Arc 5: The Stars Against Anarchy
The streets were mostly quiet. The old buildings barely held together by spider-webs and rotting boards were finally collapsing, burnt, covering the dirt streets. The shrubs were dying, and the roads were occupied by roaming groups of anarchists. They held their claws, daggers, wands, or playing cards. Sitting in alleys or walking in small parties, going door to door to look for rebels or gain more recruits. Some worked on barricades, others continued to collapse the century old towers, shops, homes to the ground just to make a point. But in this early dawn, the crowds were mostly at bay. Leaving the area more open than usual, and giving a path for four people dressed as anarchists to breathe easy.
However one was a bit farther ahead, standing in a spot he hadn't been in for what felt like forever.
Gray {I'm here, and this time, I'll make a difference.}
After a few hours of stress-filled walking, after a few hours on Dema, after Symbol, after traveling to Symbol, they were hardly awake. Edward and Rosemary were still holding themselves together, even if the over use of her stages covered her in small bruises on top of a painful burden. But Soku, and Gray especially, were dragging themselves along with heavy eyes and even heavier bodies. Using the Spirit sense, he tried to guide everybody away from the Sect patrols, however they were still forced to walk by and wave to them on their journey here. Rosemary and Edward pushed Gray away from any bad small talk, but what felt the worst was the looks they got. From people walking to work, from the people in the homes and shops around them. Doors slammed shut, locked, people crossed the street. They didn't attack, but they tried their absolute best to avoid them. Leaving them all alone in the massive capital.
Soku: "This thing is so scratchy, and the mask makes everything too stuffy! How did these guys do this stupid stuff?"
Rosemary: "Please don't say that too loud."
Edward: "And I dunno, I think it's kinda comfortable."
Edward stood out the most. Tall, stern, wearing a thick Cloak over his armor, and holding his blade wrapped in Moro's Coat to mask the Dragon stone sight. But the others just figured he was some Demi-human, allowing them to mostly get by without any trouble. Aside from the screeching sound rushing across the skies. Causing flocks of white and black birds to arise from the trees under the disturbance, before a voice followed forth.
Arthur: "TESTING ONE TWO THREE, ONE TWO THREE!"
Gray: "AHH!"
The instant he heard that all too familiar voice, he felt an intense pain. Such terrible memories. That uncaring attitude, that gruff sound in his throat, the weird inflection that always sounded sensual. But among everybody, all of their ears screamed in pain. Until his voice settled, arising from the communication devices the Sect had been setting up around the Capital. Using seals burned into towers and homes, connected to their communicators, Arthur was able to stand in the tower looking over the Capital. While speaking across it all with a drink in his hand, a Demi-human woman waiting for him, and a large smile on his tired face.
Arthur: "Good morning Walgonia. Yesterday we were attacked, but we know this awful rebellion is building toward something. So, this Capital needs to become a standard."
Fear, panic, hatred, pain. It went across the districts. From the people driving or riding in carriages, walking, sweeping the sidewalk or leaning over a high balcony, they were forced to listen. From children to the elderly dying out with no healers left to ease them. From the abandoned apartments, manors, shops. Closed off streets and alleys. Connected roofs. It all rose together, or broke under the pressure.
Arthur: "This will be a symbol of Anarchy, the Sect, of a new Walgonia. So in the coming days, the streets will fill. There won't be anybody inside the Capital who isn't with us, no matter what. Until all of Walgonia is the same. But I want the anarchists to come toward their commanders for further instruction, NOW!"
The moment he said that, Gray's head burst with sudden movement from the Spirit sense. Feeling the rush of panic between so many crowds around them, before he saw them running right past. Jumping, sprinting, flying, riding wagons filled to the brim with anarchists. Before they screamed forth -
"What the hell are you all doing!?"
"Arthur said to go now! So go!"
"Move it you brats! Damn new recruits!"
"Who the hell are you all!? Who's your commander!?"
Surrounded by anarchists of all sizes, with all kinds of Spirit beast connections, affinities, or weapons, they froze. Except for the shortest and youngest of them all.
Soku: "We've got orders from a Lower Pillar to go near the West Wall! Didn't you idiots here about that attack at Symbol! We need to ensure they aren't pushing forward! What would happen if we told our commander you all didn't listen!? Will Arthur be kind!? Do you want to go ask with me!? I'll take you to him personally!"
Her loud, angry, bold voice had them shaking at the idea. Causing the handful of anarchists that stopped to awkwardly pull away from the situation, nod, apologize, or simply run back toward their commander. Washing, bumping, and moving past them like a wave. Before they drowned out, and left them walking down an even emptier street. With a specific spot in mind, where they'd be meeting Julius as well.
Gray: "Nice one!"
Soku: "Look I'm good, but you can keep saying stuff. Also where's the thanks for knowing Hellana? That's our in and I've got it covered, any praise, maybe some spare coins? I could go for a bite."
Rosemary: "I'll praise you on walking forward anyway, and I'm not giving you money. I don't think we have any on top of that."
Soku: "Lame, you guys are just broke."
They tried their best to smile and laugh under their masks. But Gray couldn't help but take in the scenery. The one, two, or three story homes and towers. Even if they were broken, infested, barely held together, it was alive. But like before, they stayed away from him. From that infinitely mentioned fear. Gray had to take it all in, under the garbs of an anarchists, while stepping down the same road Soku took him through months ago.
Edward: "I've been through this part of the Capital. I know it's partly due to the anarchists, but I didn't know there were parts so barren."
Soku: "We're far into the West by now, and my house it's right by the wall. The closer to that wall the worse it gets, but inside some of the blocks it's way worse. I kinda sat on the border of the really bad side, but it made it easy for coins, and a good escape. Nobody really wants to come through here, it's kinda like a maze. And you never know just who or what'll pop outta the grime. And man do I miss that smell!"
Rosemary: "I don't know if I miss the smell of dust and dew, but it's familiar, so It is nice I guess."
Gray: "Come on up ahead! If we pick up the pace we'll get there in a few minutes!"
And they did, just to keep up with Gray. Running and running, past the few crowds of people outside, past the anarchists still moving to their commanders. Causing up a mass commotion across all of the Capital. And yet their eyes were drawn to the wall surrounding the Capital, growing closer and closer. Before they finally saw it.
Soku: "...Oh man."
Soku instantly froze. She knew what to expect. And yet, seeing what used to be her home as nothing but a pile of burnt debris and ash, felt like so much she almost puked. Rosemary fell just as quiet, leaving Gray sweating without any idea of how to react. But Edward did, by continuing to move, until he stood right in front of the remnants of her home.
Edward: "I don't see Julius or Dema -
But when he walked inside, all he found was a note laying neatly on top of some burnt rubble. Signed by Julius.
Gray: "What did yah find -
Rosemary tried to speak, Soku tried to move, but Gray felt the Spirits squeal with surprise with his senses. Snapping backward to slice right through a whip with his wrist talon, stabbing through the Sect glove.
Gray: "HEY!"
Gray stood his ground while instinctively letting out mana, Soku got ready to lunge, and Rosemary unleashed her stages. But yet again Edward moved first, past Gray with his blade, before freezing right away. Unable to slash through what seemed to be civilians holding up their hands trying to surrender. Unable to fight the second they sensed Edwards incredibly might.. Although they weren't exactly civilians. Instead, they were people all too familiar to Soku and Gray.
Gray: "No way! It can't be right! No it has to be!"
The short, tan skinned, scruffy black haired man. And the extremely tall, muscular, Oger Demi-human.
"Do we know you!?"
Gray: "Oh yeah wait -
Gray pulled off his mask and his hood with a smile on his face. Not exactly happy to see the two guys who tried to kill him and Soku on his first day in this world, but happy enough to see a familiar set of faces.
Gray: "Tada!"
"YOU TWO!? NO WAY!"
Without the fear or confusion of being in another world, Gray could see the two far clearer. Both of them seemed to be teens, just as old as Gray or maybe even younger. The disheveled boy's hair had grown, his patchy mustache had grown a few more hairs, and he had a belt around his waist to hold what used to be a whip. He had even gotten a bit more muscular, filling out his old torn clothes. But the Oger still had his torn shorts and half-cut short-sleeved coat, now sporting a scar over his right eye from Soku in the alley scuffle. Along with a strap across his shoulder, to hold a poorly made war hammer. And instead of attacking, screaming, or even running, they just smiled brightly. With eyes wide with hope.However the Oger seemed too shy to speak, leaving his friend to ramble along for him.
JJ: "No way bro! Names JJ dude it's crazy to see you! We heard about you in the Knight Exams and rumors of yah! Boid here loves showing off the scar from Soku! It's like a badge from future legends! If you all are here then things really are turning around right! It has to be! So where's Musashi and Kioshi!? When is this stuff gonna end!?"
Boid: "Don't tell them that about me! It's embarrassing!"
Gray: "Well uhh, sorry but Kioshi and Musashi can't help anymore. But it's nice to know we're well known!"
JJ: "Yeah! I got your Bounty Posters! Phantom Knight, Thief of Winds, Last Goldenwind, The End Bringer! You guys are awesome!"
Again their attention was stolen, this time inside the corpse of Sokus home. A Demi-human woman around their age, with shoulder length white hair, whiskers on her cheeks, long rabbit ears, and a soft pink nose. Wearing dirty brown overalls over an old white shirt, mixed with bits of thick leather armor, and welding a dual sided dagger closely towards her chest.
JJ: "Chill out Sherly! -
Sherly: "Don't tell them my name you idiot! How do we know they're not compromised or something!?"
Gray: "Hey we're just wearing this stuff to fit in! We're trying to find the Rebellion, and Helena with the Thieves guild. Right now our mission is to start uniting the Capital before our reinforcements arrive."
Edward: "And according to this letter Julius left, he's gone to take Muther and Dema back to Greenvale. So he can regroup, and call everybody towards us. He said it should be a max of three days he's gone, and that he'll arrive some time right after sunrise. So it matches up with Arthur's plans. Kinda reminds me of Athens."
Soku: "Yeah the whole purge thing? All these guys seem to feed back into that same chaos. Trying to take everything by force no matter what happens, because of what? Nothing. These guys, these really are nothing."
Sherly: "Well I'm glad you see them as awful as they are, and if you already know Hellana, I think we can help out."
Rosemary: "How's that?"
JJ: "Because we're with the rebellion baby! We're staying nearby! We just gotta go before the Sect gets active around here again!"
Gray: "Well alright then! Lead the way! I don't wanna jinx it, hell I probably am, but you guys are the first piece of good luck we've had in forever!"
Gray stepped forward, throwing his arm around JJ before fist bumping Boids massively muscular arm, and started on at the rising sun over the rest of the capital. Listening to the cold winds whistling through the cracks and holes inside the buildings. Watching as people hurried from their homes to work to avoid any anarchists. As the entire capital began to awaken, and push themselves to the brink just to stay afloat inside the chaos. But to keep cover, Gray and the others put up their Sect hoods and masks, before walking Boid and JJ down the street with purpose in each step. Acting as if they were leading them, while Sherly sunk back into the shadows for a better view.
Boid: "Hellana and her people have been working pretty close with the Rebellion, but don't expect some giant army."
JJ: "Yeah dude, there were thousands and thousands of people that used to be packed in this place. But a lot of people have left, or died, or joined the Sect. It's been draining away at any non anarchist left. And the people who are here that aren't fighting are hard to trust. They're either scared or hurt or anarchists that don't wanna fight."
Gray: "Was the Sect always this close to taking over? I know it's been months, but it hasn't even been half a year! I don't know if what I figured was unrealistic, but the Demi-human war lasted like seventy years right? How come the Sect has gotten so close in a fraction of that time!?"
Rosemary: "Well the Demi-human war wasn't really like this. It wasn't these giant city destroying or army wiping stuff. Things like that happened, but most of the war was holding out. Valatroctius, Ravoria, Athens, Walgonia, the Demi-humans. It was all spread. Now that it's confined to only Walgonia, and we don't have people like Musashi, Gotsu, Jasmine, Bjorn. Lincoln and Ryo are amazing, but Walgonia has lost much of its strength in the last few decades."
Rosemary looked toward Edward with a bit of worry, and sorrow. Not meaning to bring up such people in that way, and yet, Edward just took in a deep breath and continued walking. She couldn't see his face under the mask, nor could she see him, but he wasn't happy. Not angry at Rosemary or anything. It was seeing Walgonia in such hardship. His second home, soon to burn like his first one did. Like the people Rosemary was just talking about did. Still they pushed through, with Gray awkwardly waving to other anarchist groups to stay in character before Soku pulled him along. Were forced to wack JJ when he attempted to blow raspberries at the passing Sect, or desperately try to call of Sherly attempting a sneak attack from the alley behind them. She dotted behind boxes, buildings, used some hefty and surprisingly quiet lunges to go between alleys. While they just walked at a quick pace, on and on. Down further and further through the road, riding the West wall to their left arm, before finally turning into a thick and combat desolate block. Two and three story homes smashed against each other, leaving alleys as more like cracks in the walls. All connecting, overlapping, to make a maze within a maze. And still, Soku, JJ, Boid, and Sherly walked forward without a second of hesitation.
Gray: "I don't know if my idea of cities is off, but man this Capital feels infinite. But also kinda it's looping. Similar houses, stiles, roofs, even porches. The main difference is just the quality, or how many broken holes it's got. I don't know how you'd get from place to place without a map or Dragon to get a skyline view."
Soku: "When you spend a lot of time practicing wind and running away from guards, it pays off to learn the land in your head. But the West has always been like this. We didn't have the parks or museums or nice restaurants, mansions or giant towers. We get small shoulder wide houses and dirt streets. The poorest district when it was built, the district they forced all the Demi-humans into when the ban on the Capital first got lifted, the last district to ever get attention. It's always been Walgonia's dump."
Inside the tight alley, they passed people every few steps. Laying against walls, sleeping, holding their family. Whether they were homeless, hiding, sick, starving. Wrapping a wound, drinking alcohol, smoking Spirit herbs, drinking a Potion or an Elixir to undo the pain. The fear. Even with the sun slowly rising into the morning, the tight alleys and overhead bridges connecting Sect patrols on the roofs made it all feel dark. Damp. Endless. And simply, depressing. And Gray almost slammed his head against the wall from the burden, the pain of looking into their eyes, and only getting an endless look of fear back.
JJ: "The Sect were always here though. Hiding, recruiting, walking through the night. It's funny to see them go straight for the rich side the second they didn't have to be inside the West anymore. And then hearing them lie and lie about how we're all the same in the end. I don't know if it makes me mad or makes me laugh at them."
Boid: "I just think it makes things scary. It's one thing when the Sect wants something, has a purpose, a set of rules or something. But if you're working with that, then they just go against it. Change the rule book, flip the battle, we could never keep up. Is there a chance at all? You guys are with the Knights right?"
Gray didn't have an answer. Soku didn't. Rosemary wished so badly she did. But Edward, taking in the broken gazes of the people he was born to protect. Taking in the country he was born to protect. Continued walking over the dirt, glass, and gravel, while his words dripped out. Focused, angry, and filled with conviction.
Edward: "As long as people still breathe the same breath all Walgonians do, the War will never end. It's the same for everything. From the Sect, to the Gravestone Pirates, Athens, every single person and belief in this world. So until we're snuffed out, Walgonia's flame will rise."
Right when Edward finished, and the others rang silent under his tone, Sherly walked from another connecting alley beside them. So they could walk down a small set of stairs to a broken and boarded doorway. However, Sherly lifted a single board to unlock something, and pulled the entire wall of nailed boards open like a regular door. So they could all step in, even if Boid had to squeeze himself inside, and pull it right back behind them.
Sherly: "Now it's just right through here -
It was an old bar completely barren and looted, covered in dust and cobwebs. And yet Sherly waved them along to the bathroom door to their right, and opened it to let the loud noises of what had to be a few hundred people pour right out.
Sherly: "And I'd take those off, don't wanna get killed do yah?"
Gray: "What?"
Sherly, Boid, and JJ all looked toward the Anarchist dressed group with a sight, before they all tore them off to get tossed into the corner. Free of the mask and cloaks, the bathroom was now just a room with a large hole in the wooden floor, where they had to walk down a set of old rotting stairs and across a wooden balcony.
Gray: "Did you guys build this place?"
Sherly: "Nah. The Rebellion and the Thieves guild have been using a lot of hidden spaces like this. They were built to hide non-humans during the Demi-human war. So they could move between them, hide, or just find a way to get out of this hell."
It only got louder, brighter, before they could finally see it all. Leaning over the balcony to stair a story down, at about three hundred humans and Demi-humans all crammed together. Drinking, planning, talking, playing games, smoking, healing wounds, sleeping. All over another, no matter how young and old they were, no matter how big or small. What kind of skin color, type, tail, wings, how many eyes, arms, or legs you had. The only thing that matters was if you were alright, if you were trustworthy, and if you were gonna fight like hell given the chance. And for what it was, it was exactly that.
Gray: "Reminds me of the Red Arrows' base back in Athens right?"
Hanging down on the walls no matter how many holes they had in them were long, bright blue banners. Sporting the Golden Walgonian crest, over almost as many Knights, Soldiers, and guards as the Thieves and Civilians. The biggest difference was the armor, whether it be silver, leather, dark blue, chainmail, or more bracer type gear. Allowing them to mostly tell them apart, but what drew their eyes the most was what drew most of the others. Not some plan, a map, a person. But two people desperately went at it, with an armwrestle.
Hellana: "Give it up! I'm hardly tryin!"
A woman wearing a dark coat, light tan pants, with braces and bits of chainmail sown throughout. So closely connected a Steaming Wolf that she was completely covered in smokey grey fur. With a long, lean build, wolf-like face, and a pipe constantly blowing smoke between them. However even with her chipper voice, she really was forced to put her back into it. As even if her opponent was a man in his mid-fifties, he was putting all he had into it.
Gerald: "You think I'd lose to you? A woman and a Demi-human!? Hah!"
Muscular, with short greying black hair, a scruffy beard, and a scar blinding his right eye.Along with a Cursed duel sided axe, he sported a dirty and torn cloak over his shoulder with a sown on Walgonian crest. But, other than his disgusting words that got a range of boos and cheers from the crowd, was his thick and disheveled Elite Walgonian gear. It was a sorry sight for Gray and the others, leaving them to sigh at the fact he was considered "One of Walgonia's best and brightest".
Gray: "Y'know it only took one word but I think that guy sucks, like bad."
Soku: "Ugh, him and most of the other Knights and shit. There's a reason I didn't really care about this stuff till the Sect involved Ophelia."
Edward: "I can't deny that, but I do know that he's worse than them all. His name's Gerald, Gerald Handcock. I only had to meet him once or twice, but every time it was because of his own problems. Dudes gone psycho killin anarchists, Demi-humans. I didn't even know he was still a Knight. Wonder if he put on the gear when all this went down."
Rosemary: "So he might be masquerading a Knight? Or he's pretending he's not an Ex Knight? Do we really have to work with that guy?"
Sherly: "Sadly, he's one of the reasons the Rebellion is united in the Capital in the first place. Him and the other Knights, but he was one of the first to start fighting and calling for the Rebellion."
Gray: "So of course we've gotta work with the asshole."
Down below, with a loud thud of the wooden table erupting to splinters, Hellana had Gerald on the floor trying to stand in a rage. Desperately arguing and screaming for his pride while she smoked her pipe, took a swig of booze, and looked up toward the balcony. Gray and his impossibly thick scent of corruption, Rosemary's golden Hair, Edwards Dragon stone armor, all took her breath instantly. And yet, it was Soku she rushed to. Instantly flickering from the floor to the balcony, using her Demi-human trait to massively boost her speed, and left them all screaming. Aside from the trio, who were all too used to her antics.
Hellena: "Little brat! It's so good to see you! I don't think I've seen you since your mother passed, have you been doing all good!?"
Gray couldn't help but be forced to step back in utter disbelief, as Helenna hugged and flung Soku up into the air with hugs, and Soku didn't react at all. She just smiled, really smiled for the first time in a while. Because even with her burnt home, even with the Capital in chaos, it finally felt like she was safe. That she was back after so long.
Soku: "...Things have been rough."
With Ophelia nowhere to be seen, Hellena just took a deep breath. She didn't want to say anything, but even thinking about it instantly dropped her mood.
Hellana: "Well, I'm glad you're here to say that. And you guys?"
Edward: "We're representing Walgonia's top command. And we need to talk. Soon, the Capital will be at the heart of this battle. Really soon."
She quickly pulled them down the stairs and into a back storage room as they gave some introductions. So when the door shut, they stood in a tight square stone room lit solely by blue crystals in the walls. Surrounding a circular table with a map of Walgonia's capital, stood Gray's group, Hellana, and a few knocks at the door.
Gerald: "Ugh, you're the guys? You ain't no Levithans! Who do you think you are!?"
Gray: "Go ask Gordon who we are. Because he hasn't mentioned you once, actually nobody has."
Instinctively Gray spoke before he could think, and even if he tried to pull himself back Gerald had already burst forward in a rage. Only to be stopped by Edward, and the harsh gazes of everyone else in the room. Including the imposing, almost ten foot tall and incredibly buff. He was an Orc, with a greyish green skin, a thick black beard tied with a red cloth, and tightly braided hair. His skin and bones were as tough as stone from birth, his teeth even harder. Coated in scars, decades of fighting, and only wearing some torn pants and a thick metal guard on his left shoulder; he was most definitely the strongest fighter the Rebellion had.
Grom: "Do not make any more noise than you already are. And these people are what we've been waiting for! So stand still dammit!"
Gerald: "Who do you think you are!? You're nothing but a Bounty Hunter! A Thief! You're lucky I don't send all of you -
Walking past Grom was a young man, a civilian with the vigor for battle, who happened to be a noble with some high standing. Gray instantly noticed that he looked like some rich kid, with a thick black coat and dark brown pants, silver rings, and a beautiful shimmering slim sword by his hip. He looked bored, smug, and oddly interested in Rosemary. Which was the second thing Gray noticed, and had to put everything he had into not saying something about it.
"Guyys, can't we just relax? How are we gonna fight the Sect if we're just fightin ourselves huh?"
Gerald: "Hush Luca! But fine! We'll talk! But what's there even to talk about!? How the Sect are taking over Walgonia!? How we're losing men everyday!? How Musashi and Kioshi got fucking killed!? What do you wanna talk about!? WHAT CAN YOU BRING TO FIX THIS!? WHO EVEN ARE YOU!? YOU'RE JUST BRATS DAMMIT BRATS!"
Edward: "We're with Gordon Hill, Ryo Hollis, and Lincoln Valentine! Or what about Leo Valantine, Red Arrows, Warriors!? Along with thousands of Leviathan soldiers! Knights, soldiers, guards! Jong Long!? Lanner!? Do I need to name more!? Everybody is fighting! And we're all closing in! We just need to unite the Rebellion inside the Capital! The second we do that, we just need Gordon's order, and the battle begins! Here, around the Capital, all around the damn country! The longer times passed, the more and more we've come back together! The Sect may have broken us apart by surprise, but they lost when they let us survive! But we're not gonna win if we sit here doing nothing!"
He roared, he was sweating, his eyes twitched, all like he was inside the Warriors Spirit. And in truth it was there, feeding into his emotions, but so much of it was just Edward. Seeing his home in such a way, and hearing Gerald say such things. After all of Athens, Moro, all the battles inside of Walgonia. He couldn't just stand and let him try and destroy all of that. And with his strength, his armor, even his height, all caused Gerald to finally step down to the power around him. All in time for the last people to enter the room.
Joyce: "Sup guys! It's awesome to meet you all! Sorry for this old ass! Dude's been at it for way, way too long! But the name's Joyce!"
Gray: "...Uh, hi?"
Two women, one a young high ranking Demi-human, a soldier, and the other an old human, Ex Elite knight working with the Thieves for the past few years. The Demi-human had short, bright yellow hair, with a wide set of sharp teeth, pointed ears, sharp claws, and even whiskers. While the other woman was more simple, with tanned skin and short brown hair. Aside from the torn brown cloak she wore over some torn clothes, the only thing that stood out was an eyepatch over her right eye.
"Are we ready?"
She was quiet, focused, and extremely close with Helena. Standing right beside her as she whispered into her ear, before Hellana nodded, and they all turned to face the table around the others. Forcing them, and surprising Gray into action, right after all the strange interactions.
Hellana: "Alright. If what you said is true, then all we can really do is what we've been tryin to do. We've got safe houses around, but when it comes to any kinda strength, we're the strongest we've got so far."
Luca: "We do have those other Rebellions though right?"
Gerald: "They're just some damn rumors, shitty jokes!"
Joyce: "They ain't no jokes! Annabelle is leading them in the East! And there should be people in the North and the South! We've just been closed off!"
The others' minds were racing with ideas, or just trying to figure out when to speak. But the room was moving all around them without any control or say, and they just had to figure it out on the way. But they were getting more and more used to that world, the world in general.
Gerald: "And how are we gonna get to them huh!? Go to war with the whole Capital for a few minutes and hide or something!? We'll get some Lower Pillar on our ass, Arthur, one of those demons that killed Kioshi!? Or just a few hundred anarchists!? It takes days to get through the streets hiding, and it takes even longer trying to act like some civilian!"
So, trying to stand their ground, Gray attempted to speak forth.
Gray: "Well we were able to pretend to be members of the Sect to get through -
Gerald: "AND THAT ONLY WORKS UNTIL YOU MEET SOME HIGH RANKING MEMBER! WE'VE TRIED THAT SHIT BEFORE, AND WE HAD TO STOP BECAUSE IT STARTED GETTING US KILLED! ALL OF IT HAS! FIGHTING IN THE STREETS, HIDING, PLANNING! EVERY FEW DAYS ARTHUR WALKS IN AND BURNS DOWN HUNDREDS!"
And then he just stepped backward, trying not to get Gerald's spit on his face amidst his screams, before Grom pushed Gerald back into Joyce and Luca. So they could all step forward without anything screaming at them.
Rosemary: "If we're just trying to contact the other groups, we really have two options. We either go out in small groups, or we push toward the east. If that's the only place we can trust, and if it really is too dangerous to go out at all, then we have to put our full focus on it."
Hellana: "If we just need to sneak through I could get to the east myself, it wouldn't be too hard. But I can only do so much, and Grom isn't one for sneaking. I could get Tim here to go out, maybe with Joyce or Luca, but every single person that goes becomes a chance to get caught. Or just another person who dies if they get caught anyway."
Edward: "Then what about the West? If you go out and contact the east, we could try and stabilize the west."
Gerald: "AND WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE SECT NOTICES THEY'RE GETTING CLEARED OUT!?"
Soku: "WE'RE ON A TIME LIMIT ANYWAY IDIOT! DO YOU EVER LISTEN!? OH MY GOSH HOW ARE YOU EVEN AN ELITIE!? WE ONLY HAVE TO CLEAR IT OUT FOR THE REST OF WALGONIA TO COME THROUGH! IF WE CAN GET ONE FOOT ON THE GROUND, ONE EDGE, THEN WE HAVE TO TAKE IT! HOW ARE YOU LIKE A MILLION YEARS OLD AND YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND THAT!? YOU WEREN'T IN ATHENS! YOU HAVEN'T BEEN AT WAR FOR OVER TWENTY YEARS! So WHAT DO YOU KNOW!? HUH!?
She simply couldn't hold it in any longer. And even if Rosemary, Gray, and Edward all tried to stop Soku and create distance between them, it had already been done. Such words, such a tone from a child. From an Elf. A thief. It was so much the head of his axe burst into flames, but he didn't scream. He squeezed his body, grit his teeth, lost himself to an insane amount of rage, he still didn't speak. Until he stood firmly ahead of them all.
Gerald: "Then we'll clear it out alright. I've been killing and killing these damn monsters for years, hunting them. Maybe I ain't been in a real war since the Demi-human war, but I've been tracking them. Purging them. And they got ahead of me, took the whole damn country. And it's time to start taking it back, one by one, with pleasure."
Instead of resting in his rage, he just smiled. Smiled and smiled. Hungry for more, like a rabid dog finally being let off his leash. Until he tried to step out of the room, brushing past the massive Grom, only to be stopped by Hellana. Who instantly appeared between the doors without a sound.
Hellana: "If you're planning on getting all of us killed just to go kill a few anarchists, I'll kill you. Without hesitation."
Gerald: "Good. But I ain't goin now. Tonight their blood will drain in the streets, but today, I've gotta start collecting my people. I know a couple spots nearby I've gotten some tips on, so I'll be back later for the bloodbath."
Hellana: "Then I guess I need to leave for the east right away, what about you all?"
Gray: "Wait wait no more planning!? What are we gonna do!?"
Rosemary: "Yeah I don't think we can do this all so quickly! We still need to contact Gordon or someone, or wait for Leo and his group to get here. The Siege should still be a while longer, a week or so at most, maybe a few days at the least! If we start too early or without a plan we could mess it all up!"
The room, the words, the ideas, emotions. Moving and jumping and dodging. It was unlike any other group they'd ever met. From Luca seemingly focused on Rosemary than anything, Joyce constantly jumping and bursting with vigor, Gerald's filthy attitude, Grom's constantly stern presence, or Hellana's partner Tim seemingly there just to watch. Person after person, without any idea of who they really were, what they could do, why they were here. It wasn't like the Red Arrows; this was a group built by absolutely anything and everything they had. From a high ranking soldier who'd go overlooked anywhere else, a savant noble like Luca, a powerful bounty hunter or Ex Knights, even the leader of the Thieves guild. Everybody left, were the only things left to survive.
After Arthur's massacres, after the various battles that had already happened inside the Capital. After all the evacuations and escapes. It left those who couldn't manage to leave. Who didn't want to leave. Who didn't care what happened. Or whose lives solely existed inside this city. For their wealth, their home, their families. It wasn't just some civil war. It wasn't a normal war at all. It was treatment for the disease, the purging of corruption, the purging of everything. From bounty hunters like Titan, to various potential Pillars like Marker or Red, Lower Pillars like Charlie or Ceasar, or incredible figures like Musashi and Kioshi. It was draining all of Walgonia, leaving only the worthy, the cursed, and the lucky to fend for themselves.
Luca: "Don't worry honey, it'll -
Gray: "No no no no! None of that! Somebody else!"
Joyce: "Well the plan is simple right!? Helena goes to the East, we get ready here and send out those messages you want, and tonight we'll start working on securing the West! Then we get it ready for the next few days, then kaboom! Siege!"
Soku: "I think that makes sense?"
Edward: "I guess we just have to keep thinking about it."
Hellana: "Well you guys think, I got a trip to make. I don't care if I'm fast, even thinking about it's making me feel a little nauseous, I'll just go get it over with."
Tim: "Good luck."
Hellana: "You too! Alright by -
Mid-sentence, she vanished from sight. Then the hideout, the building, and through the street, all before the others could get sorted back inside the room. Moving almost faster than anybody else in Walgonia. A mix of her skill, strength, and traits of the Steaming Wolf. A Mid-Tier Spirit Beast as large as a dire wolf, but instead of its strength, it gains the ability to unleash stamina like a light aura of steam to gain immense speed. Leaving a fading trail of steam and heat behind her, with every step, lung, leap, and spin she took over and under the buildings. Trying her best to dodge the many anarchists on the roofs, the wooden bridges built between them to overlook the land, the streets, and even alleys. And still she moved as quickly as she could, twisting around the walls, the sky, the shadows without even making a peep. There was only one issue.
Helena {I can get to the East no problem, but if I don't wanna get caught it's gonna take I have! I hope the others are okay with it taking a day or so for me to get back! Tim should say something though, she is my smart half after all.}
And her smart half was doing just that, while also trying to give Gray and the others a small space to themselves. Upstairs in the abandoned bar, in a small room filled with a few bunks and supplies. Tight, made of rotting and broken wood, with boarded windows letting in the haze. Even if it was quiet, even if everything was so still they could see all of the floating dust in the streams of light piercing the windows, they knew what was happening around them. Always, every second of every day. And now, it was right next door, and still they had to sit on the old beds. To wait and plan and wait some for. For what felt like forever, for a Siege always approaching and never happening. To wait for the only hope they had, for as long as they could. Because if that failed, they'd never have another chance again.
If their Pillars of strength died, all they'd have left is the soldiers who survived whatever could have killed them. If they completely lost the Capital, any district of Walgonia permanently, then it would be impossible to take it back without the Sect erasing it off the map first. The only thing they'd be able to do is hope Valatroctius or Ravoria would lend a hand. And they'd need the hope of the Spirits first.
Tim: "You all look like you needed a moment. For now it's back to basics for us. Looking for food, water, people. So you all get your strength back. I know you're with Walgonia, and you're all probably stronger than two of me, but I also know that you're just a group of kids."
They all wanted to speak against it. To stand and keep going. But the moment Gray had sat down on the old creaking bed, his entire body forced him to lay down anyway. Soku quickly followed, but Rosemary was still hesitant. While Edward was completely against it with all he had.
Edward: "Maybe you all can but I've just been awake. You guys dealt with maze, I just focused on Titan for a bit. But I've recovered, at least enough to keep helping. As long as we're not fighting another Upper Pillar, I think I could at least try and fight anything else."
Tim: "Well I won't turn away free help, you just come with me. I need some help moving supplies out."
Edward went to bow, but Tim stopped him with a wave of her hand. And just smiled instead, before waving him along to follow.
Edward: "Sorry guys I'll be back, I -
Gray: "It's all good man don't worry. We all wanna help, so knowing you're out doing stuff helps the burden man. But if it's too much or you want some company just ask."
Soku: "And bring us something too!...if it's not too much trouble."
Rosemary: "And if anything happens please make sure we unite. Getting separated now, right before the Siege. Even just in the Capital, it could break everything. "
Gray and Soku were trying their best to actually be kind. Not that they weren't, but for Soku, it took a lot to say something like that without feeling too awkward about it. And it took a lot for Gray to speak calmly, deeply, without overcorrecting or making it a joke to push through. They just spoke, and looked toward Edward like a genuine person. A real part of their family. But Rosemary was trying to look more at the world they were facing, to not treat anything lightly. So it managed to create a wave of emotions that Edward took in stride, with a soft smile, and a boost to his morale. Allowing him to walk with Tim without any worries, and just hope that the work would do some good in the time being.
Gray: "Do you think we shoulda stopped him? Forced him to rest?"
Rosemary: "He doesn't wanna rest just as much as we don't. And maybe it's wrong, but he is a Helsing. Even if we can heal, maybe even faster than him, his stamina. Will. Power. It's all of a real Warrior. He could probably fight before and after we've joined the battle."
Gray: "Well don't make him seem like too much of a saint."
Soku: "I thought you said you weren't jealous of him anymore? I'm willing to put more faith in him than myself, I think we can all agree about that. Even if he isn't awakened or whatever, or if he has a Mark, that's never really mattered. He's always been our front line. But he's tied more to Walgonia than any of us. We could go out, live different lives after this is said and done. But him? His stage is at the very top."
Edward waited a moment by the wall, listening closely, before Tim finished talking to a few people and was able to continue guiding Edward. Down a flight of stairs, toward the hidden base, to find the crates of food that needed to be distributed. But along the way, Edward couldn't help but say something. Especially toward an Ex Elite.
Edward: "How come you left the Knights? You seem to be running stuff here pretty well."
Tim: "I didn't choose to leave, they made that decision for me. Right around the time I got this -
She leaned down amidst the passing crowds, pulling up her right pant leg to reveal a metal bar. Bottled to her knee, with a prosthetic food inside her boot. It was growing older, rusted, but it was functional, stable, just like her.
Edward: "I didn't think Walgonia turned anybody away. Our motto is supposed to be our unity right?"
Tim: "Well somebody's gotta pay the soldiers, pay everybody. And when you're trying to run an entire country, one woman growing out of her prime and just lost a leg? I'm not a noble, I don't have a Mark, I don't really have much mana. All of my magical power is skill, but they don't care about skill unless you're some monster. So they let me go, it's been almost ten years now. And Hellana, her people, our people. It's been more like a family than the Knights ever were."
Edward: "...Sorry, I -
Tim: "Don't be. We were all just born into different worlds. You won't ever truly understand it, just like how I'll never understand what it's like to be a Helsing. The Last one especially."
Since Gray's first day in this world, it's all erupted. So many names, abilities, families, legacies, burdens. It was all so much he'd struggle to name or list all he'd been through. The Capital used to feel so impossible. And then he went to Greenvale, Gurren, Athens, The Town of Shells, Symbol, and so many smaller locations. The stakes, his burdens, his mind, how he lives and breathes. Maybe it was the same body, the same past. But his scars, his values, the core of his being. It wasn't the one of a confused, scared, desperate boy anymore. Yeah he was confused, yeah he was scared, desperate, angry, sad, happy, hopeful, pessimistic, sarcastic. But when he looked out the window, when he looked at Rosemary, when he looked at himself. He didn't feel that same fear anymore; he felt confident enough to stand, and take action, no matter how scared he was.
Maybe it was suicidal, stupid, or maybe some kind of twisted bravery. But Gray knew at the bottom of his heart that he would defeat Arthur. Freeing Walgonia. That would be a purpose he could die for, and die happy. So he'd run head first into the Siege. Against whatever came toward him. Because as long as he could do that one thing, he'd know his time in this world wasn't just chaos. That he didn't destroy Walgonia. He just had to rest, and await nightfall. So the loop of fear, action, sorrow, and escape would happen all over again. It just happened to be that he got better and better every single time. Slowly but surely walking that Road, to the Gray Kyojin he knows exists somewhere.