The journey to and from the Council City took about a full month, a two week journey each way. As the carriage made it back home, everyone was astonished by what they saw. The Weeping Obsidanite walls looked like they were entering the fortress of some evil villain. On the other side of the walls, Guardian Sentries were guarding the doubled walls, posted at each gate. Paved roads lead them into the heart of the city, now known as Carne Valley. As they walked, the entire city was bustling with activity, merchants and vendors selling goods. Fog was deeply impressed with with their work as he made his way towards the city center. The Statue honoring the collaboration between Fort Wilderness and the City Knights was still standing. As he turned to him left, he stopped in shock. Polaris, Elder Prime and the others were all standing in front of the castle he would be living out of.
As he took a step forwards, he collapsed to his knees, tears running down his old bones. "Fog, why are you crying?"
"I-I just wish my father was here to see this.... His son, from Butler to King of his own nation."
"You worked by my side for the first ten years of my childhood Fog. It would be egregious not to help you achieve things in life. Now come on, let's go check out this castle. As he entered the castle, he was greeted by citizens and Antarctica.
"W-what are you doing here?"
"My brother go me to see just how wrong I was supporting my father, so as my penance, I am to faithfully serve you. Just as you served both of us."
Fog nodded as he walked through the halls, he was impressed by their work, such craftsmanship of everything, it was something out of a dream for him. As he opened the doors to the throne room, he covered his mouth, trying to keep from sobbing at the sight. Behind his throne was a mural of his family.
"Can you see it.... Mother.... Father... I did it.... I became a King." Fog placed his hand on the mural and sobbed silently.
"I knew this is something that meant alot to him, but I had no idea..." started KBar
"Fog's parents were killed by my father, this is the closest thing I could get to getting them back." Said Polaris looking to his friend.
"Thank you.... All of you. I never expected this to become a reality. I stand in this room, hell, next to my own throne and look back to my roots, a humble family of butlers and ice block makers. If this is a dream, don't wake me up."
"Well Fog, I can say with certainty this isn't a dream."
"The Council of Nations has recognized the Republic as an official nation."
"Which makes you, Fog Carne, the first King of the Meritocratic Republic of Wildereplains."
The citizens kneel before him as does the Order of the Wilderness Remnants. Fog looks out and gasps to see Polaris taking a knee for him. "No, Polaris please. Remain standing."
"Fog, you are the King...."
"I know that, but my former master.... my friend. You bow to no one."
Fog stands kneels before Polaris. Polaris is speechless as Fog and the others rise. "Now! Shall we get to work on making this Republic the best nation?
With that, everyone got to work. The tailor set to work getting Fog a new outfit. Polaris and the Order of the Wilderness Remnant marched back to their Fort. It too had been redone. A far larger training ground, the doorway into Fort Wilderness had Semper Promptus & Aeterna Vindicta inscribed in runes above it. The Statue of the eighty-six fallen heroes had been moved out front, standing guard, watching over the Wilderness Battle Flag. A faded Royal Blue Banner, two, steel colored, crossed swords behind a steel colored shield sewn onto it. A golden compass rose surrounding the white Crest of Polaris within the center of the shield, waving proudly over their Fort.
Inside Fort Wilderness, Polaris and the other heroes were seated within the Chamber of
"Now, I hereby call this meeting of the Order to a start. In attendance, please state your name and hero title.
"SDB, the Otherworlder Hero; Present Sir."
"Powerdrive, the Mythril-Golem Hero; Present Sir."
"Veldspar, the Undead Boarmen Buccaneer Hero; Present Comrade."
"Arris, the Jade Pixy the Great Forest Hero; Present Sir."
"White Phosphorous, the Fallen Angel of Chemical Warfare; Present Sir."
"Joplin, the Tornadic Hero; Present Sir."
"Gauss, the Spectral Huntsman Hero; Present Sir."
"KBar, the Colorblind Blade Specialist Hero; Present Polaris."
"Archimedes, the Elven Master Builder Hero; Present and Awaiting your introduction."
"Polaris, the Celestial Symbol of Perseverance Hero; Present. This concludes roll call."
As they settled into their seats, Polaris crossed out Bel's name, Hexxit's name, and Silvyr's name. He sighed softly then looked up to the table.
"The first meeting of the established Order of the Wilderness Remnants has started. Does anyone have anything to report?"
Archimedes cleared his throat and stood. "I do." Polaris motioned for him to speak.
"As of now, there are ten heroes of Wilderness.... unfortunately, I must bring that number down to nine." The heroes were stunned by Archimedes, one of the longest serving members of Wilderness had just stated he would be stepping down.
"Archimedes.... Why in the name of the gods are you stepping down?"
"I wanted to tell all of you far sooner, but Princess Arwen and I are expecting our first child. To add to that, I'm not getting any younger. My body isn't up to the challenges of this next cycle. Therefore, Polaris, I submit my verbal resignation."
Everyone turned to look at Polaris, who's eyes and mouth had vanish, leaving just is solar skin. He pursed his lips, then opened his eyes. "While it saddens me to see you go, I.... understand. Please allow us to give you a farewell ceremony."
"That would be wonderful."
Before anyone else could speak, KBar stood up as well. "From nine to eight. I also tender my resignation Polaris. As I have become one of King Fog's personal Knights, I will no longer have time to conduct myself as a hero."
Polaris nodded, and accepted his resignation. "You may both leave. Archimedes, tell Princess Arwen congratulations for me. KBar, uphold you new duties with best you can. Show those other Knights what it means to carry yourself as a Veteran of Wilderness."
They saluted Polaris, closed fist to their heart, then left the Wilderness. "Before we move forwards, does anyone else wish to resign?"
Jade floated over to Polaris and nodded.
"So... you too Jade?"
"Yes, the Fae Mother has recalled me to serve her."
"Understood, you may go."
Once Jade had left, Polaris did his best to carry out the meeting, discussing changes to the Fort, getting uniforms assigned, bunks, he kept pushing himself but everyone knew one inescapable fact. Losing Hexxit, the betrayal of Bel, then the three resignations.... was weighing on their leader.
"Sir."
"Yes? Question White?"
"No sir, I just think...."
"I am fine Phosphorous."
"Sir, forgive me for this, but you've been through a lot in a very short period of time. None of us could stand losing you. Please, take a break. Nobody is out to get us, and of anyone here, you deserve a break."
"And you all think this?"
The heroes nodded, then Powerdrive chimed in.
"Polaris, none of believe you're weak, especially not after killing the Pope, your own father, and the dark god Stagnate. We all have witnessed your strength first hand, but it's your mind. All of us can handle only so much. It was you who led us back here, now allow us to help keep you going."
Before Polaris could speak, Proxima walked in. "Thought that was que to come in. Polaris, hell, you're the strongest Celestial that's ever walked this planet. Trust in your team. Hell, SBD convinced me to join y'all anyways. So you're back up to eight. We, together, will rebuild the numbers of Wilderness. Have faith, you assembled one hell of a crew."
Polaris smiled softly. "Thank you... all of you. For now, focus on training, and getting used to the Fort. Everyone is dismissed."
As Polaris climbed to the roof of the Fort, White Phosphorous rushed to catch up with him.
"Sir."
"We're all off duty White. Call me Polaris."
"Understood."
"What did you need?"
"I wanted to thank you for saving me."
"White, you saved yourself, all you need me for was a way out of the Holy Kingdom."
"No. Polaris, without your courage to stand up to Salore, I wouldn't have had the courage to run. Those wicked bastards....."
"Hey, you're no longer there. Take a look out there. This, all of this was a myth when Wilderness first made their first move to help people.... If you'd told me back then that all of this would happen, I'd call you crazy and walk away."
"If you don't mind me asking, what happened to Atrocity and Astotle?"
"They're training the Carne Valley Knights. Fog asked them to join as the top, and they accepted. It's as simple as that."
"Another question sir."
"Lay it on me."
"What was it like.... Wilderness's first mission?"
"Haven't you read about in in the archive?"
"I did, but I wanted your story on it."
Polaris looked away from the Kingdom, and looked at White. "Wilderness's first ever mission, turned out to be a hopeless one...."
His eyes seemed to take him back in time, witnessing everything.
"We were asked to help investigate strange events happening down in the Southern Lava Flats. Turns out, Nether-Realm beings were invading, killing anyone who wasn't them. Once we knew, we deployed to put a stop to them. In all my life, every situation had a silver lining, every last one of them until that mission. "Operating Undaunted Light" was the worst mission in our long history. Every nation put forth their army to assist us in stopping them, but at the end of they day, they aren't remotely close to us in terms of strength. Within minutes, over half of the allied armies had been cut down."
"How did you comeback from that?"
"Wilderness united. We stopped trying for peace, and went full scorched earth. It's the reason many humans fear me. None of their people had ever seen such destructive power before."
The Wilderness Flag waves in the distance as Polaris finished his story with White Phosphorous. While it was true that nobody had actively been look to attack, it didn't mean they were clear....
"Have you seen this?"
"That a Celestial killed Stagnate? Of course I have. What do you want me to do?"
"Talk with him! He might have just what we need to...."
"Hold your tongue boy. I may be tired, but I am still a Demon Lord."
"Of course Demon Lord Asmodeus. I just thought he could help us with the Church."
Asmodeus sighs and pulls out a map. "That journey would take months. Even if I was to go alone, who says he won't kill me. For all we know, he is working for the church."
"No my lord! A report from the Western Council of Nations confirmed that Polaris killed the Pope of the Western Holy Kingdom."
Asmodeus's eyes widened, as she snatched the report. As she looked up, her eyes gleamed a pink hue. "Get my things ready. I am heading for the Meritocratic Republic of Wildereplains. This, Polaris, will listen to me, even if it costs me my life."