Vittorio and Julio were waiting in a darkened, spacious, wide, and seemingly windowless room. The area beyond the square table they stood before cast a dull cyan light from itself throughout the room revealed it to be home to an array of consoles that were alight with green-glowing LED screens that were sparsely manned. Both the Pope's and Julio's heads looked up as the hiss from the double-wide metal doors that led to this room alerted them to their expected visitor.
"Good of you to join us, Admiral Orleans," Vittorio respectfully greeted Joseph, who inclined his head to the Pope with the smirk that was ever upon his face. Flanking him, of course, was his familiar, Saito, who bore a stoic, unreadable expression. Once the two had entered the room, Joseph removed his officer's hat, running his gloved fingers through his hair before putting it back on his head and meeting Vittorio's gaze.
"Any luck convincing the half-breed?" Joseph asked.
Vittorio shook his head. "There's also been another… troubling development."
Joseph raised an eyebrow.
"We have her spell, yes, but it seems we will need her familiar as well," Vittorio informed.
"Oh? And where might we find it?" Joseph asked, amused.
"She has not summoned it, yet. Given how uncooperative she was before… I doubt she could be convinced," Vittorio admitted, sighing.
"I still wonder why we do not just kill her and see where the power goes upon her demise," Joseph wondered.
"If we wish to make our move, it must be now. The heathen ruler of the elves has gathered more to his cause. Our own connections there run thin as he culls them," Vittorio replied.
"You can be frank here, Vittorio," Joseph mockingly admonished.
"Fine. Ma'lash has received proper Protoss reinforcements. It appears there has been a schism among them," Vittorio said.
"Very interesting…" Joseph mused. "Would you not say this helps us? Every elf he kills is one less we have to."
"But then we face Protoss."
"We have our Psi Disruptors. They will be even less of a threat than the elves, ironically enough."
Vittorio narrowed his eyes at the smug Admiral, "Your overconfidence will not just be your undoing. But all of ours. If we are to make our move, we must make sure all the pieces are in place."
"Then how, exactly, do you propose to get the half-breed to perform the summoning ritual?" Joseph asked, incredulous.
Vittorio gave an exasperated sigh, "I'm not sure… But we still have cards left to play. Perhaps a potion…?"
"Scusi, your holiness, if I may?" Julio gently interjected. Vittorio looked at him, eyebrows raised, for a moment before nodding, "Perhaps I can convince her?"
"Oh? This should prove interesting…" Joseph mockingly hummed.
Vittorio ignored him as he gave Julio an imploring look.
"I do not have connection to her, but that may work to our advantage. I do, however, have connection to her friends," Julio informed.
"The other Void mage and her familiar," Vittorio nodded.
"Indeed. At the very least, allow me to try, your holiness," Julio bowed his head to Vittorio, who looked over to Joseph. The Admiral merely gave a smirking, uncaring shrug, causing Vittorio to turn back to Julio.
"Very well. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Do not worry too much about failure, we will come up with alternatives," Vittorio assured Julio, who gave him a respectful nod before leaving the room.
Once the doors had closed behind the leaving dragon knight, Joseph clicked his tongue and shook his head.
"You are too soft on your familiar, Vittorio," Joseph admonished the Pope.
Vittorio looked at Saito and, seeing the scars along his strangely-outfitted body, gave Joseph a disgusted scowl. "I loathe that I must work with you, sadist."
Joseph maintained his smirk as he chuckled in response, "You remind me of my brother." A moment after saying this, his smirk faded into a scowl, "I hated that naive, patronizing fool."
"Let us be thankful, then, that we shall not have to suffer each other much longer," Vittorio replied, narrowing his eyes.
Joseph nodded as his smirk returned, "Indeed. Though, even you must admit it was quite the boon to the church for the UED's resources to land in your lap as they did that century ago. I wonder how you would have managed all of this in time completely on your own?"
Before Vittorio could muster a reply, however, they were interrupted by a chirping from one of the consoles.
"Sir, we've got incoming," one of the console operators announced.
"Show me," Joseph replied, with his smirk dropping. Before him, a light-projected image of what looked to be an airship without sails was shown. His smirk returned as he recognized this.
"She is early," Vittorio commented. "I know the borders are not fully secured yet."
"Whether she is impatient or a genius remains to be seen," Joseph scoffed as a wicked grin broke out on his face, "Either way, this will be interesting."
Julio had made his way into this building's dungeon. Unlike the room he was previously in, the rest of this building looked like a place of worship in that it was adorned with stained glass windows, ornate tiles, and religious paintings. None of the gunmetal gray walls and technology were visible here, in the majority of the Brimiric Palace. At least nowhere any possible guests could see.
Once he arrived at the entrance to where he was going, he was easily allowed through the creaking door that led to the dungeon. Once within, he walked until he stopped before the cage, the guard beside it standing at attention as he arrived. Julio looked at the limp, chained elf within for a moment before nodding to the guard, who opened the door for him. Once inside, he stepped up to the elf, whose only regard for him was a twitch.
Julio's guilt ate away at him as he kneeled to get his head somewhere near the elf's. Noticing that she was either unwilling or unable to speak to him, he decided to begin, drawing a deep breath as he did.
"We need your help," Julio said.
Tiffa finally made a noise. A scoff.
"I understand your hesi-."
Tiffa's head shot up, her eyes almost glowing with rage as her wrathful stare burned into his own, "Fuck you."
Julio's gaze became downcast as the shame of his actions, and his conflict over how he felt about his master, weighed on him, "I can help you."
"What? Make my death quick? Is that how it was for Agnes?" her voice cracked as she said that name, with the first tears for her manifesting in her eyes as she said this.
Julio looked at her, momentary concern flashing on his face before he leaned in close to whisper in her ear, "She lives."
Tiffa gasped, feeling her tears immediately stop. "You're lying. Trying to trick me…"
"No," Julio assured her. "I know of your power. Feel my mind. You know it's true."
Tiffa did as he asked, reaching out to him with her psionics, finding no resistance or hesitation in hearing and feeling his thoughts and emotions respectively. He was truthful. And conflicted. Tiffa felt her heart beat with hope once more.
"Listen," Julio began again, "we need you to do something for us."
"Just because you spared Agnes doesn't change anything," Tiffa scowled at him.
"I know," Julio's gaze became downcast once more, "I… I don't agree. With what my master is doing. What he plans to do." He paused.
Tiffa felt he was still not lying.
"You know the Void Mage Louise and her familiar, Siesta, yes?" Tiffa gave a slow, unsure nod. "I worked with them. A bit. None too fond of me," he chuckled, "but I found them honorable. And noble."
"Why should I care?" Tiffa asked, more confused than judgemental.
"I wish for you to know I have a connection to those beyond his holiness, that I have extra loyalties," Julio said, "and… I want you to know that when I say I endeavor to free you… that that is the truth."
So do it! Free me now! Tiffa demanded, psionically, to Julio, who merely gave a solemn shake of his head in response.
I cannot. Not yet. We need the right circumstances. And you need a familiar. Julio thought, hoping she was still listening to his mind.
What good would that do? I don't even have a wand, Tiffa replied.
Wands are merely magical focuses. Magical focuses can be anything. Have you used your Domination power before? Julio asked.
Yes. Twice.
And what were you wielding when you used it?
Just my gauntlets.
Then they are your wand.
Tiffa's eyes went wide.
You didn't answer my question, Tiffa once again narrowed her eyes at Julio. What good would it do?
Get you out of those chains. At least for a bit. His Holiness does not know you have used your power, and with the familiar you are bound to summon? You will not have to worry about repercussions to your strength by using it even more brazenly, Julio explained.
You mean… I could control him? Into letting me go?
I don't know. His will is strong, and he is protected by artifacts. But you will at least be able to control anyone else who might stop you and whoever you summon, Julio replied. Tiffa looked to be thinking for a moment. If nothing else, it's better than waiting to be executed while your people are slaughtered.
Tiffa paused to consider. Weighing her options. It was a short moment as she realized she really had none. She gave Julio a determined gaze, and nodded.
After Louise, Siesta, and their allies left the academy, two more flashes of light manifested at the academy pylon, with their forms coalescing into two distinctly darker skinned, partially-armored, and cloth adorned Nerazim. Strangely, one of them was almost a normal human height, wearing a band across their chest and jewels hanging from chains on Zerg bones that framed their face. With the other wearing an outfit more like Zeratul's, though lacking in pauldrons, giving their form a more slight appearance than the older, aforementioned Nerazim.
The two, upon their arrival, immediately set about their task, as relayed to them by the Hierarch from Executor Louise, and began heading south, along their memorized route given to them upon the Spear of Adun. As they traveled, the shorter one could sense a feeling of resentment from her partner.
Does it still bother you? She asked.
The larger one regarded her with projecting the feeling of a scowl, Taking orders from a Terran… Perhaps Ulrezaj was right. The Khalai have led us down a path to ruin.
At this, the shorter one projected a feeling of laughter at her taller partner, You have always been stubborn, Rhal.
It is Rhalandas. You know this, Nyral. Why must you insist on provoking me? Rhalandas retorted, irritated.
Because you never fail to entertain me, Nyral replied.
Rhalandas shook his head, You are a disgrace to what it means to be Nerazim. What it means to be Protoss.
Nyral once again projected a feeling of mocking mirth at him, Admit it, you would have long since grown bored without me.
Nyral could feel the grudging admittance in her long-time friend.
Think of it this way, Nyral continued, it will certainly be interesting to see what sort of decisions could come from a Terran. I know that I, for one, am interested.
You are like an excitable dunerunner pup, Rhalandar replied, unamused.
And you would not have me any other way, Rhal, Nyral teased, once again feeling the grudging admittance from the other whilst they traveled south.
A short while later, they found their first bit of resistance in the form of an anti-air outpost within a small clearing of the forest they trudged through, outfitted with a meager number of missile turrets and guards.
That must be our first target, Nyral observed. Though she would prefer to strike at night, the current growing twilight was good enough.
Finally, Rhalandas said, activating his green, wrist-mounted warp blade.
Amusingly, Nyral could feel a sense of… excitement from her partner and let him feel this amusement, causing him to look down to her.
What is it? Rhalandas demanded, irritated.
Oh, nothing, just that you are a disgrace to what it means to be Nerazim. To be Protoss. To relish such a one-sided bloodbath of a battle as we are about to enter, Nyral teased.
Rhalandas paused and blinked before turning back to their target, cloaking himself in shadows as he did, Perhaps you are a foul influence upon me.
Nyral let him feel a sense of laughter from her before she also cloaked herself in shadows, Throughout all our centuries together, it still amuses me to this day that you say it with the same tone of surprise.
Rhalandas emitted his own sense of laughter at her, Perhaps I, too, enjoy your reactions, old friend.
As Louise and her squad traveled, they noticed that, ahead of them, there were faint columns of smoke that seemed to guide their way into the setting sun. Louise, knowing her plan was working, smirked at this as they went to pull Tabitha aside.
"What's up?" Tabitha asked in their usual stoic way.
Louise handed them a necklace similar to hers. The one-shot personal shielding device that Karax had made her. Tabitha raised an eyebrow.
"Put it on Illococoo," Louise advised, "it'll give her some shielding. Protecting her, at least a little. It won't last forever, once the shield is broken, this will be useless. But it should serve to protect her from at least one attack."
Tabitha gave her a small smile and nod of gratitude as they took it.
"I need you to take everyone else down on Sylphid. There's some Protoss like Zeratul down there," Louise explained, causing Tabitha to once more raise a curious eyebrow as they looked out to their surroundings that they were flying over. Their destination was land-locked by Gallia, after all.
"Was wondering why there was little resistance," Tabitha commented.
Louise gave them a knowing smirk, which they nodded at before she took her leave to rally everyone to inform them of the plan. Once everyone was gathered, Louise cleared her throat before addressing them.
"Alright, listen up!" Louise called out. "I'm sending you all to the surface on Sylphid while Siesta, Colbert, and I will stay aboard the Ostland."
There were murmurs of confusion, but no objections.
"I will be breaking you up into three teams. Each will have a Protoss assigned to them. They will protect you, and you, in turn, should protect them. You will enter Romalia by foot and head for the eponymous capital of Romalia, towards the Brimiric Palace, making sure to secure us an exit route if the Ostland is unable to take us out."
There were nods among the group. It was then that Louise breathed a sigh and gave them all a look of concern.
"I don't want to lose any of you. Please, be careful, and guard each other with your lives. If you have to choose between abandoning the mission and death? Please abandon the mission. I would rather you survive more than anything." A wave of sympathy went though everyone as they gave her various smiles.
"We appreciate that, pinky," Mama Cassandra said, stepping forward, "what I said about family still stands. And that includes you, too."
Louise warmly smiled at her, "And you, too." After a moment of sentimentality, Louise took another breath before giving assignments.
"I want Kirche, Tabitha, and Illococoo-yes, Sylphid, I want you as Illococoo as soon as you touch the ground-as Team A with one of the Protoss below. Eleonore, I want you with Zeratul and Ei'lyx as Team B. Montmorency, Guiche, and Mama Cassandra? You'll be team C with another Protoss waiting for you below. Got it?"
"Aw, why'd I have to get stuck with the breeders?" Mama Cassandra jokingly lamented, causing both Guiche and Montmorency to look sheepishly red while Louise and Siesta could not help but giggle at their expense.
"If there's no other questions or comments?" Louise paused to naught but silent agreement, "Then, move out."
Louise and Siesta went to the helm to see Colbert once everyone had departed below.
"We would have sent you, too, if we didn't need someone to fly the ship," Louise informed him, sheepishly.
Colbert shook his head with a single chuckle, "It's fine. My place is with my student and coworker."
"I never thought about us as coworkers before," Siesta mused.
"Well we were both employed by the school, so that's what that would make us, yes?" Colbert once again chuckled.
"I guess so," Siesta replied with a mirrored mirth.
The trio continued in silence for a time while the sun finally dipped below the horizon, whereupon they saw two somewhat-familiar m-shaped figures barreling towards them.
Colbert narrowed his eyes as he saw this, "Siesta, I've stored your Sky Fury within the ship. I didn't set up a mechanism to get it out, so it will destroy the Ostland if you attempt it, but, if it comes to it…" Colbert's voice trailed off at the implication.
Siesta initially wanted to argue, but after seeing the resolve in Colbert's eyes, she nodded in understanding.
"We've got contact with the vessel, orders?" A voice came through one of the consoles in this room that Joseph and Saito were still in.
"Try hailing them," Joseph ordered.
A momentary pause occurred before the voice continued, "No response."
Joseph was tempted to simply order it to be shot down, and a smirk broke out on his face at the thought. However, that was not part of the plan, and he had no time to search the world for a replacement for that Void mage.
"Escort them to their destination," Joseph begrudgingly ordered, "only fire if they fire upon you. Understood?"
"Understood. Eagle two out," the voice acknowledged.
Joseph then began working at the console attached to the glowing table, feeling that the time had come, "Begin the prelaunch sequence," Joseph ordered.
"Sir?" One of the console techs asked, unsure.
It only took a momentary withering glare from the Admiral for him to stuff down his insecurities.
"Yes sir, beginning prelaunch sequence." As the tech's fingers flew across the console, the lights in the room turned from a plain white to yellow, and an alarm sounded three times.
"Warning! Prelaunch sequence is initiated. All personnel, report to your positions and withdraw to central command immediately," the false, stilted, feminine voice of an adjutant filled not just the Brimiric Palace, but the city itself, causing UED personnel throughout it to begin scrambling.
Once Sylphid had dropped everyone off in the forest that the Ostland was flying over, she transformed back into her Illococoo form, giving Tabitha a pouting look. Tabitha immediately placated the disguised dragon by patting her head before adorning her with the necklace given to her by Louise.
"Did great. As always," Tabitha praised her as they clasped the necklace behind her neck.
"Ah… big sister is always so nice to Illococoo," Illococoo hummed with a pleased expression on her face.
Preposterous, they expect us to fight alongside Terran infants? A surly, masculine voice rang out to all the minds present a moment before a mass of shadows appeared and coalesced into the form of a Nerazim that looked slightly taller than Zeratul.
And a Tal'darim as well, a feminine, amused voice followed it up as a similar event revealed a much shorter Protoss adorned with bones and chains with jewels upon them who was just a little more than a head taller than Kirche, who was eyeing this Protoss with stars in her eyes, which still made her taller than all the humans, just less towering.
"I am no Tal'darim, Nerazim, I only possess their energies. Through no choice of mine," Ei'lyx rebuked the shorter one, furrowing his brow.
My apologies, I have had few interactions with the people of this world, the shorter one said as she inclined her head.
Do not sink so low as to offer apologies to a Tal'darim! The taller one scolded the shorter one.
I can feel his honesty, the shorter one explained.
I feel nothing.
That is something I've oft heard from you, contrary to what I have felt from you.
Everyone felt what could feel like exasperation from the taller one. Then resignation.
Kirche raised an eyebrow at this.
"Huh, they remind me of an old married couple," the redhead commented, earning a small nod from Tabitha.
The taller Nerazim shot them a look that felt withering while they could hear what sounded like… laughter? From the shorter one.
Come, Rhal, do you not wish to join me in a Terran mating oath ceremony? It has been centuries. When will you prove your devotion to me? The shorter one teased.
It. Is. RHALANDAS. And I have proven my loyalty through countless battles! You know our species does not engage in such acts! Rhalandas replied, his tone giving off feelings of embarrassment.
Oh, I hope we get to work with that spitfire, Kirche thought with a giggle as she watched this, causing the shorter one to point to her.
I feel and your amusement, Terran, I would be happy to regale you of many embarrassing tales of my battlemate, the shorter one acknowledged.
Adun take me, I can take no more of this foolishness… Rhalandas put his hand over his face as he shook his head, causing Kirche to giggle. At least the Prelate is with us. So they are not totally useless.
The group separated into the teams specified by Louise, with Nyral going with Kirche, Tabitha, and Illococoo and Rhalandas going with Mama Cassandra, Guiche, and Montmorency.
Ei'lyx's clothing seemed to shift from his plain brown top and pants to a black and red metal armored chest piece and plated legs, all with sharp edges that looked designed more for intimidation than practicality with his clothes looking like they burned away. Zeratul eyed this with intrigue.
Fascinating. I assume you have forged something that allowed you to store your outfit to be printed via warp matrix onto your body? Zeratul asked.
Ei'lyx nodded, "It was not an easy task, and it can't be done repeatedly as my facsimile of a warp matrix is only that, but I knew I may need it for a time like this," Ei'lyx answered.
"That seems very useful, I can only imagine the fortune one could make with such a tool…" Eleonore's voice trailed off as she felt herself begin to salivate at the mountains of gold she could make.
Ei'lyx shook his head at her, "It was very cost-prohibitive. Both in terms of time and monetary-wise. It took nearly a century just for this," the blacksmith elf explained.
Eleonore felt and looked immediately deflated by this, causing Ei'lyx to chuckle.
"Yes, human lifespans are what limit such advanced discoveries, you neither are nor have the luxury to be as patient as those like us."
"Just how old are you?" Eleonore asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Four hundred, give or take a few decades. You stop counting after a while," Ei'lyx explained, causing Eleonore's jaw to drop. Perhaps she was right to hold on to her fear of the elves. If they wouldn't face humans in head-to-head combat, they could always just wait them out.
Rhalandas' group was much more quiet, with no one really knowing what to say. Guiche and Montmorency scarcely let go of each other's hands, which the Nerazim noticed and let them feel a dismissive feeling about.
You imperil us with your weak affections. Cease them and be on your guard, Rhalandas chastised the young couple, causing them to jump and separate.
"We're sorry," Guiche sheepishly apologized.
Do not be sorry. Be better, Rhalandas snapped, keeping his head forward. After a time of trudging forward through the growing darkness in awkward silence, Mama Cassandra decided to speak up.
"You don't have to be so hard on them, you know?" Mama Cassandra said in a low voice to the Protoss.
Ugh, it sickens me to watch your vulgar orifices move that way. Simply think and I shall hear you, Rhalandas informed her.
Fine, you don't need to be mean to them. That girl picked them for a reason. They're warriors. Treat them with that same respect, Mama Cassandra chastised the Nerazim.
I am, Rhalandas replied flatly.
You sure don't show it, Mama Cassandra thought.
It is not a flaw of mine to be lacking in the exuberance and childishness of my elder, Rhalandas replied, irritated.
"What? She's older than you?!" Mama Cassandra exclaimed, causing Rhalandas to stop and look down at her, exuding irritation at having to hear words spoken aloud, and Guiche and Montmorency to look to them, confused.
Indeed, though she may not act it, she is my elder by a mere few decades, Rhalandas informed.
Yeah, but she's so…
Impudent? Irritating? "Nice" as I know you wish to say? Rhalandas paused, Though it burns me to no end, her prowess in battle is something that I scarcely match. Do not mistake her kindness for weakness. She has earned and personally harvested every one of those bones upon her visage.
Montmorency and Guiche were holding back, trying their best not to catch any further scoldings from the surly Nerazim before them.
Guiche could see the anxiety on his girlfriend's face and gave her a look of concern.
"Montmorency, my love, are you alright?" Guiche asked, sincerely.
Montmorency took a moment before pursing her lips, "I'm wondering if we made a mistake. Can we really do this? Go up against the Pope? Surely that makes us blasphemers?"
Guiche tried to give Montmorency as reassuring a smile as he could, "If you wish to turn around right now, I would walk all the way back to Tristain with you."
Montmorency frowned at him, "You're not just saying that to have an out are you?"
Guiche gave a small laugh, "No, it's not that. Perhaps the old Guiche may have had such an ulterior motive, but now I am motivated only by what will help our friends and what will make you happy and safe."
Montmorency was a bit taken aback by this. She still found inklings of distrust directed at him, but he had been working hard, as he promised, to show that he was different now. Not pressuring her, not doing over the top stunts to get her attention, definitely not cheating anymore as, even when she happened to catch him with another girl, his body language and facial expressions revealed nothing but platonic feelings towards anyone but her.
Still, it was hard for her to trust him again, even as he was being so patient with her. She wanted to take his hand again. She felt so much safer with that physical contact. But that damn Protoss scared her away from it.
Guiche saw her eyeing his hand ever so briefly and, slowly and carefully, he reached out to gently intertwine his fingers with hers, causing her to let out the smallest gasp before looking at him, giving her a reassuring smile and nodding as their eyes met.
I thought I had made myself clear, infant Terrans, cease your-
"This is crucial to morale," Guiche cut the Protoss off, a look of conviction in his eyes, "as a fellow warrior, you understand the importance of your troops also needing to be their best like this, yes?"
The Nerazim stopped and a heavy silence fell over the group as Montmorency looked back and forth between the two of them, wide-eyed and mortified at the thought of what might happen. Rhalandas then turned and walked up to Guiche, staring him down while Guiche hardly flinched as he stared back up. After a moment that felt like an eternity, Rhalandas turned around to lead again.
You have heart, Terran, Rhalandas said, exasperation in his tone, mind you use wisdom in following it. Lest you lose it.
Both Guiche and Montmorency released breaths they didn't know they were holding. They both looked at each other, exchanging warm smiles and blushing before proceeding forward once more.
Kirche and Tabitha, meanwhile, were quite enjoying their time with their own escort.
"I must say, after meeting only… I think two and a half Protoss? I was beginning to think you were all just dour people," Kirche commented.
Half? Nyral replied, confused and amused.
"Well Tiffa is kind of half a Protoss since she's really an elf raised and trained by Protoss but then again so is that blacksmith so I guess now I can bump it up to a proper three?" Kirche mused.
An interesting way to tally it, Nyral commented.
"And you, ma'am, are quite interesting," Kirche stated with a slightly flirtatious tone that made Tabitha raise an eyebrow.
My thanks to you. While my brothers and sisters may insist upon their stoic nature, I've found that too many lives are cut too short to not enjoy the lifespans we Protoss are so privileged with, Nyral explained.
"I completely agree, though, for us 'Terrans' as you call us, we don't exactly have that luxury so we have to make even more of the time we got," Kirche laughed.
The feeling was, surprisingly, echoed by the Protoss. Something Kirche and Tabitha were still not used to, Well, then we should make fine friends indeed. She then paused for a moment before remembering something she felt was important. Forgive me, I believe I forgot to introduce myself. I am Nyral.
"Kirche, charmed," the redhead introduced herself.
"Tabitha," the stoic Gallian uttered.
"Illococoo!" the disguised dragon excitedly called out.
Very well Charmed Kirche, Stoic Tabitha, and Exuberant Illococoo, Nyral greeted them back, I look forward to working with you.
Kirche and Tabitha nodded.
A little while later, Kirche's head was buzzing with questions that she had long wished to ask Protoss. A feeling that the Nerazim before her could sense.
I can feel your desires, Terran, Nyral commented, causing Kirche's face to become etched with sheepishness, do not be ashamed. I will answer what you ask frankly.
"Oh, Founder-hm, should we stop saying that now?-I've been hoping to! Zeratul was always so evasive and I didn't really have time to talk to Vorazun," Kirche said with a sigh of relief. "Hm… where do I even begin, though?" Kirche did not know how lucky she was to meet such an odd Protoss as Nyral.
Louise and Siesta arrived before the Brimiric Palace just as the last rays of sun had given way to night. There was much space for the Ostland, as it seemed as though there were a proper landing pad made for larger, more advanced ships. Louise scowled as she surmised the reason for that from their UED escort, with the last possible inklings of faith in her old religion withering away.
She and Siesta departed the bridge to stand before where the gangplank would be set up, with them working together to do so once the ship had landed. Below, Louise could see the familiar white-power-armored UED marines alongside, now, unfamiliar "marines" that looked to be a bit bulkier and carrying shields with no weapons. This curiosity was swiftly put from her mind as she regarded a figure below with a vague familiarity that caused her to cast a scrutinizing gaze down upon him.
Louise took Siesta's hand in open defiance of the figure she assumed was the Pope himself before marching down the gangplank, head held high. Once she was at the bottom, the silky blonde-haired man with the tall, blue, fish head-shaped hat regarded her with a small smile and incline of his head.
"I am pleased you could join us, and so swiftly, as well. We hardly had time to prepare for your arrival," the one Louise assumed was the Pope greeted her in a professional, friendly manner that Louise could see right through.
Maintaining her furrowed brow, she gave a haughty look to the man, "Spare me these pleasantries. We both know why I came, and your choice of greeting for someone you claim to be a guest is telling." Louise gave a quick, knowing look to the Marines that surrounded them.
The Pope gave a small laugh, "Very well, have it your way, Louise Francois le Blanc de la… hmm… How shall I refer to you?" The Pope's face and tone betrayed almost nothing that could be discerned but genuine cordiality. But the choice of words caused Louise to clench her teeth for a moment.
"Sasaki will do," Louise declared as she gave a prideful look to her wife before smirking up at the Pope.
"Very well then, Lady Sasaki," the Pope inclined his head with the same unwavering smile, "I am Vittorio Serevare. His most Holy Pope of Brimirism. You may refer to me as Vittorio."
Louise raised an eyebrow at this, "Do you think this friendly face and casual attitude will let me overlook what you've done to my friend? And your choice of company?" Louise asked, incredulous.
Vittorio gave a sigh of resignation, finally dropping his smile as he shook his head, "While these actions are regrettable, I hope, after I explain things to you, you will know that they were necessary."
"And if I don't?"
Vittorio gave her a grave look, "Let us pray it does not come to that."
Louise did not so much as flinch as she maintained her scowl at him.
His conviction is unwavering, Louise heard Siesta in her head. He is completely confident and convinced of his righteousness. Louise's scowl softened slightly at this. He also believes what he says. That he regrets his actions.
Who cares? Louise replied. There's nothing he could say that could make it alright to work with the UED. To kidnap Tiffa.
I agree, Siesta said, but I felt I should warn you that there will be no compromise with him.
Regrettable, Louise gave a sigh of resignation, but at least we expected this.
Vittorio led his guests to, and into, the Brimiric Palace. An opulent, ostentatious building of ornate cream and white stonework adorned with religious paintings and gilded religious symbols from the world's best artists and craftsmen. Though, to Louise, it seemed a bit more… humble than she thought it would be.
Of course everything she expected was there, but it felt like there was much more space for… more. She eyed the Pope escorting them, noticing that he, too, was lacking in what royals or other people of his standing would be wearing. No jewels, no excessive precious metals adorning his visage, his clothes seemed to be well-made, but focused more on function of presenting his status than showing off. Even what she assumed was his magical focus, his golden scepter, was not adorned in jewels. In fact, it looked as though they were deliberately removed.
Louise was unsure of what to make of these observations as they found themselves brought into a grand, candlelit hall with massive, iron chandeliers that once again made her wonder as to the lack of opulence and similar, iron stands for the remaining candles within this room. The blue carpet they followed seemed worn and unclean, and the floors looked as though they lacked the shine that was expected of the churches Louise had been forced to attend.
Their walking soon came to an end as the Pope seated himself on what looked like a modestly-gilded throne, while the clicking sounds of dozens of rifles from above alerted Louise to the fact that they were completely surrounded.
"Do not be alarmed," Vittorio spoke in a calm, even tone. "They are merely insurance. We cannot have you dead."
"Then what's stopping us from doing whatever we want to you to get our friend free?" Louise asked, still keeping a furrowed-brow gaze on the man.
"While we need you," Vittorio began as he gestured with his scepter at Siesta, "we do not need her."
Louise's eyes went wide for a moment before she resumed her normal frown at the Pope and nodded.
"Now that we have that understanding," Vittorio began again as he snapped his fingers, causing a rough, old, wooden door to creak open to his left, with a familiar, blonde, princely-haired, heterochromatic-eyed figure stepping through, a bundle of what looked like clothes in his arms.
Louise and Siesta glared at him as he walked to the Pope.
Behind him, the sound of rattling chains and struggle could be heard as the familiar appearance of a dragon knight entered the room, holding a chain in one of his hands. As he was entering, he stopped as the chain looked to be pulled taut from whoever was on the other end resisting. In response, he turned his head and roughly jerked it forward, causing both Louise and Siesta to gasp with concern as they saw Tiffa fall forward through the door, landing on her face.
"Tiffa!" Both girls cried out as they watched her be jerked, again, to her feet, a defiant look on her face.
Louise glared as she took a step towards the Pope, only to have to jump back as a shot rang out and impacted the carpet before her. She took a moment to regard this, and looked around to see who the shooter was among the many culprits above and beside them, before focusing her glare on Vittorio.
"You coward. Release her! And I promise not to blow you up any harder than necessary!" Louise shouted as she drew her wand, with the marines surrounding them now locking their rifles on her.
Vittorio, maintaining his serene look, raised a hand to calm them, "She is needed alive just as much as you."
"What?" Louise asked, her glare now tinged with confusion.
"She is also a Void mage," Vittorio explained, causing Louise's eyes to go wide as she looked over to Tiffa, who was scowling at the floor. "As am I," Louise now turned her confused glare to Vittorio, "and…" Vittorio took a deep, hesitant breath, "So is Admiral Joseph de Orleans."
Louise and Siesta were each stunned into silence. As world-shattering as this was for them, however, one sentiment that arose within Louise was far louder.
"Who cares?!" Louise shouted indignantly as she stomped her foot, "The time of magic and nobles is long past! Who cares about that anymore?!"
Vittorio raised an eyebrow at this, "You greatly underestimate our power, Louise." He paused to let Louise give him a confused look before continuing, "You must be aware of some of the things you can do with your Void powers. Summoning storms. Freezing enemies. Perhaps translocation to where you can see. But it is so much more than such tricks. At our full potential, we have the ability to dominate the minds of others en masse. Erase entire cities. The kind of power that can bring the entire world to heel."
Louise looked uncaring as she continued to give him a confused glare.
"I don't care about any of that," Louise snarled, "I just want my friend back and to be left alone."
Vittorio gave her a small nod of understanding, "I share your desire for a peaceful life. Personally, I have found my Void power to be a curse." This seemed to pierce the pinkette's armor, in Vittorio's eyes, prompting him to continue. "When I was first beginning to learn magic, and it was seen that any attempts to cast spells ended with… explosive results, I was identified as a potential Void mage."
Louise's glare dropped, her face now only showing signs of shock.
"I was placed in a special kind of education that was meant to groom me to be the next Pope. I'm sure you can surmise why the church would do this," Vittorio said, "Then, near the end of a moderate Spring, I was called upon to do my familiar summoning." Vittorio gestured at Julio, who set down the bundle of clothes and raised his right hand, removing the glove that was ever upon it to reveal Khalani runes that neither could read, but looked similar to Siesta's, causing both her and Louise to gasp.
"Indeed, he is your counterpart 'Left Hand of God'. He is the Windalfr, Right Hand of God," Vittorio revealed. Louise and Siesta were unsure of how to react to this information. He clearly possessed no supernatural martial prowess, like Siesta, so what was his role in protecting his Void mage? They would not receive an answer and the Pope elected to continue.
"I need you, Louise," Vittorio said in a calm, yet pleading, tone, "We Void mages need each other. To do what must be done."
"I don't care what must be done!" Louise exclaimed, her glare returning.
"Unfortunately… what is coming will not suffer your denial," Vittorio said, exasperated.
"And what is coming?" Siesta asked, mirroring her wife's glare.
Vittorio took a deep, shaky breath to steel himself for what he was about to say, "Ragnarok."
Siesta could feel that he meant this from the bottom of his heart, causing whatever incredulity she could feel to be instantly rebuffed by his feeling of certainty. She gave Louise a wide-eyed look of knowing concern, instilling that same concern within the pinkette.
"No… that can't…" Louise stared, wide-eyed, at the floor as she contemplated the severity of this.
"The signs are all pointing to it. Perhaps you've not noticed, but our moons have accelerated their orbit. A new eclipse is coming far sooner than you think," Vittorio declared. "And with it… Jormangandir."
"The Devourer…" Louise whispered in a shaky breath to herself.
"Surely you see now the necessity of my actions. Even my choice of company," Vittorio began as he stood up to make his point, "We must do whatever it takes to destroy him. No matter the cost. To do any less will be tantamount to the destruction of not just Halkeginia, not just Terre, but our entire reality! We will ALL be consumed in darkness if we do not put aside our moral misgivings and do whatever it takes to destroy him!"
"And all it will take is the destruction of my people…" the elf growled, causing everyone to look at her glaring, crimson eyes that were trained on Vittorio.
He gave her a sigh of resignation a moment after regarding her, "I'm truly sorry. Even the founder came to this very conclusion before he was mercilessly slain by one of your people." He gave her a dark, knowing look, "His very own familiar."
Tiffa scoffed. Is that what they said happened? What a twisted version of reality these humans had.
"How could the death of my race serve to help you in this endeavor?!" Tiffa demanded. "Would you not need us to fight alongside you?!"
Vittorio shook his head, "The Devourer will possess you all and turn you into puppets against us."
"How can you be certain?! I feel your certainty, but that's not good enough for me! I need you to tell me HOW you know this!" Tiffa shouted, causing the dragon knight holding her chains to strike her on the back of the head with his thick, gauntleted fist.
Vittorio gave a sigh of resignation as he approached Tiffa. Without warning, he placed his hand upon her forehead. "See," he ordered, causing Tiffa's eyes to go wide and clouded, as though she had gone blind.
"Tiffa! What are you doing to her?!" Louise demanded as she felt the urge to charge forward, but stopped herself with the memory of what happened earlier.
After a moment of silence, the Pope removed his hand from her head, with Tiffa falling to her knees, hyperventilating. She then looked up to him, tears streaming down her face as she gave the Pope a desperate look.
"No… that can't be…"
Vittorio gave her a solemn nod before turning back to Louise and Siesta, "Each Void mage has a principle power. Yours, Louise, is that of Command. You possess an instinct and knack for issuing orders and tactics, inherited by your Void lineage. Joseph's is displacement, he can instantly move himself and others and objects anywhere he desires."
Isn't that just blinking? Louise wondered.
"Tif'narak's," Vittorio gestured to the still wide-eyed and stunned silent Tiffa, "Is Domination. She can control others. And my own," Vittorio then gestured to himself, "is Divination. The power to see the future."
Louise and Siesta's jaws went slack at this.
There was a heavy pause that hung over this room as the Pope's voice echoed both within it, and Louise and Siesta's minds. Louise looked to her wife for any sign that this could be false, receiving only a solemn shake of the head as a response. How could she argue against this? Was her newfound family really more important than the entire universe? She kept looking at Siesta, then at Tiffa, who remained visibly reeling.
"What did you see, Tiffa?" Louise asked, her voice wavering with trepidation.
There was another pause before the elf finally began to speak, her voice trembling as much as her body, "My people… their eyes… their bodies… Everything was leaking a swirling black and red… something. And Ma'lash. Leading them to the slaughter of everyone on this world. You. Siesta. Tabitha. Kirche," her voice hitched, "Agnes…" Her breathing became heavier with each name she listed, "All slaughtered without thought. By me." She gave Vittorio a pleading look, "Please. There has to be another way…"
Vittorio solemnly shook his head, "I have observed countless futures. Influenced in countless directions by countless, small actions," he began, "this path was the only one that led to the salvation of Terre." He knelt before Tiffa, giving her a sympathetic look, "I'm so sorry."
Tiffa took a shaky breath, but felt her emotions falter as she hung her head. Her stifled sobs through gritted teeth echoed throughout the room.
"But, we still need one more thing from you," Vittorio began, interrupting her misery as she regarded the Pope through tear-stained eyes, "We need you to summon your familiar. Without the Body of God, who is the only one left to be summoned, we cannot stop him."
Tiffa took a moment to process this before looking up at him and giving a shaky nod, causing him to turn to Julio and nod at him as well.
Julio reached into the pile of garments he was carrying and produced Tiffa's gauntlets while the dragon knight released a now willing Tiffa, who gingerly rubbed her wrists. Julio presented the gauntlets to the elf, who took and donned them before two marines broke ranks to step forward and move the carpet aside to reveal a summoning circle identical to the one Louise had used about a year ago. Tiffa stepped into the circle, giving Louise and Siesta a desperate look.
Is there really no other way? Tiffa asked Siesta, psionically.
There is… no deception in him, Siesta hesitantly answered.
Tiffa's eyes fell at this, and she paused for a moment to consider what fate she was resigning herself and her people to.
No matter what happens, she began as she gave a small, wry smile to her friends, I was happy to have met you two. Louise and Siesta each felt the sting of tears in their eyes at this as she raised her right hand, pointing it palm-up at the ceiling and closed her eyes.
"Sacred partner who exists in this realm or beyond," She began. She had no idea how to conduct a summoning ritual, but this…felt right. "My loyal, breathtaking, and powerful partner."
The circle began glowing with the same intensity as when Louise performed her own ritual. She and Siesta both unconsciously took a step back at this remembrance.
Tiffa opened her eyes, now glowing red as the energies surrounding her intensified, and she brought her hand before her, pointing it in the direction of Louise and Siesta, "Heed my call and appear!" Her exclamation was met with red, cracking energies arcing off the floor, pillars, and ceiling of this room, causing the captors that surrounded them to flinch, back away, or otherwise shift uncomfortably at these developments while a wind that seemed manifested from nowhere swirled around Tiffa. The arcs intensified as a glowing bubble formed before Tiffa, which grew alongside the number and power of the arcs.
Louise and Siesta took another unconscious step back as they prepared themselves for what they felt was inevitable and covered their ears while clenching their eyes shut. Their caution was vindicated as a second later, it happened.
BOOM
The explosion that manifested was much the same as Louise's when she summoned Khaydarin. Though… being indoors greatly intensified the effect, so Louise and Siesta covering their ears was only slightly helpful as they were still knocked onto their backs, along with almost all of those surrounding them.
Amidst the obscuring smoke, Julio reached into the pile of clothes and produced Brimir's Mirror, bringing it to where he remembered Tiffa was and holding it up to her. The runes of her Void affinity glowed as they seemed to move from the mirror back into her.
Now, amica! Bind your familiar and make use of their power to bolster your own! Julio thought as intensely as he could, hoping that Tiffa heard him.
She did, and she waved some of the smoke away, coughing as she did, to see the dazed and barely-conscious form of-
"Agnes!" Tiffa instinctually cried out as she embraced the knight that was currently lying down in a long, simple hospital gown.
Coughing as she did, Agnes began to open her eyes to try and make sense of her surroundings, "Tiffa? Where-?" Agnes cut herself off, the sheer confusion of her situation now allowing her to finish.
Amica! Julio once again intensely thought, causing Tiffa to regard him for a moment before turning her attention back to Agnes.
"I'm sorry about this," Tiffa whispered to Agnes as she removed one of her gauntlets and gently stroked her face.
"Tiffa? What's-?"
"Elemental spirits, divine beings, and whatever powers govern our world, give us your blessing, and make this woman my partner," Tiffa improvised as she leaned down and planted her lips upon Agnes'.
Agnes, at first, widened her eyes in surprise.
Is this a dream? Agnes wondered, her eyes drooping as her entire self relaxed into the kiss.
Why? Do you dream of me? Tiffa asked, the slightest hint of teasing in her tone while she continued to passionately share her lips with a now-reciprocating Agnes.
More than anyone I can remember, Agnes thought, causing the two to further embrace each other.
A burning sensation on Agnes' chest caused her to break from Tiffa, falling back onto the ground and screaming through gritted teeth as she clawed at her chest.
"What-What's happening?! It burns!" Agnes cried out, causing Tiffa to look down at her with desperate concern.
Tiffa was torn. On the one hand, she wanted to confirm what was happening to Agnes. On the other, she wanted to preserve Agnes' modesty. She looked around and regarded the smoke that had yet to dissipate before deciding she needed to confirm what was going on and lifted her gown to see, to her horror, Khalani runes searing into her chest, smoking and glowing as they did.
Rholudin, Tiffa read.
The pain and agony Agnes felt? To her, it felt eternal, despite it only lasting a moment. When the burning faded, and the residual trauma on her nerves began to subside, she, breathing heavily, looked up to see Tiffa peering down at her now-naked body, eyes wide with shock. Agnes swiftly grabbed her gown and covered herself, feeling the heat of embarrassment manifest on her cheeks as she turned away and causing Tiffa to look away sheepishly.
"Sorry, I… I just wanted to see what was happening," Tiffa tried to explain.
"I understand," Agnes anxiously replied, constricting herself. After an awkward moment, while the smoke was still fading, Agnes looked up to her, her normal surly expression now upon her face. "What happened?"
"I…" Tiffa hesitated, biting her bottom lip, "I summoned you. As my familiar."
Agnes' eyes went wide at this, "What?! So I'm your servant now?!" Agnes exclaimed, indignant, as she scowled at Tiffa.
"It's not like that! I never even used that word when I was summoning you! I didn't even know it would be you!" Tiffa frantically tried to explain, struggling with her words. "I'm sorry, please, forgive me." Tiffa took both of Agnes' hands in her own as she said this.
Agnes hesitated. She did not like the idea of being bound as a servant to anyone. But… she looked over at Louise and Siesta, who were now visible through the parting smoke, and thought of their relationship. And how she envied their connection. Now, as she looked back at Tiffa, she realized. That could be for her, as well.
Agnes sighed before freeing one of her hands to reach up and place it on Tiffa's face, "Would that it was anyone, I'm glad it was you." The woman dropped her surly look to give a small smile to Tiffa, which she returned.
"This is all very touching, amicas, but," Julio frantically gave an imploring gesture at Tiffa.
Tiffa was not sure exactly what she needed to do, but she raised her hand to the ceiling again, holding Agnes in her other arm while they were still on the floor. She began channeling what she knew was her mind domination powers into her hand, finding it far easier than she remembered. What she did not notice, however, was as she was doing this, Agnes' breathing had become labored and each second had her looking more visibly exhausted.
Tiffa closed her eyes, focusing her will on what she desired for these men surrounding them to do.
Sleep, she ordered.
At once, as the smoke had now finally dissipated and the guards surrounding them regained their senses, every captor fell to the ground with a resonating, cacophonous, metal crashing noise, causing Tiffa to stop channeling her power and regard the faltering Agnes with, at first, a smile. Then, when seeing her sweating, weakened state, worry.
"Agnes, are you alright?" Tiffa desperately asked. Agnes barely cracked open her eyes as she gave the smallest reassuring smile to Tiffa.
"You used her life to fuel your spell," Vittorio flatly explained as he stepped forward.
Tiffa turned and glared at him, but just as she was about to rise to her feet, Julio had jumped to his, drawing his sword and leveling it at the Pope.
Vittorio regarded his familiar's betrayal with a serene, small smile unbefitting of what was happening. "Et tu, Julio?" his tone seemed to carry with it a sense of… calm. Resignation. Resolve. Tiffa could feel that he was ready for what was about to happen.
Julio hesitated, his face looking agonized with gritted teeth and a harshly furrowed brow as tears manifested in his eyes.
Vittorio held out his hands to him, dropping his scepter with a loud, resonating clang, and gave him a reassuring look.
Julio took a deep, shaky breath as he swiftly advanced, running this sword through Vittorio with a strangled, brief, wet cry of pain from the Pope as a spurt of blood came from his mouth, staining the back of Julio's cape.
"Mi dispace… fratello," Julio whispered in Vittorio's ear.
In response, Vittorio summoned the last of his strength to embrace Julio before whispering back, "Ti amo, fratello."
With that, Vittorio's body went limp, and Julio withdrew his sword from his former master as he used his other arm to gently lower him to the floor. Kneeling beside him.
Louise and Siesta, now having gotten up to witness this along with Tiffa and Agnes, regarded the Windalfr with shock as he let silent tears stain his former master's body.
There was only one question on Louise's mind, and it was too loud for her not to voice it.
"Why?"
Julio did not respond for a moment. He wiped his eyes and nose before standing and turning to regard the four.
"It was the only way," he grimly answered.
Before any more answers could be demanded of him, a blaring alarm both within and without the building went off, causing them to jump.
"Warning: Pre-Launch Sequence Complete. All personnel prepare for liftoff in five minutes," Siesta recognized that as the voice of an adjutant.
Liftoff? Liftoff for what? What does it mean? Louise wondered.
In a way… she received her answer soon enough. As a great rumbling began to shake the room and, beyond that, the city.
It is time, Omega spoke to Saito, testing the very limits of his willpower not to react to the sudden sound of his unlikely partner.
What? Why now? Saito asked back as the slight rumbling he could feel in this room intensified.
Trust me, "master", the time is right, Omega replied.
Saito furrowed his brow as he looked into his master's back. Okay.