Coldwater washes away my sins, soap cleanses away my guilt, and light basks my body, giving meaning to purity... Yet dreams of violence shall never cease while weapons exist and corruption dictates our ways, madness toying with our minds...
(What am I thinking about?)
"Burgh! Cold..."
Washing the last blood off my body with a very nice smelling soap, I close the tap and flicker the water away. Coming out of the shower, I lean forward to look at the mirror ahead of me... Seeing my face upon the reflection after a long day, I feel tired. I brush my wet hair away to get a clear look of my body, seeing that I got a new scar on my right shoulder reaching between my chest, I begin to wonder if I'll keep getting new scars with each battle? Battles that I'm not even aware of.
I start to recall the book Saya gave me to read and remember what it said...
"Sabotage and deception? I wonder if I'll be any good at it? No, I will learn about it. If it can stop me from fighting, then it is worth to learn!"
I take the towel provided by Saya and wipe the remaining water left and dry the now long hair I have to live by... Which I'm still not used to.
(Sis Fei said if I can control my qi better I might just control the length of my hair as well. I better start training on how to control my powers when I get back too).
I wear the clothes given to me and realize it's the common distributed clothes I use to wear but this time it's not green or white, but grey.
(Ah~ I forgot how comfy these clothes are).
Wearing my headband, I exit the bathroom and into the luxurious private room given to us. Lavish decor, gorgeous furniture, elegant lighting of gold and red, this is the epitome of opulent accommodation.
"Took you long enough! What are you doing in there!? Are you finally accept that you're a woman now?"
Saya complains as she lay down on the comfy king-sized bed. I hang the towel replying:
"Of course not! Do you know how hard it is to remove all those dried-up blood in my body? And..."
I lift my long blonde hair that reaches my knees asking:
"And do you have anything I can tie this hair with?"
Saya turns on her bed before she gets up and went to the table she placed her bag. Rummaging through, she pulls out a ribbon and gestures me to sit down saying:
"Well, I knew something like this might happen. Come, sit on the bed. I'll help you tie-up... And you better learn while I do it okay?"
"Sure, thanks, Saya."
Since she's pretty short, I accepted her offer and sit on the bed. Seeing her stand behind me with a mirror in front, she carries my hair and let it slip off her fingers. Before she ties it up she pats my head saying:
"Remove your headband first and watch how I tie it."
"Right."
"And raise your butt, you're sitting on your hair."
"Oh, sorry."
Following her instruction, she begins to tie my hair while explaining how... It's peaceful with the occasional sound of cold winds blowing through the vents. It's calm and very comfortable. It feels like we just finished our vacation and is now resting from our travels...
Hard to believe that we just finished a bloody battle and invasion. Also, the fact that we're in a city inside a wall of another magnificent city... Saya finishes tying up my hair as I see a neatly tied ribbon on my head and a side ponytail before saying:
"There, done! Damn, your long hair is annoying to tie-up. So, you understand how to tie it up now?"
"Yup."
I nod to her question and she smiles happily replying:
"Great, now it's your turn to try it. Tie it up yourself."
"Eh?"
With those words, Saya unties my hair and throw the ribbon at me before falling to the bed. Seeing her undone all her work caught me baffled saying:
"W-What? Now? But.."
"Just try it. We still got a lot of time anyways. It's better to try it yourself."
Saya's tail which has a worn-out ribbon tied to it fans me away before she turns around and lies on her belly and plunging her face deep to the pillow.
"Urgh..."
I groan at her suggestion and try to tie it myself. Pulling my hair to the side like how Saya did and try to tie it by wrapping the ribbon inside and follow her movements. But it seems my attempts are proven futile as seeing her do it is much easier than actually doing it and probably the fact that I just have this long hair for almost a week I think...
*knock* *knock* *knock*
"Excuse me! this is Commandant Deputy Ha Yeon, I heard Lord Suowa is residing in this room right?"
Speaking in Hwansea the common tongue, I look at Saya saying:
"I'll go get it."
"Thanks..."
Saya answers back with her face still in the pillow. I get up and place my headband and ribbon on the table for now before I went and unlock the double-door saying:
"Yes?"
"Oh my gosh! Who's this little cutie? To bring a girl to his room after a battle, ain't he energetic?"
Ha Yeon who sees me open her golden eyes wide and covering her smile while shouting in Hwansea. Realizing her actions, she straightens her posture before clasping her hands saying:
"Oh, I mean excuse me, is Lord Suowa residing here?"
Returning to speak the common tongue I can't help but ponder,
(Ah right, she hadn't seen my face yet. Or most of the commanders here or barely any of the soldiers since we're walking in some secret roads here...)
When Saya led me back, she brought me to the city and into the palace at the centre of it all. It seems while I was being lost, General Sangong brought his entire army to siege this place reinforced by Commandant Yong, they somehow took this city easily in a joint operation and taking it from the inside and outside. I was lucky to arrive when they set off to quash the remaining pockets of resistance surrounding this city. All I see is empty streets and when I do see someone they are usually peeking through their bard windows and hide when I saw them.
(Still, if she's here does that mean, they have returned?)
"Yes."
I nod to her question and she gives a polite smile replying:
"I see, then please let him know to gather at the throne room as soon as he's ready, okay?"
I nod saying:
"Sure, I'll be there as soon as I'm ready."
"Owh~! Hmm...? I mean, I'll be taking my leave. Enjoy yourselves~"
Ha Yeon who seems to ignore my answer skedaddles away joyfully while I close the door. I look back seeing Saya sitting on the bed saying:
"Alright, let's leave. I'll try tying my hair up later."
"Oh? Not gonna hide your face?"
"With my voice changing tool broken, I doubt it will make a difference."
"True."
"So, do you know where the throne room is?"
I ask Saya while wearing my headband, Saya takes a drink before replying:
"Yeah, I got this palace memorized enough. Follow me."
*************************************
Wearing a belt to hold my bladeless ornamental sword, and a part of my armour's left arm and shoulder to attach the medal... I was a bit shocked since,
(Turns out the sword in my waist has been important all this time! I never knew it's literally Uncle's sword?! Or Sis Yuwei and Sis Fei's deceased father's sword! I mean it doesn't even have a blade. Someone should tell me at first or I should make an effort to ask. It's hard to discern fancy things, I guess I could ask Sis Fei for help with that).
And seeing myself lightly armoured for once, I was reminded of the first day I set out with Sis and May wearing my gifted armour. Saya's footsteps echo loudly among the empty halls and pillars of marble. Ascending the stairs we choose one of the paths that branches and soon combined again leading to a huge double door of platinum with all kinds of expensive jewellery etched to the gate. One of the soldiers who see us froze a while before they looked at Saya where they immediately bang the double door. The gate of gems opens and what greeted us is a room of royal bringing. Poles attached to the ceiling had their flags torn, and marble tables with missing ornaments that is supposed to be on top of them. The glimmering floor below us leaves dust marks that show that there is supposed to be a carpet below. But that's not all, curtains ripped apart from their windows along with decors and other ornaments that hang on the walls are removed leaving behind square dust marks and more things to notice... One thing to say is that this place looks like it has been looted and cleared of its valuables.
"Hahahaha!"
And at the end of this room is a rat-kin in bronze armour. Sitting on top of a throne of diamonds like he owns it, using someone wearing a crown hat similar to what Sis Yuwei wears to be his footstool. He indulges in delicacies serve in a platter brought by another person wearing expensive clothing. The man in question is definitely Sangong. Seeing him, laughing maniacally at the two people doing his bidding his eyes soon falls to us. He smiles evermore gleefully as he moves his foot away from the crawling person and stands up taking a bottle of wine shouting:
"Look who arrived. Want some drinks? This city is famed for its fermented wine so I implore you to try it."
Saya shakes her head replying:
"Yeah, yeah, sure, but don't you think using the royalties as your furniture a good idea?"
"These LOSERS!? This ARROGANT GODDESS wannabe!?!?"
He screams and kicks the one in all four hardly in her stomach that lifts her off the ground and falls down the stairs leading to the throne. Making her coughing up blood and staining the platinum floor with red.
"Sister!"
The one holding the tray runs to the fallen holding her in her arms before she glared at Sangong shouting:
"You monster! She's pregnant!"
(Hold on, what!?)
The light within Sangong's eyes fades, his eyes become empty when he hears her and a wide smile erupt from his mouth. Slowly approaches them with heavy steps. He extends his arms slowly to the tray holder and...
"Aaargh!"
"Suiran!"
Sangong yanks her hair roughly as I see her hair falling from the force of his hit but not being able to touch the ground since he's yanking her hair. Before I knew it, I was approaching him but Saya holds me in place saying:
"Be patient."
"But-"
"Just watch, if you can't then leave!"
"This is!"
"Don't bother stopping him, that's the face of someone hellbent on doing what he wants to. And I bet my tail he would kill you just to get what he wants even when he's gonna be a traitor. Stop him and you will clash against him and none of us wants that."
"Urgh..."
Sangong brings his face close to her as he snickers at her misery saying:
"That's right, it seems the punishments too light for you huh?"
"You, ungrateful son of a-aaargh!"
Before I knew it, Sangong has somehow pulled his sword to cut her nose off as he then slams her face to the ground and grinding it against the rough parts of the floor staining it with flesh and blood.
(What's with that speed? It's kinda similar to Mitsuru's attacks).
"Ungrateful? Me~? Here taste the silver pearl you love so much~! It can cost a woman her face is it not?"
As he keeps rubbing her face to the ground, the little sister becomes silent as I wonder if she kicked the bucket. The elder sister horrified by his actions grabs Sangong on his knees pleading:
"Gong-gong stop! Please! I'll do what you want so don't hurt her anymore!"
He continues to grind her face for a while before slowly stopping. His smile turns to a frown and he lets her go. Walking away brushing his hand off the black hair stuck between the gaps on his gauntlet replying:
"Yeah, yeah, treat her or whatever. Her nose gotta be somewhere close, go look for it."
As if that frown wasn't real, he approaches us with a smile brighter than ever saying:
"So, anyway, what are you two doing here? To be honest, I don't get many visitors. Especially from pretties like you two..."
He then looks at Saya and his eyes almost pop out when he coughs loudly saying:
"Ahem, I'm not into kids okay? Just to clear misunderstandings. Just saying you two are very lovely, very beautiful and pretty swell, pleasedon'tcallmeapedophile."
Saya looks at him with a face of someone full of questions and I Ignore his remarks. I take a huge breather before replying:
"Didn't you send Ha Yeon to gather us here?"
"Hmm? Say, who might you be- hold on..."
He looks at my sword and soon my medal before he hits his palm saying:
"No way! Lord Suowa!? You're a girl!? Damn! You're a looker! No wonder you don't show your face, cause I'll just be staring at you through the meeting- I mean, mhm! Yeah, you look gorgeous! Like you fall to the soft type. The one I would cuddle than f- I mean, fucking dammit!"
He wraps his hand on my shoulder and continues saying:
"Anyways! I hope there are no hard feelings between us. I thought you were a dude after all. And why show your cute self now? You could've done it at any time you know?"
I brush his hand aside replying:
"My armour got destroyed fighting those targets and... You didn't call us here?"
He takes some distance and raises his shoulders saying:
"Well, I wouldn't be enjoying myself when I expect guest, would I? I still got manners... Somewhat. And this throne room is like my personal room now. So I guess that commandant is the one calling us, you can wait here or sit on that throne or those poles up there or whatever. I'll go clean up the room."
He bows his head down and walks over to the two, I take a step forth saying:
"And can you-"
"Not hurt them anymore? Got it. And I left the wine I told you about behind one of the pillars you can take them if you want."
Sangong makes a puppet out of his hand to mimic me with frustration in his voice before he whispers:
"Sheesh, if I know you're that soft-hearted Silencer I should've done it in private- oh wait! This is my private room but someone just has to barge in- oh wait again, since you don't know I guess it's fine~ Maybe I should start proclaiming things as mine like back at the underground or choose a more appropriate place but that would be... Hehe haha..."
With a tint of sarcasm he arrives at the two, he shoos them away saying:
"Well, you heard her, scram to the corner and make yourselves..."
He ponders biting his thumb for a while before saying:
"Unseen."
The elder sister, hearing his words, bows her head down, softly replying:
"Yes, we obey..."
Slowly she carries her sister away and I am wondering what I should do after such acts... Should I help her? But with what? I have no potion to give. And would he let me?
"Hey, want some? Like he said, this is some really good wine. What mix is this I wonder?"
As I ponder what to do, Saya hands me a big bottle of lavender coloured wine. I push it away and politely decline to reply:
"Sorry, I don't drink."
"I see, suit yourself."
Saya responds and pops the bottle cap to drink. I can't help but feel a bit irked seeing someone who looks like a kid drinking and ask back,
"So you're into drinks too, Saya? I heard those expensive restaurants serve expensive wines. And people pay extravagant prices for it too."
"Me? Nah! Wine's or drinks are not my speciality, I prefer something I can chew you see and make the taste spread through my mouth and nose. I just drink cause I'm just bored with nothing to do.
Don't get me wrong, I don't mind peaceful moments like this but when there's nothing to do in peace that could be a problem. There are no servants to help use the utilities here since it needs more than 1 person to operate, or if there's even place I want to go when most of them are still rubble after the siege. The treasury, exchequer, secret archives, relics, and even the kitchen and toilet pots have already been looted too so there's not much to look at either. In fact, if I didn't reserve that room you wouldn't have any place to bath."
"I-I see... Thank you I suppose..."
I lean on one of the pillars when Sangong approaches me saying:
"Say, I just wanted to say thanks for capturing those targets. This is more of a personal thanks."
"Oh, well... No problem?"
"Haha! Say, tell me what you want? You may not complete the mission 100% but at least you manage to capture someone among those so that's still a mission complete for me."
"That's..."
I was about to say no but... Remembering the death of a certain someone, I ask:
"Can you let me see the family of Chenlin? I wanted to... Well, say my condolences."
"Chenlin? Ah~ that corpse we found along with one of the guardians of this city. Of course, of course! Whatever you want, buddy. I mean, I don't know how you get past the illusions even my deputy failed to realize and counter. But, if it wasn't for you finding this city first and your companion tracking you down, we would have at least taken days to find it. I'll let my deputy send you her family's address and some gifts. I was planning for her commander or friends to do it but if you want I guess why not."
(I really can't tell if he's a good person or not. On one hand, he's willing to do so much for a single soldier among the countless he commands and on the other hand... Is someone doing good and bad, bad people? Does that mean, I'm evil? That's...)
*thump* *thump* *thump* *thump*
(What's that noise?)
He wraps his arms around my shoulders again and continues saying:
"Well, if I have to be honest, I wish there are more people like you... But seriously though, where's that god damn commandant? He's the one who ordered this, shouldn't he be here first?"
"I'm right here, General."
Right as he questions them, the royal gate opens and 4 people enter. One is Commandant Yong, Ha Yeon beside him, just like he said, General Irina is here, wearing a different battle gear than before accompanied by a huge- no, huge doesn't even compare that word, he's a humongous person wearing a mix of lamellar and unique plate armour, and he seems to be the source of the noise as each of his step leaves marks on the floor.
*clang* *cling* *clang* *clang*
And he brings with them, a girl strap to black chains. Yanking the kid is the huge person beside Irina as she now looks like a different person than when I met her back then.
"Speak of the devil, what took you so long? Is it that hard to chase them, escapees?"
"Hmph, speak for yourself... General Irina, bring them in."
"Yes, Commandant! Deputy, if you would."
"Rrraagh! I'm smart! I understand!"
With Irina's command, the man she called Deputy yanks the chain forward and pull in the so-called "escapees". A child who looks no older than Saya is presented in the centre of the throne room with all to see and the limelight of the dome above shined with her along with the paintings of probably great people.
(What is this madness? And those black chains... Isn't that Owlian steel? He can hold them? Is he an Owlian as well?)
Sangong nods with a satisfying grin as he approaches the kid when,
"Luoshi! No, no, no, no..."
I hear the elder sister fall to despair in the corner while still trying her best to heal her little sister. Sangong who heard her looks at her as he seems to wait for something. Wondering what we're doing is right, I can't help but question Sis Yuwei's method of doing things... This is just so... I hold Saya's shoulder saying:
"You know what, you're right. I think it's better if I leave."
"Hmph, do whatever you want. But if you can't handle this, then I doubt you will be able to bear what's to come."
"Are you saying there'll be more of this!?"
"Oh! Lord Sova? What are you doing here?"
General Irina calls me out while she approaches me with her deputy. Turning around to greet her, I nod saying:
"Well, I'm also here for a mission."
"I see, what a coincidence. To be honest, am I glad to meet you among... These... People. And well, I thought meeting you was a one-time thing especially after considering the circumstance and your position."
Irina's copper hair sways when she smiles and clasps her hand to show her appreciation. Her deputy who sees her does the same saying:
"Working with you is good!"
Seeing him greet, General Irina jumps and smack his biceps which is honestly the size of her torso before she laughs saying:
"Haha, good saying! Oh, Lord Suowa, let me introduce you to my second in command, Lieutenant General, Horen."
He needs to look down to look at me in the face but he quickly looks away saying:
"N-Nice to meet you!"
Irina bumps his huge arm saying:
"Oh? What is it, buddy? Why you so embarrassed?"
"She very pretty..."
"Oh? Am I not pretty?"
"Yes! Irina is pretty too! Urgh, I no have words!"
"Hahaha! Sorry, just teasing ya, buddy. Anyways, he may not look like it but he's also the strategist of my army too. So not only he got brawns but brains too, impressive huh?"
He raises both his arms to flex his giant muscles shouting:
"Me smart! And strong!"
Pushing those thoughts away for a while, I clasp my hand as well replying:
"Greetings, Lieutenant General Horen, I'm Suowa Anmao. And yea, nice to meet you too... But if I have to be honest, it seems our meeting will be short. My mission is already finished. I already got my targets and will probably leave soon."
Irina closes her eyes and leans back replying:
"Oh? That's a bummer. But..."
She jumps forward as her face now pretty close to me before asking:
"Is it me or I feel like you're getting cuter than the last time we meet?"
"Eh? I am!?"
I hold my face and try to remember what I look like back at the bathroom saying:
"Um, that's gonna be a problem..."
(I mean, I thought I'm being manlier too! With my new scar in the forehead... Then again, no one can actually see it, I guess that's redundant huh?).
Irina pats my shoulder before backing away smiling as her blue eyes seem to glimmer replying:
"Hey, I'm just kidding. I don't know why you wanna hide that face but you do you... Also, I admit we may not have a good first meeting but I hope we can cooperate and work together as short as it is."
I nod and try to smile back saying:
"Yea, I hope we have a good cooperation."
(I'm so confused! She's someone who ordered a kid to be brought in chains? But it seems I can't blame anyone, I hurt and kill people as well...)
Realizing that my chance to exit is gone, we chatted for a while until,
"So you decided to show your true self you sissy sack of sassy sauce!"
(What sauce?)
Yong shouts from behind Horan and points at me. Horan who just realize there's someone behind him got spooked and back away to reveal Eun Yong and Ha Yeon standing behind him. General Irina who see and hear him walks infront of me as to shield me from him. Yeon, probably confused to where this is heading nudge at Yong asking:
"Hey, Oppa, you know her? Wait... Ain't you that harlot who bedded the Silencer?"
Speaking in Hwansea Irina grabs one of the swords in her belt and show its blade shouting back in Hwansea saying:
"Watch your words, deputy! She IS the Silencer!"
(Wait, she? I'm pretty sure I told Irina I'm a dude. And wait, she understands Hwansea too?)
Yeon hears her warning loud and clear before backing away replying:
"Wait whaaa! Woah! Really!? Hrrrghhmmm!"
Ha Yeon begins to glare at me intensely with her golden eyes before she sighs and nods with a satisfied smile.
"Mhm, mhm, yup, yup, tch, tch..."
With truth in her eyes, she grabs Yong's shoulder to click her tongue before spewing it all out saying:
"Well, Oppa. If what you say is true, then you're gay. Simple as that."
"S-Shut the fuck up!"
His face burst brighter than any Olanum I have ever seen as he retorted back.
(Gay? Wait, Yong swings that way? And I just realize this but isn't Oppa the way pyoeo say big brother? Like how the north sometimes use hyeong in Hwansea? Or maybe I'm misunderstanding something? But they sound almost the same... The twin peninsula language is still a bit mysterious and confusing to me since I just learn whatever May and aunt taught me how to speak by making sure to use the common words shared by the two peninsula...Well, at least he found the siblings his screaming about last time. Good for him).
*clap* *clap*
"Hey, Hey! Everyone! Focus! Casual chatting is fine and all but we're still in the middle- oh sorry, final stages of toppling down this kingdom! Like we're really close. Like this close!"
He speaks in the common tongue and makes a tiny gap with his thumb and pointing finger. He makes a chopping gesture and continues saying:
"We can party and whatnot when we finish this. So, Commandant, you do the honours? Or is the one doing it the Silencer?"
(Huh? What am I suppose to do?)
Yong hearing this takes a long breather to calm himself before walking to Sangong replying:
"Right, I'll make this quick, actually one of the things I want to talk about is about her... You see while chasing her we found out that kid has... "Special" powers. So-"
"Ah! I get ya. I guess I can arrange that for ya too, the new governor would be happy to help if I told him some spirit whispers. Since my hatred only goes to her and those connected to a certain event. Oh, I can't wait till I get to the heart of the rat sector."
He cuts Yong off and points at the two in the corner of the throne room. Yong breathes a sigh of relief replying:
"I guess I'm glad things are proceeding smoothly. But you better keep things to a minimal, blood on sacred grounds is no-"
"It's fine. Technically this IS legal according to the I.U.N.A, and since this kingdom is not even registered in the U.N.C, the international laws of war on land do not apply to them. In fact, they encourage us to punish these barbarians instead.
(And if there is no need for blood... Then I'll just have to burn them alive instead so no blood shall spill these sacred grounds. I mean they didn't specifically say I can't burn them, just make sure they're dead to stay "humane". Like I'm having questions who writes this shit? And this is internationally approved?)"
(What kind of logic is that!?)
He folds his arm and scratches his chin while whispering his last sentences. Catching me off-guard to his resolutions, Yong wipes his face over his answer before replying:
*sigh*
"It seems your expertise doesn't only lie in warfare but the law as well... I'll let you handle the ending then. But what I'm gonna discussed next is a bit private for your grand plan."
"Ah... Sure, don't wanna disappoint my sponsor. Guards grab those two away. And Deputy, barriers please, thank you!"
When a bubble circle around us, guards wearing a different armour than the rest appear. Wearing a detailed armour of bronze and two brooms and horns on their head in contrast to Sangong's 3, they emerge from behind the huge throne and grab the two away forcefully. When they disappear Yong nods and continue saying:
"Alright, let's see here... If you have to station your soldiers here to assimilate the new territories, how many divisions will you still have? And how long will it take to build new ones?"
"Hmm, to have maximal post-war time stability and no gaps in our defences, I suppose I still have around 30 divisions. So around 1.8 million decked and ready to be sent out, and 3.6 million soldiers in my new reserves. And it will take months at least, years at worst to mobilize, train and gear up those reserves.
(Million? 1.8 is a... How many people is that?)
Yong takes out a black box and presents it to Sangong saying:
"I see, then as per Supreme Marshal Go's instruction... For your success in returning the lands to the rightful ruler, killing the bane that has been terrorizing the northeastern sectors, and proving your determination and loyalty to the Empress Yuwei Zihuang, I Supreme Commandant Eun Yong hereby promote you under the Supreme Marshal Go's command to be a Great General of the Phoenix Segmentum! Will you accept heaven's will, General Sangong?"
(Go? I thought the one he serves is Karzmiez? Or is it Kazrimez? I can't remember...)
"Hoho! I graciously accept, thank you."
Sangong takes the box with two hands and bows his head down. Yong then nods before replying:
"Then congratulation for your promotion, Great General Sangong! I shall reinforce you with all the armies I have here along with General Mitsuru herself and General Irina with her army of 2 million shall be under your command."
(Wait, is that a good idea? And where's Mitsuru anyway? I haven't seen her after I went to my room).
I look at Irina and I see her grind her teeth before clasping her hand saying:
"I'm under your command!"
Sangong nods pleasingly replying:
"I'm grateful for this opportunity, Commandant."
"Good cause now, you have enough. I'm sure this is nothing compared to the time under there."
"Heh, if I have to choose between fighting a FABLED and the Underworld's Black Tiger Triad, I would've sent my resume (if I have one) to the Adventurers Guild to be sent to the Void East Gallows before you finish your sentence."
(I have no idea what they're referring to. Triads and resume... Will one day I realize what they're talking about? They seem only a few years older than me. I need to step up my game! Or wait, are they actually older than they look? I mean Chenlin said that martial artist looks younger than they suppose to... So there's a chance I'm the youngest out of everyone here? That's a bit unsettling).
Yong sighs again pinching between his eyes before replying:
"I see, the Empress and Crown Chancellor expect a lot from you. There's not much of your plan changing yes? You're still using it?"
"Yeah, in fact with the Silencer here capturing one of the most annoying out of those 5, I dare say the plan will have a more smooth sailing. And of course, have I ever disappoint them so far? I'll let you know when we've completed the next objective."
"Wonderful, now for the few last things to do before I return to my Master... Lord Sova."
(Oh he finally called my name for once).
"Yea?"
I answer back and he approaches me, glaring as if he's piercing my body with his stare. He sighs saying:
"You have completed the mission given by the heavens. Your contribution has bolstered the Empress' reputation, saving millions of lives and avenging countless more by capturing one of them.
I tilt my head replying:
"Oh? Thank you?"
"Honestly speaking the Boards of Chancellors are expecting you to fail and not capture a single one but to think you captured one and one of the most troublesome of them all. So congrats on breaking everyone's expectations. They'll be looking at you at a different light now. Especially the Empress and The Crown Chancellor, Heaven's have gifted you their mercy and benevolence for your mistakes, so work harder and complete your missions properly next time, their eyes are on you as well."
(Wait what? What about Sis and Mike? And Heaven's eyes? And wait, they expect me to fail? Why?)
Yong backs away and turns his back to me as his long black coat flutter like a cape and continue saying:
"Proceeding to your next mission... You shall be heading to the Turquoise Turtle Sector again tomorrow."
"Eh? Why?"
Yong walks away replying:
"That's just a prelude to the next. For you see, The Empress has accepted your proposal. When you're done with that mission, you'll be heading straight to the Theocracy to do what you wanted."
(Huh?)
"Wait!"
Without answering back, Yong left alongside Ha Yeon who seems to be the one pulling the boy's chain without any difficulty.
(Oh, is she an Owlian?)
Leaving behind a sour yet sweet after taste... I can't help but think,
(But finally a step closer to my goals and more things to look for... But first, I need to do what I set out to do).
I started to remember my time before entering the ship.
*************************************
It seems the end times near, the raging winds blew as my cape flutter with the arrival of something I never thought I would see again in my life. From the ashen skies, grey clouds break apart to make way for a mighty beast of steel... A plane.
Memories flashed before my eyes as I see my parents face for the last time. In a sea of flames, pillars of steel, and blasted lands the aircraft lands with a final burst. My body reacted before me as I seem to back away from the intended landing circle.
"Oh, my, you don't need to back so far away, Lord Suowa. Is this perhaps your first time seeing one? It's fine, I can guarantee that."
Juja, who seem to not understand my fears try to calm me down but all I can respond with is with silence.
"Yeah! This thing is amazing! Never seen this type of airship before. Heh, I wonder what they will say when they see this thing. I guess this sector's not named after avians for nothing."
Mitsuru, ever so curious bend forward to inspect the ship with her hand touching the belly of the transport. I try to walk forward but it feels like someone has glued my feet as it won't follow my command. Like feeling a nail impaled on my sole, I could feel my legs and joints tearing apart when I force myself to move.
(I guess I am not ready for... Urgh!)
I clutch my head as it feels like it would split apart, I could feel something entering my brain and piercing my spine. My vision blurs as I wonder what is wrong with my body all this time or is there perhaps something to do with the armour I'm wearing. Visions of unknowns flash clearly before the blurred surrounding...
*************************************
The scene of my parents protecting me from the seas of flames. Just like the surrounding areas, everything begins to blur out and change, the sea of flames disappears and replace by a large dark space around us. Steel crates surround us as I seem to be crouching down on the corner within my mother's embrace. With purple eyes that seem to light my day, seeing her smile and pat my head seems to calm me down. She raises a finger to her lips, gesturing me to keep quiet when the entire place shook and mommy hugs me tighter.
*crash* *blast*
The giant steel crates around us flew and broke apart. When a giant hole tore open and darkness gives way to light, figures appear from the light to cast a shadow. With each they dorm in a unique magnificent armour of white, silver and gold from each other. With colourful robes wrap or integrated around the armour they bear the symbol of an all pointing compass.
(There's no doubt, those are Paladins!)
Leading from the light a silhouette appear from among them. Wearing a lighter clothing and thin robes that barely hide his overly muscular body, he appears with his hands raised high.
*CLAP*
Mommy covers my ears before he makes a single clap, even then the sound rings loudly and all the steel crates seemingly vanish. Revealing both of us in an empty and open space.
"Ah~! Ursala or as I have heard recently, Urva was your new name, was it? Do you think you can escape from us? Us? Let's skip over the chatter and hand us your boy, would you?"
Mommy moves me behind as to hide me from them before responding with,
"You know the answer is no."
*crack*
The debris beneath his feet splits open to unveil an endless blue skies and clouds flying around.
"Look around you, Ursala! You and your husband's ship has been cornered by both those despicable imperial Owlian navy and our Saint's Armada! And now, the best of the best of the Theocracy could offer stands in your way. I'm giving you this chance because you are my only sister. Please, accept. I promise you your boy will be free,"
He beats his scarred chest with a loud thump before continue shouting:
"I'll make sure of that!"
(Mom has a brother?)
Mommy embraces me tighter as she looks at me with sadness in her eyes. She shook her head relying:
"I'm sorry brother, but that is not freedom."
He clenched his fist till blood leeks between his fingers before shouting:
"I see... Kill her, and take that kid alive!"
With that sentence one of the paladin merely raises his hand and a giant barrier erected around us. Coated in lightning and fire he grasp his hand while the other Paladins spread out.
*vwoom*
Before they could disperse too far, a black box arises from below and swallows the Paladins and the man who Mommy calls brother. The barrier around us disappears along with the black box and in turn, someone else appears from behind them. With blonde hair and his most notable feature being his very sharp jawline, he flew like those magicians and lands close to us shouting:
"Urva! Sova! Oh, are you okay?"
Expressing his worries, he holds mom's cheek and pats my head. Mommy, holds his hand back with a smile replying:
"Yes, thank you, Honey."
Daddy grabs both Mommy and my hand to lead us away saying:
"Good, follow me quickly, we're taking the emergency escape pod. Grey and his men won't able be to hold-"
*crack*
Out of nowhere, a giant golden pillar swings right ahead of us aiming at Daddy's head. Flinging him away, the mere wind pressure sends both mom and I flying away and rolling to the ground. The entire world spins while I tighten my hug on my mother. Confused, frightened, and unsure of what happened, I hold to her with all I can as I slowly open my eyes to see Mommy hurt with blood coming out of her forehead.
I could do nothing as a giant shadow looms over us. With legs and arms having the size of pillars, I can only wonder what is she? Turning my head around, a golden giant stood tall with glowing red eyes. Wearing a sophisticated armour similar yet different to the ones I dreamed a while back, but this time she carries a huge cannon on her back. Soon, more golden giants bigger or the same size as her arrive to surround us. The once closes to us opening her visor while the other encirle. Her emerald hair flows out and so does her eyes that share the same colour. A woman in her early forties look down on us with a heavy face before saying:
"This is, Head Enertor, Page. We have secured the target."
I look at mommy which shows a distressed look. But when she looks at me, she cast away her worry and smile to pat my head saying:
"Don't worry, Sova. Mommy will make sure you're safe."
Saying that, her purple eyes shines and everything turns white...
"Urva, don't do it!"
I could hear my father screaming at our way and what happens next I can only imagine as what really happened back then as all turn to white and there's no more voice to be heard...
*************************************
When I came to be, I was already inside the ship with my eyes closed. I can only wonder what I did while I was having those visions...
(It seems I have questions to be answered and more reason to go an stay... I just hope Nicole would accept or help me while he's still training his own).