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Post by alexanderthegreat on Dec 5, 2012 21:24:22 GMT -5
Alexander nodded.
"Benjamin's right. I don't know where this guy's disappeared, do you, Kyros? It's not as simple as that, we're in an unfortunate position where we have to be prepared for everything..."
He paused a moment, realizing he'd heard these words before. He smiled at Kyros.
"It'll be something you'll need to remember, something that a very wise king once told me. That the best kings are those who are prepared for everything, even for the things they're not prepared for."
'Dammit, Seigmand'
Alexander turned his attention back to Benjamin though now as he said, "I think Kyros has the right idea that if we show our fear, it'll make him appear worse and more powerful. The world knows what he's done before, what he could do again if not worse. I'd think he's getting himself merried up watching everyone be terrified of him instead of banding together and telling him we're not being pushed around.
Benjamin, this isn't going to be fun. I'll be the first to admit to you both right here in full confidence that I'm scared, and that somewhere out there in this world right now is someone I do deeply care about that I'm afraid may die. But when it comes to a tyrant like Duo, should I ever--heaven forbid--have to look into his eyes, I don't want to show fear. I don't want him to have that satisfaction. My father would be pissed in his grave if I did.
Of course I'll be there for you during your speech. I'll tell everyone we're not alone if I have to, we all need to do this together."
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Kyros Forthe
New Member
I cannot wait for that glorious moment to cleanse the world!
Posts: 32
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Post by Kyros Forthe on Dec 5, 2012 22:05:18 GMT -5
Kyros grabbed his arm, "Well... no, I don't know where he is, but we know he is back. That is something, we know of the threat. We can start the search. Yes, we are a bit tense, but we won't back down. " He stood up straight, "I would be honored to be by your side when you calm your citizens. It will give the people hope that they need."
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Post by Benjamin Kírix-Unda on Dec 5, 2012 23:02:30 GMT -5
"We're all scared Alexander, it's what makes us human. We all have people out risking their lives right now, my two Captains are off preparing to fight." He gave a solemn nod to Alexander before taking in a deep breath.
Benjamin smiled, the words from his allies encouraged him. He had to go out on stage in front of the Senators and hundreds scared civilians looking for answers, but in truth the only thing he had to deliver was hope.
He stood up, looking over at his allies he gave them a nod, "What do you say we get out of this dark room and get into the streets?" He clapped his hands together and the doors swung open, two very large Marine guards stepped in, waiting by the door for their orders.
"We're almost ready to go."
"We'll be ready, sir," one of the Marines said before quickly exiting the room, there was some yelling and you could clearly hear soldiers marching from the room. They were to be escorted by a dozen Marines, not to mention the soldiers that took to the buildings to watch for any sort of disturbance, no person in their right mind would attempt an attack.
Benjamin looked back at the two, he was silent for a moment as he just stared at them with a renewed sense of hope, "Unless there is something you wish to talk about right now, I'm ready to leave. We can always discuss the rest when we're finished."
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Post by alexanderthegreat on Dec 6, 2012 9:00:37 GMT -5
Alexander shook his head.
"Not at all," he said simply as he got to his feet, "what a nation needs is confidence. Let's go give that to them."
He smiled, then. A genuinely pleased smile, and for a moment even with Zeke on his mind he felt that in whole about this whole situation everything was going to be alright for once. Duo was scary, but Felios preached perseverance, something that when he thought about it, Santo-Luce definitely had over at least Unda at the moment. He hadn't seen the state of Crepusculum as of late, but Santo-Luce compared to this looked like it had barely been touched.
Benjamin was right in that sense, his greatest strength was also the flaw--his own people. Santo-Luce stayed strong because he could remind them that the god that governed their majority religion was the lord of light, love, and perseverance and that alone sparked confidence and pride. It couldn't fully extinguish the fear but at least they were accepting of what was to come.
He hoped he could help Benjamin do the same for Unda.
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Post by Benjamin Kírix-Unda on Dec 6, 2012 11:24:31 GMT -5
They exited the palace and quickly met with the armed guards, at first, they seemed to have the streets to themselves but as they walked along the streets more and more people began to come out of their houses.
It was still incredibly silent as people just watched, from the streets or from their windows. Their eyes said it all, worry, sadness, anger. They looked to their President to make everything better.
Could he? How could he possibly calm the worries of an entire nation? He had to, he had no other choice.
Those thoughts were echoed in Benjamin's mind as they walked the streets, approaching a massive building which was packed with people. More Marines quickly formed onto the group, moving people out of the walkway to let the President and Royals enter the High Senate.
The building itself was brand new, built as a symbol of the new government and it was the pride of the people. It only seemed right to deliver the speech here.
After walking up what felt like massive amounts of stairs they were up on a balcony overlooking the courtyard of people, and with the Senators on a lower level they all looked toward the door that Benjamin would enter from. They were hanging on every moment, as if the President could magically make everything better.
He stopped at the entrance to that balcony, looking back at his two allies his pulled out a letter from his jacket and held it for Alexander to take, "Alexander, could you please hold onto this for me?" Benjamin asked, "It's a detailed list of all my military placements and resources, don't open it just yet though. Wait until your in private, though." He glanced over at the Prince and handed him a similar letter, "Like I said, in private."
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Post by alexanderthegreat on Dec 6, 2012 20:18:40 GMT -5
"Absolutely," Alexander took the letter and tucked it away into coat.
He could hear the people chattering away, ominous-sounding as it was. He watched Benjamin's features carefully as though he were trying to read his thoughts, his feelings.
"How do you feel?"
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Post by Benjamin Kírix-Unda on Dec 6, 2012 20:52:08 GMT -5
"Alex... before I out there I wish to thank you, for being not only a great ally but a wonderful friend. Whatever happens after this moment I'll always consider you as my friend," Benjamin put his hand on Alexander's shoulder and smiled before turning back to the entrance, "It's funny... this is just like my dream."
And with that he stepped out onto the balcony, the entire area went silent as everyone seemed to hold their breaths.
"Senators and citizens of Unda," Benjamin began, his voice echoing out through the area with use of magic, "I see fear when I look into your eyes. And my own reflects that same feeling, but I am here to tell you that it's okay to fear because to fear is to be alive... to be alive."
He paused, letting his words sink in before he spoke again, "And as long as we're alive you should know that there is nothing that can stop us. We may fear for awhile but know this that it will not hold us down, we will turn that fear into resolve and use it." His voice started to build up with every passing moment, "Duo Angelo is an ideal, which only has as much power as we give it. We are an ideal... an ideal that we can live in 'faith, freedom and prosperity' while giving back to those who are less fortunate."
"Our ideal is stronger than one built on fear." His voice was demanding and powerful, holding all those watching by his every word, "And our allies hold that very vision, in their own way they express it. Here today is Prince Kyros Forthe of Crepusculum Kingdom and King Alexander Frexton of Santo-Luce, all coming to express the same determination I have spoken about!"
This perked the interest of everyone, their eyes wondered around Benjamin, hoping to catch a look at the two royals. Benjamin didn't expect they to have a speech, all he was hoping for was for them to come and say a couple words of encouragement.
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Post by alexanderthegreat on Dec 10, 2012 18:22:23 GMT -5
It felt weird to have someone like Benjamin actually declare Alexander as not just an ally, but a friend. Alexander wasn't the kind of person who had a lot of friends because of old behaviours--he'd grown to realize in the last couple of years that maybe it wasn't so much a bad thing to have very little friends at all. It was important to have some, and the ones you had had to be important.
Benjamin, Alexander decided, would be an important friend to him. For a moment he wondered if he could get the same kind of relationship out of Kyros as well, but time would only tell. He eyed the young prince while Benjamin spoke to the citizens and felt like this couldn't be the last time he'd speak to Kyros, and not just for this reason. The young man needed help in several ways, settling into his leadership role and trying to solve his nation's issues. It was probably a good idea to keep in touch with him...
When Benjamin addressed Alexander and Kyros, he smiled warmly. This is what he wanted, to spread some confidence with other nations than his own. Proudly enough, he stepped forward and gave Benjamin a polite nod as he tried to shake his jumbled thoughts into coherent sentences.
"Many greetings, citizens of Unda. Your president shares the bold words he does today because he speaks to you only the truth. Take his words, hold them dear, and use them to change not the way you act but your view on the world as a whole. Dwell not on your hardcomings but use each opportunity, negative and positive, to Unda's advantage. Hold strong for your president and he will ensure success. There isn't a single person here today that is alone in this. With our nations joined together, our perseverance will be our greatest strength in the dark days that follow--if you never lose hope, we will see the light return, peace to be had. Thank you."
He nodded quickly again and backed off, immediately reviewing his own little speech in his head and somehow thought something seemed out of place. Trying to piece together a good speech on the fly was always hard, but he at least hoped he could spark that determination in the people that he wanted.
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Kyros Forthe
New Member
I cannot wait for that glorious moment to cleanse the world!
Posts: 32
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Post by Kyros Forthe on Dec 10, 2012 19:02:25 GMT -5
Kyros was thinking to himself, debating some issues of early, but his head perked up when Alex started to talk. He smiled after Alexander speech. It was something that sounded from the heart, something that people really needed to hear. Kyros went up to the podium hoping to drive the idea of unity home.
"Citizens of Unda, even though we meet under dark time, it is a pleasure to meet you. As King Frexton said, perseverance is our greatest strength. A great man once asked me, in dark times where do we point our weapons against an enemy location unknown. I didn't know how to answer but I think I have one now. It does not matter where we point our weapon, but why we point them. We point them for preserving the hope of people. We might be in a twilight times, but it is a twilight to the dawn, not to the dusk. If we prepare ourselves with this union, then our enemy will not get the better of us. We will survive, and we will overcome these times, leading us to a better world."
He turned around and pat the shoulder of Benjamin, "Alright, you are up. Show them that this alliance will be a cleansing force Allorum needs."
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Post by Benjamin Kírix-Unda on Dec 10, 2012 19:07:31 GMT -5
At about the point when Kyros spoke of the weapons the crowd began to roar. The fierce determination of hope and upcoming fight overtook the crowd in one swift movement. Benjamin stepped up and smiled at the two, thanking them for their speeches. And as the speeches ended and the people roared in defiance there was such an air of hope floating around. Benjamin stood at the ledge, his chest filled with pride after every raising of fists, every roar and pounding of their feet against the ground. "It's beautiful, isn't it...?" Benjamin said as he looked at the two royals, "You can't stop it, you can only mask it... but even than hope will always shine through. Astounding. I'll always remember this day, there is no way we'll ever see something like this again." As Benjamin spoke many of the Senators came from below to shake the hands of the three, thanking them for their speeches and wishing them well. "That's a speech to remember, Mr. President," one of the South Unda Senators said while shaking Benjamin's hand, "To invoke such hope in a time of darkness is... well, only heard of in stories." "Thank you, Senator," Benjamin nodded, "It's what we all need right now." "Actually, I came up here more than to just congratulate you." "Hm?" "I have a message," the Senator pulled Benjamin closer, slipping him a piece of paper before whispering to him, "You've done a good job." The Senator stepped away and Benjamin examined the paper, he cringed as he read the words. Words that shocked him beyond belief. Benjamin dropped the little note and looked back at Kyros and than at Alexander, placing one hand gently on their shoulders he could feel his eyes tear up before he closed them. Feeling the roar of the people... his people. And than there was a sharp pain. An arrow flew from a nearby building and slammed into Benjamin's upper chest, the force of his blow knocked the breath out of him and sent him clashing to the floor. The reactions were mute at first for no one could believe what they saw. What occurred next was chaos. |
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Kyros Forthe
New Member
I cannot wait for that glorious moment to cleanse the world!
Posts: 32
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Post by Kyros Forthe on Dec 10, 2012 19:16:10 GMT -5
"BEN" Kyros shouted in disbelief. He grabbed the president, and looked at him, "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! Ben!" His look of horror was on his face, then he looked around, "A MEDIC! WE NEED A MEDIC OVER HERE!" He shouted, looking around for anyone to help the president.
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Post by alexanderthegreat on Dec 10, 2012 19:23:47 GMT -5
It was disturbing how at the flip of a coin, the aura of this whole event turned from something so warm, so encouraged and ready to fight for what was their freedom and dignity, to suddenly a massive wave of turmoil.
In those quick seconds, it seemed like long agonizing moments that numbed Alexander as he caught the look in Benjamin's eyes. Something wasn't right. Next, the bloody president lay on the floor. Alexander had no physical feeling in him, his nerves seemed to shut down on himself as he looked upon Benjamin.
He dropped suddenly to the man. Dammit, he was the king of the light kingdom for a reason. He had holy powers, he had to be able to do something.
"Benjamin," he spoke sharply, leaning into the man, "talk to me. I can do something. Say something."
He watched for movement, for anything from the man.
"Kyros..."
He couldn't say his thoughts. This wasn't good.
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Post by Benjamin Kírix-Unda on Dec 10, 2012 19:40:42 GMT -5
His heart was racing and every passing second felt like hours. As blood poured onto the white balcony he couldn't help but stare up into the sky.
From the moment he voiced his convictions of a free society he knew he was going down a road of despair. When he family was slaughtered he had all but given up until being renewed by the belief of those around him. But every night when he would go to bed he would have the same dream.
Benjamin would witness his death, staring at the faces of his people before being hit by an arrow. So vivid and so frequent he could even see the faces of Alexander and Kyros even before he knew them.
He had come to accept this fate, yet even still, he couldn't help but feel saddened. He wanted to see his country through this time of darkness... he wanted to see his friends return from fighting.
He wanted to visit the graves of his family in the meadows by their farm. Surrounded by his daughter's favorite flowers he wanted to breath them in, he wanted to kneel down to their graves and cry; begging them to forgive his mistakes. Begging them to forgive his costly ideals.
He heard the screams of his people from below, his vision was beginning to fade before feeling the warm embrace followed by the smell that was unmistakably his family's.
And than everything went dark.
The Marines quickly surrounded the King and Prince before beginning to pull them away from the body, desperate to get them out of the way of the arrows. "We have to get you to safety," one of the Marines urged, "Quickly!"
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Kyros Forthe
New Member
I cannot wait for that glorious moment to cleanse the world!
Posts: 32
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Post by Kyros Forthe on Dec 10, 2012 19:54:28 GMT -5
Kyros was staring at Benjamin, as he tried to cast some healing on Benjamin. However, it was no hope. Kyros was still trying to heal Ben as Alex talked to him, "Alex, don't you know how to heal?" He asked him, "We can't lose Benjamin. Unda, nay Allorum, cannot lose Benjamin." He continued to try to help Ben, and was forced to be carried by one of the Marines away from Benjamin. Kyros looked at Benjamin, still thinking of a way to save him.
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Post by alexanderthegreat on Dec 10, 2012 20:02:11 GMT -5
Alexander couldn't answer Kyros. The president was lost. Alexander barely felt the marines grabbing him, the short time extending to him while he stared at the body of his friend. His friend, something he couldn't quite shake. He must have delivered resistance to the men pulling him along without even realizing it because he suddenly felt a strong jolt by one of them in another direction.
"Dammit," he snapped, feeling returning to his legs as he marched along, his awareness suddenly kicking in, "where are we going?!"
There was a note Benjamin read before he solemnly patted his shoulder. Alexander didn't see it, one of Benjamin's men gave it to him...it just seemed so suspicious right now.
"Who can we talk to?! If they're in your kingdom we have to do something now. Where's your Senate?!"
A place to take shelter from the attack, a place to discuss the situation, a plan to reduce casualties and stop Unda from falling under.
"Kyros, forget him! We need to get their heads back together, the people need help! We promised them that!" Alexander's voice was loud and demanding, even to that of the young prince. He didn't come all this way to have everything fall apart.
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