The White Darkness

By Helbaworshipper

Lotis Theives Arc: A Bond's Chains

Frei was not a person who thought things in dreams always meant what they looked to be. So when the feeling of a maram storm above was in his dreams, he originally thought it his wary imagination. However, when he woke up… He could FEEL the absolute pain of it. He was strong enough to function, but a lot of the camp was feeling it. A few people were walking slower than usual and some were most likely being treated.

He remembered this feeling being particularly horrible as a child. Still, he couldn't allow what happened back then to make him hesitate. Lotsuan wouldn't be doing this unless it was asked for. He approached what looked to be Chris' tent and lightly knocked on the cloth.

"Your highness?" His voice was still strong, but he could hear a slight bit of strain in it. "What is it that you wish to discuss at such a time?" He was currently doing well enough with his own lotis forming a barrier.

"You do know what this is, correct?" He walked in, reinforcing the barrier a little with his own lotis. He could see a visible reaction as the thief seemed almost relaxed against the chair.

"I am aware this has happened before. I do not have any writings on it from the Roland kingdom."

"This is the storm of maram." He spoke, quietly noting the map that was on the table. "And you won't be able to travel out of it."

"Storm of maram?" He seemed more interested as the royal sat down.

"Lotsuan was most likely asked to send maram pockets to begin an assault." He motioned to where the camp piece was. "Most likely both the Seno and Wakamiya kingdom are going to be involved."

"And how long does it last?"

"As long as the focal point exists." He quietly brought one of the smaller pieces in the camp. "Someone or at least someone who knowingly works for Eric probably planted a crystal in the camp. There are plenty of blind spots."

"Then we simply remove it. Unless, you think..."

"Why would we have time? Even if it got removed the attack is still coming." Chris seemed almost to be trying to figure out the time table. "I'll get my men to focus on finding it. Focus on keeping Kyo and the Seno family safe."

"Are you in on this?"

"Lotsuan is someone I care about dearly. Alice even more so." He spoke, looking rather serious at the moment. "Even if, pray tell… I was some traitor, I wouldn't be doing something like this. It only causes more blood shed. Lotsuan… Wouldn't like that."

He remembered the time he visited her after an event that might have been like that occurred. It was one of those days that hadn't been bad or eventful. Yet, when he saw the lotis garden, it felt almost heavier. Sitting in the garden, Lotsuan looked distant and exhausted. Her gaze seemed to almost try to pierce into that distance. The guardian was not telling him to stay away, so he slowly walked forward.

"They always ask me to save them." Lotsuan's voice was deep and with intent. "Yet they would sacrifice the ones that could save them when I cannot." Her eyes slightly adjusted the gaze. This… he knew it must be more Darva. Unlike what people expected, Darva was simply a tired and exhausted figure. How else could Maram appeal to such people?

"Then don't save them." He slowly picked one of the lotis flowers and held it out. The glow slowly brought the gaze to his. She remained staring at him. He moved it forward until she held it in her hands. Then, without really questioning it, he simply held her. "You don't have to save anyone."

"Is that true?"

One blink, two blinks… He realized that he was in the Lotis garden but he was not in the past. Alice was seemingly exhausted beyond belief nearby. The guardian was nearby and was making sure no one could see this scene. He couldn't see beyond the guardian either. Slowly he approached Alice and placed her head on his lap.

There was no doubt he loved Lotsuan in his own way. However, for Alice… It just felt different. There was something he wanted in being by her side. She never seemed to judge him despite his various war scars. He'd done so much in the wars it was as if no one spoke to him properly. However, where did Lotsuan begin and Alice end? What did Lotsuan really want with this world? He slowly adjusted her hair gently.

"Alice, do you… think of me?"

"Why would she not?" It was the guardian. It did not move, but it answered.

"Then why is Lotsuan always out?"

"Lotsuan is the one who can provide the answer. Alice is the one who does not need to choose. What is it that you expect?"

"I want to know what Alice will choose, even if that power goes away."

"I'm glad you care about her like that." The guardian seemed to smile beneath the mask. "There is another, however, you need to convince."

"He has yet to realize his decision."

"Then make him make a decision."

"Is that your will or your desire?"

He opened his eyes as the first scream from a distance away woke him. In war, the first scream could be silent, but one had to always be aware of it. He moved up from his position, his lotis robes forming wordlessly as he spoke without breathing. It was one of the ways to catch a maram master off guard. He moved forward outside of the tent as a rajei sword stabbed into the figure that had been about to cast.

"I was warned this byoma would not work as well on you." A figure he recognized was coming from what looked to be a far less fortunate area of the camp. "Considering your presence here, I was expecting Mayura to fight me."

"It doesn't matter who fights you." He answered, his light sword holding at his side. "Unless you suddenly have a reason to need to know if Mayura's still alive."

"And why would I need to answer you on that?" In the space of that sentence Frei had moved forward, wings sprouting as the figure held a small amount of wall in the form of a shield. "I'm here for something far more important." The two pushed against each other, the vuina and the rajei seeming to be at a standstill as Frei's wings pulled him back.

"Either way, it doesn't matter." He moved his hand up slowly to form a lion in front of him. It went towards the man, who had no choice but to try and block it while Frei cut into the man's throat. It was strange to some people that the lotis could be used so violently. He didn't have a choice when it came to the war… So in this case, he didn't have a case to think Kyo would be able to handle such things. Still, he understood that for now he had to keep the forces here at bay. Who knew how much worse the Seno and Wakamiya Kingdoms were at the moment.