Chapter Four of Ten
Grave Secrets
Outside the castle walls before The Triumvirate's ghost upset the balance of life and death Howl had been acting as a funeral director, speaking to fellow rebel captains he arranged locations for the dead to be placed and marked makeshift graveyards around the castle garden. Fragments of gothic architecture from the Monarchy's reign litter the yard as corrupted ghoulish watchers of the deceased, the Monarchy ached at their home land neglection from the Triumvirate's rule leaving Balteus an uninviting ghost town.
A soft thick fog soup had rolled in from all directions mixing with the fiery smoke of battle and the worsening weather conditions covering the graveyards. The old Monarchy vessel waved a paw through the fog squinting their eyes knowing the burden ahead would be an uneasy one to carry. A cold nipping fog mysteriously enveloped the recently buried almost as if Balteus wasn't done with them yet, however, surrounded by so much death Howl was bothered more by the lack of hope in Alestia's freedom as it dawned on him how much work was left to do in the Triumvirates wake.
With an agitating atmosphere settling on Balteus, the undead vessel had to start somewhere removing the corruption and restoring Balteus to the glory Howl once knew back in the Monarchys reign, deep down in his stone heart this had always been his priority to rebuild all that was taken from them.
His zombie walk hindered by the mighty gashes and broken weapons lodged in his gut slowed Howl forcing painstakingly tender scraps to be pulled out of his body scarring him further, the chaotic spread of blood and bodies caking the front lines painting a grim picture for his comrades to behold watching Howl lurk closer as an animated corpse hobbling over bodies indignantly. The town centre was eerily a replica of the occupation of Mazeo with an ocean of blood on the rough floor staining it forever and hundreds of bodies were laid to the sides for identification.
Howl could see the sickly fear when rebels crossed his path struggling with their own broken minds reeling from battle, some responding with pity asking if he needed a medic and others quick to anger. Naturally, he understood the mockery of death his existence brought having suffered the same anger from his host's son Mylus.
Fate had commanded Howl to control the rebellion's first leader raising him from the grave and causing conflict with the stark repercussions of war mixing with Howl's existence, the crushing absence of hope was clear for his presence instead reminded the rebels of the cold cruel reality their friends would never be coming back and that the body of Salus was one of a kind, unfair for Howl to be flaunting his survival yet there was nothing he could do about it.
Being an agent of death Howl found in every place he went rebels bitterly mourning their fallen only to watch the unkillable wolf shuffling along repeaping bodies for mass funerals. In his search, Howl noted the growing number of fallen from the pirate and dragonic armies, these two factions had sacrificed themselves for what they believed and only now did Howl see the value Alex and Vivien brought to the rebellion. While their counterparts would have been more powerful in numerical strength the reason they fought would have been for far less personal reasons. With this discovery, Howl's respect for Blue Blur's decisions grew finding him a capable leader who has had to make many tough decisions on the path to Balteus.
Howl had known it was not his fault his allies had died in this war, all who died doing what they believed in and they knew the price for freedom yet still he did not remind the mourning rebels of this. Still having shreds of a heart all he could do was move on with dagger eyes stabbing his back with hot jealousy, the more he walked the more death he found in the muffled crying city. Increasing body counts slap Howl's mind with surprise that anyone could have survived this war as huge mountains of spirit guard armour had been piling up in communal areas of the church and tavern of Balteus being mostly abused by those with a blood lust rage taking it out on the husks of metal enemies. The stark contrasts of the shiny metal crowding the overgrown and withering city spawned nightmares of an apocalyptic warzone.
Being the part leader of the rebellion his wise words to the wounded fell on traumatised, drunk or heartbroken ears. Thundering skies mixing with raw emotions nearly boiled over into a fight however Howl's corpse collectors pipped up defending Howl and his grim actions brow beating rowdy rebels into humility, simply trying to be kind in such an inhospitable place was proving too difficult while respecting the growing dead.
Back and forth the sombre angry spirit vessel plodded on through foggy sweltering alleyways and dark corners of massacres dreadfully collecting parts of resistance members nobody had a hope in recognising, every recognisable face he did find he knew their tragic tale and how their burial is at best being placed unceremoniously into bag then buried amongst unknown friends. In his travels, he saw Pro flying past with bundles of reports reaching far from the docks straight up to the Triumvirates complex castle.
No battle had been missed, no area unrecorded by the husky who hadn't stopped running fearing he might need to look back at the destruction behind him. Seeing all kinds of grief at different stages Howl was struggling to keep his own emotions in check seeing his beloved city warped and covered in death, still, he carried on knowing plenty of time would come to fix his old city and restore hope for Alestia. That one day the scary atmosphere choking Balteus will subside and allow it to become the once beautiful jewel in all the continents.
Now expecting exhaustion to envelop the rest of the recovering resistance Howl gages raising tempers were ahead of him but was happily surprised by buzzing glimmers of campfire light spawned from small pockets of celebrations, mused and mustering pirates under Alex's banner who had seen fit to get blind drunk in honour of those fallen and those who lived to tell the tale. Honourable songs of the one who shielded Alex from death's embrace roared in a drunken stupor.
Smelling the sweet aroma of rum it was hard to deny himself the pleasure of taking a moment away from the bodies and bones shackled to his back, however, Howl didn't have the stomach to join the pirates who were cheering at the leaders' living presence and taking another swig for yet another rumour being disproven. Howls Monarchy souls had barely begun healing his grievous wounds knowing full well any liquids crossing his lips would leak out almost definitely ruining good beer and good moods, what was left of his host's body refused to stop bleeding leaving a black trail wherever Howl went.
Marching ever onward fixed on his hopes and dreams of rebuilding the city Howl swept along the landing beaches finding more pockets of rebels celebrating in opposing methods to the pirates, a few of Pro's runners and part poets were basking in the flame-lit sky watching the Grand Library alight and softly singing to calm strained nerves, flexing their weapon of words cutting down the Triumvirates legacy with tongue they hymned to each other taking turns to watch ash float off into orange sky.
Each verse slowly exchanged trying to find the right feeling of victory against an impossible foe yet soon heads turned seeing the distracting presence of the walking dead, Howl hurt recognising his presence wasn't welcomed by even the celebrating rebels who were fading into bereaved depression and unable to comprehend how much their worlds would be changed with a war won but so much loss of loved ones.
Hard to keep his stony composure and carry on coping with mounting bodily horrors and fracturing hearts of the rebellion, the Monarchy souls turned to each other within Howl filling his head with countless discussions and distractions mindlessly walking to a quiet place somewhere. Anywhere within Balteus to be alone.
Eventually, the soul vessel noted to themselves to thank the Monarch for saving them from certain death reflecting on their host's battle wounds that have shaken so many rebels, had Blue Blur accepted Howl's request in the Grand Library to take all the souls within Howl the undead wolf would have certainly stayed dead from the amount of arrows inflicting his chest with no souls to repair him.
Lost in his shifting thoughts wondering about the battlefield Howl had barely realised his unconscious mind walking him through the battletorn castle walking through cold hard wax Pro had thrown during his clattering distraction, its empty halls a welcoming relief as he savoured the quiet reflection found only once before in the rebellions HQ on the eve of war. Rubbing his beaten temple trying to find a calmness to brave the grave once more.
This relief didn't last long as a shocking fright shot through Howl's spine as a ghostly time-warped whisper carried on the frozen wind beating hot ashen air back.
Whispers: Find ussssss
Howl: Who goes there?!
... silence responded as the gale outside ran amock shaking the castle with threatening storms on the closing horizon. Tree twigs rocked and danced along the castle windows, striking the mighty walls noisily injected by mother nature's breath along cobble and metal.
SLAM!
Howl darting around looking for his attacker with fists raised and threatening the door which was launched into its frame and pealed off its hinges with an imposing thud. Scowling at the wind's mischief he slows his breathing and moves deeper into the castle urged to get back to work finding the silence unwelcoming in desolate lands, his guts just finishing to heal over leaving only dried blood on Howl and thinking he was needed by his corpse collecting colleagues. Walking his way through twisting hallways Howl enters the main atrium with his eyes popping out as the floor is coated in an explosion of sticky blood appearing to shower gore down from high. It still was with an eerie dripping echoing in the massive atrium leaving a mixture of black and red blood blots across the meaty floor.
The mangled sight of bones and guts spread around made Howl regret inhaling stormy winds now only smelling the dead flesh he thought he was getting used to, big and small body parts scattered everywhere and what remained of an orange-furred leg had rolled a long way away yet the clothing struck the Monarchy most. Kneeling in patches of drying blood Howl swipes the stained silk of the Triumvirate finding what remained of Sovy's splatter victim.
Looking around for more gibs finding brain, liver and bone bits Howl shivers with goosebumps erupting over him. He carefully picked up Blue Blur's severed arm, the cut clean through inches of cartilage and not a scrap of bone hit clearly the attack of a professional. Taking in the surrounding splatter Howl confirms there is only Blur's arm that relates to the Monarch and what remains of the Triumvirate's impact mush was still bubbling with escaping blood.
The wind soon picked up again and this time Howl listened intently trusting what remained of his guts and sixth senses, obviously no whispers were talking to him but with an ominous chilly draft from the Triumvirates chamber and Blur's arm on the floor, Howl's curiosity peeked. Clearing pinky and bulky chunks he delicately scooped as much of the Triumvirate he could into his bag and set off to climb the thousands of steps towards the chamber feeling a build-up of giddiness to see what fate befell his foes, taking one of their many torches he ascends into the darkness above.
An eternity passed climbing the staircase passing over a bloody skirmish on the stairs and correctly guessing this was where Blur and the Triumvirate had traded blood, each step dripping and soaked in a metallic scent as the ticking and clicking of the Chamber walls welcomed Howl closer and hummed slowly whirling in an impossible directions.
Entering the chamber Howl takes in the burnt warzone noting the footprints of Sovy coming and going in the chamber, in the steaming centre remnants of the explosion still burned a dull grey clearly the handle remains of Blade of Exodus thoroughly destroyed yet remaining to spin just like the walls. Hidden in the far back of the chamber a layer of clouds had pushed in from the great hole in the roof hiding the artsy glass windows, Howl carefully went about inspecting sprays of blood and patterns of debris in the room noting how significant this spot would be in history to come.
Jolting out from his brief thought having stepped on something concealed, soft and squishy. Another Triumvirate body, actually, bodies next to each thrown in the blast and shrouded by the rolling clouds masking its way through the chamber. The two Triumvirates bore the execution wounds of the Blade of Exodus leaving signature gear-shaped wounds and burns. The two gods were cut down by their contraption which ticks and tocks with ironic perfection having created their deaths.
Smiling internally Howl spares a thought to his most hated enemy finally being put to due, he stares at the lifeless corpse and can't help but roar angrily kicking one of them in the gut causing a gush of remaining blood to be squeezed out of their chest, his mind running through the hours of corpses he has seen of his friends, his allies. His savours all boil to the surface wanting revenge.
Howl: How did it feel?! We hope it was eternally painful.
We suffered that fate for as long as we can remember in your prisons. You three deserved a worse fate than death.
So much pain caused in the wake of war... so much anger brewing.
Howl stares once more at the corpse feeling no better for the anger released and subsiding in him, a hollow feeling of pity fills his joyless souls believing that the purpose of Monarchy is lost and some recognise all they had was the anger against the Triumvirate, his world finally opening up as he forgot what true freedom was. He dared to dream of his prospects now free from this nightmare.
As much as he wants to unload on the dead he feels his exhaustion chastising him for being no better than the Triumvirate who held no respect for the dead as shown with Balteus's husk. Taking deep breaths counting each one as he inhaled, held and then exhaled imperfect clarity washed over him remembering Blur's suggestion of opening up and talking to relieve the stress.
Howl: Hmmm a lot we have wanted to say to you, to know you. To understand why you took our lives...our home.
How did you irrevocably erased the Monarchy from Alestia?... and why you saved our culture in the library?
What did we do to deserve your punishment...so many questions in our head, where do you gods come from that it's your right to occupy our planet?
Questions within questions, when did you arrive truly? Our records, our memories, something is missing. Something is still hidden from us yet we will find it!
Keeping your true selves even from us? In those golden cloaks...
Standing alone with the wind and fog as company the silence lingers with the souls in Howl stopping their endless conversations realising what was just raised by Howl, forbidden thoughts raged and conquered his mindset as Howl slowly stepped closer embracing the opportunity nervous but greedily.
Howl: Who are you...?
Saying the words slowly relishing the thought that now was no better time to find out. Thinking that not every secret will be taken to the grave by these 'gods'.
Kneeling Howl braces himself for the godly knowledge he is about to unveil knowing that he is owed these answers for nobody else had suffered for so long through blind injustice, living a life in the Idols having their visions and views filtered, in their prisons always afraid of what the Triumvirate had wanted from the Monarchy. How this fear had pushed the Monarchy to use their powers to make companions in turn empowering the rebellion forward.
Poetic the fear of the gods made every mortal on Alestia faster, stronger and braver than the Triumvirate could ever hope to achieve with faith.
Gripping the cold cloth of the Triumvirate Howl delicately pulled the hood down of the Triumvirate while whispering for forgiveness as he tried to respect the corpse and plunder secrets from the dead. Taking in a sharp breath the undead wolf locks eyes with the blank stare of the very dead ... creature infront of him. His mind raced trying to identify the dark brown spots on the Triumvirate's light brown furry cheeks, the red flare hair covering his right eye and fluffy chocolate brown fur dishevelled by death. Howl naturally had no idea he was gaping at a German Shepherd, the watcher of a planet so very far from Alestia.
Howl: Fascinating, a mortal being like Alestians? We don't know this face but his eyes...
Tiredness in those eyes perhaps, accepting what was coming? Hmm curious, we must know if it's the same story for your friend. Tired of your reign?
Talking to the corpse Howl lays out his thoughts as a wave of chatter fills his head once more, the Monarchy souls erupting into questions and discussions with a million words per minute passing through Howl. Shifting over to the other corpse his movements were automatic and unconsciously moving trying to decipher the chaos in his head, this time the corpse was guarding its secrets building suspense for the identity within the twisted tightly knotted cloth of the decapitated head.
Discussions formed and fell about the world of the Triumvirate trying to guess their motives against the many vague visions Howl had experienced, the tedious tugging and little progress frustrated Howl pulling harder to unwrap the head from its titan cocoon. Howl decided respect for the corpse's secret could be waived for a moment as he roughly tore the fabric with his claws revealing what little remained of white fur, big blue eyes and white wolf whiskers which were uncomfortably...similar.
Then he knew it. Him
A worlds away mystery soon crashed into Howl spawning a harbinger of chaos bringing his mind to panic, his core trust unravelling with shattered beliefs uprooting everything he knew. Holding the head away from his body by the blood-soaked ears the indisputable fact that there was a traitor's face wrapped in a Triumvirate's colours had meant only one thing.
The rebellion had a traitor at its heart influencing decisions and plans playing their pattern all too well ensuring the rebels walked the path laid out by the Triumvirates.
Almost as if they were waiting for this instantly the gears inside the Chamber rumbled into overdrive churning harder and harder sparking arches of energy and raising smoke with a metal and magical taste. Lightning arched from gear to gear leading down the castle walls seemingly sentient waiting and deciding where it wanted to go, the wind freezing and swirling in the room from the massive machinery in the Chamber walls invited the whispers once more as Howl was bombarded by panicking Monarchy souls in uproaring mayhem.
Whispers: Hiiiiiide ussssss. BBBBBRRRRurrrrrry usssssss
Wheezing and buzzing gears cranked once more and then died silent only with the singing wind as company before the bells of the Triumvirate rang in reverse. Then Howl heard them, victims within the castle screeching like banshees distorted by time hearing something similar to a faint memory so long ago, his body locking up in fear recognising the shattering glass echoing from everywhere. This same shattering reminds him of what happened when the Triumvirates arrived and snatched all of the Monarchy into their astral prison.
Down in the infirmary, the screaming greeted the Triumvirate's arrival, but all Howl knew was his body cold and stiff with dread, anger and nightmarish betrayal stabbed his heart having his only hope crushed. This backstabber unveiled made Howls souls spew hysterical guess after guess to their true intentions and why they never saw this coming.
Howl: No... no it's not possible! We would remember this, we would know this.
We would have seen this. He'd rather die fighting side by side for our cause rather than join their side. Something is not right...it can't be true.
We won't. We can't accept this!
Howl's mind of chaos was flooding with souls submitting their response in unexplainable silence having nothing to offer in argument and were shocked beyond words. Taking steps back to recover from the upset Howl focused on his breathing again and ran through his memories of this life. This timeline and how this two-faced ally had taken leaps of faith trusting the howling demands of justice in the form of a dead leader.
The wolf's resolve to help the Monarchy and free Alestia from the tyrants, his own loss and exhaustion trying to wield the Blade of Exodus. How this now questionable ally had put his life on the line and accepted his destiny charging down the Triumvirate's plans, never running and never accepting anyone else will suffer to this occupation.
With these thoughts, Howl reinforced the hope in himself, Alestia and the future of the rebellion Howl thought on remembering the trap set by the Triumvirates knowing a godly hand was still pulling the strings of the rebellion, while it was certainly a mystery he had to resolve the next steps for him were clear. He had a job to do and he set his mind to that one simple task, this test of his faith would not break him nor would he act with misplaced haste.
Howl: We will hide you friend, defend you if needs be...but we will know this truth from you, if you can hear us. We. Are coming for you.
Thoughtfully Howl moved both Triumvirates into his bag feeling it strain with multiple and half bodies clumped together, even with the perks of being undead he could tell the physical strain of the bag would put his balance on edge.
Travelling back down the stairs with a freezing breeze attempting to ice over the steps he slowly begins his descent down the mammoth stairs ahead of him, thoughts swirling around the discovery of his greatest foe being his hero. How could this be?
Howl: We wish it makes sense, how does this fit into our grand battle against the Triumvirate? You swore to protect us yet you stood against us all this time, in the darkness you saw yourself charging through Balteus. Hmmm, curious to know thy self.
Could it be that the master of the Grand Library was correct in their madness, loss is temporary on Alestia
Maybe we never knew our enemies from our allies. No, we would have seen this in any direction our visions lead us...this seems to be something new.
Drawing on the many voices in his head Howl attempted to bring order to chaos and summon answers forward while excited at his discovery considering how it changed his view of the world, the rebellion. Still forced with an impossible choice Howl remained committed to who he was, who all the souls of Monarchy formed to be and believing in impossible heroes gave comfort to the uncertainty of the Triumvirate's motivates. Hearing more screams from the infirmary Howl focuses on his task feeling powerful forces at play once again yet trusting the winds of change carrying the dead's secrets.
While reviewing everything he experienced with this traitor in all the previous timelines Howl's feet had worked their way to graveyards, his body unconsciously piloting him while he dealt with the fallout in his head.
Unable to forget the horrors of war Howl dug a deep grave further away from the rebellion graves and placed the Triumvirate side by side all together in their secretive family, all three put to peace letting the dead rest and preparing for the eventual conversation with the discovered twofaced rebel.
Howl continues to listen to the wind but can feel no presence here in the graveyards, no commands and definitely no explanation for the secret he discovered. He watches the castle windows only seeing slow movement in the infirmary thinking back on the screams and considering if his actions taken were correct, facing the unknown with no prior visions or experience forced Howl to confront the feeling of powerlessness against his uncertain future ahead.
Barely as Howl finished digging his secret burial and considered what instructions he assumed the gods gave him, he was ambushed by his collectors holding another wrapped-up corpse in their arms but from their silence, a thousand words came with the grim looks on their faces.
Avoiding Howl's eye contact his collectors took deep breaths slowly handing over the mystery corpse scaring Howl about who he would discover. No longer did he wish to plunder grave secrets but was forced to take one final look. Ears popping and ranked with tinnitus as crushing waves of depression flooded through Howl inspecting the ghastly wounds Valessa suffered in her final moments, Howl had not realised how close he had come to his group of friends having seen so much death he had been lucky to only know their faces but never emotionally attached... until now.
Unspeakable and deaf to the world around him his body refused to move for a moment before slowly gripping to his shredded senses and taking hold of his shovel, the endless digging hurting Howls paws creating yet another grave finding oppressive dread his lasting companion. Howl's response to consoling collectors is a deathly silence detached from the world and unaware of the time passing with each mound of dirt shifted. Alone in his solitude he worked tirelessly on Valessa's grave and refused to leave her side not wanting to find anyone else he was connected to.
Meanwhile, Damek and Fortaime had been released from the infirmary on the Triumvirate's orders to collect the rest of their group for a god has summoned Alestia's heroes. Rushing down the corridors of the castle Damek soon finds Fortaime standing in the atrium staring at the floor like a statue.
Damek: There you are Fortaime! You've just been healed go easy on your ribs we don't know how well they...are heealllllling, Fortaime are you listening?
Fortaime: Look at it, the blood...
Damek: By the gods. Who, who did this? It wasn't this ... messy when we brought you through here
Looking around Damek tenderly squishes through the bloody floor inspecting the impact zone of the Triumvirate humming in thought. His mind was quick to put together the missing giblets.
Damek: Must have been one of the collectors, apparently, we're picking up Triumvirate as well... a bit of luck too considering we have one alive and probably best we remove their bodies before the Triumvirate sees them. I'll get Howl to sort it assuming he has Valessa, looking after her I mean
Fortaime: Did you ever think they could come back, typical how you and Howl return to the rebellion how didn't we see the Triumvirate returning as well?
Damek: It's just the one, for now, atleast I don't know if we have won the war but this doesn't feel like a loss getting this far. Bringing back our comrades is one way to make peace... and to be honest, I'm glad you're going to see Valessa, just in case she's under the Triumvirate's control she might not be able to harm you
Fortmaine looks to Dakem searching his big green eyes to gain his understanding and the swift idea makes the bunny frown at his fox leader's thinking.
Fortaime: You think she'll be like Shane?
Damek: We have to assume so they changed him against us, me...they had Sovy, Halin. If there's anyone who Valessa would never hurt it's you Fortaime but be careful she'll be very confused. I know I was
Fortaime: You kept us together, the entire rebellion grew from the ashes of this war and you kept us growing above our pain.
If there's anyone I'd follow into whatever this turns into. It's you Damek, you will have an army to your back. We won't give up on those who have died, we can bring them back...maybe even those from the start of the occupation
Silence responded to Fortaime's dream as Damek didn't know if he could hope for such a thing having just moved on from his mother's death, having his rebellion brought back from the dead changed everything for everyone. But to bring back long lost families forever lost to the Triumvirate occupation would be an entirely separate dream bigger than ever imagined.
Damek: One step at a time Fortaime, let's see how Valessa is first then we can dream bigger. The Monarch will need you to ... oh how did I forget Blur! He didn't get healed from the Triumvirate we have to go back and.
Fortaime: Woah hold on a sec Damek don't worry about Blur, Ulric is looking after him you better believe he'll get Blur healed. Valessa will be waking up any moment and I need to be there for her
Damek: What if the Triumvirate refuses to heal him? we need Blur.
Fortaime: You heard them, Blur and Howl are required. We also have Ulric's determination to keep the Monarch safe. Trust me Damek Blur is in good hands, he will not let Blur die he would fight death itself if he had to... and honestly if I know anything about the Seer, he'd be too angry to die too. Getting this far with his family behind him
We'll be OK. I know we will. All this time I believed a better future was coming to Alestia now we have just start it
Damek smiles catching Fortaimes radiating hope and feeling a ray of warmth sooth his aching body as he removes his own bandages no longer needing them, walking outside the castle gate a bonfire roars gloriously melting the spirit guard armour with a group of rebels celebrating around a very very old keg something salvaged from Balteus's derelict buildings. Pro putting his swindling nature to use finding anything of value for the rebellion.
Damek: Look at that, some things are worth fighting for and apparently booze is just one of those needs everyone has...heh maybe I should try it again at some point.
Fortaime: Not everyone, Pro has found something better
Both Damek and Fortaime share a pitying laugh seeing Pro scribbling away on a sturdy rich wood desk dragged out of a crumbling home. The entire table is covered in arrows and papers stabbing each one to the desk as he writes in the glaring light of the bonfire with a small group of rebels giving a mix of detailed and lacking information about the battles around Baltus.
A constant supply of runners brings notes and scraps of papers to him as he works with a half-empty wine bottle as spoils of war supported Pro, at each corner of the table a sweet aroma burned from candles Pro had bought from the ship to settle his nerves.
Pro: Come on think for me, you can always retrace something by the hole it's left
Tell me what you saw when those archers shot, what happened when the darkness fell? You had nowhere to run and...
No? Anything...Nothing? ... alright thanks, hey take one to start the night. I promise not one line will be forgotten, your friends will be remembered as legends!
Keep marching on soldier.
He pours a small shot of wine for each rebel who smiles sadly and takes their drink moving away from their seats Pro rubs his eyes pouring a glug down his throat, he rubs his bandage covering the slice on his shoulder. Damek and Fortaime take the rebel's seat making Pro jump seeing the bunny walking about again.
Pro: Fortaime? How are you here!? Ulric said you'd be healing for atleast three months! Damek too?
He hugs the bunny tightly while also glimpsing the torn clothes trying to wrap his head around the relief and impossible sight before him. Fortaime starved for comfort hugs Pro back energetically and carelessly giggling at the thought of how lucky he is to be alive.
Damek: Let's call it divine intervention Pro, we have a guest and we'll need to grab Howl, there's going to be a meeting. Can you walk and talk there's plenty to fill you in on
Raising a large eyebrow the husky packs up the essential papers but leaves most of them on the stabbed desk as he flags one of his runners to take over, quickly confirming everything that's outstanding and in progress Pro turns to Damek with shadows on his face stretching in relief.
Pro: Thank you for saving me if I sit out here any longer I'd go mad. I'm a thief, not a coroner
Pro swiftly picks up his journal papers pulling each arrow out and kissing it, he recognises the odd look and cocked heads from Damek and Fortaime giving a soft chuckle in return while explaining. His paws stuffing report papers into his satchel.
Pro: Each one that missed me I kept, lucky charms and I needed paperweights. A bloody blizzard is coming in Damek
Damek shakes his head scoffing at the cheeky husky infront of him, he watches Pro while helping to collect the papers as Fortaime picks up the wine bottle inspecting it.
Fortaime: This looks fancy...wow two thousand years old!? How can you drink this!?
Pro: Smell it Fortaime it's still fresh, the Monarchy really knew what they were doing when they made this stuff. Makes you wonder how long the Triumvirates have really been here
Damek: Maybe you can ask them
Pro: What does that mean? Blur killed them all I saw the chamber myself. It's a warzone and from the blood, no survivors
Hang on who's this guest?
Damek: Brace yourself.
We ... have a Triumvirate under guard in the infirmary, they healed Fortaime and assuming everything goes to plan...we'll be able to bring back Valessa. They're on our side
Pro: Alive. Under guard...healing and bring back, as in. Like. Bring back back? To life?
Damek: yup back to life ... in return, we're gonna listen to the Triumvirate, they're worked up about time or something like that. It's important enough that they need to negotiate with us, so we are going to use that as far as we can.
Think of it Pro everything we could do with them as provisional allies or even just to repay the damage they have caused. I'll take this far, further than I've ever gone to make them pay. And I will never ever stop until this war is put right
Pro: They are mad butchers! They killed everything and everyone we have ever loved! How can you consider listening to them? To say they are allies...
Fortaime: If they lie to us, trick us or make any kind of move... well you know what'll happen. If they attack or do anything we don't like I think we'll all take a shot at either punishing or killing them. A fate worse than death probably so a lot is riding on their own survival.
We'll be careful but... if they can bring Valessa back then I have to hear them out. Sovy and Ulric have them under guard, from what I saw they are ...hmm not weaker but more.
Present, than the ones we fought. The amount of energy it took was a lot from them to just heal me and resurrect Valessa really did a number on them Pro. They're vulnerable.
Pro gives a small smile to Fortaime liking how Fortaime easily speaks his mind
Walking through the city quietly explaining the Triumvirate's arrival Damek itches to drop into each medical tent and check in with every rebel under his command but Pro sedates his needs giving him battle reports reaching far through Balteus, although he was clearer getting worked up at the Triumvirate's arrival.
Pro: So far me and my runners have counted six hundred and sixty-two wounded the majority injured at the southern front. MIA is patchy right now but atleast four hundred currently haven't been located and honestly. I suspect some have been buried before identification, as for known deceased... for those intact one thousand and seventy-five. Obviously, you know all of the Seers didn't make it.
What a fresh nightmare... There are so many out there Damek and to think we won't find them all. I can't stop thinking about them. I'm...I'm struggling, I feel like I'm breaking Damek
I'm afraid we're going to be searching forever and my hope is little by little dying with each number I write climbing, it's horrible. I just. I just can't wait till this is all over
I'm never fighting again after this. I'll never step foot in a war, battle or skirmish again
Damek: Hey! Hey! Remember to breathe Pro. We will do the best we can but nobody is expecting miracles, if they were common then we would have no fairytales. Do your best and do your part, together we will come out of this stronger and everyone will be better off for it
Speaking of miracles...
Damek eyes the front gates of the graveyard squeaking loudly as the wind buffets them in the thick smog welcoming the three rebels eerily, a sudden cold gust of wind breaking the smog for a moment revealing what was surely once a beautiful garden is now a corrupted muddy burial ground. Damek's anxiety flares just thinking of Valessa's revival and the pity he feels knowing she will remember the excruciating pain of death.
Damek thinks to himself that nobody should have to know what true death feels like trying to subdue his memory of demise rising to the surface. He holds Fortaimes hand gently seizing the moment seeing the bunny sulk away from the grizzly sight of awaiting bodies to be buried, in such a decaying place the only plants around looked deadly so instead weapons and shields were laid as tribute.
Sobbing and crying filtered through the gusting winds swirling monsterous shadows in the shifting fog, slowly getting closer gothic statues and dancing trees tricked the rebellions eyes as the group searched for their undead friend. Walking passed hundreds of wooden memorial crosses Pro surveyed every name searching for a certain someone until they reached the end of the line, a line of collectors shovelling a bit away making progress to the growing list to be buried.
Damek: He's not here? This is the main yard he must be here somewhere
Pro: It's Howl he'll be somewhere quiet, I'd bet good money he's down one of these paths considering the black blood. My runners said he's left paths everywhere but hasn't left here since returning from the castle
Fortaime: I've not seen Valessa's grave she's gotta be here right? Where would Howl put her...
Almost immediately after asking the question a sickly rotting smell invaded the group's senses with a shadow lurching towards them.
Howl: We heard you are looking for us, for her... this way.
Swiftly turning around and waving for the rebels to follow him, Howl nearly vanishes in the fog leaving Fortaime to follow the rotting smell rather than Howl's shadow with Pro and Damek following in a vortex sucking in clean air as they go keeping an eye on Fortaimes speed walking ghost shade.
Damek: Ohhhh great, he sounds rough.
He hasn't even clocked Fortaimes or my recovery yet.
Nearly bumping into each other in the blinding fog Fortaime looks around spotting the fresh graves and their signature wooden crosses but this time he recognises the personal objects surrounding each grave.
Gryz was buried here with his favourite sheepskin Lassiter decorating his memorial cross, opposite him was a black skull and cross-boned dagger stabbed into the cross marked for Valessa. Three more graves stood in the far corner separated and undecorated from the rebels. Damek opened his mouth to ask but one look from Howl silenced him.
Howl: Here, this is where Valessa rests... we are sorry for your loss Fortaime. We feel your pain.
We know this will not be easy for a terrible end has come... with Valessa gone, we can not even conceive a day with her absence. We didn't know how much she ... all of you meant to us.
Fortaime: Let's hope you're wrong about that. We have news to shake your world. Everything has changed
Howl arches his eyebrow questioningly assuming others also know of the mole in their ranks, Fortaime grabs the shovel out of Howl's hands and begins working away huffing and puffing determined to reach Valessa as fast as possible. His face was set in stone fixated on one purpose easy throwing away the loose soil entombing his best friend.
Damek: that's no overstatement Howl everything we thought possible has changed. Valessa is waiting to live again at any moment we will see her rise just like you
Howl: Have you all been damaged? How...how is this possible, her wounds were too severe nothing can be done. She's dead and buried my friends, we are certain there are no prison Idols here to...return her.
Damek: The Triumvirate are here once again but this time they are not our enemies, not entirely atleast they are here to end this conflict and potentially reverse all the suffering they have caused. Imagine no wounded, no death. No cost to this war and in return all we need to do is listen to them... I see you're having difficulty with this but know if they say anything we don't like we atleast have a graveyard awaiting them
Howl: WHAT!
The Triumvirates... their lies corrupted this planet and you want to talk to them? Why have their crimes been forgotten so quickly?!
Damek you must surely see bringing Valessa back is too convenient. What would happen if they trap us and summon their honour guard when our forces are shattered and recovering? Raising their own kind...
Damek: An acceptable tactical risk Howl, worse case they do exactly that and then they die again, we have breached the city we know these streets. Their armies are melting and Blur destroyed their Idol of power. We have the Triumvirate surrounded and they have brought life, I don't believe it's a trick, I honestly believe they wouldn't sacrifice the only thing keeping them alive... if they wanted to come back they wouldn't have done it infront of us.
They could have gone anywhere on Alestia...hell they could have just started cutting us down and left our wounded dead but they didn't.
Howl: We do not like this timing. They come out of nowhere promising the highly impossible but, considering recent discoveries... maybe it's time to learn who they are. What they want after all.
Having the conversation envelop Damek and Howl the undead wolf looks down to Fortaime six feet deep, recognising his recovery and eventually sighs in agreement to listen to Triumvirate. Howl's timeline of the Triumvirate revelation moving faster than he anticipated and is contemplating telling Damek who he's discovered in the chamber.
A thump brings Howl and Damek out of their discussions spotting only Fortaime's ears popping out of deep grave, a mountain of dirt next to him. Nobody noticed Pro has since wandered off silently disappearing into the fog without a trace some time ago.
Fortaime: Finally! This is it. Howl help me with her please I can't lift Valessa out alone.
Fortaime awkwardly helps to lift part of Valessa's bag up letting Howl reach down and pull the makeshift body bag out of the mud pit, Fortaime immediately following with his bunny legs hopping him high and climbing up the side of the grave with ease. Kneeling next to Valessa's bag he hesitates to open it thinking how he's going to be seeing his friend.
Howl: We warn you she was shot multiple times... her bag seems smaller than I remember, the dirt may have... compacted her wounds Fortaime.
Fortaime: I'm not leaving her now and the Triumvirate healed me, they promised to bring Valessa back so that's what will happen and if it doesn't I will tear their arm off and beat them with it!
Slowly unwrapping the body bag holding Valessa together Fortaime gazes into Valessa's cold dead eyes reflecting foggy death back at him, he works harder unwrapping the rest of her bloody body revealing the wounds inflicted on her chest have vanished leaving only tattered clothes behind.
Fortaime: I don't understand... she's healed but still... still.
Howl leans in closer inspecting the Triumvirate's magic humming in mysterious thought. His own dead eyes inspecting Valessa's.
Howl: We don't think-
Valessa: I am dead...right? Did you die too?
Fortaime squeals happily clamping his arms around Valessa hugging her tightly as she breathes in surprise at the feeling of love and warmth. She wipes still-wet blood around Fortaime squeezing him back and testing her new sensations.
Fortaime: Ofcourse you're not dead! You are alive Valessa! ALIVE
Valessa:...that's impossible, I...I remember ... I. I know I died and I was here, in that hole in the dark and...
And I don't know how I'm here are you sure you're not dead too Fortaime?
Damek grimaces seeing Fortaime completely unaware of his commitment to be distant from Valessa just in case the Triumvirate had turned her into a thrall like they did with Shane. Dameks growing fear soon released seeing the fox embrace Fortaime tightly clearly confused and needing a familiar face to ground her in reality. He softly shakes her shoulder with big green eyes welcoming her.
Damek: I know it's confusing but look at me and Howl. Dear, death is for other people and by the power of a god it's just an inconvenience to a lucky few.
Valessa welcome back you've been desperately missed and with your return to our home, your presence brings a promise. A hope to all those who didn't walk away from the battlefield.
Your life has been gifted by the Triumvirates. I understand this is fast pace but a new one has arrived and... we hope to negotiate peace. A better life for everyone who has lived and fallen, by God's grace they might be on our side just this once.
Valessa: The Triumvirate did this?
I died fighting their every move and now my survival is due to them? Why do I remember watching Blur. . .
Valessa sits there for a moment trying to recall her memories confused about what she saw. She had expected nothing but to find additional memories caused a wave of confusion, with her chest raising and falling with each breath she knew there was only one thing she could do now.
Valessa: Well this won't happen again. If there's one thing I'm certain of now, I won't fear the end anymore I'll do what I must to survive and death will respect me. Gloom be danmed and I'll live life to the fullest!
Valessa stands proudly with Fortaime grinning from ear to ear seeing his best friend grip her revival by the throat and challenge it to break her will, Howl squints watching the fox and the bunny embrace their friendship with worries of death instantly brushing over the anxieties simply accepting the life between them still beating.
Howls souls swayed into jealousy seeing Valessa carry herself free from the anxieties of the grave choosing a life weightless of caution that once controlled her past self. Seemingly it's only him who has felt judgment and condemnation from the rebels for being a different kind of resurrection.
Damek: Everyone, listen we have been burdened by this war for too long now and as we end it our greatest foe appears offering a way forward potentially to permanent peace or atleast a way towards a bloodless future.
I know all of us have sacrificed to get here and finally bring an end to the Triumvirate death campaign but now that we have a chance to achieve an unprecedented victory that undoes all the damage, we must not be blinded by our valour as it's the responsibility of all of us that we stride to a better future.
You understand me?
Howl, Valessa and Fortaime nod yet Damek frowns looking around for Pro finally noticing his absence in Valessa's resurrection, the fox quickly shaking the dozy aura from her shocking revival and absorbing her newfound life with both paws unshackled from the past ready to run at her next adventure never for seconding subduing her excitement. She flicks dirt, blood and torn cloth from her stretching squished muscles.
Damek: Where has Pro gone now? Bloody runner. Hmm
Howl looks around humming in deep thought as his Monarch souls rethink recent events trying to move past his unexpected jealousy for Valessa. His ears twitch looking over to a fog bank rolling in the wind and faces Damek with a look, his heavy eyes slowly stress what's over there.
Damek: Oh... I see uhh, OK Howl can you help Valessa and Fortaime to the front gates? I'll get Pro and meet you there
Howl: We will oblige. Follow please.
Howl walks off into the smog with Fortaime and Valessa following and looking back to Damek with a sad smile seemingly aware of the new reality surviving traumatic deaths brings, Valessa's walk shifting to one of confidence in her 'new body' lifting herself with a different power spinning her parent's digger in hand feeling more connected to it than ever before. The rules she will go on to break were already broken to begin with.
Taking in a deep breath Damek wonders into the fog feeling the winds chill him and his paws tickled by long grass baked in ash, softly crunching on loose dirt he spots the husky on his knees silently sobbing on a cross covered in sheep skin clearly swallowed by grief.
Damek: Pro... hey, I'm here okay...
This pain of loss will eat at you for a while but you will grow to live alongside this pain in time. I know this too well old friend you can live on and there will be days when you need to cry.
Let it all out and then day by day you can honour Grzy, but not for too long he wouldn't want you to spend your life surrounded by grief. He'd have wanted you to get the hell on with your life.
Damek softly presses Pro's good shoulder as the husky shudders to take in shakey breaths sniffing with tears pouring from his broken heart ashamed to have been the reason his friend died. Damek thinks for a moment before softly soothing his friend's heartache with wise words timelessly passed on to him from his memories of his mother.
Quietly humming trying to recall the words he strokes Pro trying to console him.
Damek: Dry your eyes the dawn will come with sweeping clouds of winds of light, if you listen close you can hear its song. To chase away the night.
Lift your face and you feel the golden touch of the sun so bright and new, it can free you from that darker clutch, of what grief does to you
Let your heart feel loss and pain, but let joy in too.
Together we held a sword, together we bled and roared - against the icy bitter winds, together with swore.
Never did we fight all alone, stand together and you will always be ... home
Pro lifts his head up squeezing Grzy's grave wiping his tears away and listening to Damek almost sing his way into Pro's soul calming him.
Damek: Wipe your eyes and wash your blade, feel the breeze against your cheek.
We have rid the world of its darkest fate now hear the changed winds speak.
Pro's hitching breathing has finally subsided leaving the husky to get a grip of his moment of meekness looking to Damek comforted by the thought even in death Grzy and Pro will remain together.
Pro: He died in my place, saving my life... in doing so he's placed a value on it. It's a currency I do not know how to spend.
Damek: Spend it wisely Pro, spend it in his honour but not in his shadow. I knew him long enough to understand he had demons of his own and with his last breath he's given you the chance to live a life without regrets... live for yourself Pro this war is over, you got out and that's more than anyone can want from this war. A chance to go on
Grzy tormented himself believing he only had one way to atone for his crimes, sacrificing himself was his desire you are not to blame. Men who think they're going to die usually find a way to make it happen so don't dare think this is your fault. The Triumvirates left a mark on everyone they met
Pro: I... I guess you're right. Nothing is the same but I will try to live in these changing times. I just hope my nightmares will change to be lighter... just be lighter
Moments pass as Damek lets Pro grieve over his hero's grave taking in the chilly winds accepting the uncomfortable temperature making his fur bristle. Standing for himself Pro moves off into the mist with Damek following behind him nodding to the grave and saluting respect to the ultimate sacrifice.
Pro: I know my mind is a mess but I appreciate what you did back there, hell keeping me busy with all the running around I think I get it now. It's helped... ... can I impose something on you?
Damek: Ask for anything you need Pro my doors are always open and I'll do my best to accommodate, within the rules of reality ofcourse.
Pro: I need some time alone. No... not alone just somewhere peaceful. A tranquil moment so I can get my thoughts together and stop ...feeling.
Damek: Ofcourse we can find you somewhere as a sanctuary ermmm let's see.
What about the chamber? Howl's cleaned out the bodies from what I gathered from those penetrating eyes. There won't be anyone in there for you to be disturbed and Blur added a window to the stars.
Pro smiles softly as Damek tells him of the quiet spot of refuge allowing the pup to star gaze to his heart's content, Pro's mind in turmoil whenever he's forced to stop and unfocus. He's unsure how to reconcile what he'll do every day without Grzys presence but he wouldn't be the first person to lose someone.
He will survive in time. However long is left atleast.
Dakem nods in proud confirmation to Pro and smiles to himself taking a moment to think of his late mother, he can't help but hope the Triumvirate can undo all that's been done in this war, growing up with a family rather than famine would mean so much to so many, to see Pro reunited with Grzy just like so many others this had to happen. Damek knew his role was not to win this war but to prevent it from ever happening and he will find a way to make the Triumvirate do this. No matter the cost.
Meanwhile, Fortaime and Valessa are deep into their own conversation walking through quieter and relatively cleaner streets, the city settling into the approaching night with make-shift shelters blanketing the withered homes and ceremonial fires blazed to keep the encroaching cold at bay as well as to mark the end of the war smelting the honour guard.
In her ripped clothing Valessa felt the biting cold to her core as well as trying to stay modest in what little remains of her shredded clothes. Starting to shiver Valessa whistles to Howl while holding her hand up to Fortaime to briefly pause their conversation.
Valessa: Howl! Let's nip into the supply tents I need new clothes before I freeze to death!
Sorry Fortaime just needed to get that sorted, definitely wish I stayed in Valinorth now it's deathly cold here, take me back to Alarinthia in a heartbeat.
Fortaime: You're telling me I don't see what the Monarchy saw here, assuming it's as beautiful as Howl says this weather makes Eastcrown look pleasant by comparison!
I'm so relieved you're back being Elder on my own wouldn't have been as much fun as I thought, I know Blur's staying here but I dreamt of travelling in and out of Valinorth with your support... that dream nearly never came true but with the Triumvirates support.
I mean I can't believe it, you're here and alive. After all Ulric and Sovy said about the Triumvirates they didn't act like I'd thought.
Valessa: I'm glad to be back too, I saw some things I couldn't understand. You remember how Salus told us we'd see our parents again... well that didn't happen and I believed nothing would, especially after Dameks revival.
... I think I was watching Blur? I don't know how to describe it yet. I'm not sure I ever will but after all that slaughter... I know now I want to start planning my future, I want to get attached to people, to be closer. It's no use keeping you all at arm's length when I was still mourned.
So the point is Fortmaine I'd be happy to work together ensuring Valinorth and Mazeo prosper, we'll fix everything our parents did and wipe the Trivumrates nightmare from memory.
What's the Triumvirate like Fortaime?
Up ahead Howl waves his comrades over and sweeps his arm to a row of tents teeming with rebels raiding supply lines as convoys of create hauliers drop off supplies from the docks. Pro's runners helped to carry in lighter resources whereas the pirates dealt with the heavier cargo.
Fortaime withholds his answer laughing loudly as Valessa barely explains a race was transpiring and cheated running off before she even finished her sentence, beating him to the short race and immediately charging into supply and medical tents looking around for spare clothes, any resource unloaded was immediately nabbed and rushed off leaving little to remain for the recently revived. Fortaime catches her up finally getting out of her dust trial never standing a chance to outrun Valessa.
A nearby tent is soon abandoned by a swarm of blood-covered rebels who have desperately tried but failed to save a life and judging from the scales and amount of people attending Valessa correctly guesses it's one of the dragonic fighters, Fortaime wanders over looking at the grizzly sight and notices the deceased was only attended to by field medics.
Sadly another rebel has passed alone, perhaps already losing her comrades in the chaos now left only with knives, rods and all manner of tubes as her companions. Drenched bandages litter the medical tent with buckets of blood and a ruined mop of beetroot red leaves the tent in disorder triggering Fortaimes instinct to impulse clean.
Barely had he begun to put the unused knives in their proper place when a stern shout from a twitchy Alarinthian medic had barked the rabbit away from her lair, Fortaime angrily kicking himself for jumping to the conclusion the medics were done with their operations and showered apologies for his transgression. He attempts to explain himself only digging himself deeper into her ire.
Valessa shakes her head amused that some things never change no matter the location or event Fortaime will always land himself in hot water with anyone with authority, looking to see when the next supply run is due her ears perk up as Fortaime shouts her over leaving Howl to aid those have been carrying extraordinarily heavy creates seemingly finding the one person in Alestia who is grateful for his help.
Valessa: You wanted me? Tell me you've found a spare jacket my bones are like ice.
Fortaime: Well kinda. Our departed friend here looks about your size and the medical team just told me it doesn't go to you it'll eventually go to someone else.
Valessa: You're joking! Do I look like the Triumvirate? I respect the dead I wouldn't rob a corpse we can wait for another create to come in.
Fortaime: No we can't, the Triumvirate said to get you back quickly. It's this or nothing Valessa. Besides we're not the same as the Triumvirate.
Alarinthia soldiers give everything they have to their brothers and sisters in arms to keep up their strength. I read it during the ball so trust me. We wouldn't be in any trouble.
You would be honouring her by taking what you need and finding a new purpose for her equipment.
Valessa shakes her head from side to side uncertain before realising if there was ever a reason to shake off her past and grasp new beliefs she should accept the help from her allies rather than sacrificing her own needs.
Valessa: Fine I'll take it, but a spiked leather jacket is not my style... although the gashes do make it look pretty cool I suppose.
Having found a new purpose for her ally's armour Valessa zips up her new and tightly fitting jacket looking like a completely different person with a purpose of war on her mind. With her ripped and dark blood-soaked clothes an air of confidence and epicness radiates from her spinning her dagger around her fingers remembering an old trick from her childhood. Something deep inside Valessa tells her, her mother would be very proud of her new killer look.
Soon the presence of Damek and Pro cut through the burning myst dabbing sweat from their head clearly feeling the hot smog that's rapidly overtaking the ice winds of Balteus with rebels trying to do controlled burning of destoryed building generating heat in the communal areas.
Damek: wow what a look! I'll be danmed that looks really good on you Valessa. In another world, you'd fit right in the coliseum battles or as a pirate queen. Looks like you're getting a few looks as well.
Howl speed walks over gripping Damek and spinning him around a little rough and leans into him.
Howl: Damek. People are starting to talk, the castle screams, the mysterious healing and now Valessa's appearance is starting to drum up rumours. We need to put a stop to this before your visitor is cut down.
Damek: Relax Howl ofcourse we'll tell the rebels what's going on. I just had to help Pro out. Keep an eye on these three I'll get the facts sorted out for everyone.
Howl grumbles uncertain if telling the rebels the Triumvirate have returned is a good idea but Damek had already walked to the centre of a growing group of rebels eyeing their healed leader with suspension, he finds some empty creates and climbs atop of them as silence takes over the town square knowing a speech is coming.
Damek: My friends! My people! Welcome to the golden age of prosperity for every living Alestian! It was your trust that made it possible - your trust in me and each other.
I hear the cries of the sick! But you have seen there are not enough doctors but soon when things stabilise everyone will know the names of all their diseases!
Mumours of humour come from a few light-hearted rebels as most listen in with bated breath waiting for an explanation of Dameks recovery.
Damek: Now I know you have seen the mysterious healing that myself and others within the rebellion have been blessed with, at this moment we have a Triumvirate who is willingly working with us to atone for their crimes. But we must be careful with their words. They cheat, lie and steal, it is true! But we must also see their actions!
Look before you Valessa of Valinorth fell during the bridge assault ensuring the Monarch could end this war, now she stands here with us alive and well. Trust in me as we work to get every rebel back from death's grip! This time we will change history for the better and you will see a golden age never before thought possible. A reign of bloodless liberty.
For our next step, I call upon your faith! We shall rise above the obstacles in our path - Together! - We will believe that the deities we have defeated that they can deliver on our prayers or face our wraith.
It is you, my friends, my allies, who I thank for making me what I am today. I am proud to be your leader! Viva rebellion!
Rejoice, my people! We have prevailed! We won the war as the history books will record forevermore. Right now we are in the process of sorting the spoils of war and I know a lot of you are hurting but keep us stable and I promise to deliver your families and friends back to you. You will know a life of peace just give us the time to make this a reality.
Today is the most exciting day in the rebellion's grand history! The war's over and a new era dawns. Surely, after the hardships we've endured, this will be an era of trust and cooperation!
Believe in me, believe in each other and dare to hope for soon you will all prosper. For now, I must leave you my friends as your general needs to go kick some holy ass and get some just reward.
Roaring applause rages throughout Balteus echoing within the city walls as incredible news of impossibility magically becomes tangible, unbelievable news the rebellion has captured a god and is working towards a way to resurrect the fallen, regenerating the living and celebrating the future to come.
Damek makes a swift escape seeing the town grow rowdy with celebrating parties releasing their heartbreak and dread, awaiting their loved ones to return.
Howl helped to ensure the three rebels charged with his protection reached the castle gates unimpeded meeting up with Damek who grins from ear to ear seeing his rebellion revitalised.
Howl: We once again are impressed with your speeches Damek, you have given our soldiers new life it seems.
Fortaime: That speech was incredible Damek! I'm so excited to see what this god can do!
Valessa: Fortaime took the words out of my mouth. This god must have made quite the impossible impression to have gained your faith Damek.
Pro: At this rate, you'll be taking my name! You're a pro at those speeches and... hang guys look.
Walking through the darkening atrium Pro spots the recognisable footprints of his allies escorting their VIP. He looks around noticing some of the torches he scouted by during his distraction are missing.
Howl: one-way tracks. They have gone up.
Damek: well atleast that saves you a journey Pro. Come on let's head up as well, I'll be our torchbearer