That battle, which consumed over two years of my life, had come to an end. The wonders my eyes saw, the passions that ran through my mind, the sensation my nose gave me, and the power pushed through my body all allowed me to move past everything that stood in front of me, and on that battle with everyone by my side I felt like a giant wave passed through all of our souls granting us strength that was unknown to us before, but more than that I gave us a joy that could never have been found outside of this moment.
-Break-
Location: The Bastion Kingdom, Dá; Capital City Jīnyínqì; Captivant's Hotel Room
Feeling the morning light shine against my face, I let out a yawn as I stretch my arms and turn my head to the face of my partner beside me. Rubbing my hands through her sleeping face, I say, "You were amazing last night. A truly wondrous body that took on the anxiety of a war hero, let the fact that you've bedded Captivant Nightfall be a story you shall one day tell to your grandkids, as I am sure it will be the highlight of your life."
She starts rustling, and in that moment, I quickly jump out of the bed, grab all my clothes and layer them on my body one after another. Before quickly moving towards the window and jumping out with my coat in my arms.
As I land on the group below, I say, "Look how strong you are. Jumping out a window and landing with no damage to your knees, it's almost like you've already ascended to be a hero."
Raising my head, I turn and wave to the citizens on the streets as I start walking, and count, "3, 2, 1."
"YOU BASTARD!" I hear her voice scream out of the room I had just left.
Smiling as I walk myself forward, I yawn then say, "Did a boring woman like that really expect to see my face in the morning? Doesn't she know that I am an unchained beast who can never be tamed?"
Feeling my body move another, bringing it to a halt as if I ran into a wall, I hear a voice say, "You really want to test that?"
I quickly lower my head, where I see Fu's chin against my chest as he stares up. Turning around, I instantly dash off, yet in that moment, the collar of my clothes is grabbed, and my body is yanked back.
Feeling my ass smash against the floor, I say, "ALERT THE GUARDS, A DEMON HAS CRAWLED OVER FROM HELL!"
My screams hit the ears of everyone around, yet they all simply stare at Fu, waving to him as they pass by, causing him to say, "I ask them all the time where you are when I have to come fetch you. Don't think they would ever side with you over me. But aren't you happy to see me, my favourite disease riddle, childish, women-hating, weak, ugly man whore?"
"What do you want from me?"
Fu's face falls in front of mine, and with a smile, he says, "I have a very fun task for both of us to do. It's sure to make you smile from the very depths of your heart."
"HE'S GOING TO KILL ME! I AM GOING TO BE SLAUGHTERED!"
-Break-
Location: The Bastion Kingdom, Dá; Capital City Jīnyínqì; Eastern Market Ward
Carrying a swarm of baskets against my body, I look at Fu, who whistles as he walks forward and says, "What's with all this shopping? Are you a woman?"
"Yes, I am now shut up, and keep walking."
Falling to my knees, I say, "You're not funny, you know. Why do I have to be the one to help you do all this shopping? Couldn't you ask any of the soldiers to come with you?"
Looking back at me on the floor, Fu relaxes his body against the wall closest to us and says, "Why would I do that? They had all just finished fighting a bloody war 3 months ago, and are constantly stuck on guard and patrol duty, making sure the lands all around remain safe."
"You talk as if I wasn't in the thick of it as well."
"You call writing with your little pen being in the thick of it?"
"HEY!"
"I kid, especially since."
Walking up to us, a group of little kids shyly wave at Fu, then runs away as he says, "Your words have spread across our country, granting us power that we never thought possible."
Joining him against the wall, I stare out at all the faces of the people passing us, and across them, smiles and joy rush across them all. Seeing them, Fu says, "Before it was never like this, they always used to scowl at anyone connected to Wèilái. To them, he was a warmonger who plunged an already struggling country into a war to destroy stability for no reason other than arrogance. Yet your words reached their hearts, and gave them the ability to trust in us throughout everything, and for that I thank you."
Fu's smile, even when his face is wrapped up in bandages, makes my heart skip for a moment. So I grab a pen out of my pocket, I say, "My Regalia allows me to incite my feelings and emotions into my work, and as people read them they emotions flow into them and spread to the more they talk about it, like an infection. The only reason my words have any effect is due to the emotions and sensations you've all placed in this body of mine, not due to my own strength. This is a victory for us all."
Laughing, he says, "I guess you're right. On that note, what are you going to name your Regalia? You have yet to imprint one on it, I've learned."
"Maybe Captivant! The word that captivate ones heart."
"That sounds moronic. It's a shame that someone like you has reached the first step in becoming a Legacy."
"Your jealousy is showing, must suck that you can't manifest a Regalia."
Annoyed, he says, "You know why my family is incapable of doing such a thing, you brat, but if you think it makes you such a tough guy, we can go to blows right now."
"I retract my statement, and wish to apologise for my words."
"Good boy."
Looking out to the crowds in front of me, I say, "We really did a good job after all. A legendary battle that shook the very continent and ended with our victory after over 2 years, you've all got your names pasted in the history books already."
"But now is the hard part. We fought a 2-year-long war and exhausted most of our resources, right now we are redistributing the spoils of war from Western Dá to Eastern Dá, yet it still means we have an issue regarding how Western Dá is going to do now.
Luckily, our lord looked ahead and conquered some land from our other bordering countries, and plans to negotiate buy-backs for the sake of securing resources to eventually help support our newly acquired land, but it seems the remnants of the guardians who fled have caught wind of our plan and are doing whatever it takes to impede and stop us. So right now, a lot of the deals are stalling.
Which causes another issue, do you want to take a guess?"
Scratching my chin, I say, "I guess the answer would be policing."
"You're right. While we not only defeated the coalition assault but also launched our own raid into their lands, still it all came at a cost. Our military was spread so thin that almost all 2nd to 5th seats had to be in charge of armies far larger than what they were used to, and eventually they all started to die little by little. The six generals might have made it out unscathed, but we no longer have a single living 2nd to 5th seat, meaning we lost giant chunks of our command chain. So our logistics have been sent into a spiral, and now we can barely keep the army functioning throughout the land, which increases the chance of unrest amongst civilians, especially since the competent rookies who rose during the war are all on border patrol."
"You could hire some adventurers. Adventurers are forbidden from military operations; our Cordum will cut them loose, but if you hire them as village guards, they will have a responsibility to do policing."
"We thought of that, but it wouldn't be a good idea. Right now, most people and our enemies don't know our current military strength accurately, and having to import a bunch of foreigners would signal that to them. But on a more personal level, our country is currently riding a morale high from the victory; if they now see foreigners clouding the streets, that could change rapidly."
"So it seems we are lost in a deadlock."
"We would be without the man beside me."
"It seems you'll need me to whip up another story, if so just give me some time, and a new infection will spread."
"Captivant, our plans are no longer what they used to be. Right now, we don't expect any large-scale battles for the next 5 to 10 years. We will be focusing on rebuilding and gaining more strength, yet we know how much you'd reject that stagnation. But we need your strength to make sure everything flows properly, that's why I want to ask you not as your commander or as the monster you see me as, but as your friend. Captivant, please join the Dá Empire from this day forth and become a permanent resident."
Huh? Is he serious?
Turning to me, he says, "You will receive a noble title, and a large amount of land, along with all the resources you'd need to live a life of comfort. There are some amongst Wèilái's young daughters who've taken a liking to you; when they come of age, you could even marry one. We offer you a life that almost none could ever home to get."
No way, they're really begging me to do this, to take a life here as a noble who could enjoy whatever luxuries the world could buy. I could spend all of my days here writing to my heart's content, watching as each word released from my pencil commands and takes control of the lives of people, of the flow of the battlefield. It's a deal unimaginable in its value to attain at just 20 years old. I should take it, I need to take it, and in that moment, I will become a legendary figure whose name shall be regarded throughout the land.
Feeling my mouth release, I say, "Let me think about it." Huh? Why did I say that?
Looking at me, Fu says, "I see. We have a banquet tomorrow, for which we've invited people from across the country, and abroad as a show of power, and a sign of peace to all our potential allies and known enemies. You're invited, but make sure to keep a low profile; we still don't want anybody to know who you are. If possible, I would like your announcement to be made tomorrow as it affects our plans."
Fu takes all of the baskets off of me and says, "Don't worry, we don't plan on assassinating you if you reject us; we have enough trust in the bonds we have forged that you won't betray us like a dog. But we hope you make the correct decision for us all, Captivant."
With those words, Fu turns and leaves, and as I see him move, I feel my chest pound over and over again, like a hammer is smashing against it. I know deep inside, in the depths of my soul, that the words I have yet to spew will decide my life yet again.