2 weeks later, Aki, Rivin, Leviathan, Samara, Athos, and Dante left after a tearful goodbye. It was hard to leave Catriona, Blanca, and the babies behind but they had to. And with that, they set off, hoping that they would see the others once again someday.
It had been so hard, breaking the news of what had happened in Lavatera to the girls, a mix of emotions on their faces. But that wasnt even the hardest part. That was when they told Cat and Blanca that they were going back to Lavatera and that they couldnt come with them. But it had to be done.
2 weeks later, It felt as though they had been walking forever, but they still had quite a way to go yet. They were going as fast as they could because they knew if they didnt get there soon, it might just be too late. They would only stop to rest when all six of them were on the verge of collapsing. Even then, they would only rest for an hour or so.
1 weeks later, they were almost there, only half a mile left. They were all talking and laughing, trying to pass the time. Their conversation was of the last night of normal they had here in Lavatera. When they were having a party which consisted of cigarettes, alcohol, and laughter. Catriona was dancing around singing sea shanties and Rivin was streaking through the house wearing one of Akis bras.
Come on guys, Rivin whined, Cant we talk about something else?
Why would we? Aki giggled.
Its embarrassing, I was drunk. He complained.
I know, Aki snorted, Thats what makes it funny!
Its so not fair. I wasnt the only drunk one there. What about Catriona? She was drunk too, but NOOO, they are only picking on me. Rivin grumbled under his breath. Too bad Dante heard him.
Ya know, the only reason we arent picking on Cat is because she isnt here right now. As Im sure, youve noticed. Dante laughed.
Rivin, acting like he was really mad and offended, snapped around and swung at Dante, who ducked, knowing Rivin was only playing, then swung back, punching Rivin in the gut. Rivin doubled over, groaning. Dante crouched next to him, thinking he had actually hurt him.
Oh god, Im sorry man. I didnt do it on purpose. I was only playing, I swear! he squeaked.
Ohh... ugghh... Rivin groaned, falling to the ground and curling up into a little ball. But Rivin couldnt hold back his laughter anymore. He started cracking up. Dante, realizing the he had just been fooled by the oldest trick in the book, started laughing as well. Dante pulled Rivin back up on his feet and they all started walking again, still giggling.
After about ten minutes, they reached the base of a large hill. All they had to do was cross the hill and they would be back in Lavatera again. They were telling jokes and Rivin was in the middle of telling the best joke he had ever thought of, when they reached the top of the hill. Rivin stopped mid-sentence, staring straight ahead. The others glanced up to see what made him stop; They did a double take.
What they saw shook them to their very core. They all hit their knees, too shocked to stand up. Lavatera was in ruins. It looked as if a flaming tornado went through. Charred debris from different houses littered the ground. Bloody, mangled, stinking, half-rotted corpses were everywhere, on the ground, strewn over wreaked vehicles and bushes, hanging by the neck out of trees, even impaled on 10-foot poles, some burned, some not. It was a horrible and scarring sight to behold.
What had happened to the place where Aki, Rivin, Dante, Catriona, and Samara grew up? This was not their hometown. This was someplace else. It had to be. There used to be kids running around playing, people laughing, dogs barking, birds chirping. But not anymore.
All there was to hear now, was the crackling flames, the blood dripping from some of the newer corpses, the bodies that were hanged hitting the trees as the wind blew, and the worse sound of all, the horrified screams of agony from the men, women, and children as they were being tortured and brutally murdered off in the distance. It was by far, the worst thing any of them had ever seen or heard in their lives.
3 hours later, the six rebels were just now starting to walk around. It took this long for the initial shock of everything to wear off. Now they had to find someone that could take them to the leader of the Fighters, Lucien. Once they found him, they would be able to help them devise a plan to get Lavatera back into the right hands, and to make sure that everyone that was left in Lavatera after that, had their rights back.
It was going to be the hardest thing any of them had ever done, but they knew that they had to do it. They were trying to find someone they could ask about Lucien. They knew they had to be extra careful who they asked, because if they asked the wrong person, they would most likely be killed on sight. They also knew about the sides, so they were going to say that they were Neutrals. Once they found Lucien and the other Fighters, they would reveal who they actually were and what side they were really on. But until then, they were Neutrals. Finally, after walking for around an hour, they found two people. As soon as the people saw them, they hurried over.
What side are yall on? the man asked.
Neutral. Rivin answered
Oh, yall needin somethin? he inquired.
Yes actually, we need to know how to find the leader of the fighters. I believe his name was Lucien.
What business ye got with him? the man demanded.
We just want to talk with him. All we want is for the war to be over. Aki replied.
Fine...faller me, Ill take yall to em. The man mumbled.
And with that, he turned and strutted off. The six rebels followed suite. Their plan was working, so far. They still couldnt believe that their once peaceful homeland now looked like, well, a dump. They had no idea that being gone for a year couldve made that much of a difference.
After a couple hours of walking, the two men stopped suddenly. The rebels looked in front of them and saw a big crowd of armed men standing in a row. One man from that group took a couple steps forward and stopped. One of the two men leading the rebels walked halfway towards him. The armed man shouted, State your name and business.
Yurio Kuran. The man shouted back, I aint got no business here, Im just a bringing these here kids to see Lucien. Theys a wantin to talk about endin the war.
And with that, Yurio backed up to where he was standing before, turned and nodded to the rebels, saying, Alright, these guysll take ye the rest of the way. I aint steppin foot into them Fighters territory. And with that, the two men turned and hurried away. Leaving the six rebels all alone with those very mean looking guards.
In the Fighters base camp, the rebels finally have their chance. Lucien, the leader of the fighters, is standing six feet in front of them. The next few minutes have to be absolutely perfect for this to work. If one of them says or does the wrong thing or even hesitates when asked a question, it could jeopardize everything theyve worked so hard to accomplish. He might suspect that they were spies for the remainders. All of them were standing there freaking out, utterly terrified that they would mess it up.
Suddenly, they were awoken from their panic by the sound of someone clearing their throat VERY loudly. They looked up and Lucien was standing about two feet away from them, looking confused. Thats when the rebels realized something; they had been standing in a little huddle, quietly mumbling amongst their selves like a bunch of mental cases.
Oh no, Aki thought, Lucien probably already thinks that were a bunch a spies. Were acting very suspicious. This is bad!
Aki coughed then stood straight up and looked Lucien in the eyes. The other five rebels saw what she was doing and immediately did the same thing. Lucien looked each of them up and down with a blank expression, then a wide grin spread across his face. He looked at each of them in turn.
Aki, Leviathan, Rivin, Dante, Samara, and Athos. It is such an honor to finally meet yall. You mustnt look so worried; I know who you guys are. Id recognize yall anywhere. Any and every Fighter here would. You guys are our idols. Yall were the ones that started the rebellion in the first place, and Im guessing that yall are here to finish it? Lucien grinned.
The six of them let out a loud sigh of relief. He recognized them. Lucien recognized them. They were no longer worried about messing up, being accused as spies, and murdered. Now, time for phase 2 of their plan to win their rights back. And that was to convince Lucien to work with them and stage a riot. A riot that would twist the metaphorical arm of the Remainders. Get them to back down and kill every single one of them that refused to convert to the Fighters side.
Getting them to change sides wasnt going to be easy. They were going to have to use every trick in the book. They were going to have to be good cop, bad cop, sneaky cop, guilt cop, and the cop that just plain lied. And even then, its still going to be hard convincing them to basically betray the Remainders.
Ok, Aki said, Lets get down to business.
Of course, Lucien exclaimed, What did you have in mind?
Ok, we all know that if we expect to win this war, we are going to have to boost the number in the ranks... by A LOT. Dante stated.
Yes, but how are we gonna manage that? Lucien questioned.
Well, therein lies the rub. Athos grumbled.
What do you mean? Lucien asked.
The only way to boost our numbers enough to even think about going to war, is if we convince about a third of the Remainders to convert to our side. And even then, theyll still have more people than us. Leviathan replied.
Oh...thats gonna be so difficult... I dont think any of them will even hear us out. Lucien complained.
Actually... Aki snickered, We have people on the inside.
WHAT!?! Lucien exclaimed.
Yeah, a couple of weeks ago, we had about fifty friends join the Remainders to try and corrupt some of the others and to keep a tab on whats going on. Rivin said, proudly.
But Samara sighed, So far, we only have about three hundred Remainders willing to convert to our side. That is definitely not enough. There is probably close to six thousand Remainders total. We only have about two thousand people on our side.
That is true, but isnt there close to another five thousand people that are neutral? Lucien asked.
Oh, I never thought of that! Aki squealed.
Thats perfect, Lucien! someone exclaimed from behind them.
Everyone turned around to see a man of about nineteen or twenty. He walked up to them with a big smile on his face, showing off his perfect white teeth. He had bleached white hair in a braid that went down to his shoulder blades, steely blue eyes, and his lip, nose and eyebrow pierced. He walked up to Lucien and stopped, still smiling. Lucien put his arm around the mans waist and pulled him closer.
Everyone, this is my fiancée, Kai. Kai, meet Aki, Rivin, Leviathan, Athos, Dante, and Samara. The six original rebels.