. "I don't intends to die again. I'll see this war through to the very end, and see the country that we can create from the ashes of the Theocracy."
"History has an unhealthy habit of repeating itself, as my books show. We'll have to work hard to ensure that this doesn't happen."
Daunte left the library alone and headed up to the third floor. Allise's room was up here, as was Hero, James, and Xi An. To his surprise all of the rooms were empty. He knew that the inventors were out fishing or lounging with the skyship, but he had expected to see Allise there. I wonder where she went?
Having visited all six buildings, Daunte finally headed for the central building. The courtyard was now full of people getting ready for the battle. Daunte waved to people, shook hands, and accepted hugs. It moved him just how much everyone continued to look up to him as leader.
I can't let them down tomorrow.
Daunte entered the central building, and went in to the map room first. Templeton had his giant map of Nagarea hanging up, but unlike before it looked fully finished. "It's not quite there yet," Templeton said. He tapped the bottom of the map. I'll need to see what's beyond the L'enfer Sea. Once the battle is finished I'll travel down there to see for myself."
"You should be careful," Daunte said. "The other side of the frozen sea may be a new land, but you might be faced with liquid water. Maybe even the edge of the world."
Templeton's face brightened. "The edge of the world?! That would be incredible!"
"It would be stupid," Reis scoffed from the far corner. Daunte noticed for the first time that she was there. "There is no "edge of the world". Our world is circular and connected. Sindar maps proved this. And I'm sure the Sindar Chieftain would confirm this if he would actually talk to me!" She nearly shouted.
"A-Ah, Leto doesn't like talking about the past," Daunte said defensively. "It reminds him of what he's lost."
"Then no wonder the Sindar are lost!" She shouted. "They were the greatest civilization in human history and he let it waste away! Flying ships! Ships that transversed underwater! Hell—look at this!" She stormed over to Daunte and showed him a sketch. "Do you see this?!"
Daunte's brow furrowed when he looked at the sketch. It looked like a box with wheels. "Um...what is that?"
"An earthship," Reis said sharply. "A vehicle powered by an Earth Rune the way the skyship was powered by a Wind Rune! You could travel across land in this ship without the aid of horses! It was faster than horses they say! The Sindar traveled in these, but it is also technology lost! Leto ran away from me when I showed him this, and Hero tried to steal it from me when I showed it to him!"
"That's...fascinating," Daunte said.
Reis narrowed her eyes. "I don't care what any of you say. "I will NOT stop my research until I find EVERY secret the Sindar civilization can give me!" Then she ran from the room.
Daunte followed after her soon after and entered the infirmary. Parvati was making a bed and Dr. Yulin and Clara were standing together at the other side of the room talking. "Ah, good evening Lord Daunte," Parvati greeted him.
"You knew it was me?" Daunte asked her.
"I can recognize your footsteps now. Also, I heard your voice in the other room."
"How are you?"
"I'm well, Lord Daunte. I know tomorrow is your final battle and I will do what I can to help. But...I won't lie and say I'm not worried about what will happen to me after the war."
"I'll make sure you're taken care of," Daunte promised her. "I don't intend to leave any of my ally's hanging."
Parvati nodded and sighed quietly. "I still don't know why Nagar deemed that I should live when my husband and son are dead. But I must keep moving forward. If I am to live, I must live for them. I will be a reminder of the brutality of the Theocracy. Maybe...Maybe when people look at me then history won't repeat itself."
Daunte swallowed hard. "W...Would you like a hug, Parvati?"
Parvati nodded stiffly. "Yes Lord Daunte, thank you."
He gave her a long hug before departing her and heading over to the doctors. "Everyone is in fit health for tomorrow, Lord Daunte," Dr. Yulin told him reassuringly.
"I'm glad," Daunte said.
"I want to open a hospital," Clara announced. "A big one right in the capital! I want to make a facility where anyone can come and seek treatment for anything. And I..." she lowered her voice. "I-I want—I want to find out how the Plague was made. I want to know so that if this happens again in the future we can prevent it."
Daunte nodded. "I'll pledge funds to you for your hospital, and for your research."
"Thank you, Lord Daunte!" Clara gave him a hug.
"Will you work in this hospital too, Dr. Yulin?" Daunte asked him.
Dr. Yulin shook his head no. "I am sorry Lord Daunte, but after everything I've experienced in the last few years I'm exhausted in mind and body. I'm going to retire when you achieve victory. Maybe—Maybe I can repair my relationship with my son," he said quietly. "I wasn't there for him when I should have been."
"I understand and I support you," Daunte said. "I know I ask so much of you both, but I'll need your strength tomorrow."
"You can count on us," Clara promised him.
"Indeed," Dr. Yulin said.
Daunte left the infirmary and headed for the stairs. Viki was standing in front of her mirror looking distressed. "Are you okay?" He asked her. "Yuber isn't bothering you again, is he?"
Viki quickly shook her head. "N-No. He seems to be avoiding me now."
Daunte remembered what Pesmerga had said about Yuber's feelings for Viki but decided not to bring it up. "I was told in a prophecy you were key to humanizing Yuber," he confessed. "Why are you key?"
"I-I honestly don't know," Viki said. "I—the first time I truly ever remember meeting him was on the battlefield during the Gate Rune War. Then I saw him again during the Dunan Unification War. A-And then again during the Second Fire Bringer War. We never spoke. S-So I don't know why I would be important to humanizing him."
Daunte moved in close to whisper, "Was it true? Are you from the future—"
"SHH!" Viki quickly covered his mouth. She looked around frantically as if to make sure no one else was around. Then she removed her hand. "I—I can't say," Viki whispered. "But my head...my head has felt floaty since..."
"Since when?"
"Since I got the Blinking Rune," she blurted out. "I—I remembered something. The...reason I took on the Blinking Rune."
"Why?"
Viki cupped her hands around her mouth and whispered, "We found over 1,000 Tablet of Stars."
"WHAT?" Daunte exclaimed.
Viki nodded solemnly. "Over 1,000. All marked for different wars across the history of the world. All of them unique. But..."
"But what?"
"My name," she whispered feelingly. "My name was etched into every single Tablet we found!"
Daunte's mouth hung open. Viki nodded. "I... I think that's why. That's why I have this." She raised her right hand. "B-But my head has felt weird for so long, and..."
But Daunte remembered Yuber's memory. He remembered how Viki had entered the World of Emptiness and had declared that her mission was to take on the Black King. That was a memory of the past. Possibly the LONG past...but the Viki who stood in front of him didn't remember this happening.
Did something happen to Viki in that battle that caused her..."floaty head"? O-Or maybe—maybe Viki herself hasn't experienced that event yet!
Daunte decided not to ponder this out loud. "Get some sleep, Viki. And thank you for all your help."
Viki nodded. "Thank you, Lord Daunte."
Daunte headed for the elevator and pressed for the basement. He entered the sub-level to find Leknaat and Eresh. "Bearer of the Rune of Restoration," Eresh called to him. "Eresh feels that the Bearer of the Rune of Restoration will be victorious tomorrow."
"Thank you, Eresh," Daunte said. "I appreciate your faith in me."
"Eresh must have faith in the Bearer of the Rune of Restoration," Eresh responded bluntly. "If the the Bearer of the Rune of Restoration fails, then Eresh's body will be destroyed again. This would be an inconvenience to Eresh."
"... I certainly don't want that to happen," Daunte said slowly. He approached Leknaat then. "Lady Leknaat, are you okay?"
"I am well my Lord," she responded. "Why do you ask?"
"I know that in tomorrow's battle...we'll be facing your sister," Daunte said. "I-If you don't want to join the battle, that's fine."
"Thank you for your consideration but I will be fine," Leknaat reassured him. "In fact, when you assemble your final party to storm the Grand Citadel I must insist on being in this party."
"A-Are you sure?"
Leknaat nodded. "I am sure. Windy has gotten away with so much due to my inaction. I must redeem myself and face her head on. I want to do so in combat, so I ask that you put me in this party."
Daunte contemplated this for a long moment. Finally he gave his answer. "All right. I will be honored to fight alongside you, Lady Leknaat."
"Thank you, Lord Daunte."
"Both of you rest for tomorrow," he announced before heading back to the elevator.
Eresh waited for the elevator to depart before she spoke. "The Seer did not tell the Bearer of the Rune of Restoration."
"No, I did not ," Leknaat responded calmly. "But if I told him that I foresaw my own death in this final battle, he would not have agreed to take me with him."
Gunther, Roen, Felicity, Chinmaya, and Peader had rooms on the second floor. Roen and Felicity were not in their rooms, which meant to Daunte that they were in his room. He checked in on Chinmaya, and her room was in chaos. "Hello, Lord Daunte," she greeted him. Hagan was watching them from her bed, his tail wagging excitedly. "I'll be calm and ready for tomorrow. You can count on me."
"I believe in you," Daunte said. "I appreciate everything you've done."
"Caesar said I should ask you for a government position," she said, making a face. "And not just any position but one I thought Caesar would take in our government. D-Do you think Caesar...intends to leave when we win?"
Daunte felt a squirm of discomfort in his stomach but he shrugged nonchalantly. "He will tell us so if that's the case."
"That's true. But I do want to work in the new government..."
"And you deserve to. You're smart, hardworking, and dedicated. We'll need people like you in leadership positions Chinmaya."
Chinmaya smiled, tears stinging her eyes. "Thank you, Lord Daunte. That means the world to me."
He checked in on Peader next, who was making his bed. "I'm sorry to disturb you," Daunte said.
"You're not disturbing me," Peader reassured him. "I was just getting ready for bed. You will have my best tomorrow."
"I'm glad," Daunte said. "And I want you to take a vacation when this war is over."
"Oh, I don't know—"
"You need a vacation," Daunte insisted. "You witnessed a lot happen to your students and you went through a period of mourning when they died."
"But most of them are alive again because of you, so that has helped."
"But I still want you to go a vacation before you do anything else. If you want a government position, I'll make sure to hold that position for you."
"I would rather make reformations to the Holy School in the capital," Peader said. "I enjoy teaching, and I want to teach until the day I die."
"Well—I wouldn't go that far, but I will support you in what you do," Daunte said.
"Thank you, my Lord. You are truly your mother's son."
"Thank you—"
"And if I need a vacation, then so do you," Peader added. Daunte laughed.
Daunte went to Gunther's closed door last. He lifted his hand to knock, but then he heard voices on the other side of the day. He recognized one of the voices and jumped, and turned and hurried down the hall.
"I'm sorry, I don't have tea," Gunther said. He kept his voice low and gentle.
"That's fine," Allise said. She was leaning against his closed door, her arms crossed over her chest. "I didn't come here to drink tea."
Gunther looked away briefly before looking back at her. He was on the other side of the room, fidgeting where he stood. "I...see. How can I help you then, Allise?"
"The last time I was here, you told me you loved me," Allise said pointedly.
Gunther flinched, and nodded. "Ah—yes. Out in the hallway. But you didn't believe me."
"Why do you love me?"
"What?"
"Why," Allise repeated. "Do you love me?"
Gunther rubbed at his forehead. "B...Because you're the strongest and most beautiful woman I've ever met," he said softly.
"'Strongest'? Me?"
"Your constitution and inner strength," Gunther said. "People who have suffered lesser tragedies than you have had their minds broken completely. But you haven't. You kept your morals and convictions, and you pushed on even after y-your ex—that bastard, tried to kill you so many times. You're so strong in spirit, and it—it almost makes me jealous of you. I wish I was as strong as you were. But you are strong on the inside, good on the inside, and on the outside you are just so..." he wrung a hand through his bangs. "How could I not love you?!" He said feelingly. "You are my dream! You're the person I've wanted to be! You're the person I want to be with!"
Allise pushed herself away from the door. "If you love me," she said. "Then why have you continued to see other women?"
"I-I haven't seen anyone since I was revived," Gunther said.
"And before...?"
"Because I thought I wasn't good enough for you. I thought that I would never be able to—" he let out a strangled noise. "I like the company of women," he said defensively. "And if many women wanted to be with me, I would indulge them. But I only ever wanted you, Allise. I-I just thought—I thought it would never happen."
"You thought it would never happen. And yet you treated me no differently than your lovers." She stopped directly in front of him.
"Not so," he said quietly. He looked her right in the eyes. "You're the only one I love. The only one I respected. The only one I would do anything for."
"Such as die for me?"
Gunther flinched again. "Do you think that flattered me?" She asked him. Her tone was turning harsh but tears were stinging her eyes. "Do you think I liked having you die in my arms? To watch you die so brutally? Did you think that this would prove your life for me? To sway me?!"
"Hey, I didn't know that I was capable of coming back," Gunther shot back. "The Resurrection Rune almost never works on those who died in war battles! I died for you because I saw the arrows coming, and I didn't know of any other way I could save your life!"
"I still died."
"And do you think THAT makes me feel better?!" Gunther snapped. "For my sacrifice to be a wate?! We stand here alive now, but do you think I feel victorious?! To know the woman I love—the woman I would give EVERYTHING to—looks upon me with contempt and—"
Allise lunged at him, slamming him into the opposite wall. Before Gunther could respond her arms were around his neck and she was kissing him hard. He melted immediately, clinging to her and kissing her back.
Just as quickly Allise broke the kiss, much to Gunther's dismay. "If I die again tomorrow, then I will have no regrets," she whispered against his mouth. "I love you too, Gunther."
Gunther gasped as shock filled his body, but then Allise kissed him again and he thought of nothing else.
On the third floor Tamara, Eamon, Keiran, Mihr, Lanny, Freyr, and Soturi had rooms. Daunte knew that Tamara, Lanny, and Soturi would not be there so he checked in on Freyr. "Soturi is visiting Elina," Freyr announced to Daunte. "He probably won't be back until later."
"I know," Daunte said. "How are you doing?"
"It was great to see Archana again," Freyr said happily. "I haven't seen her like that since...well, I don't know!"
"I'm glad too," Daunte said. "And I want you guys to know how much I appreciate Falena's help with all this."
"I know. And don't worry, Mom won't be expecting too many favors from you after this. Except marrying my sister."
"Freyr—"
"Which I don't think is a good idea," Freyr added sharply.
Daunte sighed heavily. "Look, Freyr—"
"I don't even know if Farrin will be interested in marriage when she becomes Queen," he scoffed. "And if she is, she'll probably want someone else. We're still a long ways off, so you're probably off the hook."
"Really...?"
"Probably," Freyr repeated himself. "But speaking of girls, Lanny was in here earlier asking for advice on Desiree. I feel like I've done nothing but give him advice! He's one of my best friends but I did get fed up and told him to just go and confess to her. I hope it works out for him."
"...Me, too," Daunte said, though he had witnessed the confession earlier.
Eamon was in his room packing. Jasira was curled up in his bed fast asleep. "Hello, Lord Daunte," Eamon said. "I-I know I'm not worthy, but I was thinking of entering my bid for the mayor elections in Uaminifu again. After my incompetence I probably don't deserve it, but I want to do better by my people."
"I think you would win," Daunte said. "The people of Uaminifu look up to you and like you, despite what you think of yourself."
Eamon sighed and rubbed his hand over his face. "I'm...just inherently a flawed person. When I try to do the right thing it fails. I wasn't going to enter politics again, but after I died at the Battle of Winter Hill, I realized I was being a coward running away. I-If I truly want to redeem myself, I need to work harder. Otherwise nothing will change."
"I have faith in you but please relax," Daunte said. "You're doing the best you can."
Eamon nodded and sat on the bed. He pet Jasira, who rolled over onto her back in her sleep to expose her belly, to which Eamon began scratching. "That truly means a lot to hear from you, Lord Daunte."
Daunte went to Keiran and Mihr's room next. He heard them talking, but unlike Gunther's room he wanted to go in and speak. But he still paused at the door.
"I will use Nariek in the battle," Mihr said. "I will use him to slay that smug bastard."
"You will be in competition with me then," Keiran responded. "I said I wanted to slay him with my own sword."
"Allow me this, Keiran. I watched him kill you right in front of my eyes. I saw you fall. I saw your blood be spilt. I saw him. It is my duty to face him and kill him for what he did."
"But it was my life he took. I want to kill him because of it."
"Then we will see who gets to him first. But...Keiran."
"Yes?"
"If you die again—"
"I don't intend to die again. Dying once already was unpleasant. The next time I intend for it to happen will be when it's permanent."
"I don't like hearing you speak like that."
"I know. I'm sorry."
Daunte knocked on the door then. "Keiran?" He called.
"Come in, Lord Daunte," Keiran responded.
Daunte entered the room. The two soldiers were sitting in the flood facing each other. Mihr had his forehead resting on Keiran's shoulder, and Keiran was rubbing his nape comfortingly. "Don't mind us," Keiran told him over his shoulder. "We're preparing ourselves mentally for tomorrow."
"I know," Daunte said. "I will protect everyone tomorrow. And I will give you the opportunity to go after the High Cleric who killed you."
"We're currently competing amongst ourselves to see who should kill him," Keiran said. "But don't worry, we'll be professional on the battlefield tomorrow."
"You always do," Daunte said. He looked at Mihr, who hadn't moved. He wasn't used to seeing the soldier look so vulnerable.
"He will be all right," Keiran told him. "We just need rest. We'll be going to bed shortly."
Daunte nodded. "Have a good night."
Daunte left them alone. After a moment Keiran said, "If it will bring you closure, I will let you kill him."
"If you want to kill him, I cannot stop you."
Keiran burst into laughter. "Now we're talking in circles."
Daunte didn't go to the fourth floor yet but straight to the fifth floor. He saw Pesmerga in his spot but didn't see Yuber. "Yuber is in the war room," Pesmerga pointed out. "Go ahead and talk to him. I have nothing to say."
"Ah— I did have some questions," Daunte said.
"What is it?"
"The Black Knights. They are...human?"
"They were," Pesmerga said. "Until they accepted the dark power. Then their bodies were changed."
"How many Black Knights were there?"
"A lot," Pesmerga said.
"And why have you pursued Yuber?"
Pesmerga answered with a silent smile. Daunte knew he wouldn't answer the question, but hoped he would with the next. "Yuber...his ceremony was incomplete," Daunte said. "One of his eyes is red. Your eyes however are black. Does—Did your ceremony complete? Does the ceremony turn your eyes black or red?"
Pesmerga didn't respond, only smiling coldly at him. Daunte realized then that he may not get more answers but decided with one final question. "I was told you were key to humanizing Yuber. Why are you key?"
"...So that is why you insisted on pairing us up repeatedly," Pesmerga finally said. "I don't know or care. I do not seek to humanize him. I only seek to fight him."
"I...see," Daunte said slowly. He looked towards the war room. Yuber was standing in the center of the room with his back to them. "Y—Were you being serious when you said that Yuber was in love with Viki?" Daunte asked.
Pesmerga remained silent. "You're not going to tell me anything, are you?" He dared to ask.
"Heh." Was all Pesmerga said in response.
Daunte left him be and entered the war room. He was careful with his steps. "Yuber?" He called out.
"You have proven to be the bane of my existence," Yuber announced, his back still to Daunte. "Your blood, which is tied to mine, has awakened the worst feelings inside of me."
"Like love?" Daunte asked. Yuber became a blur, and suddenly a hand was around Daunte's throat. He was hoisted up into the air and Yuber was pointing his sword at him. "Say that again, and I will end you," Yuber snarled.
Daunte coughed and managed to shout, "Let me go!"
Yuber immediately let him go, and he landed hard on his feet. "Disarm," Daunte snapped, nursing his throat.
Yuber immediately dropped his sword. "Damn you!" He hissed.
"There is nothing wrong with feeling love!" Daunte snapped. Yuber twitched violently. "Maybe you should see that as a good thing!"
"I am a monster wearing a man's skin," Yuber snarled. "A monster such a I does NOT feel love!"
"You were once human!" Daunte shot back. "I-I don't know what that ceremony did to you, but you were human! Pesmerga said that all of the Black Knights were once human!"
"That doesn't matter," Yuber snarled. "What you see before you is a monster who lives to kill! I am addicted to death and suffering! There is no greater joy to than hearing screams of pain! I thirst for misery and suffering! But YOU—" he jabbed his finger at Daunte. "Your pain! Your misery! It infects me like a virus and eats me alive! It makes me think of things that I should not think about!"
"Like regret?" Daunte asked. "Remorse for everything you've done?"
"SHUT UP!" Yuber hollered. He grabbed at his head, knocking his helmet off and collapsed to his knees. "Shut up RIGHT NOW!" He began trembling violently.
Daunte stood over him, feeling pain in his heart. Yuber groaned, as though in response to the pain Daunte was feeling. "Ugh...! Why?! Why are you doing this?!"
"You have done terrible things," Daunte said. "But you are not the monster you think you are. You are showing that you are capable of more. If you feel remorse for the atrocities you committed—"
"I do NOT feel remorse! I live to kill!" But his voice was giving out from his shouting.
"It's okay to feel bad," Daunte insisted. "Even if you are a monster, if you are capable of feeling bad then you should let yourself feel bad. And if you love Viki—"
"WHY would I love that stupid girl?!" Yuber hollered, lifting his head to glare at Daunte. His complexion was almost crimson. "She has been my enemy across multiple wars and she is stupid and spouts nonsense and does NOTHING RIGHT!"
"But you feel something for her," Daunte said. "A feeling that I don't share with you. She's a girl who has come from a time beyond, thousands of years into the future. She was there in your memory for a reason. She interrupted your ceremony for a reason. And she is here, right now, for a reason. Maybe for this Army, maybe for you—"
Yuber lunged forward. "Kneel!" Daunte shouted, jumping back.
Yuber fell to his knees once more. "Whatever the reason, she is here and she awakened feelings inside of you that I didn't awaken," Daunte said. "You need to accept that, Yuber. You are not the monster you claim to be. You are capable of feelings. You are capable of being human."
Yuber laughed humorlessly. "Maybe I should kill her. Maybe I should kill you, too. Then these "awakened feelings" can go away once and for all. Then I can resume feeling only feelings of anger, hate, and bloodlust.
Daunte squared his shoulders. "You won't kill us," he said.
"Oh? You really think so?"
"Yes." Then Daunte turned and walked away.
Yuber sat on the floor. He made no move to attack him. "I need to stop it," he whispered. "If I don't...then it wlll kill me." He bit down hard on his lower lip, drawing blood.
Sanji, Gertrude, and Bax were in the rotunda drinking lots of alcohol. "Hellooooooo, Lord Daunte!" Gertrude called to him. "Come have a drink wid ush!"
"No, thank you," Daunte said. "Are the three of you okay?"
"Just greeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeat!" Bax cheered. "My wife has neber been bedder!"
"Wife?" Daunte asked. "You're married, Bax?"
"I'd married?" Bax asked, looking confused.
"He meant "life"," Sanji said. He was the only one who didn't look drunk. "But don't worry, we'll be ready tomorrow."
"Good," Daunte. "And...Zaj—"
"Sanji," Sanji corrected him.
"About Barō—"
"I know. The time has come, I guess. Either he gets me, or the wretched vampires get me. Neither fate sounds appealing to me, but..."
"I appreciate what you've done for this Army," Daunte admitted. "But if you committed these crimes—"
"I did," Sanji said unashamedly. "And I suppose it's time for me to pay for them."
Daunte stared at him stunned. Sanji shrugged as he drank the last drop in his glass. "It is what it is. Clive would probably be more merciful to me than that bastard and his disgusting wife, so I'll surrender myself to Barō's custody when the battle is won."
Daunte nodded. "I wish circumstances had been different."
"As do I, my Lord."
Daunte took his leave. Gertrude threw an arm around Sanji's shoulders, waving a bottle of liquor wildly. "Yer not gon'na surrender to dat bastard, are you?!" She yelled in his face.
Sanji was unmoved as per usual by her antics. "Of course not. Do I look like an idiot?"
Daunte finally went down to the fourth floor. He looked in on Surya and Mokuren. Both were sitting on Surya's bed. "Hey, Daunte," Surya said, standing to greet him. "We'll be ready tomorrow. We'll show the might of Falena."
"I know," Daunte said. "And if I don't say it again, I want you to know that meeting you was one of the best things that has ever happened to me."
Surya stiffened, and his eyes widened in shock. "If I hadn't met you in the Dark Chasm, we wouldn't have been able to escape," Daunte said. "Arin and I would probably be dead now. But because you were there, we were able to get out and now here we are. I owe you, Surya."
Surya quickly hugged him. "You owe me nothing," he said. "You're my best friend, Daunte. You saved my family. And—And you brought people who I love back to life at the cost of your own life-force. Meeting you was one of the best things that has ever happened to me. I'll never forgot your selflessness and everything you have done. No one in Falena will. Our borders will always be open to you."
Daunte hugged him back. He felt like crying. "Thank you, Surya."
"OH!" Mokuren cried out, dramatically pressing a hand to her forehead. "The power of friendship is so beautiful!"
"Both of you get rest," Daunte said. "We will win tomorrow."
"Yes, we will," Surya said with promise.
When Daunte left, Surya turned to face Mokuren. "We should get to bed," he said. "It's going to be a long day tomorrow."
Mokuren plucked her fingers at Surya's bedspread for a moment before looking up at him. "Could we stay up a little while longer?"
Surya smiled again. "Sure."
"I'm fully prepared," Varnaz said, showing Daunte all of his equipment that was laid out. "I know what to expect when I die and I don't intend on that happening again. You can count on me."
"Thank you," Daunte said. "Also...Varnaz?"
"What is it?"
"Have you thought about what you will do after we win?"
Varnaz shrugged. "I will probably remain as a soldier. Maybe apply for a leadership position at one of the Garrisons. That is, if we intend to still utilize them."
"Well, three are still standing but abandoned," Daunte said. "The one in Kõrkus was destroyed by Windy and Nian."
"Maybe Sloan Faakhir's old fortress then," Varnaz said. "Like I said, it we still plan to—"
"You would like to be a Sheikh?" Daunte asked.
Varnaz stiffened, and rubbed at his head. "I—don't know what government you will be implementing," he said. "But if you maintain the same military system, then...yes."
Daunte nodded. "I will think about it."
"Thank you, Lord Daunte. Knowing that all of our hard work is about to pay off..." he sighed, his tone is shaky. "It's bittersweet. I wish my family was here."
"I'm sorry."
"No, it's fine. I'm not the only one who has lost. And my family is with me now at least. I know I can succeed when they are watching over me."
Daunte nodded. "You'll do them proud as you have always done."
Daunte left the room and looked in on Caesar. "Ah, you got me!" Caesar laughed. He was sitting in bed. "How can I help you?"
"We're all set for tomorrow," Daunte said. "I'm about to head to bed in a bit."
"As am I, as you can see. Is there anything I can help you with?"
Daunte almost wanted to ask if he was going to leave Nagarea after the war was over but decided against it. "Actually, there's a few things I want done," Daunte said. "Could you send a note out for someone to come and see me later?"
"Sure," Caesar said. "Who?"
Daunte entered his room and saw Arin, Nakula, Roen, and Felicity sitting at the table eating the sashimi from the Moon Bird recipe. All of them were glowing. Kibbeh was asleep in his bed. "Brother!" Arin cheered, waving his arm.
"Here," Nakula said, standing up. "I'm finished eating. There's still a lot of food so eat plenty."
Daunte sat down and began eating. The warmth inside of him from the food grew and spread immediately. "This is it," he announced. "Tomorrow, it all ends."
"Yeah," Felicity said, frowning a little. "Finally. I can finally avenge my father, and Farna."
"I can finally prove myself to be a decent person," Roen said quietly.
"You are a decent person," Felicity said.
"Guys," Daunte said. Roen and Felicity looked at him. "I consider you both my blood brother and sister."
"I-I do too, for you guys," Roen said shakily.
"I like the thought of having so many brothers," Felicity said.
"We have been through the worst hell together," Daunte said. "You three have been there with me since the beginning. A-And...And I'm here now because of you all." Daunte felt tears stinging his eyes. "I never would have gotten this far if it weren't for you. Truly, I—" the tears leaked out and he scrubbed at his face. "Thank you," he whispered. "Thank you for being the best friends and family anyone could ever ask for."
Felicity burst into tears. She jumped up from her seat, as did Roen, and they hurried around the table. Daunte stood up and the trio embraced where they stood. "Thank you, Daunte," Felicity cried into his shoulder. "Thank you for being my best friend!"
"Thank you for being my brother," Roen said. He was also crying. "I would be dead if it weren't for you!"
They stood there for a long time clinging to each other. Nakula began to get emotional watching them and Arin hurried to his side. "Papa," he said quietly. "Are you okay? Does your stomach hurt?"
Nakula knelt down and grabbed him tight in a hug. "It's okay," he said quietly. "I have failed you both greatly as a father. But I...I will do all I can to make sure neither of you is ever unhappy again. I swear it!"
"I trust you, Papa," Arin said. Nakula couldn't stop his own tears though. "Big Brother!" Arin called to Daunte.
Daunte let Roen and Felicity go, and they clung to each other still crying. Daunte hurried over to Nakula and Arin. "A-Are you guys okay?" Daunte asked.
Nakula grabbed him and pulled him into a group hug with Arin. Both clung to their father as he cried silently. "It's okay," Daunte said. "It's okay, Dad..."
It would be okay. It would be okay because he would make sure it would be okay.
Esther and Ciana were asleep in the same bed holding each other. Tiara was asleep on top of Esther's legs. Sloan slowly closed the door as to not wake them. "Thank you," he said to Tidur. "Thank you for letting me see our girls."
"Of course I would," Tidur said. "You're their father. They want to see you and spend time with you."
Sloan nodded soberly. He couldn't look at her. "I...Tidur..."
I'm sorry. Please forgive me for everything, even if I don't deserve it. Please take me back. I love you, I swear I won't hurt you again, please take me back—
But he didn't say that. And Tidur didn't say anything. Sloan shook his head. "It's very late," he said finally. "I should go to bed."
He turned away from her and started back down the short hall towards the inn's entrance. Tidur reached out and grabbed his sleeve, stopping him. His heart skipped a beat and he turned to face her again. Tidur had her head ducked forward. "W..."
Sloan watched her in silence. Finally she lifted her head to look at him. "Would...you like to stay at the inn tonight? No charge."
Sloan stared at her stunned for a long moment. Then he nodded. "Yes. Thank you."
It was very late.
Daunte sat waiting, his hands folded on the table. His room was dark except for a single candle sitting in the center of the table. He sprung up at the first knock at the door, and opened the door to greet his visitor. "Good evening," he said. "I'm sorry for calling you here so late, but there's something I needed to share with you."
Writing the past two chapters has been more difficult for me than I thought. I feel like I'm saying a final goodbye to old friends.