A/N: This is the first of three parts. Each chapter will be titled 'Time', signifying the passage of time. As such, there will be a lot of time-jumping in the next three chapters. Bear with it. Once these three are done, things will slow back down and focus on specific events.
Dawn of Pax Arc
~ Chapter 14: Time Pt. I ~
August 9th, 845
Harry focused on the passing scenery before him, trying to focus on the task ahead. He found it increasingly difficult to do so. If things went wrong, this could be the last time he saw his friends for several years. Annie and Marcel would be alone on Paradis Island with Reiner and Bertholdt, whose sympathies for Marley were too strong for them to be trusted. Porco and Zeke would launch simultaneous attacks against the Mid-Eastern Alliance, all while Harry and Pieck launched their own tactics of diplomacy to end the war as quickly as possible.
"We won't be seeing each other for a while, then?" Harry's eyes widened as he looked up at Reiner, who was also peering out the window while sitting opposite of Harry. His right foot was tapping the floor of the automobile nervously. "We've all been together for so long, I don't know what it'll be like for the group to be separated. Why couldn't you come along, Harry? You've got your leg back. I'm sure Pieck could make due herself on the western border," Harry frowned. Was Reiner...scared? The boy had always saved face when being sent out to combat, but now it seemed he was afraid to go off on his own into enemy territory. He wanted Harry to save him. To lead the group.
"You four will do fine on the island," Harry said. "With your leadership, Marcel's intuition, Bertholdt's tactical brilliance, and Annie's determination and strength, you'll be back with the Founder in a few months at most,"
"I..." Reiner took in a deep breath. "You're right. We'll be back with the Founder. And once we do, you can use it to put an end to the Alliance and Paradis," Harry nodded, though his heart sank at the boy's words. So it was hopeless to put his faith in Reiner. The boy was so committed to Marley that any thoughts of peace were forbidden. It was world domination or death. Harry turned to Bertholdt, whose head was low in an expression of deep thought. Harry peeked into his mind and was met with muddled thoughts of Marley. Reiner. Annie. Bertholdt's father, Edgar. He was conflicted. Conflicted about Marley and his own beliefs. Especially after his and his father's change of heart.
After a short drive, the Warriors arrived at the docks, with Harry stepping out of the carriage to find four armed guards waiting to escort them to the warships. Zeke escorted them to the center of the main lot, where he motioned to the three vessels lined up before them. The War Chief pointed to the first ship, which was much smaller than the rest, capable of only carrying six people. "Braun, Galliard, Leonhart, and Hoover. You four will take this boat. You don't need anything fancy, only the clothes on your back and enough supplies to get you to the Walls. Once you get there, it will be up to you to integrate yourselves and find supplies," Zeke motioned to the next boat, which was one of the massive warships that belonged to the navy. "This ship will carry myself and Captain Galliard to the northern shore of the Eastern Bridge connecting Marley's eastern border to the Alliance. I'll cross the bridge and travel by airship to the southern border resting against the Infested Lands. Captain Galliard will set up his troops against the Mid-Eastern Alliances' western border, preparing for attack,"
The Infested Lands was a quarantined landmass south of Marley and the Mid-Eastern Alliance overran with Titans that remained from the war. While both Marley and the Alliance worked to clear the land, Titans would remain in the south for several more decades at the pace they had set for clearing. Zeke's finger drifted toward the third and last boat. A warship of similar stature to Zeke's. "This will hold General Potter and Warrant Officer Finger. It will arrive on the northern shore of Hizuru, where they will board an airship that will take them back to The Fortress. From there, you will push against the Mid-Eastern forces stationed there," Zeke addressed them all once more. "Do you all understand?"
"Yes sir!" Chorused the squad.
Their war chief offered them a sad nod. "Good. Now say your goodbyes to each other. Your families will be here soon. They'll be escorted to your respective ships, where you will say your goodbyes," With nothing else to say, Zeke turned away and briskly stepped toward his boat, immediately stepping onto the ramp that led into the vessel. No goodbyes. Nothing. Harry would usually feel annoyed by this behavior, but given it was the last time he would be seeing his friends for potentially a year, he decided to ignore the otherwise odd behavior.
"You heard him," said Reiner, who stepped forward.
The seven Warriors all formed a circle, all taking a moment to enjoy each other's company. While Annie and Pieck launched into hushed whispers and Marcel and Porco began to say their goodbyes, Harry turned to Reiner and Bertholdt. "You two be careful out there. Paradis is overrun with wild Titans roaming the island without purpose. Keep your eyes peeled at all times. I'm trusting you both to get all four of you back safe and sound," he told the two. He was hoping that if it came from a place of authority, Reiner and Bertholdt would find it in themselves to put aside their issues with him and the others and focus on protecting their fellow Warriors. It had worked in the past.
"We'll win, Harry. We always do," Reiner replied.
Harry reached forward, shaking hands with both Reiner and Bertholdt before stepping aside to talk to Marcel. Porco moved to speak with Reiner and Bertholdt. "Take care of yourself, Marcel," Harry said, pulling the boy into a hug that was returned. When they pulled away, Harry pulled out a small pendant. It was normal in appearance, made up of a common metal with zero inscription. He handed it to Marcel, who took it without question. "It's an emergency portkey. If you find yourself in danger and need to escape, say "Portus" and it will return you here to the docks. Find me immediately and we'll figure out a way to explain your return. I need all of you to be safe,"
Marcel smiled, grabbing Harry by the shoulder. "We'll be fine, Harry. We always are,"
Harry's smile faltered slightly. Were they always fine? He remembered how distraught he had been when Marcel and Reiner had been hospitalized after the Battle of the Fortress. Marcel stepped aside to say his goodbyes to Reiner and Bertholdt while Porco said his goodbyes to Pieck. Harry pulled Annie aside, pulling her into a hug that she eagerly returned. He took in the scent of her hair, doing his best to commit it to memory. Pulling away slightly, Harry took a moment to reach into his pocket once more, retrieving a small silver ring. It was a normal-looking ring, though there were two inscriptions—one in Marley and another in Latin. Harry gently slid it onto her right middle finger, grabbing hold of her hand as the two stood closer together.
"This is a portkey. I've already given one to Marcel. If you're in danger and can't get out of it, just say "Portus" and it will bring you back to this port. Find me and I'll explain your return," Harry explained. "I need you to be safe, Annie. You...I just..." Taking a deep breath, Harry tried to find the right words, doing his best to regulate his thoughts. He was saved the trouble by Annie, who grabbed him by the tie, pulling him down to meet her as she pressed her lips against his. The kiss was gentle and sweet, though Harry had to admit it felt very sloppy due to their inexperience.
Annie pulled away, her head peering down at the ground to hide the redness taking over her cheeks. Harry's smile radiated the docks as he looked down at her. "That about sums it up," he said. Bending down once more, he placed a kiss on her cheek, taking the opportunity to whisper into her ear. "I'll try to keep in touch,"
"How?" asked Annie.
"I'll find a way," Taking a step back, Harry took a moment to peer over to the rest of the Warriors. Pieck was saying goodbye to Marcel. Bertholdt was speaking with Porco while Reiner absent-mindedly peered out across the sea, no doubt thinking about Paradis and the mission ahead of them. Turning back to his blonde companion, Harry placed his hand on her shoulder, his eyes growing brighter as she leaned into his touch. "Annie. Don't worry about Reiner or Bertholdt. Do what you need to with a clear conscience,"
Leaning forward, Annie rested her hand against his chest. "You too. If you can't find peace with the Alliance, then do what you need to to get them to join Pax. Bargain, plead, anything but devastation. No peace is worth having if it was seized through brutality. You have a good heart, Harry. Show it to them like you showed it to me," she explained.
"I'll try my best," He replied. "I'll see you soon, Annie,"
"I'll see you soon, Harry,"
With that, the two went their separate ways, with Harry rendezvousing with Pieck at the ramp leading up to their warship. Reiner, Bertholdt, Annie, and Marcel all stepped up to their much smaller boat at the end of the dock. Porco remained the only one by himself, moving to stand next to the ramp leading to the warship Zeke had boarded earlier. Six vehicles pulled up to the dock soon after, stopping at the base of the dock. The doors to the cars all opened and the families of all seven Warriors stepped out into the open. Even in the darkness of the evening light, Harry could see the color illuminating each of their shapes. The Braun's, Euan Leonhart, the Galliards, and Edgar Hoover moved to the end of the docks, with Porco joining them in their goodbyes.
The Potter and Finger families moved toward Harry and Pieck's boat. While Pieck stepped aside to speak with her family, Harry stepped forward to return the hug his mother pulled him into. She quickly pulled away, placing her hands on either side of his head. "They told us you were leaving tomorrow. There's a parade planned and everything. Why are they sending you away tonight?"
"The world is changing, Mom. We never know what's going to happen. It's safer for all of us to leave in secret like this than be caught in some sort of assassination attempt," Harry explained.
"Where are you going?" Harry's father, James, asked.
"I can't say. It's classified. Though I can say I'll be back sooner than you would think," said Harry, who turned his attention to his much younger sister. He bent down to face her, smiling brightly at her pure shade. The bright white radiated the area around them, giving him hope that she would be strong in her later years. "Hey. Don't worry, I'm going to be back soon," He said. "Take care of yourself, Willow," He pulled his sister into a quick hug, one that she clumsily returned. Getting back to his feet, Harry motioned to the ship he was due to depart on. "I'll see you all,"
Harry and Pieck made themselves comfortable on the warship. Their quarters had been situated across from each other, allowing them to visit one another whenever they wanted. As they entered the ship for the first time, Harry joined Pieck in her quarters. While she laid her things onto her bed, Harry couldn't help but smile. His thoughts had been plagued by her, his gift for her, and the moment he had just shared with Annie. But he focused on the first two, given he wouldn't see Annie again for some time. Harry reached into his pocket, retrieving the box he had wrapped for Pieck's birthday. When she turned to face him again, she spotted the present in his grasp. "What's that?"
"It's your birthday gift," Harry replied. Pieck's eyes softened as she took a step forward, reaching for the box. Harry happily handed it over. "I'm sorry it's late. I was trying to figure out what to get you. This was my best idea,"
Pieck smiled, peering up at him before looking back down at the box she held in her hands. "You didn't have to get me anything," She slowly began to unwrap the gift, and was surprised by what she found. It was a small golden hourglass connected to a pendant. The hourglass was vertically rotatable and was attached to a golden chain. The sand inside of the hourglass was a cyan blue color. Pieck slowly lowered herself onto the bed, examining the hourglass with interest. "It's beautiful,"
Harry sat down on the bed beside her, his gaze flickering between the gift and her thankful expression. "The hourglass is enchanted. I've been working on my magic and intent recently. You turn that toward you three times and you'll freeze time itself. If you turn it forward three times, you'll restart the clock. This way you have some time to yourself whenever you need it. It can also be useful in battle,"
"That's..." Pieck's response drifted in her surprise. Instead, she threw herself against Harry, burying her head in his chest as he reciprocated the hug. "This is the best gift I've ever received," The two sat in relative silence for the next few minutes, with Harry content to hold onto Pieck. The two would have to rely on each other a lot more for the foreseeable future. They wouldn't see the others for at least a few months. When they separated, Pieck chuckled. "Now I have to think twice as hard for what to get you for New Years," Harry couldn't help but laugh.
August 21st, 845
Harry silently sat at the large desk that sat in the corner of his quarters. Over the span of two weeks, he had started going over everything he and Pieck would need or the coup d'état. He was revising the Declaration he and the other Expansionists had signed. He had also developed a prototype logo and flag for Pax, which would be used to replace the Marley flags being hung around the Capital. The logo was of simple design. The symbol of balance, ying-yang, with two opposing trees. The flag, however, was a bit more complex. A crescent surrounded by a planetary ring, surrounded by a gear, surrounded by leaves circling the entire design. Two stars sat at the bottom while three sat at the top.
"General Potter," Harry quickly displaced the items on his desk into the locked bottom drawer. He turned to the voice that had grabbed his attention, and spotted one of his Lieutenants standing at the entrance of his tent. He and Pieck had arrived outside of The Fortress several days before, and were preparing to meet with representatives from the Mid-Eastern Alliance. Harry was also preparing for his meeting with Ambassador Azumabito that would occur the following day. The Lieutenant continued. "The Representatives are waiting outside the gates. They're asking for you,"
Harry's eyes hardened as he thought about this. He was supposed to meet with the representatives. Not the other way around. Why would they break the arrangement and come to his camp without warning? He would need to stay prepared for any kind of ambush. This was not a good start to his peace negotiations. Without a word to the Lieutenant, Harry stepped out of the tent and moved toward the northern gates leading out of the base. Pieck was somewhere near the southern wall, going over potential attack plans with the other Generals in case Harry's diplomacy tactics fell through. He hoped those plans never needed to see the light of day.
When he finally did arrive at the gates, they opened to reveal a small group of Mid-Eastern Alliance soldiers. Specifically four, situated in four corners surrounding a man wearing a large trench coat. Harry examined them with interest. They were armed, though they only had the standard issue pistols used by Mid-Eastern soldiers stored in their hip holster. Harry allowed his eyes to traverse the horizon behind them. He couldn't see any vehicles nearby, nor any source of reinforcement. They were on the border line, which meant it was odd they had seemingly walked so far. The Mid-Eastern soldier on the forward-left stepped toward Harry.
"Harry Potter," The man removed a small parcel from his uniform, reaching out to hand it to the boy in question. "I bring this to you from General Ilyasov. He sends his regards,"
Harry raised an eyebrow as he cautiously took the parcel. He examined it for a moment, allowing his magic to sweep over it. When he was certain it wasn't a trap of some kind, he ripped it open to find a small box. After checking once again, he tore open the box and was met by a single note. It was written in the Mid-Eastern language of ardhani. "We do not negotiate with the likes of you," Harry read, his face setting into a frown as his eyes hardened. "Consider this a message from the leaders of the Mid-Eastern Alliance,"
Movement in his periferals drew his gaze toward the group soldiers in front of him. The four soldiers all drew their firearms, and in an act that shocked Harry into stillness aimed for their own heads and fired. The four men dropped to the ground just as the man in a trench coat stepped forward. He tore open his coat, revealing several vests lined in explosives. "For Ilyasov and Jhal!" The man's shout echoed through the base as fire erupted. Harry's only instinct was to throw up a shield as the light consumed him.
He had traversed the Earth since the dawn of its existance. He had walked through every land and had crossed every sea. And yet here he was, venturing to the 'New World'. This was unbeknownst to their captain, who was on a mission to find alternative routes to the east. It was on this voyage that the western continents would be discovered. A spectacular moment in history.
Harry's blurred vision slowly cleared as he recovered from the blast. He found himself several feet from the now destroyed gates, lying on his back. The sound of gunfire rang in his ear as he peered around the entrance. Dozens of Mid-Eastern soldiers were storming the gate, opening fire on the surprised Marleyan/Eldian troops. "For fuck's sake," Harry whispered. He should have expected this. The Mid-Eastern Alliance was notoriously stubborn. It would take a lot of effort to convince them to side for peace.
"For Jhal!" One of the Mid-Eastern soldiers stopped in front of Harry, aiming his bolt-action rifle down at Harry's head. A cutting curse sat at the tip of Harry's tongue, but he was saved the need of using it when Pieck's Cart Titan jumped forward. She clamped her mouth down on the man's head, popping it like a fruit before tossing it to the side. Harry quickly got to his feet, giving Pieck a grateful nod before sprinting toward his tent. Meanwhile, Pieck jumped headfirst into the crowd of Mid-Eastern soldiers, ripping them apart with her teeth while the Marleyan/Eldian soldiers joined her. Those who had been surprised by the explosion were either dead or fighting, leaving those further back to prepare for a combat encounter.
All the better, Harry needed time to collect his belongings. The fortress wouldn't last much longer, meaning they would have to go on the move. Further to the north would do the trick, allowing them access to the ocean and a reliable supply line. As he enteed his tent, Harry's ears were overrun with the sound of warcries from the Mid-Eastern soldiers. Dozens of explosions rang through the fortress, leading Harry to believe that more suicide-bombers had entered their camp. Things were going awry too quickly. This war would last longer than he thought.
Dear Dad,
I hope this letter finds you in good health. I know it's been quite some time since were were last able to talk, but I just wanted to write and tell you Pieck and I are okay. Things have been progressingly slowly on the eastern front. I want you to know that the declaration of Pax and our intent to undo the atrocities of both Marley and Eldia never had anything to do with the Potter name. If I have done harm to our family's reputation, I apologize. But I hope that by now you know me well enough to know some things are more important.
This world is falling apart piece-by-piece. Marley continues to expand and oppress. Eldia continues to wallow in ignorance across the ocean. Hizuru plans to return to the frontier. The Mid-Eastern Alliance - despite two years of grueling war - seems sure of its victory. So many moving pieces and no clear victor in sight. No single ideology or people set to win the world.
Perhaps this shows we were right. The Expansionists and Pax as a whole aim to unify the entire world. To ignore borders, ethnicity, sex, and blood for the sake of a unified humanity. We don't want Eldia to return. We do not want Marley to continue its reign. We do not want Hizuru to take control. We do not want the Mid-East to conquer. We just want it to be over. To stop fighting. To live in a world free of violence where peace is the status quo.
I'm sure you're tired of my ramblings. I just want you to understand my position. It was never my intention for this to happen. For things to take this long. Perhaps one day we will reunite. I'll be able to reconnect with Willow. Maybe contribute to your pharmacy and mum's boutique. I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me. To forgive Pieck. We're just doing what we know is right for this world. For you. For mum. For Willow. For every kid in the hopes they are raised in a world where they are free to make their own choices. A world where the Titans are gone and humanity lives in peace.
Sincerely, Your Son,
Harry Potter
"Harry," Harry's eyes slowly opened. He knew he was no longer in his chambers. He had experienced this too many times in the past two years for this to be surprising. The raven-haired boy's gaze fell on the girl in front of him. She was taller than him. She had long, smooth, dark hair; stopping well past her shoulders. The girl had large blue eyes, unnaturally smooth skin, and a rounded face. She was wearing a white nightgown, the same clothing she had worn every time she appeared before him in the Paths. The girl eyed him curiously after she took a seat on the sand. "Are you okay?"
"As good as can be, I suppose," Harry replied. He took a seat across from the girl. Frieda Reiss. A descendant of Karl Fritz and the former Founding Titan. She had possessed the power recently, though she claimed to have lost it only two years prior. Harry had not heard from Annie or Marcel in that time, and had been left in the dark regarding everything that happened at Paradis. He was too busy to focus on the island. He trusted his friends to complete the task given to them. "I'm guessing you brought me here to show me something?"
Frieda shrugged. She turned and faced the massive Coordinate off in the distance. At the base, three figures could be seen. The young blonde girl Harry had encountered in his dream. The young boy whose older counterpart had appeared in his dream. And another boy, who Harry believed to be himself. He was not sure how he could be in both places or what the younger counterpart represented, but he didn't quite care. Again, he had other things to worry about. Frieda finally spoke. "I was bored. I figured we could just talk,"
"Ah. I see," Harry said. "What do you want to talk about?"
Frieda frowned. She peered up at the sky for a moment, her frown slowly dissolving into a smile. Turning back to Harry, she leant forward. "Tell me about the stars," Harry smiled. He could definitely do that.
Two Years Later ~ October 30th, 847
Harry groaned. He blinked, the blinding light of the sun shining into his eyes from the window to his right. Taking a minute to collect himself, he slowly sat up in his bed. He allowed his gaze to fall on the bed on the other side of the room, where his best friend and comrade Pieck Finger lie asleep. She was curled into a ball, her head buried into her knees while she faced the wall opposite him. When he finally got to his feet, he decided to let his friend rest a while longer, stepping into the attached bathroom. Here, he took a moment to examine himself in the mirror.
His hair had grown longer, falling down past his shoulders. He had started tying it back into a lazy bun or a loose ponytail, something that amused Pieck. His eyes had darkened slightly. His skin was now adorned with several additional scars. A large scar sat on the left side of his neck, tracing from his jaw to shoulderblade. Another sat on the right side of his abdomen. He had also grown. As one does with age, he had grown a few inches since he was twelve. Now fourteen, Harry stood at around five foot five, five inches taller than he had been when he was deployed to the Eastern Front. He peered down at his prosthetic leg, which was still in perfect condition. A few stasis charms and consistant cleanings meant it would never rust or get dirty.
"Lord Potter?" Harry's eyes shot to the bathroom door, where he spotted one of his Lieutenants standing nervously. He was wearing the now official Pax officer uniform. The uniform was a combination of deep navy blue, slate gray, and black. Gold trim and accents ran along the seams and edges of the uniform, with the Lieutenant's rank being showcased by a silver star on the man's left shoulder. Pax's official flag sat on the man's right shoulder. The uniform also had a high collar, a sturdy belt for supplies, tailored black cargo trousers, and matching tactical boots suitable for most terrains. The Lieutenant gave Harry a rigid salute that Harry quickly returned. Clearly nervous, the Lieutenant continued. "I apologize for barging in. But the delegates from Hizuru are here,"
Harry smiled. It was just like Ambassador Azumabito to arrive a day early. She was very eager to make the signing of Pax's official declaration official. He remembered her hesitance to meet him the first time, and the sheer number of personal guards she had brought with her. However, after outlining Pax's goals and several more meetings, Harry had fully shifted Azumabito to his side. Which was highly beneficial. With Ambassador Azumabito on his side, he was one step closer to convincing the other Southern Nations to join Pax.
Pax itself had become official two years prior. After the Second Battle of the Fortress in August of 845, Harry and Pieck had decided to make their move. Along with nearly a thousand Marleyan and Eldian men sympathetic to their cause, Harry and Pieck turned their backs on Marley. They drafted the Pax Doctrine, outlining Pax's declaration of independence from Marley, as well as its mission to unite all of humanity under one cause. Going according to plan, the Tybur family had yet to share their view on Pax. They would wait until the official declaration before revealing that Marley would join Pax's cause.
In the meantime, Harry and Pieck had been keeping themselves busy. Hiding deep in the eastern territories of Hizuru, the two took to planning and executing many attacks on Marley and the Mid-Eastern Alliance. These covert operations tended to range between disrupting supply lines to using their powers to destroy key military locations. Over the course of winter the previous year, Harry and Pieck had been recruiting more and more Marley and Eldian soldiers loyal to their cause. Hundreds of men stationed across the globe abandoned their stations to join Pax. Even those under Zeke Jaeger and Porco Galliard's command.
The other two had remained blissfully unaware of their disappearance and Pax's Doctrine thanks to key communication disruptions led by Harry. This was necessary for the coup to succeed. If either Warrior was made aware that Harry and Pieck were planning a coup of the Marleyan government, they would return to Liberio in an instant. Regarless of their respective fronts' condition.
Turning back to the nervous Lieutenant, Harry smiled. "Tell them I'll be down in a moment,"
"Yes, Lord Potter," The Lieutenant bowed, before ducking out of the room. Harry sighed. Ever since the formation of Pax, some of his men had taken to calling him "Lord". This mainly had to do with his owning the massive chunk of property that Pax's current headquarters resided on. It also had to do with a comment Willy Tybur had made years prior about them both being Lord's because of this fact. Harry tried to prevent the title from sticking, but it was no use. Most now refered to him as Lord Potter out of respect. It was either that, Marshal Potter, or just Marshal. Harry was reserved for his family, the Tyburs, Azumabito's, and Pieck. Speaking of.
A soft moan from Pieck's bed alerted Harry of the fact that she had awoken. Swiftly waving a hand over himself, he conjured a t-shirt of his torso along with simple jeans and sneakers. He then transfigured these into a proper Pax formal uniform. With another flick, his left breast was suddenly filled with the medals and stripes he had earned in his military career. He turned to Pieck, who was now sitting up in bed with a tired expression on her face. "Rise and shine, princess," Harry said, smiling down at the girl.
Pieck proceeded to maturely respond by sticking her tongue out at him. Rolling his eyes, Harry waved his hand over her, shifting her nightwear into her dress uniform with ease. Pieck peered down at herself, her initial confusing slipping away into a smile. "I love magic," she said, slowly sliding out of her covers. She got to her feet, taking a moment to stretch and gain her bearings before turning back to Harry. "What's going on?"
"Ambassador Azumabito arrived a day early. It seems she's eager to get the show on the road," Harry answered.
Pieck chuckled. "Her and me both. We've only been working for this for the past two years," Harry shook his head. He certainly didn't need reminded. Just because her body regenerated didn't mean he didn't have the scars indicating the last two years of war and bloodshed. Pieck smiled, looping her arm around Harry's while pulling him out of the room. "So, want to grab some ice cream before we meet with them?"
Harry shook his head. "How about I have ice cream brought to the council room so we can all enjoy some?"
"Such a diplomat," Pieck joked.
Harry turned to one of the many Privates lining the walls of the cooridor and smiled. "Private Whicker. Do you mind heading down to the kitchen and asking for several trays of ice cream to be prepared for the lady-" Harry took a moment to motion to Pieck, who despite blushing slightly decided to give them a mocking bow. "- and our guests?"
"Of course, Marshal Potter. Right away,"
With haste, Private Whicker marched down the cooridor, disappearing from sight to reach the kitchens downstairs. Harry turned back to Pieck, whose arm was still wrapped around his own. "So, shall we?"
"We shall,"
The two continued down the cooridor, descending down a large red and gold staircase that led to the foyer. The Pax Compound was a large castle Harry had discovered abandoned on one of the many islands east of Hizuru's mainland. It hadn't taken much convincing for Ambassador Azumabito to give him ownership of not only the island but the entire archipelago. This way, Pax's forces had ample room to grow outside of the influence of the war happening on the mainland. And Pax's forces were certainly growing. They had several thousand men, from volunteers to former members of Marley, Eldia, and Hizuru's militaries. Pax's Navy had also grown considerably. Starting off with remnants of Hizuru's fallen navy, Pax's engineers and volunteers had quickly been able to bolster the fleet to over fifty vessels.
In just a years time, Pax would have the military capacity to face the Mid-Eastern Alliance and any remnants of Marley and be able to come out on top. In the meantime, the Special Operations Corps - led by Harry and Pieck - had taken to hitting both Marley and the Mid-Eastern Alliance where it hurt. Supply lines, fuel depots, and military outposts weren't safe from Harry's magic, Pieck's Cart Titan, and their teams skill.
Harry and Pieck finally arrived at the Council Chamber inside the castle, where Ambassador Azumabito, Willy Tybur, and Lara Tybur would be waiting for them. "Marshal Potter. Admiral Finger," The guard watching the door saluted the both of them before pulling open the door. Harry and Pieck returned the salute before entering the council chamber.
"Well, well, well. Glad you could join us," Harry's eyes fell on the source of the voice. Willy Tybur stood near the doorway, having no doubt waited for Harry and Pieck to arrive. The man was smiling widely, extending his arm out toward Harry. The black haired boy took it enthusiastically, exchanging a handshake with his older friend. Willy's smile never wavered. "We're making history today, Harry,"
"I hope so," Harry said. He turned to Willy's right, where Lara Tybur - Willy's sister - was standing patiently. He could see the yellow lightning aura surrounding her, indicating her being a titan-shifter. He extended a hand to the woman, gently taking her hand before kissing her knuckles. "Lady Tybur. It's a pleasure to meet you again. It's been a long time,"
"It has," Lara replied, smiling somewhat as Harry let go of her hand. "I hope you are doing well,"
"I am. All things considered," Harry replied with a grin.
Harry's attention was diverted past Willy and Lara, where Ambassador Kiyomi Azumabito was also waiting patiently. He carefully stepped past Willy and Lara, who were exchanging greetings with Pieck, and approached Ambassador Azumabito and her delegates. "Ambassador Azumabito," After taking her extended hand, Harry placed a kiss on her knuckles, producing a smile from the older woman. "I'm glad you were able to make it,"
"I wouldn't miss this, Lord Potter," Kiyomi replied. "This day will go down in history. Hizuru and Marley will dissolve into one, along with several key Souther Nations," Kiyomi motioned to the other side of the round table, where Harry spotted several other leaders from the Southern Nations. Among them were the leaders of Ospos, Legrines, Udreau, Stieous, and Estijan. Harry vaguely remembered that the leaders of the first two were childhood friends of Willy's. Kiyomi continued. "All that will remain is the Mid-Eastern Alliance and Paradis,"
"And whatever remnants remain of Marley. Those who believe in the King and the old ways won't take kindly to the Tybur's making such a drastic change," Harry explained.
Kiyomi nodded. "Yes. That is the cost of change. Some are too simple-minded to grasp the current world climate. The world as a whole needs to change. You taught me that much,"
"Among other things," Harry said with a grin.
Kiyomi smiled. Shaking her head, she motioned toward the head of the table. Harry understood, carefully stepping past her and moving around the table before reaching the chair at the head. Pieck was soon at his side, taking the seat to his right. Willy took the seat to his left with Lara to his left. The Southern Nation delegates took the seats to her left while Kiyomi and her delegates took the seats to Pieck's right. After everyone was seated, all but four of the guards left the chamber, allowing the meeting to commence.
Harry smiled, placing both of his hands on the table. Leaning forward, he started. "Welcome everyone. Thank you all for making the long journey to be here," Many of the delegates smiled, nodding in appreciation. He continued. "You all know why we are here today. As many have said already, we're here to make history. While Pax has already officially released its existance, independence, and purpose to the world, we have been unable to make any moves to make it a complete entity. That changes today. Now, we have the opportunity to shed the borders seperating our nations and embrace our shared visions for the future. A better future focused on peace and expansion,"
With the flick of his wrist, a large piece of parchment appeared in Harry's hands. The top of the parchment read "Declaration of Pax", highlighting the formation of Pax by all of their nations. "This Declaration was co-written by each and every one of us. This Declaration highlights the importance of understanding humanity. To understanding that despite our sex, ethnicity, or origins, we're all the same. We are all humans looking for a better future. Once this is signed, the nations of Marley, Hizuru, Ospos, Legrines, Udreau, Stieous, and Estijan will officially dissolve. Their borders will dissolve, with every civilian of Pax being able to travel freely however they please. Does anyone have anything to say against signing this document?"
When no-one spoke up, Harry took that as confirmation that he was free to proceed. "Very well," Dipping his silver quill into a bottle of ink, Harry carefully signed his name at the bottom of the parchment. Once he was done, he slid the parchment to his left, allowing Willy to sign it. The document was then passed to the leaders of Ospos, Legrines, Udreau, Stieous, and Estijan before being passed down to Ambassador Azumabito to sign. She signed it for Hizuru before sliding it to her left. Pieck was the last to sign the document before passing it back to Harry.
Conjuring his staff into his hand, Harry pulled his wand from the base and lightly pressed the tip against the parchment. "I, Lord Harry James Potter, do declare the formation of Pax, a united coalition created for the betterment of humanity. Those who have signed this document do declare the formation of Pax, and will support it until their dying breaths," When the oath concluded, Harry watched as a bright silver light left the parchement, latching onto him and the others at the table who had signed the document. Magic had sealed the oath.
"Well then. Now that that's done, we can move onto other business," With the wave of his hand, the piece of parchment was displaced to his quarters. "It's official. Pax is now a recognized country in the world, being made up of nearly a dozen nations, including Marley and the former nation of Hizuru. Those nations are no more. Instead, we moved forward as one under the flag of Pax. Our people are Paxans. Our cities reside in Pax. Our military wear the symbol of Pax. Let's take a moment for that to set in,"
And they did. The entire council chamber sat in silence for several moments, with each and every attendant smiling from ear to ear at the development. Clearing his throat, Harry continued. "We have spent the last sixteen months going over every detail of Pax's birth. Now that it is official, we can move forward with working out the kinks. Who gets what. Who does what. All of that interesting stuff. And that's where Admiral Finger comes in. Pieck?"
Pieck, who had been absent-mindedly picking at her nails for several moments, suddenly looked up at the sound of her name. "Oh right," Harry grinned as Pieck reached into her jacket, removing a small stack of folded papers from the pocket. After clearing her throat, she began. "As Harry said, we've all been corresponding for the past sixteen months in preparation of today. But now we get to communicate face to face and ensure that everyone understands their responsibilities and gets what they need. So. Let's start off with the region of Marley, now going by the name..."
"Salus. The word is derived from the Mid-Eastern Alliance. It sands for safety," Willy provided.
"Right. Salus. The Salus Region will stretch the entirety of the former Marleyan territory. As agreed, the Salus Region will be the main hub of Pax, containing the capital - stationed in Liberio - and remaining the engineering capital of Pax. The Salus Region will still consist of ninety-four territories, all maintaining their legislative bodies. Salus will be in charge of engineering and manufacturing. Whether it be for the military or civilian hardware. Of course, the other regions can pursue their own manufacturing, but Salus will be the frontrunner of that department. Now, the territory of Hizuru, now going by..."
"The Satori Province. Satori of course meaning enlightenment," said Kiyomi.
"Yes. Satori. Satori - as requested by Ambassador Azumabito - will focus on Pax's navy, as well as preserving the philosophy, arts, and peace of each nation. This includes creating and maintaining museums and refugees dedicated to the old nations, as well as hosting festivals and events dealing with the past. While maintaining the Navy, Satori will also focus heavily on technological innovation alongside Harry. This includes weapon development, medical research, and civilian technology. Despite leading these developments, Satori will work closely with the other regions to ensure a productive workflow as well as to prevent any kind of monopoly from developing," Kiyomi nodded in agreement.
"The southern nations - including Ospos, Legrines, Udreau, Stieous, and Estijan - have all agreed to combine into a single region going by the name Solara. The Solara Territory will focus on developing sources of clean energy for the rest of Pax. This includes utilizing Harry's notes on renewable energy sources. Geothermal, solar, and wind energy are some of many the Solara Territory will focus on. Solara will also focus on studying ways to prevent excess climate change. Harry and his team's research indicate that Marley, Hizuru, and the Mid-Eastern Alliance's overusage of fossil fuel will one day drive the planet into a global cooling. While we are centuries from seeing the effects of this, we can start now to protect our descendants from harm,"
"The last two regions' leaders could not make it today due to their distance, but they have agreed through correspondance to the signing of the Declaration. The territories beyond Solara have agreed to be called Iskald. Iskald will assist Solara in their global climate prevention, as well as research means to adapt to cold-weather climates. The last region lies to the west. As many of you knew, Marley had previously expanded its territory across the western ocean, colonizing a large chunk of land in what was dubbed "The New World". While leaders across the ocean have been slow to correspond with us, they seem in agreement with our beliefs and want to distance themselves from Marley. They decided on the name Lirania, and will focus on renewable energy and agriculture in a forest environment,"
"That leaves us with five regions and several hundred territories. As Pax expands, more regions and territories will be added. This hopefully includes the Mid-Eastern Alliance, Paradis Island, and any new land masses discovered to the west," Pieck concluded her report, placing her papers back in front of her. She interlaced her fingers together and rested the underside of her hands against.
Harry leaned forward, taking control of the meeting once again. "Right. Five regions. All working for the betterment of Pax. Salus, working to enhance trade and manufacturing. Satori, focusing on military development and cultural preservation. Solara, focusing on renewable energy. Iskald, working to prevent an unfortunate future. And Lirania, which will hopefully provide new means of agriculture and energy development thanks to the western environment," He took a moment to collect his thoughts before continuing.
"As you all know, Pax will function under a two-party system. We've seen what happens with monarchies, oligarchies, and autocracies. As such, Pax will focus on the people. The two branches are each split into two groups. The executive branch will contain the sovereign ruler - or Hegemon - as well as the Council of Ministers. The legislative branch will contain the Pax Congress and Leadership Council. The Leadership Council will consist of one or two represenatives of each region. The Pax Congress will consist of one representative from each territory. The Hegemon will be chosen by the Leadership Council. The Council of Ministers are chosen by the Hegemon, serving as their personal advisor,"
"So it's up to us to choose the first Hegemon?" Harry turned to one of the representatives from the southern territories. A leader from the former nation of Ospos. His name was Ogweno Ophira. The dark-skinned man had been a childhood friend of Willy's alongside Nambia Kuklo, a representative of the former nation Legrines.
Harry nodded. "Yes. Those of us here will take the role of the first Leadership Council until a proper election can be held,"
"So we just vote?" This came from Graelyn Fenton, a representative from Stieous. She was an older woman with bright white hair. Her skin was covered in wrinkles, though she seemed to be otherwise healthy despite her visible age.
"That's the idea," Harry answered. "I believe I'll start by nominating Willy Ty-"
"I'd like to decline the position," Harry raised an eyebrow at Willy's interjection. Willy smiled, shaking his head in amusement. "We all know where this is going, Harry,"
"You're just too humble to see it," This came from Fabian Wat, a representative from Hizuru. The man had light brown hair and grey eyes. He was sitting to the right of Kiyomi Azumabito. To his right was Kiyomi's daughter, Niam Azumabito, who resembled her mother in appearance. If Harry were to guess, she was no older than nineteen. He assumed Kiyomi had brought her here with the purpose of introducing her to the world of politics.
"This vote is more of a formality for us," Pieck added.
Harry frowned. Willy spoke. "Harry. Pax has always been your creation. It started with the Expansionists and now we're here. You've been the leader from the start. All we have to do is make it official. So, I would like to nominate Harry Potter for the position of Hegemon,"
"I second that nomination," said Kiyomi.
Pieck grinned at Harry's side. "All in favor?" Harry felt numb as he witnessed every single representative raise their hand, signifying a completely vote. Pieck contineud. "Well then, it seems we are all in agreement. Harry Potter is officially the Hegemon of Pax,"
"I don't know what to say," It was rare for Harry to be at a loss for words. He had fully intended for Willy Tybur to be named the official Hegemon of Pax, allowing him to branch out and help every region acclimate to the new status quo. This was certainly a development. Harry blinked, allowing his sight to shift. He took in the color of their shades. They all ranged from a navy blue to a bright cyan. Only Lara and Pieck held yellow auras indicating their titan-shifting. They all held the same emerald green aura that Harry had, symbolizing their possession of magic. He had yet to encounter anyone who could actually control magic like he could, though they all possessed it in some capacity.
Harry took a moment to clear his mind. He closed his eyes and focused on the same thing that had lurked within his mind for years. The forest of giant trees. The same forest he had seen Annie's Female Titan being captured in. He pictured the trees. The light. The smell. He allowed the feeling to wash over him, releasing the tension in his body while allowing himself to focus. They had named him Hegemon. They had declared him their leader. He now had a job to do and the responsibilities that came with it. Opening his eyes, he couldn't help but smile. They were all watching him patiently, waiting for him to speak. Eager for him to speak. Clearing his throat once again, the Hegemon spoke.