Arc 5: The Stars Against Anarchy
The rain was soon to fade over Walgonia, the sun soon to rise over it all, and the Siege was soon to take the entire country.
From the thousands of Athens refugees pushing through the country, pushing through the waves of anarchists toward Valatrocitus, Ravoria, or just a safe place to live. Where roaming bands of anarchists were struck by the weight of Athens' vengeance, by axes thrown through bushes right into heads, large waves of civilians moved to simply overwhelm the anarchists. They weren't trying to fight, they weren't trying to join the war. But like the thousands and thousands of civilians in Walgonia, they had to fight to simply survive. And it was pushing the Sect away at every front.
Helena {We gotta pick up the pace!}
And inside the Capital, the forces pushed through. Still draining in through the South, the North. Then the hundreds of rebels moving under the guise of rain and darkness continued marching to the West. Lead by Helena and Lincoln, flashing rooftop to rooftop. Looking over their army like rats trying to crawl through a maze. Under the eyes of so many anarchists, the eyes of a sheer death, and walked with a straight face. Covering, hiding, leaving any gear they had to. Hiding the looks on their faces young or old, from fear, pain, or even a blind rage. Soon to breach through the North, and toward the West, with a plan in mind. One made just a few moments ago, when Lincoln froze atop a spire in a blank daze. His mind rushing with Spirit mana, and his thoughts filled with other souls.
Ryo {Gordon is nearby. You'll want to meet up on your ways toward the West, and then we may need help with cleaning up a few messes near the West.}
Lincoln {Ugh, I got it.}
And when the Spirit mana vanished, so did Lincoln. Soon they would all be together, soon this Siege would finally happen. They just had to finally Unite. But with Gray unconscious and with Gordon, Rosemary's group separated, Leo's group on the move back to the base, and Edwards group still amidst a battle with a Sect Commander? It wouldn't be so easy. And to make things worse, the longer things took the more word would spread. And by sunrise, there may be far too many anarchists to ever escape from. It was itching closer and closer, but the Constellations of Walgonia weren't finished shining. They'd push closer forever, until the Star of Walgonia had risen again. But then they would just rise forever.
"This way this way! Come on!"
The anarchists were slowly building in the streets already. Chasing Rosemary's group, Leo's group, and soon to unleash across Edwards battlefield. So they couldn't stop, they wouldn't, absolutely never.
Rosemary: "GERALD! GET A HOLD OF YOURSELF BEFORE I GOTTA CARRY TWO UNCONSCIOUS BODIES!"
Anarchists were moving across the street, right to Rosemary flashing through her stages, and Gerald. Scratching at his arms, gritting his teeth, trying so badly just to stand straight. His eyes flickered a harsh irritated red to a completely blank white, and when he heard Rosemary's words, all he could do was scream in defiance.
Gerald: "OUT! GET OUT! GET THE FUCK OUTTA MY BODY!"
His soul couldn't take it. Having such a horrible, corrupted, disgusting man trying to force his way into his OD. having an anarchist digging into his muscles, his limbs, toward his brain. Forcing him to curl back, to scream into the sky, and grab hold of his head feeling more pain than the entire battle had caused him. So much his Axe of Agony even lit a flame, forcing Rosemary back as he slashed in circles.
Gerald: "STOP IT STOP IT STOP IT STOP IT!"
Completely insane with resistance, Gerald slashed toward an anarchist lunging at his back. Crushing his skull into the ground before he swung it deeply into the stomach of another, and kicked them off his blade to drop it right down through another skull.
Contis: "I WON'T DIE TO YOU! I WON'T LOSE! I'LL LIVE FOREVER WITH MY UPPER PILLARS! I'LL BE REMEMBERED FOREVER! HUNDREDS OF YEARS FROM NOW, EVERYONE WILL REMEMBER L RIGAL CONTIS!!!"
His words were forced through Gerald's throat with a horrible burning, almost acidic effort. Ripping away his control, his vision, his hearing. Dragging Gerald to his knees, his arms to his sides like they'd been shackled. So Rosemary could see the sheer look of desperation in his face, and hesitate. Moving to flick three anarchists moving across the street with a fourth stage flick instead, sending them back into the rushing carriages with a thick burst of pressure. But leaving her finger broken in the process, and Gerald without any hold left.
Conti: "THIS MIND! IT'S YOUR ONLY USE! I'LL TAKE EVERYTHING YOU ARE, AND THEN I'LL TAKE YOU GIRL! THAT POWER, I COULD MOLD IT INTO SOMETHING UNSTOPPABLE! OR FIND SOMETHING EVEN STRONGER! THINK OF THE -
And then she finally let out another punch to Gerald's face, pushing him down into the ground before Contis grabbed hold of her stage covered arm and squeezed it so tightly Rosemary was forced to rip herself away. Even if it was just for a second, Contis had the advantage, and instead of fighting, he just took off in the opposite direction. Leaving Rosemary in a daze and complete panic, and forcing her to grab Luca's still unconscious body and continue rushing down the street. The burdens, the pain, the agony, it was all rising. Ripping her away, and soon she'd be able to move just as well as Luca right now.
Rosemary: "DAMMIT GERALD! TAKE HOLD OF YOURSELF! PLEASE YOU HAVE TO, YOU CAN'T GO NOW! NOT WHEN IT'S ALL ON THE LINE!"
Gerald {I KNOW THAT DAMMITT!}
With so much rage, Contis was forced to burst into tears as he sprinted. Dragging Gerald's screaming body down the street, surging and bending every which way in a crazed panic, before Rosemary quickly closed the distance. Slamming her shoulder into Gerald's back to send him sliding against the side walk, and right into more anarchists she had to kick away with the Forth stage.
Rosemary: "SHIIT!"
Screaming out with tears in her eyes, she took hold of her screaming leg with all she could. All while more anarchists began to swarm at all sides, across the streets, from the roofs and alleys. Until they'd soon be completely surrounded.
Contis: "LISTEN TO ME! I'VE TOLD YOU HOW IT'S GONNA END OVER AND OVER AGAIN! BUT KNOW I'LL TAKE IT ALL -
Contis moved to stand, and when he did, he delved as deeply as he could into Gerald's mind. Where he heard Gerald's screams, random voices of the rebellion, random sights of their hide out or the West side. Instantly draining into his mind far faster than the world was moving, and he understood it all. Until those flashes became like a book he could finally open, and drop into. To see the secrets of Walgonia. But all he saw was the Monster. Gerald Handcock.
Gerald: "Mommy!?"
He was a young boy running through a burning farm house, past the burning and screaming body of his even younger sister in their kitchen. The crushed corpse of his older brother hanging through a wall. His father was stabbed in the throat with a Sect dagger. And amidst the flames, the smoke, the crumbling house he ran. Straight out the door, and into a field of anarchists. Burning their farm, burning their barn, taking their animals. And standing in front of the young Gerald, blades and wands drawn, ready to kill him in an instant. Until the Commander stepped forward, and held her hand to push them all back.
"Leave him, my son has no quarrel with the Sect."
It was ingrained into Contis' being. The absolute rage, fear, pain, abandonment. And it got even thicker as Gerald trained, as he joined the soldiers a few years before it was legal, as he pushed it through his years as a squire. Two decades of screaming, fighting, training. Not for Walgonia. Not for his past. But to slaughter every single anarchist he could. And now, after almost sixty years of slaughtering them, all Contis was was a burning darkness. Running as a fifteen year old Gerald before his face burst open with blood, quickly turning blind and scaring over. Standing, screaming, panicking as a twenty, thirty, forty, -
Contis: "WHAT IS THIS MADNESS!? WHO ARE YOU!?? YOUUU! YOUUU! -
Until he finally broke out of Gerald's skin, and sat in the blood soaked darkness. Naked, wrinkled, crying and crying into the abyss. Feeling the blood of so many brothers and sisters, hearing the screams, watching them erupt in horrific fashions every time, tasting their flesh. Pulling him further down and down like shackles of his own. Until he snapped his long neck backward, and saw a beast smiling back at him. A set of uneven, rotten, broken, sharp bleeding teeth carving into pure bloodlust.
Gerald: "...You peeked…"
Contis: "YOUUU! YOU MONNSTEER! GET AWAY FROM ME GET AWAY PLEASE PLEASE -
And the Monster stepped forward, before putting his hand softly around Contis'twitching body. Forcing him to finally stop talking. Forcing him to finally squirm, scratch, scream out -
Contis: "PLEASE!"
While Gerald just sat over him. Crushing him. Laughing and laughing, bleeding and bleeding, surrounded by thousands of dead anarchists. Piles of burning bodies, towns, hideouts. And as Contis lost strength. As his arms started to fail, as his lungs and eyes started to fade. All he saw was Gerald's eye, an eye filled with so much joy. From just how much ecstasy he felt from destroying this damn soul.
Gerald: "BEG! BEG FOR YOUR LIFE! STRETCH AND CRY AND SCREAM! DO IT! DO IT!"
Then, when Contis' soul was finally crushed, Gerald awoke from the darkness in an instant. With Rosemary fearfully by his side with Luca, on the side of the street, surrounded by around fifty to a hundred anarchists. All ready to slaughter them both.
Rosemary: "Nice time to rejoin us."
Gerald: "It's all good, y'know I feel like I just had a really really good nap."
He was still smiling brightly, but his eyes were still drenched in the flames of his ripped open memories. That pain, that sorrow, that abandonment, it all caused his Axe to completely ignite in a flame of agony. The corruption inside the blade began to glow just as brightly as the flames, digging even deeper as Gerald's immense burdens pushed it to its core. Stretching even toward his left arm, sinking lightly into his veins.
Gerald: "NOW BRING IT ON!"
Yet, the wall of anarchists ahead of him was instantly decimated. A large, bright, insanely fast straight from the sky. A slash glowing pure purple with corruption, that unleashed across the street. Leaving the anarchists in pieces, or flying back, so the swordsmen could land across the street to unleash an even wider slash of corruption around her. Through the heads, stomachs, chests, and armor of everyone around her. To clear the path for her, and flash toward Rosemary. Snatching her arm, and Geralds, before moving to leap into the sky before Rosemary could even register who it was.
Gerald: "GET YOUR DIRT HAND OFF ME HALF ELF!"
They had flung into the air with a pulse of power that dug deeply into the street just as Gerald roared with pride, all while Rosemary barely held Luca's unconscious body with her other arm. Finally able to realize just who had saved her.
Yui: "SHUT UP! I'M THE ONE SAVIN YOUR ASS! IF I DIDN'T HAVE TO I WOULD LEFT YOUR DISGUSTING ASS FOR DEAD!"
Yui, and when she passed over the large apartment building across the street, they saw Dershia as well. Rushing to the edge of the rooftop to scream out -
Dershia: "EL-WIGGES!"
To unleash a large eruption of mist and snow across the sky, to fall across the hundreds of anarchists still moving in the street. And hide the direction Yui shifted to while Dershia began sprinting behind them to barely stay by their side. Pushing herself with a tight flow of mana across her body to leap over the roof top, swing with a thin spire to roll across a slanted roof, before running across it to leap into the air.
Dershia: "Wiglup!"
Spinning with her jump over another street, a short mass of water rushed around her body to lift her further into the air. And collapsed into a thick puddle of glowing water as it took the burden of her landing across another roof. All so she could barely keep up with Yui, who continuously skidded and leapt wall to wall. Roof to roof. Blasting across the Capital toward their base, where everyone else would be awaiting them. And all Rosemary could feel was a sense of loss, an immense burden of failure. Yet, Gerald faded back into his mind. Letting go of the Axe's flame, the corruption sinking deeply into his hand, to fall toward the corruption Contis unleashed inside his brain. Like he had broken something he absolutely shouldn't have.
Rosemary {Please, I need you all to be okay. If I lost…I could accept it. But if they lost? What am I supposed to do then?...Would I even want to keep fighting?}
Rushing through the dimming storm, the slowly brightening sky, they fled deeper into the West. Where the East moved, where Leo and Grom's party fled, hopefully where Gordon was taking Gray. Leaving the destroyed manor, the infected Edward and Joyce, the panic overwhelming Joyce and Soku, and the torrent of anarchists still trying to fight around them. The building was shaking, crumbling, while the outside was soon to be all out warfare of the nearby anarchists. But right now Edward stood right over the Head Commander with his blade held firmly. With his voice bursting aloud with blood curdling screams. With his Dragon Stone sword, swinging down as hard as possible.
"GO TO HELL -
The snake Demi-human attempted to wrap her long body around Edwards to crush him with all she had, but he still swung anyway. Taking out her arm with a burst of pressure. Cracking the ground, and leaving the Commander blindingly screaming and scratching at the air in pain. So Edward could grab hold of her and lift her over his head. His veins, his eyes, his skin boiling and burning with her venom rushing through his heart. A sickness of pure agony, agonizing rage. And it seemed to backfire, as it left him with only a mind of a pure Helsing. A Helsing who stabbed into her back with his gauntlets to push her screams, her own agony to the absolute brink. Separating her very spine.
Tim {My God…I guess all Helsings really are -
"YOU MONSTER -
Gerald, Edward, so many soldiers across Walgonia. Blood soaked Warriors, that would be just as or even more horrific than the Sect themselves. So many bodies already lie across the floor. Even more were being left by Sokus wind blades, Tims blasts of fire, and now the Commander. Torn in half with one harsh roar. And still Edwards body rushed with her poison. Joyce was still cutting through anarchists above them. And there was no telling if they could even survive. Edwards mind was rushing with flames, even more than Joyce, but Joyce was finally beginning to run out of steam. Slower, weaker, and distracted enough to get hit with a heavy punch from a large anarchist. Getting her set into the air before she crashed into the first floor. Scratching, roaring, screaming, bleeding onto the floor. Without any mind at all. All she could do, all she would let her do was kill. But she was finally breaking; the venom had run its course, and even those eyes filled with flames went black.
Tim: "JOYCE! DAMMIT, IGHELL!"
Tim sent out some of her last mana into her flame wand, to send out a dense pulse of bright red mana over a handful of anarchists. It all flooded around them, into them, across them just as fast as the wave went over them. Bathing them in a burst of fire around them, across them, inside of them. To leave them as a wave of ash Tim ran through to hold Joyce tightly, before even more Anarchists swarmed around her. Soku rushed through with her Mark, Edward continued to cut through, but soon it wouldn't be enough. And Edward would turn his sights toward the strongest in the room.
Soku: "GET AWAY!"
She slid past Edward, right beside Tim and Joyce. Only to send all of her mana toward the strongest thing charging at her, Edward himself. Then with a sudden rupture of wind, boosted by her Mark flashing into action with her fear, Edward was sent rolling across the street outside. Facing even more anarchists, and Soku yet again as she pulled the others with her and a quick ball of wind to surround them.
Soku: "COME ON MAN!"
As they hit the ground without any control, Edward was left swaying side to side. Grabbing hold of his arms, his head, his face, biting down on his own Dragon Stone. Not because he was regaining control, but because he was also soon to reach his limit. But his body kept stepping forward without any care for the anarchists surrounding them, and focused on Soku fiercely. Before he felt something even stronger. Shaking the ground with each step, taking the eyes of the anarchists with the other. And under the shadow of the rising sun roared the loudest noise of the night.
Walter: "RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA-
The massive, raging, strongest Knight in Walgonia, had landed to crush ten anarchists. His eyes were blank with rage, swinging his enormous tail through another wave with ease. Before raising it into the air and sending out a burst of pressure right into the side of the manor to collapse the front entrance, and trap any anarchists still inside.
Soku: "STOOP EDWARD!"
And without a thought, Walter jolted through the wall of anarchists in front of him. To stand right behind Edward, facing Soku and the others, before locking eyes with the infected Helsing. Filled with fear, agony, and ready to collapse, he managed to mutter out his last few words before getting knocked out.
Edward: "...Do it…"
And in the next second, Walter backhanded Edward right to slide right into the others. All together so he could grab hold of them all inside his massive hands and pivot directly to the side. Bashing through an entire building with his shoulder in a few seconds before taking off down the street even faster. Leaving small craters in the street with each of his steps, until the street crumbled under the weight of his crashing tail. Sending him flying forward to climb a crumbling tower, slide down its side to get around the building, and kick off of it to rush through the sky. Leaving the last Command Post destroyed, the last Commander dead, and so many anarchists along with it. And now with some central points around the West cleared, it could finally act as the home of this Siege. Where most of their soldiers would wash over the rest of the Capital, and where all of the civilians could flee to. And in the passing hours, they'd all be together again. With Rosemary, Gerald, and Soku being healed of their wounds. With Edward, Joyce, Luca, and Gray unconscious. And the Pillars of this war right down stairs, putting together the last pieces of this war as fast as they could. Since the moment the sun rose on the next day, it would shine over the country wide War against Anarchy. And set on a safe land.
And inside of it all, inside of the all too familiar darkness, was Gray Kyojin yet again. But he wasn't confused, he wasn't scared. No, nothing even close. After everything, it all finally felt like too much. But he wasn't broken, lost to despair, no. He'd already fallen into that again and again. This time it was something far more dangerous for Gray. And that was rage.
Azalea: "Who do you think you are, looking at me like that!?"
On her throne of darkness, with the Cloak rising around them, Gray stepped forward firmly. Focused directly at her, with eyes sharpened with rage. Drowning, pulled even further with the dark bags under his eyes.
Gray: "I want you to tell me why you saved me from Contis, in Symbol too. Just what did you make me agree too, what did you take from my mind!?"
Azalea moved to take Gray's body with the Cloak, and yet he didn't budge, he just stepped closer.
Gray: "IF YOU WANNA HURT ME THEN DO IT! SCREAM, CALL ME WEAK OR USELESS OR WHATEVER! I DON'T CARE! YOU PULLED ME DOWN HERE, SO EITHER SPEAK OR ANSWER, OR JUST LET ME WAKE UP DAMMIT!"
Azalea was overwhelmed by an intense rage, however her pride wouldn't let her act. So instead of holding Gray down, she finally came down from her throne to stand over Gray. He shuttered, flinched, and got chills across his body. But all he had inside him was a sense of complete failure, and the only thing he could do to respond was to scream out at the world with everything he had.
Azalea: "I want to finally be free of this prison. And you said if your soul fully connects to this OD, then I'll finally be free. So I just have to make sure you can live long enough to see it."
Gray: "And why did you steal the memory!?"
Azalea: "To see if you lived up to your words, and if you really could save me. But right now, it looks like you're ready to run into the first fight you can find. And die for it. So if you've gotta die for me to be free, I'll accept that whole heartedly. Maybe next time I'll make sure it happens, and then I won't have to wait another second. Let's see what you do, brat."
Her voice, her presence was so cold. So much so Gray could hardly move, hardly breathe with her so close to him. Lost in her black eyes, her purple iris, the constantly breathing Cloak of Darkness. But through pure arrogance, he clenched his fists and bit his lip so hard it bled, just so he could look up with all the hate he had for her.
Gray: "If you're gonna kill me, go ahead and try it. Knowing I made the Witch of Darkness stoop low enough to kill a brat is good enough to rest easy. So let's see what you do, you damn Witch."
Azalea felt so much anger, disgust towards Gray's words she almost exploded like a bomb. And yet she couldn't help but smile, and notice as the Cloak began to slightly raise around him from the floor.
Azalea: "Good to know your Soul is in good hands."
Before he could try and register her words, his eyes flashed open to see an old rotting ceiling. And the moment he awoke, that same look of anger followed him. However, finally figuring out just what they had talked about took off a slight burden. Only to add a completely new one, one he would die to live up to.
Gray {I got Sokus house and her life destroyed, the mansion burned and Al killed, Julius brothers, Ophelia, Kioshi killed. Got Arthur elected, got all of Walgonia taken over. Failed Athens, failed thousands and thousands and thousands. And then Symbol, the Command Post!? I'm done, I'M DONE WITH THIS! I CAN'T, I CAN'T KEEP LOSING! I DON'T CARE WHAT IT TAKES, BUT I WILL MAKE SURE I SAVE THIS COUNTRY! I'LL SAVE EVERYONE! Even you, Azalea.}
He flung forward out of bed, burned the light wrappings of bandages around his body with a burst of mana, and instinctively felt for the Cloaks Charm around his neck. Before taking it off the beside table and placing it over his neck, to send the Cloak out towards his armor laying across the floor. Pulling his chest plate over him, then his leg guards, before even pulling his sword into his sheathe. The only thing left was his mask staring back into his eyes. Seeing his messy hair, his sharp almost blood lusted gaze, before finally looking away from himself. And inside the reflection, he saw something he hadn't even noticed. And it made him sick to his stomach.
Gray: "...Rosemary!?"
She was sitting down near Gray's bedside, asleep and bandaged. And the window behind her shined brightly with the soon to set sun, making Gray's heart beat with a firm constant pounding.
Gray {The Siege…Has it already started!?}
Hesitant to wake up Rosemary, Gray rushed toward the hall to try and figure out just what was going on, until the door opened for him. And instantly caused Gray to feel safer, even if he had to get over his surprise first.
Ryo: "You're awake! I was worried you wouldn't be ready, but if you've already got your things we need to go. When night falls we have to have a plan in mind, so when it rises once again, we'll all divulge across the Capital."
Hearing Ryo's words Gray couldn't stop himself from trying to get right into the fray of it all, but it had also awoken Rosemary. Leaving her in a slight daze before seeing Gray, rushing to hold what should have been bandaged arms.
Rosemary: "Are you alright!? They put you through a lot of healing magic, you need to sit down or something."
Gray: "I feel fine, but what about you? What happened, and where are the others!?"
Rosemary: "I'm fine, we just got into some trouble getting back here. Soku should be fine, but Edwards'... -
Ryo: "Edward is still resting, but recovering strong. Even if he isn't awakened, Helsings have an amazing natural resistance to all kinds of venoms and poisons. Joyce on the other hand may not be able to join us during the Siege. And Soku's down stairs with the others. Lincoln, Gordon, Jong, Julius, even Peter. We're all here, you're just the last ones we need to come to the stand."
Both Gray and Rosemary were filled with worry for the other, but just as much as they worried they were also erupting. This constant sense of failure, loss, fear. The need to complete the mission, to save everybody, had infected Rosemary just as much as it had Gray. Even more so, as she's been acting like this ever since she was freed of Calgary's clutches. Now, with everything on the line, she'd stand tall with Gray. Already in her armor, and walking with them through a thick hall of soldiers and rebels. To move down an old rotting staircase, and overlook an army down below. Soldiers from every branch, and inside of the center were Walgonia's Constellations. This Capitals Pillars of strength.
Gordon: "You can't just take it all on at once! We can't rely on just you, if we do that we won't be able to act to the best of our abilities!"
Lincoln: "Then how are you gonna handle all of the other command centers!? This Capital is massive, the biggest city in all of Saga dammit! Me and Ryo are the only people who can go long distances fast enough!"
Leo: "Then use your brain for once! The west is the largest district! At least in pure open space, meaning a lot of anarchists have filled it up. You saw it didn't you, Helena told us but you both saw it! Even if we can't take all of the Capital, we know you can take the West Back. If you want the burden to clear the whole Capital, then do it district by district. Force them all out, don't put the entire city in a panic!"
Yui: "That's just what we have to do across the damn Capital! Both of you use your brain! We need Lincoln, Ryo, Gordon, and either me or you to hold it down. We need to treat the four districts as four armies, and we'll be leading them."
Jong: "Don't count me out just because I'm old! I'm the Commander of Walgonia's Knights, and I'll command it alright. Just because you two might be stronger than me doesn't change the experience, who people will actually rise to when they hear them."
The heads of this War for the South of Walgonia. All together, all screaming and stepping over each other's ideas, but there were so many others doing the same right beside them. Gordon, Ryo, Lincoln, Jong, Leo and Yui stood right beside Hellena, Tim, Grom, Walter, Dershia, Carlos, Lanner. Then stood Venyet, Sherly, Boid, JJ, even Julius, Soku, Erline, and Peter. So many names, abilities, personalities, histories. All Gray had seen, heard, fought with, and now he was seeing the world he's built finally together. But there should have stood many others. Al, Ophelia, Musashi, Kioshi, Toll, Garly, Iris, Gabby, Muther, and so many others Gray never got to meet or fully understand. Even Joyce, Edward, Gerald, and Luca were absent. Resting, healing, stretching their way to stand just before the siege.
Helena: "Then you all be the leaders or whatever! But the rebellion itself needs leaders. So if Ryo, Jong, Gordon, and Lincoln are taking the lead. Then Tim, Grom, and myself will try and reach the rebels and civilians aiding in battle. You all might have power inside your army, but our people will look away from your type. They need to hear a voice that sounds like their own, not orders from a country that failed them."
Grom: "But there's four districts. We'll need you three to work together then."
Grom pointed toward JJ, Boid, and Sherly all huddled closely inside of the dense crowd. All bandaged, drowsy, and just coming from an intense healing session after their battle in the Capital. But still jumping with fear at even the idea of taking such a role, except for Sherly, who leaned her head down with a look of real respect. Without a hint of her pride, and agreed for the two speechless and sweating boys before they could think of endless reasons of why they were too weak. And in JJs case, after experiencing such a heart wrenching defeat, the thought of being relied upon was like a curse. A joke, like the world was screaming at how weak he was. So he backed away in silence, just staring on and on, while everybody else was still lost to the storm of the Siege.
Gray: "Should we go join Soku and Julius? I see Peter down there too."
Rosemary: "Yeah, we probably should."
Filled with rage, with the need to act, they still stood there without moving a muscle. Frozen without any idea why. Was it fear? Was it sadness? Disillusionment? No, instead it was far more simple. They simply felt like they didn't belong there, and so they didn't move an inch. Even if Soku, Peter, and Julius began looking up the moment they noticed them.
Gray: "...I do want to talk. You said that right?"
Rosemary: "Really? Now? I…I don't -
Gray had blurted out his thoughts without any idea, like the words had dripped from his mouth. But being so close to her, and even with everybody else around, this felt like the first time in forever they were simply with each other. But the second he saw that look of fear, surprise, and building panic in her eyes he desperately tried to take it back. Standing tall, waving his hands, and putting on his best smile.
Gray: "No, actually maybe we should wait. We can really talk when this Siege is over, right?"
Rosemary: "Yeah, that sounds good. But if we wanna do that, then we do have to go down there."
Gray: "All right. Ladies first though."
Rosemary: "I know you're saying that because you're scared, but doesn't that mean you should go down first?"
Gray: "Y'know I appreciate the joke but Gray Kyojin's the type of man to take that in stride. Nothing better than being a pretty lady, shouldn't you know that, being one yourself?"
Breaking the tension, he even got a blush out of the worried Rosemary. Leading them down the stairs together, hand in hand, but she couldn't see Gray's face as she led the way. How the moment it was okay, that it was pulled back into that piercing rage. Ready to scream out no matter who spoke against him, as long as it landed him a spot at the core of this thing.
Carlos: "Well this is easy then ain't it? We just do this in teams, split up the groups with as even strength we can four ways, four districts. Then we try to spread out the army from the West too."
Lanner: "I'm on Carlos' side here. The South is already filled with Soldiers, and the other districts rebels got messaged right? As long as any kinda communication network exists, the warriors in this Capital will rise with us. We just gotta pull 'em up and help me stand with us."
Smiling and willful, Lanner tried his best to stand strong in front of so many. Carlos kept his more laid back attitude, even if standing by Lincoln and Gordon put his feathers on edge, but then came the fire Venyet to scream out and shut it all down. Even if a more fiery Half Elf was boiling to shut it down before it even started.
Venyet: "You make this sound so simple, we have to actually try and think this out more thoroughly!"
Yui: "WE'RE ON A TIME LIMIT! The North, West, East, all of Walgonia is supposed to act! We've had months to respond, the fact we still don't have it figured out right before the Siege means we overshot this the day we left Greenvale unprepared! It's now or never, so let's spread out! Four districts, four teams, and four Upper Pillars to worry about."
Tim: "And who knows how many Lower Pillars, Potential Pillars, criminals and bounty hunters, outside groups or militias, unknown guilds. They have hands in every pocket in the country."
Dershia: "But they can't all be here in the city! There are only a few Lower Pillars, even less since they keep dying! And the Potential Pillars keep sprouting and dying just as fast! They can't stop all of Walgonia from getting taken! They lost the war the moment they failed to take the North!"
As they continued erupting over each other, Gray finally passed through the thick crowd. Before passing past the massive Walter and Grom with his head by their knees, to face the group head on. With such a gaze that Ryo couldn't help but be worried.
Gray: "We can't only look at the big picture. We have to focus, we have to treat this battle like it could be the end of it all, because it will be if we fail. Without Lincoln or Ryo we're dead in the water, no doubt about it."
Maybe in a different room, with different people they would have responded differently. But those closest to him, or just the most respectful listened closely. While Gordon, Jong, Lincoln, and Ryo really understood what he was saying. Yui and Venyet stayed quiet, focused, while Leo and Tim looked on proudly. While Lanner focused, as Carlos relaxed, Walter breathed, Grom rested. All turning their ears, their hearts to this strange boy that had barged his way into all of their lives. Even those that hardly knew him only knew him because he was there to fight with them, for them, to save them. To save their home. To save everybody, and even if they didn't think he could, they believed he thought he could at least try.
Gray: "If any of our strongest die, hell if they get a little hurt it's over. Maybe the North is super strong and I don't know, but I haven't seen them take out an entire city like Lincoln, or reach across the country like Ryo. The Upper Pillars took out Kioshi because they're impossibly strong, but the scariest thing they have is the thing they're best at. They're unpredictable, always ahead, always smarter. Every time we have a plan, an idea of a plan they have a way around it."
For some it felt familiar, for others hearing it made them fearful towards this Cult. The sadness, the rage, the distress soaked in Gray's voice wasn't normal sadness. It was painful, it was bloody, soaked in fear. While Rosemary, Soku, Peter, Leo, and even Julius rushed with memories of the Sect. All of the constant fires and bodies they leave behind.
Gray: "If we get around their plan they just have another one, and then another. The only way to stay ahead is to move faster than them, by just a second. They'll expect the obvious, and have planned against the unexpected."
Yui: "What's all of this supposed to mean! We're on a time limit. Why doesn't anybody get that! There are hundreds of soldiers here waiting on our call, hundreds more in the buildings around us!"
Gray: "IT'S BECAUSE YOU ALL HAVE TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THIS MEANS! OUR LIVES AREN'T IMPORTANT! ARE EMOTIONS, OUR RAGE! IT'S OUR MIND, OR CHOICES, OR POWERS! THAT'S WHAT WILL DECIDE THE FUTURE! THE LIVES OF WHAT!? A FEW MILLION ACROSS WALGONIA!? WHAT USED TO BE A HUNDRED THOUSAND IN THIS CITY!? MORE!? The best thing we can do is to crush them. Outright, overwhelmed, from all angles. No specific points, no targeting their best strong holds or something. We bring them to us, force them to react, and if they're on the backfoot, we've already won."
His words weren't of a boy trying to sound strong. It wasn't Gray showing off or even trying to inspire them. He needed to make them understand the danger they were facing. The people they HAD to save, no matter what happens to them. The Heroes they had to be. And it lit the flame across all of Walgonia's wanna be Heroes.
Soku: "So, we need to put our teams together in a way that'll do that. An even spread of all types of mages, races, powers. We need to find each team's strength instead and focus on it."
Rosemary: "But it has to be something the group needs though. If we send all the physically strong people with Lincoln it leaves us out. So send people who can do what Lincoln can't. Same with Gordon and Ryo. They'll hold their own more than enough, but if Ryo can't use fire he needs Venyet. If Gordon needs speed, he needs Hellena. If Ryo needs barriers, he can use Dershia's ice."
Julius: "Then we must get to the roles for these teams. However, you are forgetting one simple thing. That there are five districts, one you seem to be avoiding."
Drawing his blade, he let it rest right over the large circular space in the center of every district. The Castle of Walgonia. The Heart of the Capital, the Heart of the Sects control, and Arthur's personal home. As well as who knows how many powerful anarchists.
Gordon & Lincoln & Lanner & Ryo: "I'm going to take care of that!"
But between them, they had to decide just who would take it on. Until they heard the sound of a spear hitting the ground, and saw the son of the world's strongest take the stand.
Leo: "I'm taking care of it. We need Ryo in the East to support the civilians and survivors, Lincoln to cover the West, and either Gordon or Jong in the South and North. But Arthur, he was there in Athens. He was working with my brother, with Caesar. He helped destroy Athens, he led my best friend to her death, and I'll make sure he falls by my hands. So Athens can rest easy inside of its eternal hell."
Everyone couldn't help but almost accept his words in an instant, except for his father. The only other true Warrior of Athens in this room, and the only one who ever took the crown as king.
Lincoln: "Words like that will just get you killed! Arthur ain't no God of War but he's no push over either! He's stronger than you, hell stronger than anybody else here. Only Me, Ryo, and maybe Gordon could take him on head on!"
Leo: "And what!? Let Arthur kill and destroy who knows how much while running away!? He's not stupid, he knows you can kill him! But I defeated Raylice dammit, she may have been heavily injured but I still did it! I know I can challenge Arthur, but I'm not dumb enough to do it alone. And I know people who want him gone just as much as I do."
Leo looked toward Gray and Rosemary, before Julius and Soku. Lastly looking at even Peter, a Red Arrow, with a gaze strong enough to pull them all forward beside him. Gray was more than ready, Soku couldn't stop herself from getting a chance to get revenge for Ophelia, Julius stepped forward with his constant smile and closed eye look, while Peter and Rosemary still stood hesitant. Peter especially, who couldn't even get a word out without erupting with fear. Smaller, weaker, and younger than everybody else in the room, and yet he had to step right into the heart? It sounded more like suicide than anything.
Rosemary: "Wait wait! I know we're not weak, but the Castle!? Yui, Walter, Hellena, anybody else stronger for the job. Even if it's a small unit, you wouldn't have to worry about us!"
Leo: "I've fought with you all. In Symbol, Athens, and I've heard of your journey. I've watched you become so much stronger than when I first met you. More mature. Even if you all need to be together, I know that I can trust you to survive the impossible."
Peter: "But why me!? I'm no fighter!"
Leo: "Then why are you here? I know you Peter, I know your brain, your will. Without you we would be dead in Athens. We wouldn't have been able to push back the Warriors, I would still be captured by Athens."
Peter: "All of that just happened to work out! The only reason I came was because I couldn't just sit back and do nothing! And…because I have these."
From inside his thick satchel of random gadgets, Peter sat four golden Walgonian crests on the table. Small enough to hold tightly in your hand like a phone, with hints of glowing circuitry within.
Peter: "Rick and I have been looking at the Sects communicator. We're not even close to replicating half of its use, but right now it's connected to each other. If you activate it, it'll send a pulse to the closest communicator nearby. Kinda like a warning, or to send a message. It's not too useful, but -
Gordon stepped forward, handing off a communicator between Lincoln, Ryo, and Jong, before looking deeply into Peter's heart with his Hawk-eyed glare. Causing all of Peters panic to freeze, inside of pure fear.
Gordon: "If this is useless to you, then whatever is useful should be amazing. If we use this as a warning, to signal danger, then we could stop whatever is gonna end Walgonia before it rises. So stand tall kid, don't fight, just use your mind. Even if it's just to help them escape, to stand tall, we need you. And I trust all of you are strong enough to assist Leo. But even if it's gonna leave our teams uneven, I think you need at least one person to join you."
Yui: "Then let it be me. I wasn't in the South when the Sect first attacked. I couldn't do anything to stop the spread! So if I can stop the Sects heart, even if it kills me, it'll be worth it."
Gray: "Thank -
It all seemingly all came together, but before anybody else could get a word in, the Strongest man in the world took the attention of the hundreds of souls inside the room with a single step and his booming voice.
Lincoln: "GREAT! NOW LET'S GET TO WORK DAMMIT! GO OUT, ACROSS THE WEST, AND WARN EVERYONE! RYO, NOTIFY THE REST OF WALGONIA! AND YOU ALL, FIND YOUR LEADER OR WHATEVER DISTRICT YOU'LL DO BEST IN! THERE AIN'T ANYMORE TIME TO THINK! WE ACT, AND WHEN THE SUN RISES AGAIN, EVERY SINGLE SOUL IN WALGONIA IS GONNA BE IN FOR ONE HELL OF A FIGHT!"
With the roars of everyone echoing through the room, it seemed like the Constellation of Walgonia was finally shining brightly. Complete. But Gray, Rosemary, Soku, Peter, and even Julius stood in silence. The burden of it all, the fear, even the pride or joy, it was all so much it felt suffocating. Still, they had to make sure of one thing first. So while Gordon and the others rushed from the hideout and across the streets to begin taking in civilians and other rebels for as long as the night would let them, they moved back upstairs. And into a room flashing a bright green, with somebody inside they didn't even realize had left the conversation.
Erline: "What are you doing in here! We're working!"
Gray: "We just wanted to check up on our friend."
The room was tight, with a handful of other healers of all ages and origins healing so many unknown figures. Along with Joyce, straining and jerking in her bed under the intense healing magic coursing over her. Through her veins. Who Soku looked toward with intense regret. While Rosemary's attention moved over to Luca, still unconscious from Contis' mental attack. And Gerald stood valiantly, resisting the healers while he attempted to put on his armor. But Gray, Peter, and Julius' attention never left a single person. Who Rosemary and Soku turned to right after. Under Erline's wrinkled, trembling hands rushing out a burst of intense bright green mana deeply into his body.
Gray: "Tomorrow, we'll finally get our revenge. For Ophelia, for Al, Kioshi, Musashi, Julius' brothers Llyod and Roy. We just need your blade, Brother. So please…please get up soon."
Edward laid without the top half of his armor. Showing a few large gash scars from Moro, a handful of smaller cuts and burns sunk in around him. His tight, glowing veins under the healing magic flush the toxin from his body. And the grim look over his sweating face. But hearing the words of his brother in war, feeling the sorrow from Soku and Rosemary, and the powerful glare from Julius under such an intense rush, his hand clenched tightly. Yet he couldn't make a grand awakening, as Gerald moved to face them right as he began to finally awake.
Gerald: "Stop standing around. We got a job to do."
The rain had settled. The sun had set, and was ready to soon rise again. And the Siege, had finally begun.