When Evan woke up, it was still dark out, yet for some reason he didn't feel like going back to sleep. When he checked the time, it was about half past four in the morning. He grumbled a little, but wasn't against the idea of being ready for the day hours before it began. He just honestly wished he had his computer to keep him entertained until the sun rose.
Instead, he decided to go to the lobby where he noticed light streaming through where the kitchen was. Curious, he stood in the doorway to look in. There, happily preparing ingredients with a light hum was Provence. Her tail swished with the melody she sang as she prepared her ingredients. It was a light, bubbly tune, and he could see the cheerful lupo had a smile on her face.
"It's nearly five in the morning, and you're preparing food?"
"Yup!" Provence answered with a cheerful ring. "I switched shifts with Reed and went out to gather some wild vegetables. The forests around here are really quite bountiful this time of year, so I thought it would be the perfect opportunity."
"Do you often cook with foraged food?"
"Mhm!" she hummed in affirmation. "Usually I'm out on my own or go with minimal supplies, so I've had to rough it up more than a few times and get creative. I've gotten quite good at cooking with wild ingredients too. You'd be surprised how much supplies it saves."
"And when will breakfast be ready?"
"About a couple hours, I plan to cook them slowly, leech out as much flavor as possible. Oh, by the way, could you go check up on Reed? She should be on the roof."
"Sure," Evan agreed before leaving the kitchen, leaving the fluff queen to her work at preparing their breakfast. At least, until he came back asking for directions to the roof. Once he received them he gave a thumbs up and made his way up. When he found the way up, he opened it to see Reed looking to the east, patiently awaiting the sun to rise as she continued to gaze to the horizon, but when she heard him she moved her head and looked at him, a brief spark of curiosity in her eyes before she returned her gaze to the horizon.
Deciding he didn't have anything better to do he just took a seat a respectful distance away from her and looked at the horizon. While he did notice her briefly looking at him as he took his seat, she inevitably quickly returned her look to the horizon.
For several minutes, they just existed, neither saying anything as they slowly waited for the sun to rise. The early autumn morning was damp with the fog now forming within the woods and mountains on the horizon. Somewhere on the eastern horizon, light began transforming the sky from a pitch black to a dark blue, and eventually Wolumonde's scenery began casting shadows as the sun struggled to peek through the distant clouds with a shining red and orange before the gray clouds would leave only a dull light to guide their vision.
"Do you normally watch the sun rise?" he decided to ask. Instead of answering immediately, Reed looked at him, and then she just stared. Unlike her usual empty gazes, he felt like he was watching gears turn in her head, thinking about whether or not she should tell him. "You don't have to tell me, I was just curious."
Reed turned her gaze back to the rising sun. After about five minutes she suddenly spoke.
"I do," she answered. Evan looked at her, a little surprised that she had chosen to speak. Seemingly noticing this stare, she looked to the rising sun before speaking again. "It reminds me that a new day dawns each and every morning, after nights both long and short."
At this, he smiled, looking to the rising sun which was now slowly hiding behind the distant clouds and fog. It had been short, but it didn't make the view any less beautiful.
"That's a good way of putting it."
Reed's gaze moved to him, eyebrows slightly raised and a glint of curiosity in her eyes.
"Each day the sun rises and heralds a new day, I think watching that is a nice way to remind yourself of that truth. Sorry if I interrupted your ritual."
"N-No," Reed mumbled, her tail curling and she moved her hair back. "I may not be used to company, but I don't think you intruded. The sun is for everyone after all…"
After a quick look at his phone, Evan pushed himself and said, "Speaking of something for everyone. Provence should be finished preparing breakfast soon. You can stay up here, but I think everyone would be happy if you showed up too."
As he moved to the door, Reed asked him a couple questions before he left.
"Do you really think so? Even after what happened yesterday?"
Just more than a little surprised, he looked at her as she stared into her lap, contemplating.
"I'm sure Dur'nar protected you because that's what she wanted to do. I get the feeling she's just glad you're safe, even if she lost the use of her arm in the process. I think it would help her to see you're doing well."
Reed looked at him and blinked a couple times before he saw a rare sight he didn't think he would see. Ever so slightly, Reed's lips upturned a little into a small smile.
"I see…" she said before looking back to the sun. " Very well. Once the sun fades behind the clouds, I will join you."
He nodded and descended back into the inn, leaving the draco alone as she gave her little smile to the sun, and her tail tip thumped the roof a little, showing that she was indeed, just a little happy at the thought someone had wanted to protect her. Perhaps the day was starting off well.
When Tatjana arrived to guide them to the Rathaus, she was rather surprised to see Rhodes Island had made themselves breakfast and were peacefully using the inn to enjoy a peaceful morning. They even offered her a portion. She was rather surprised to learn that their catastrophe messenger had gathered the ingredients and made the dish.
Looking at them, Tatjana was able to forget some of her worries as the group went about their morning. She couldn't help but smile with the more active of the members as they conversed about menial topics. As she watched longer, however, she couldn't help but be reminded of Atro, and her cousin Thorwald, which began to sour her mood.
"Tatjana-san…" Suzuran murmured as she pulled on the woman's dress with a worried look on her face. The sight was enough to remind her, and she gave a smile before gently caressing Suzuran's head which made the small vulpo smile, and she felt her heart pang from the cuteness. This child was so sweet it was hard to contain herself at times, but she removed her hand and noticed a couple more faces were looking at her that weren't there yesterday, but she recognized them nonetheless. They had been with Doctor Atro and had gone to the mountains just before the fire started.
"Miss Greythroat, Mister Ayerscape, I'm glad the two of you are safe. Did you ever find Miss Click?"
"We did, she's currently scouting the Mudrock Squad's camp as a precaution," Greythroat answered. "We will bring the data she found to the Schultz."
"I see, at least it is good to hear she is well."
"I wish I could say the same for Atro…" Greythroat said half to herself with no reservation. Tatjana's face fell, and she looked away. This did not escape the watchful gaze of the liberi marksman. "If there is anything Wolumonde can share with us about the suspects, Rhodes Island will be grateful."
Before Tatjana could speak, however, the door swung open and Click ran into the inn, out of breath and clearly shaken. While she was unharmed, her eyes were still red and she didn't waste any time telling them the news.
"Something bad's gonna happen!" she said before taking in a few deep breaths before explaining. "Ok, so I staked out the Mudrock camp, and…well…we need to see the Schultz, like right now!"
Comedic timing being a constant, a brief set of tremors rumbled, shortly followed by an ear shattering bang. Without time to waste, everyone ran outside, though some went to grab weapons and gear left in their rooms temporarily.
Once everyone was outside, their eyes shortly followed the direction of the blast to see a column of steam and smoke rise from a more central location in town.
"That's the power plant!" Tatjana shouted before she began running to the Rathaus. Everyone instinctively followed, rushing by panicked and curious townsfolk who had finally come out of their homes amidst the disaster, all of them running to the same place, the Rathaus. As they approached the Rathaus, however, people began running the other way, speaking of infected fighting the gendarmerie at the center of the city.
Needless to say, they picked up the speed until they saw Schultz Severin speaking to an infected man, cigar in hand and sword sheathed while the infected man remained armed and angry in the face of the calm old man.
"-All I ever wanted was my job and home back! My current house has earthquake rubble around it and there's a damn originium shard embedded in my neighbors that could blow at any moment!"
"If you apply through the proper channels, I'm sure we can-"
"Proper channels?! Like when you locked us up in Zwölftontechnik Strasse and left us to die?! Or when you hired a foreign company to bring outsiders in who helped you dismantle our protests?! I'm sick of your excuses, the only ones who've helped us so far are those outside the town!"
"...Looks like my matches got wet…let's continue," Severin grumbled before tossing his match and slugging the man in the face. Evan winced a little as he looked at the result. That nose was most certainly broken. What happened next was the infected man raised his weapon, only for Severin to grab the arm and flip the man to the ground before kneeling on top of him and shoving his knee down. They were still too far away to hear what was whispered, but soon the Schultz was slamming the man's head into the ground every time he tried to bring it up. Rage soon morphed to panic as the man's eyes were quickly replaced with fear and interrupted cries for help. Not long after, the man lost consciousness, but that's when Severin grabbed the man by the antlers and wound up for another slam into the pavement below.
"Schultz Severin, stop!" she ordered.
Like magic, the beating stopped. Something dark took hold in Evan as he finally understood what he saw and turned to his team to order, "Suzuran, Folinic, tend to the victim!"
No words were spoken as the two ran up and the Schultz stepped away.
"He's breathing!" Suzuran shouted out her observation. Evan didn't care about the man almost, knowing Suzuran would not let the man die on her watch. Soon, Folinic managed to get a hold of the man and began to look him over. Instead, Evan turned to Severin, who had been moved away by Tatjana as she scolded him. He decided to trust Tatjana in scolding her uncle and looked around.
People were now streaming from far and wide across town towards the Rathaus, and the councilors had taken to trying to calm them down. It was working too, though some in the crowd clearly still seemed agitated, which wasn't a good sign.
Once the man had been treated and handed over to the Gendarmerie, Severin called everyone into the Rathaus for an emergency meeting which Rhodes Island was to take part in. There, they sent Tatjana and some other young people to go assess the state of the powerplant within the city's foundation. The councilors were then sent to go calm down the people or arrange for the auxiliary systems to start. Soon, the only ones left in the room were Schultz Severin and the Rhodes Islanders.
Thankfully they didn't have to sit in awkward silence as Click used a tablet computer to pull up a video she had taken from hiding. There, on the screen was a varied group of people with a heavily armored figure standing at the forefront who Evan presumed to be Mudrock. Mudrock was flanked at either side by warriors dressed similarly to the one who had taken Dur'nar's arm out of commission. On the other side were a far smaller group of people dressed in dark robes with only caprinae horns sticking out, many of them held ancient Winterwisp memorabilia to decorate their clothes, but it was clear they were two different sides meeting to discuss something of importance.
"...So…what is it you want?" Mudrock's muffled voice spoke from their armor. "You come to our camp, telling us tales of your lost homeland, of the crimes Leithanien committed, but to what end?"
"What we want is simple, an alliance. We want the land back, for Leithanien to be driven out of the region. To this end, we propose we join forces and together we could destroy Wolumonde until it's nothing more than rubble and a skeleton. You and your forces are free to pick the town clean, and we'll even guide your people out of the region."
Mudrocked hummed, as though they were deep in thought. As the enigmatic juggernaut thought, a grizzled sarkaz mercenary stepped forward.
"And how do we know we can trust you? You're right, we do have the strength if what you say is true, but then why bother going through all these games of alliances and pulling strings? How do we know once the Gendarmerie and townsfolk are out of the way you won't go back on your promise?"
"Because we're not Leithanien. We're not the liars who helped strip your country of fertile territory and then turned you against yourselves. We should have a common enemy, and therefore our goals should align."
"Even if you're turning the Leithaniens against themselves?" the sarkaz sneered to turn the shaman's own words on him.
Before things could get heated, however, Mudrock slammed their hammer on the ground, drawing everyone's attention.
"You're right, who knows the loss of one's home better than the Sarkaz? Many nations grew fat on our resources, and then we spent years fighting each other. You're right, we should be angry, and some of us are, but you fail to understand why we left Kazdel to begin with. We're tired of the bloodshed, the hatred. Reunion promised us a future and a better life, but we were led astray."
"Yet, you still wear the banner," the shaman chimed as he stared at the reunion symbol wrapped around Mudrock's arm.
"I wear it as a reminder of the ideals I strive for, the future I left my homeland for. I wear it as a reminder of the blood I have spilled in vain, and to never repeat those mistakes. I agree with Reunion's philosophy, the infected deserve a future, but that future cannot stand on a foundation of innocent corpses and empty promises. So I ask you, Winterwisp Shaman, do you understand our struggle?"
Silence fell, and for a brief time the sounds of wind and rustling leaves were all that the microphone picked up.
"Why do you refuse to trust us, Mudrock?"
"It is not a matter of trust, our goals are not the same. We desire justice for the murder of our infected brothers and sisters. Only one person is guilty of murdering those within Doctor Atro's camp that night. Can you say with certainty, without a mask, that you weren't involved in that murder? Because if you were, I suggest you leave, now."
"...You're wise, Mudrock, but wisdom can only carry you so far. When we give the signal, Wolumonde will taste our wrath. You are free to join us at any time, but until then we won't make any promises. I hope the townsfolk don't rip you to shreds, as you'll likely be the first they blame anyways."
With that the shaman turned to leave and the video ended. The room sat silent as all present considered what had just been said on the screen.
"Damn Winterwisps…" Schultz Severin muttered before standing.
"Whoa, hold up. What are you going to do?" Evan asked.
"Did you not just hear them? They're going to attack!"
"Yes, I heard, but what are you going to do?"
"I'm going to make preparations to raise the militia. They're planning a first strike, and we need to be prepared."
"And what of our answers?" Folinic asked. "You said you would help provide them."
"And I will, but now's not the time. You have my word. I will provide a satisfactory answer, but that must come later or there may not be a Wolumonde to save when aid arrives."
"But-"
"Miss Folinic, with all due respect, my duty lies with Wolumonde and Wolumonde first, not to slake your thirst for revenge. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have other duties I must attend to."
"Wait," Evan said to the Schultz before taking a deep breath. "Is there anything we can do to help?"
Surprised a little, the Schultz raised his eyebrow and turned to the young man of an unknown race before asking, "And how do you plan to help exactly?"
Evan opened his mouth, but he couldn't find the right words. As the Schultz turned around to leave, Dur'nar stood up.
"Schultz sir, I'm a former drill sergeant and combat officer of the Columbian Armed Forces, I can help you with preparations!"
"Thank you, let's be on our way," he said before turning to leave. As she passed him, Dur'nar gave him a tight gaze and a nod before turning to leave and help the Schultz prepare to raise a militia.
"I'll keep an eye on him. The rest of you should use this opportunity to see if you can find the murderer, maybe we still have a chance if we can single them out," Dur'nar stopped to whisper before as she passed.
Evan nodded and Dur'nar turned to leave. As she did, he decided to say one thing to her, "Stay safe."
Dur'nar just gave a thumbs up before she marched out the door after the Schultz.
When they went out to Zwölftontechnik Strasse and other parts of the town to look for clues, it seemed so easy on paper. Find the clues, find the murderer, and stop the riots. Well, anyone with a sane mind could tell that wasn't going to be an easy task. Ayerscape had mentioned how thorough the murderer had been to leave little evidence and no witnesses.
After all, dead men tell no tales.
They did manage to narrow down the suspect list though. All of them agreed the Winterwisps were worth investigating, so while Greythroat led her team alongside Provence to search the areas outside town for signs of activity, Evan was left with Folinic, Suzuran, and Reed asking the locals of their suspect list, but when the topic of Winterwisps came up, they were quick to change the topic or disengage from conversation all together.
Hours ticked by as they walked the streets, asking pedestrian after pedestrian about the Winterwisps, but to no avail. As noon passed and the sun began preparing to sink over the horizon, Folinic decided to take her frustrations out on a lone rock and kicked it as hard as she could.
"How is it that a whole day goes by and we've picked up nothing?! Did Atro really not interact with them out there, or is this town so dead set on taking its secrets to the grave?"
"Calm down, usually things don't turn up right away," Evan tried to console her. Folinic took a deep breath and then placed her hands in her jacket pockets. "Look, maybe Greythroat's team will find some clues outside the town, maybe it's something we're not looking for."
"Maybe the Schultz or one of the councilmen is the real killer…" Folinic mumbled.
"Folinic onee-san…" Suzuran said with a tug on the feline's jacket. Folinic couldn't even bear to look at Suzuran and a frown appeared on the small vulpo's face as a result.
"If you want to look at it logically, I highly doubt it's any of the government officials," Evan commented. Folinic looked up at him with a raised eyebrow and he continued. "If they were, they would have been quick to blame anyone but themselves, but so far they've shared everything they know. So far, Severin also hasn't blamed a group or person associated with a group, he's been looking at this neutrally so far. Sure, he may have hid the truth, but he did say he owed us an explanation. If we're going to work with him, we also have to trust him a little bit, even if it's hard."
Folinic blinked before giving a small smile and nodding.
"Yeah, I guess that does make sense. Sorry, I just…have different experiences with officials. I let that cloud my vision."
"If you ever want to get it off your chest, we're always available, right Suzu-chan?"
"Y-Yes, we'll always be here to support you Folinic onee-san!"
"Aww, you guys…" Folinic said as she rubbed Suzuran's head. Suzuran of course hummed happily and gave Folinic a little hug in response. Folinic held her mouth as she flushed a pink shade, her heart clearly melting from the display of affection. He couldn't help but smile at that, but he almost forgot he wasn't the only one there to witness it. A glance at Reed showed she was looking up at the sky, observing the sun as it began to turn the sky an orange tint.
"The day is ending…" she deadpanned. "We should meet with Greythroat's team and discuss our findings."
Evan nodded, and the four of them began to move for the Rathaus. It was then, just before they were about to leave Zwölftontechnik Strasse did a strange phenomenon occur. An ethereal humming tune swept over the town, coming from everywhere and nowhere at the same time. As the melody formed, they stopped in their tracks and listened as the sun's red tint began to dull into a dark blue.
Everyone within the town fell silent as strings of music resonated throughout and slowly built up. A deep, soothing voice echoed in their minds as ancient lyrics began to form. While none could understand them, it settled into their souls and reminded them of an ancient truth these people long ago must have realized when they made this art.
And now, all of Wolumonde listened to the spectacle.
"What…is this…?" Reed asked as she balled her hand over her core. "It's feels so…ancient…"
"It reminds me of the ancient arts of Higashi papa uses in his rituals," Suzuran commented with a smile. "I remember singing one as I watched the plains from the Rhodes Island deck for the first time."
Soon, Suzuran began humming along with the tune, lyrics slowly forming upon her mouth as she listened to the song and seemed to resonate with it. Her staff glowed in response as light blue foxfire flickered into existence and proceeded to rise and fall with the melody.
As the stars began to sprinkle the night sky, Suzuran hummed the tune to completion, some bystanders coming to watch as the nine-tailed vulpo sung with the ritualistic melody and her staff behaved like an oscilloscope for the music, dancing with the melody in an enthralling way.
The song ended, the flames flickered out of existence, and the crowd felt as though they held an empty feeling within their hearts, as though they had just all said goodbye to a dear friend or loved one.
Evan managed to shake himself out of the stupor, but when he looked to Folinic and Reed, they hadn't seemed to have done the same just yet. Reed's mind had left the world as she stared off into the vacuum of space, and Folinic was holding her chest as small tears glistened down her cheeks.
He was surprised all it took was a swallow and a blink to clear out his emotions. Either way, they didn't have time to process the emotions as Schultz Severin and the Gendarmerie were marching towards Zwölftontechnik Strasse. What did worry Evan was that there was no sign of Dur'nar, so he and the others expected something off. They had also never seen the Schultz wear an expression so hard before then. Normally, he was firm in his expression, but calm. This though, this looked downright angry.
"Spread out, spread the word, and if anyone resists or disobeys, arrest them on the spot."
The Gendermarie then spread out, running past them to scatter across Zwölftontechnik Strasse. That's when Evan stepped forward to ask, "Schultz Severin, what's going on?"
"It's happening, the Winterwisps are making their move. Those arts and song just now, they were a ballad for a funeral rite of the Winterwisps, that must have been the signal. The militia is not yet ready, so I'm sending the Gendarmerie to announce to Zwölftontechnik Strasse that Wolumonde is coming under martial law and to remove any dissenters who wander out."
"Hold up, martial law?! What are we supposed to do?" Folinic asked sharply. "We've spent the whole day and learned not one thing about the Winterwisps other than what is already public knowledge."
Schultz Severin shut his eyes and groaned before saying, "I'm not at liberty to say…"
"And what makes you think Wolumonde's situation is so unique? Every modern nation from Columbia to Rim Billton has had some kind of struggle with the natives in their colonial settlements, why can't you give us any information?"
"To do so would make some nobles very unhappy."
"You…" Folinic started, her pupils changing shape and her eyebrows knitting dangerously as the fire once more lit in her eyes. "Atro sacrificed herself for you, and you're worried about saving face for the inbred bastards in their ivory towers?!"
"Folinic onee-san, don't use Atro's name as ammunition for an argument!" Suzuran shouted before looking to the Schultz. "Schultz, sir, please stop this! It will only agitate the people in Zwölftontechnik Strasse and make everything worse."
"...Suzuran…" Folinic mumbled as she watched the young vulpo step forward to the Schultz. Her gaze soon turned to Severin and a cleaner fire began to burn in her eyes. "Schultz Severin, considering the Great Rift, when support arrives, it will include more combat operators from Rhodes Island. We won't be able to help you if you continue to conceal information like this, so think about it! Look who's really here to help you! Do you really think with all the nomadic cities and towns that lie out there, abandoned, that any of those nobles in their ivory towers give a shit about you?"
"I know. You came to help us, but I am also looking to the future. When Wolumonde recovers and Rhodes Island leaves, I don't want to be receiving letters from those ivory towers."
"You…" Folinic growled, balling her fists as she looked at the Schultz. Before things could escalate further, however, a series of explosions began sounding across Zwölftontechnik Strasse and a Gendarmerie officer came running back.
"Schultz, sir, the infected are rebelling! T-They're taking over the Gramophones, sir!"
"What?!" Severin shouted. "Who taught them how to use the Gramphones?!"
"We're spotting Winterwisp casters among the rioters, they're also rounding up Gendarmerie and taking them prisoner! Buildings are already starting fire!"
"Dammit! Pull the Gendarmerie out and surround the district! I'll go raise the militia."
"But sir, they're-"
"It doesn't matter who they are, I gave you an order!"
"Y-Yes sir!" the Gendarmerie affirmed with a salute before running into the chaos. That's when Severin turned to Rhodes Island. "As for you, do what you feel is right. I don't have the time to babysit you."
"But we still need information," Folinic tried to argue. It didn't matter though, Schultz Severin began running for the Rathaus.
"Folinic onee-san!" Suzuran shouted. "We should be helping people, a lot of innocent civilians are going to get hurt. W-We need to set up a medical facility by the Rathaus. We need to rendezvous with Greythroat-san, now!"
"...Finding the killer takes priority…" Folinic muttered.
"Folinic!" Evan yelled. "Suzuran's right, and you're our only fully trained medical operator, I'm not letting you go chasing clues right now."
"But if we find the killer, we could get everyone to calm down. We should be-"
"Do you really think finding the killer, now, will solve all our problems?" Evan interrupted.
"I…" Folinic tried to find the words, but soon looked away and grit her teeth in frustration.
"Folinic onee-san, pull yourself together!" Suzuran shouted. Both looked at the young vulpo in surprise. "W-We're not the only one hurting, or burning with rage. Nobody has a clear head. I think…we need to help as many innocent people as we can! That's what we came here to do."
Folinic sighed and admitted defeat, "...You're right. I've let my emotions control me for the past week…"
"Oh thank goodness you're all OK," Tatjana said as she came running up to them. "Schultz Severin told me, but I had to see you for myself."
"Tatjana-san!" Suzuran exclaimed with a smile. "Thank goodness, w-we need your help, Zwölftontechnik Strasse is-"
"I know, come with me, we need to evacuate as many people as possible!"
Without a word, they all ran back into Zwölftontechnik Strasse. Already, fires were starting and the people were in a panic. As they directed people out, some were trying to save their homes or were running towards the danger with eyes burning with hatred. More still, however, came running in various states of panic and injury as they fled from the district altogether and were soon redirected towards the Rathaus.
It didn't take long for the fire to spread and entire streets became blocked off. During one terrifying instance, Tatjana and Folinic looked back to see they had become separated from the others as a pile of flaming rubble came crashing down.
"We're alright!" Evan shouted to respond to their calls. "We'll find a way to help you."
"No, get the survivors to safety, we'll find a way around!" Tatjana replied.
"...Stay safe!" he replied before turning to Suzuran and Reed. "Let's go, we need to get these people to safety. Reed, if anyone tries to attack, respond in kind."
The draco girl nodded and soon ran beside them as they all ran back to the Rathaus where a bunch of people were gathered. Thankfully, they had managed to get everyone they could there safely.
"Suzuran, start setting up medical treatment. Reed, keep watch for hostiles," Evan ordered before he went looking through the crowd for familiar faces. It didn't take long as they had clearly spotted him long before he did them. Soon, he was face to face with Greythroat, Ayerscape, and Click. "Where's Provence?"
"She went into the warzone to rescue people. I don't think we could've stopped her…" Greythroat responded before doing her own headcount. "Where's Folinic?"
"We were separated from Folinic and Tatjana by a collapsed building."
"Should we go rescue them?"
"Yes, and if you find Provence, tell her to meet us back here with more survivors."
"Understood. Ayerscape, Click, we're moving out!" Greythroat ordered before running back into Zwölftontechnik Strasse with her squad. Soon after they left, Evan turned his attention back to Suzuran who was with the Schultz. He turned his attention to them just in time to hear the Schultz declare Suzuran was in charge of medical treatment to those who could help.
"Evan, the Schultz filled me in. Good job getting innocents out, I've convinced him to set up a line of defense around the Rathaus," Dur'nar praised before looking around. "Where's Reed and Folinic?"
"Reed's guarding the area, Folinic…we got separated by the fire. She should be with Tatjana though…"
"I think you should help Suzuran, I'll help Schultz Severin set up the defenses. Suzuran's one of Kal'tsit's students, you can trust her judgment."
Evan nodded and went with Suzuran to help treat the injured.
When Tatjana opened her eyes she awoke to the sounds of Folinic shouting at someone.
"What do you mean you didn't find anything?!"
"Folinic, please, we have other priorities now," Greythroat's voice answered as Tatjana pulled herself up. As soon as she tried to put weight on her ankle, a deep, true pain shot through it and she gave a groan of pain which drew their attention. "You should be treating your patients."
"Miss Greythroat? What happened?"
"You and Folinic were attacked by rioters, don't worry, we took care of them."
"T-Took care of them?" Tatjana asked with a mild amount of shock.
"If you think that means we killed them, no, we did not," Greythroat said while pointing to where Folinic was performing first aid on their prisoner who Tatjana recognized as the last face she saw. When their eyes met, a sad look appeared on her face and the formerly armed infected gave a curt 'tsk' before looking away. "It is fascinating how you still do not see them as enemies."
"Pah, rich considering she's a noble puppet," the infected rioter prodded cruelly before Folinic drove a finger coated with disinfectant into the crossbow wound. "Ow, watch it lady. Aren't you supposed to be a doctor?"
"I am, but that doesn't mean I don't have to make this painless for you," Folinic spat.
"Even if Severin's only had you as hired muscle? Ow, quit jabbing my wound like that!"
"Then kindly shut your mouth, I don't have to take this garbage from someone willing to murder innocents."
"Innocents? Haven't you heard, they're raising the militia! They practically have no Gendarmerie left, so they're just gonna arm the conformists and have them kill us."
"Watch your mouth! Who do you think created this situation?"
"What, like it's all the catastrophe's fault. Have they told you why there's hardly any Gendarmerie in town at a time like this?"
"Does it matter? The Gendarmerie didn't start this," Folinic tried to point out while tightening the bandages as hard as she could.
"Yeah, then why'd Severin lock us up like a bunch of animals while the Gendarmerie are off attending some nobleman's wedding?"
"...What?"
"Oh, that got your attention? Yeah, some noble's son in his high tower's marrying the daughter of another noble, so the Gendarmerie were sent off for their protection. Keep out some riffraff while the nobles get to enjoy their drunken revelries. Do you have any idea how long those can last? Oh, and as a bonus, while Wolumonde is steering to avoid a catastrophe, they argue over whose city should move to whose territory for days while we sit here, parked under some mountains while a catastrophe blows over."
The man spit then glared at Tatjana before continuing, "So Severin sends off our protection, and probably a chunk of our food as autumn starts so as to wish this fortunate son a happy marriage and further boost his ego. My guess is he hired you to serve as assistance in keeping us in line. Dammit, stop poking where the crossbow bolt was!"
"Rhodes Island serves the infected, we came to Wolumonde to help you people, and this is how we're welcomed. Tell me, do those antlers of yours take up room in your cranium by digging roots into it?!" Folinic practically shouted as she gripped the antlers for emphasis and pulled.
"Yeah right, if you really did you'd be on our side, the side of Reunion! We should be taking back this city so that those of us who run it can rule for a change."
Folinic paused then began gripping the antlers until her knuckles turned white. When the protester looked to see why he felt a difference in his head being pulled, he saw Folinic's pupils shrunken to slits as she looked at him with a look that practically seethed with silent rage. For the brief moment, it finally struck him that he was at the mercy of this angry feline.
"You…" she hissed out before the dam finally broke. "You fucking ingrate! I should pull these useless hunks of bone out so your head is empty rather than thick!"
"Folinic!" Greythroat shouted, pulling the angry feline out of her fit of anger. "Don't go threatening the prisoners."
"...Fine…" she grumbled while releasing her grip. "Don't think I'll be treating any of them nicely after this."
Greythroat took a sharp hissing intake of breath before pushing out, "Fine, but only so long as we're not giving or falling for provocations. Now then…all of you, get up. We're taking you to the Rathaus."
"Whatever, what difference does it make dying to you or an executioner at this point?" he mumbled under Greythroat's watchful glare.
Tatjana tried to pull herself up, but nearly fell over as she struggled to put weight on her ankle. It was then that she felt something else take on her weight and she looked to see the dull stare of Ayerscape meet her own. She muttered her thanks and they began their move back towards the Rathaus.
When they returned, Tatjana could hardly look. People were lined outside the Rathaus in various states of injury. She felt her heart sink as she silently counted each one that had been covered, burning into her soul another tally that this dreadful disaster had taken upon her town.
"Ah, Evan-san, look!" Suzuran pointed out after tapping Evan to draw his attention. He stood up and quickly walked over to them.
"Oh thank god," he said in relief as he looked at the returning group. Once he did a headcount, however, his face fell a little. "Still no sign of Provence?"
Greythroat shook her head.
"Folinic onee-san, I need help!" Suzuran called, pulling Folinic's attention away from them as she joined the young nine-tailed vulpo in assisting the injured.
"Evan, has the militia moved yet?" Tatjana asked desperately.
"Dur'nar's helping to mobilize them, I think Severin's in the Rathaus right now with the councilors."
"Take me to him, I still haven't made my report on the state of the power plant."
He simply nodded and they proceeded to make their way through the crowd and into the Rathaus where they soon found the Schultz. Once they entered, he and Dur'nar looked up from their plans to see Tatjana being led into the room on Ayerscape's shoulder.
"Tatjana, you're injured…"
"I'll be fine, but the powerplant was inaccessible. The boiler appears to have been the cause of the explosion."
"The city's dead…" Severin said despondently. "Now we can't move, even if we wanted or needed to."
"With all due respect, a motionless city isn't all that bad considering the situation going on right now. How's that plan coming along?" Evan cut in.
"We've drawn up a plan, since the rioting is located in Zwölftontechnik Strasse, we plan to surround it and wall the insurgents off. Direct crowd control will be left to the Gendarmerie and the militia," Severin explained before looking to those gathered in front of him. "I'm sorry to say, the actual fight for the Gramophones must be left to you."
"I have one question," Greythroat said as she stepped forward. "How will we minimize casualties? These insurgents, they're mostly inexperienced untrained civilians. How do we plan to minimize casualties and prevent further unrest once all is said and done? Because Rhodes Island will not aid in a slaughter against the infected."
"We should cross that bridge when we come to it, but I can assure you the infected will receive fair treatment. As fair as I can grant, anyways. Even in Leithanien, Wolumonde's treatment of the infected has been lax under my watch. I do not plan to change it, even now."
"Good, then you have Rhodes Island's continued support," Greythroat flatly declared before turning to Evan. "Evan, with all due respect, this situation has grown far out of control and I request that you grant me full control of Rhodes Island's units."
"Granted. What should I do?"
"Thank you. Go assist Suzuran and Folinic, I will continue discussing plans with Schultz Severin. I also request you go inform Reed and Dur'nar, they will need to know. For what it's worth, you've done well so far."
With a nod, Evan turned to leave, not bothering to look back. For what it was worth, he was glad the weight was off his shoulders.
When he came out, he saw Suzuran was treating one of the 'prisoners' Greythroat had brought back and scolding him to not use arts. That was when he approached and let her know what had happened. She didn't even give it a second thought and turned her attention back to treating the wounded.
Evan looked around, and he had to wonder if he had done anything correctly or if it was all destined to go this way. He shoved it down and repeated to himself that he needed to do what needed to be done and began to go look for Reed.
It didn't take long as the Draco was approaching with a group of people, and at the helm was Provence, propping up an old infected man with her shoulder as she guided what survivors she had found to safety. He couldn't lie, his heart rose at the news and he felt a smile on his face now that he knew everyone that mattered to him was safe. Hell, he couldn't stop himself from calling her name as he jogged over.
"Ah, Evan! You're here, and it looks like all of you have been busy. Good, I'll get this man into Suzuran and Folinic's care as soon as possible."
"They're right over here," he responded, guiding them towards the two medics. "Also, Reed, Provence, I've handed command over to Greythroat. She wanted me to tell you that if I saw you."
"Probably for the best. Suzu, Folinic, we've got another one!" Provence called. It was then, at the sight of the young child did the old man speak.
"Ah, a nine-tailed vulpo. Quite a rare sight…" he muttered.
"H-Hello sir, please sit down, I'll get to treating you right away!"
"No…there's no need. I just…simply need someone to talk to. Would you grant an old man that at least?"
"Here we go again…" Provence muttered as she helped set the old man down.
"No…you don't understand, it's important!" the old man wheezed. It was then that Evan noticed he was missing an arm, and when Suzuran pulled the clothing away to check it, a slew of ancient oripathy crystals greeted them in place of a stump.
"Oh my…d-don't worry, we'll get you emergency stabilizers as soon as possible!"
"No…I'm tired, I just…" the man said before coughing into his intact arm. "Just, please, listen…"
Suzuran tried to protest, but even she clearly was at a loss of what to do as the man's breathing grew more ragged. She then closed her eyes and began chanting a small spell.
"It won't do much, but it will allow you to speak. Please, I'll listen now," she said after the spell and then began kneeling in front of the man and grabbed his hand. He smiled at this and gave a small thanks before taking a few sturdier breaths.
"What a wonderful child. Thank you, again."
"Now then…what was it you wanted to say?"
"Ah, right. Don't be alarmed, but I'm a Winterwisp. Last of the original clansmen."
At this, everyone save for Suzuran couldn't help but exchange glances of surprise.
"The last, but aren't the Winterwisps helping the rebels?" Provence asked uneasily. At this, the old man let out a long, forlorn sigh as he gazed to the cloudy sky and the moon.
"It's only when they're filled with hate, do they think of their heritage. It's all just an excuse…all the original clansmen, they went elsewhere or intermarried into Wolumonde. All that's left of us who used to call these mountains home are a few of us old folk, hidden away and waiting to die…"
His eyes looked with regret to the sky, and Suzuran asked a single question, "What happened?"
"I killed…so many people. Traveling merchants, people who wandered into the woods unaware. So many…dead by my hand," the old man said with tears as he gently gripped the vulpo's small hand. "I used to think we were doing justice, proper vengeance…justice even…but we couldn't kill the traitors, or the nobles who were the real cause. No, in reality I could only kill so many innocents in the name of our rage. We can't defeat Leithanien. Not its laws, nor the mighty roars of the nomadic cities engines. We gave up, I escaped to Wolumonde while Severin picked off all my old friends, one by one. A true hunter, never doubts."
It was then a small smile graced the old man's lips.
"But…they say he would sit with his dying enemies, and share a smoke with them before they went. Too bad today's manufactured cigarettes are terrible. As for me, I built a little nest on the outskirts, hidden away from his gaze. He didn't get that, in the end."
The spell began wearing off and the man's violent coughing returned before he spoke.
"Am I afraid to die? Nay. Believe me, young vulpo, I'm not afraid. I just wish…I could hear the sounds of the town's power plant roar to life, even after a lifetime of fruitless revenge. Maybe one day, Wolumonde will grow to become a great nomadic city…"
A wheezing chuckle escaped him before he continued.
"Listen to me…an aboriginal, a Winterwisp, wishing life to Wolumonde. I was so angry when I saw the boiler heat up for the first time…as I watched our town crawl away. I could only cry at the sight. It surged, it scorched, it singed. Unstoppable…what could I do with a bow and a shortsword? I fell in love with it…this symbol of our torment…"
His eyes narrowed as a more violent expression of spite donned his face.
"But Biederman did it, treacherous boy. To think, all that effort to use our knowledge to become a catastrophe messenger, and he did what I couldn't in my entire life…"
"Biederman? Wait, wasn't he…" Folinic asked, taking an interest and pausing to think. "Didn't he die in the fire?"
"Well then I must be senile, he's the one giving the orders. I watched him, riling up the infected, leading them down a path of destruction…I was completely powerless to stop him…"
The old man's eyes began to glaze over as he laughed again.
"Turns out what conquered us, all those years ago, was just a hunk of metal…"
Silence fell as his breathing began to slow and pulse across his chest in short waves.
"...Are you still there?"
"Yes, I'm listening," Suzuran said while tightening her grip on the old man's hand.
"If there's anything to be learned from our story, don't seek revenge. Don't fight. Listen to me…please…us Winterwisps only ever wanted to keep our livelihoods, our traditions. Yet, in the end we doomed ourselves, fighting Leithanien. But they will never truly win, Winterwisp…it is Wolumonde…it's the moon, and we destroyed ourselves."
The old man turned his head to the horizon.
"Little Vulpo girl…where does that road lead? Where did it lead?"
"It leads to the Rathaus."
"Nay, child, it leads to the mountain. The long banner flies…twelve twists and turns of the trail…ah…the snow blows…it sings…"
The light began to rapidly fade from his eyes. As the flame of life slowly faded, a melody sang.
Heads turned to its source and foxfire flames flickered to life along the staff as Suzuran gently rubbed the old man's hand, and she sang. In the ancient tongue of the Winterwisps, she sang the song she had heard mere hours earlier.
Mmm…Mmmhmm…
Such a brittle little branch~
Winterwisp, oh, Winterwisp~
Weary of a long life, weary of a long death~
Sing out your song, firm and strong~
Singing through the summer~
And on through the Winter~
Winterwisp, oh Winterwisp~
Even if she didn't understand the words, she sang. Lisa sang the melody of his people, to bear witness to his last breath. Only when the song carried his last breath to the wind did she stop and let go.
"Good night…" she muttered before gently closing his eyes. She then wiped her own tears away and smiled sadly before grabbing his knife and journal.