Kingdom of Hallos, City of Beswind, Present day.
Memories of a year and a half repeated themselves in Rebecca's mind. It was so clear, as if watching a play.
Winds blew through the mountainside that stood over the village of Brena.
Rebecca accepted the gift of cold air; it was overly refreshing. A much-needed relief now that her body was overheated with discomfort. It was expected, considering what she was diving into.
A report from General Nerian said that a Demon-Hunt unit led by Commander Izlan himself vanished after arriving here in Brena. A man of renown stature and skill vanishing? The thought alone was eerie. Rumors said that the man once fought a stag demon barehanded and bested it. So how was it he simply vanished now? It made no sense. Just like her superior's decision. As a response, the Antares Branch sent only herself. She was to meet with a Captain and his two men from the Lunodio Branch. Xekor Alcazar? Or was it Xeto Altanor? It didn't matter now, all she had to do was provide scout support and find out what had happened to Izlan's unit.
Rebecca reached the end of a tree-covered cliffside which overlooked a dirt path where the men she was to meet should have been on. Empty. "Pfft. They should have sent Commander Lena. She has just as much of a reputable status as Commander Izlan," she said aloud to no one in particular. She walked for a few minutes alongside the edge. Perhaps the men she was to meet were already within the village?
Flashes of memories ran through her mind once more, picturing the moment she had her scope was locked on Commander Izlan's head.
The village was reduced to rubble and ash. Bodies decorated the open roads, pools of blood beneath them.
Commander Izlan, a burly and aged man was on top of another silver-armored soldier with a dagger to his throat.
It was far but Rebecca could see fire in the man's eyes. Anger. He lifted the blade.
The young knight at his mercy managed to take hold of Izlan's wrists, his muscles quivering from keeping the man's strength at bay.
Rebecca remembered what General Nerian had said. That the Lunodio unit wore silver armor with a wolf etched into the chest plate. Her mind was blank, her mouth dry. What was happening? Why were men of the Hunt killing one another? Another look revealed two dead silver armored soldiers, a man and young girl. Were they the others from Lunodio? She shook away all doubt as she rested her sniper against a boulder to reduce sway.
Take the shot! No. I can't. I can't kill Commander Izlan.
The blade neared the knight's neck. "This isn't you, Commander!"
The words barely managed to reach Rebecca's ears. Goddess. May I be making the right the choice. She squeezed the trigger.
Memories became a haze once more. Had she run down the hill? Or perhaps she climbed from the edge. All a blur now. Another memory planted itself.
Rebecca stood over the fear-eyed knight who was still on his back, his chest heaving rapidly.
Izlan, The Hero of Noram, was now dead by her hand, his skull split in two from her bullet.
The knight gazed up at her.
She recognized the look. Soft eyes that danced in her own with a newfound light. It was gratitude. She extended her hand. "Got you, Lunodio. I'm Second Lieutenant Rebecca Orvein, Sniper Knightess, Antares Branch."
The man's grip was strong despite many visible wounds around his body. His breathing slowed to a calmed pace as he found his footing. "I owe you my life, Lieutenant. He put a fist over his heart though he was devoid of a smile. "Captain Xeto Alcazar, Knight, Lunodio Branch."
"Where are your men, Captain," she asked though she likely knew the answer.
His saddened eyes landed on the other armor-clad bodies. "Dead. Killed by Commander Izlan." His body quivered before he fell to his knees. "I'm sorry Luna. I'm sorry Aritz." His voice cracked as sobs mixed into his speech. "I—I couldn't protect you. What kind of man lets his unit die? I'm…I'm no leader."
Rebecca felt a pit of grief ingulf her consciousness. She extended her hand for a second time. "On your feet, Captain. We still have a battle to fight. And bodies to bury. They need to find their peace."
He remained still, perhaps heeding her advice? "You're right," he whispered. "I'll avenge you both. I won't let it end like this."
Rebecca snapped back to the present. It felt as if time had frozen for a moment. The pit of guilt still remained as she saw Xeto keep his head low. "Commander?" she uttered.
He simply nodded.
Rebecca wanted to give her hand as she did in the past. But it was fruitless.
"Captain Orvein," said Ered. "Prove that you are loyal to the crown and not a criminal." His face was barren, his voice rigid and raspy. "Shackle Xeto Alcazar and take him to my royal guards. See that he is locked away until his execution."
Prince Lanace laughed aloud. "Are you able to do it? Prove your loyalty, girl. Or maybe you'd like to join him?"
A line of insults rested on her lips as she grimaced at the long-haired prince who looked more like a princess.
Sara brough her hand up. A piece of her armor liquified and turned into the shape of shackles as it perched into her open palm. "Take it," she said before tossing it on the table.
Rebecca burned with the heat of a dozen furnaces as she caught a glimpse of the heiress' smirk. She couldn't do that to her commander. She wouldn't.
"Rebecca," said Xeto quietly.
She turned to him; her heart fluttered. This was it, he was going to take a stand. Though her joy was short lived as she met with the same eyes she saw in Brena. Ones empty of hope. Empty of life.
"You have your orders," he said emotionlessly. He put up his hands, ready to be bound.
Why? Help me understand—why! The commander I know wouldn't give up this easily. She took hold of the shackles with shaky hands. A second later came the unsavory sound of the steel teeth locking as she clasped his wrist together. She looked into his hazel eyes in hopes of finding an answer to his futility.
Xeto pulled away.
"You did well, Orvein," said Sara with a hint of satisfaction.
Rebecca's irritation reached her lips. "Shut up, harlot."
Sara remained unfazed, rather she welcomed the insult with an even wider smirk.
Savor this moment. It'll be the last time you ever disrespect me or Xeto. She walked behind her former commander. Her hand on his shoulder, she urged him forward. Together they walked down a dark spiral staircase that seemed to carry an air of dread now. She leaned beside his ear once they were far from the upper room. "So, what's the plan, Commander?" The long echoes of their boots on the stone stairs were her only answer. "I know you have something in mind. Something that'll—"
"Stop, Rebecca. It's over." His voice echoed lightly.
She gasped as a shrill ran down her spine. "We're far from the others. You can speak freely now."
"I am."
"Horseshit!" She dug her fingers into his arms as she spun him around and slammed him against the stone wall. "Don't try to feed me that tripe, Commander!" She heard her own voice crack as it bounced off the walls. "It's not over. I'm not just going to let you die!" A tear ran down her cheek as she gripped his arm tighter. "Look me in the eyes, Commander!"
Xeto hesitantly brought his head up. He was shaking lightly. "I made a mistake just like in Brena. I won't let that mistake be paid with the lives of the people I care about."
"Stop with this noble warrior nonsense!" She slammed him into the stone again, hopefully beating sense into him. "Stop! Just—"
"I can't!" His voice rose to match hers. "What would you do?" The surrounding walls seem to shake. "Would you let me die because of your mistakes? Would you let your brothers—people you love, die?"
Rebecca's voice was caught in her throat. "I…you…you can run. We can all run." She took a step back. "There's something darker going on around us. You said we'd uncover it together—and put an end to it."
Xeto began down the stairs in a slow trek. "You'll have to do it alone. I'm sorry."
"What about Anaria and Roy, huh?" She threw out her arms as she yelled down at him. "What? Are they simply supposed to watch their childhood friend hang?"
"If I hang, they live." His voice returned to a hoarse whisper.
"They've suffered enough death. Don't be so selfish!" She followed behind him.
"They'll eventually find peace with it. As I did with my brother's death."
They reached the bottom; a pristine wooden door blocked their path.
Xeto looked back at her. "Just promise me that you'll watch over them after I'm gone."
Rebecca reached the end of her mind. It was an empty chasm without a shred of hope. There were no words she could say to sway him, nor any action she could take. "So, is this how it ends? Is this how you choose to end it?" Her lip quivered as her eyes burned from the restraint of tears.
"It is, Lieutenant."
"You selfish bastard!" She concentrated all of her anger and disappointment as she rammed him into the door, slamming it open and sending the commander to the floor.
His head bounced off the pristine tile of the next room, a new gash decorated his brow as fresh blood dripped to the floor.
They were back in the gallant ballroom where two royal guards stood in wait.
Rebecca clenched her teeth but it did little to stop her waterfall of tears. She pointed an unsteady finger at him. "Get this—this coward out of my sight! Ered's orders. He's a traitor!"
The men took no second for granted as they pulled him to his feet. "By your orders, Shield." They pulled him away, every few feet a droplet of blood stained the floor.
Rebecca put her hand over her mouth, attempting to muffle her sobs. She pushed her back against the wall as all the sound around her became a distorted mess. Her legs gave way as she slowly slid down the wall. A coward—that's what you are Xeto. A coward!