While Arthur was sprawled - drowned in the dullness of triumph, Terra was restless.
At first, he sat, feeling the cold obsidian throne glazing his back. His shoulder slumped as he closed his eyes, immersed in the embrace of the wind and rustling leaves. A white colored dove burst into flight, clapping its wings with eager as a smile tucked on his lips. That eagerness, that memory - it reminded him the first time he had seen that blade, that golden gleaming blade. It was sweet, nostalgic...until
A light forced him to rise - away from his throne. It was a spark at first, tiny and benign. A tint in the edge of the forest, before it crawled. Fast... filled with devouring hunger. Ever consuming - as heat waves emerged, pressing skin and burning throat.
Terra couldn't see past the smoke
And the smell, blazing leaves and charred feathers
His stomach churned
"This is too cruel, Terra. You know it"
Gabriel ?
He turned, eyes focused on the silhouette swallowed by the shadow of dark castle.
"Since when?"
"Does it matter?"
Terra swallowed a lump
"Where was Angelina?"
"I'm not her squier. But this destruction, Terra..."
Gabriel turned to him, brow wrinkled. those eyes - as to peel him layer by layer.
"Is this what you want?"
What he wanted... was this what he wants?
The question stuck, a chain that bound moral
"I.. I don't know"
"Then decide. Become the Terra i follow"
The jab lasted, as Gabriel picked up his Zweihander. That dried patch, he hadn't cleaned it yet. Why?
"Where are you going ?"
Gabriel halted, step echoed across the stone floor. His uneven breath, his tighten arm, small - but Terra could judge. Gabriel was a puzzle, less talk making him akin to totem. But body language, that Terra could master.
"To prepare"
That concludes their talk.
A creak of hinges, then silence. Once again, Terra left in his lonesome.
He could look at the inferno painted window, to portray the scenery - but his heart. It makes the chains rattled.
He also needed to go, to meet Altaris, to ask question.
Therefore he stood, counting his steps as he walked into the door. His hand, holding a sword heavier then before. The iron knob cracked under his grip, opening a way to the corridor, the hollow space. Every stride clacked and thumped, Not just iron met stone - but mockery. Since when were there this many torches in the corridor?
And Cerenia, that elf princess. They said she could peek the cries of nature itself.
How was she feeling right now? pain? grief? or even sorrow?
What would he feel, beside the princess?
What would he do when he heard her howl?
Sorry? Ask for forgiveness?
Would that even matter?
"TERRY...."
Ah... that high-pitched sound, Angelina?
"Terry?"
She glanced at him, eyes glistened with tears. He tugged his lips, to smile... huh? why couldn't he?
"Terra... what happened?"
That tone - it has lost it's pitch.
"No... Nothing..."
PLAK!
His eyes bulged, a sting on his left cheeks. Dainty hands, Did she just... slap him?
"What!"
"Now, you fixed... we win Terry... why so gloomy?"
"But..."
"No butts..."
She lifted one finger, whack it against Terra's lips
"We won. That's what matter"
"What about..."
"Cerenia... I know Terry, we'll talk to her later. Or even better, blame Altaris"
Blame? Could he even?
"Terry... look at the full picture. You are not the one who wanted to burn the forest. It was Altaris. ... and the deal, it was just last night. Nothing would change. You understand? Capiche?"
Sometimes he couldn't take Angelina seriously. That bluntness, she was too volatile.
"And by the way Terry, they are back... look - look"
Her finger pointed, past Gabriel and the castle gate. A figure of a man, walking in heavy as the trail of blood dripping. One of his hands, fell limp. The other was held by a pink haired girl, walking beside him with utmost care. Shaking as afraid it would brake. And his coat, charred and torn. What happened?
And Terra, he was not alone either. Hundreds of students stood beside him, welcoming the duo inside the castle. A hero? or a slaughterer? Even Terra wouldn't know what they think.
But one thing for sure, Angelina - as usual, was smiling ear to ear
"VIOLEEET!!!"
As she waved her hand, taking a smile from the pink haired beauty. He noticed Altaris, chin up - facing him.
"Oh... Terra, my king... How was..."
"Cut the fire"
He cut, halting Altaris.
"As you wish, my liege"
Altaris nodded, eyes dropped - opposite of Violet, who glared at him. Ungrateful, it screamed. But was he?
Only one way to find out
The forest, a gigantic bonfire. It heeds his call, The sea of flames retreated. Crawling back, dimming. Rest of smoke, blowing into horizon - Puffed and gone. Like washed by water. Yet, the smell still lingers.
A garden of ash remained
Land brimmed with charcoal and scorched corpses. Weapon and Arms, blackened. Some crushed, some melted. Tips without handles, and strings somehow unburned - maybe enchanted. But alas, everything else was gone.
Half the forest was no more.
What kind of flames could bring such ruin?
He retreated, back to the garrison. His mind was tainted, seeing his hand like a monster. He glanced at Angelina. To seek comfort, or just out of curiosity - of what she would say about all this destruction. He bet she brushed it off, just like usual.
That aloof girl.
"Gabriel"
The guy in question, stood
"It's time we charge at them"
Gabriel tilted his head, and nodded - not even a glance as he dragged his Zweihander, walking to a group of people. Battle-hungry maniac. He couldn't find Angelina, must be with Violet. Trying to calm her down, with that glare - it would stick.
What kind of woman would stay silent after what he'd done
"I'm sorry Altaris"
He murmured, Unsheathing his sword. The blade, clean and lustrous. Not once had he neglected it even for one night. His old man made sure of it.
'For a warrior, his blade is akin to lifeline. You cleaned it, you sharpen it, and you used it. It bound to you just like a lover. Cherished it'
"But I can't trust you, yet"
He strolled to the edge of the castle, wind in his hair. Altaris' role was done, and now...
He would do the slaughter