Days before the Fall (Plot thread 2.5)

[Mark Angelus Fri]

20,000 was a small number to be truthful. The people who seemed to join the Empire were mostly soldiers from the previous civil war, as well as bandits, Wild Undian Mercenaries (Marines called them 'Wild Warriors') and the poorer Undians who felt the Empire would bring them riches the Republic could not.

As Brea announced his plan, it received as many nods of approval as disapproval, all for different reasons.

Nobody would yell at the President, so they tried to be as civil as possible, "Mr. President... if we leave Santo-Luce unprotected, surely they will fall."

"Don't be foolish," one of the Low Senators countered, "Santo-Luce will be plenty defended with the numbers we'll leave, five Undian warships are stronger than a fleet of Duo's!"

"Excuse me," A Central Undian Senator asked, leaning towards Brea as if it would help cover his words, "Are you sure we can trust such a duty to the South?" There had been a fear floating around that Southern Unda was conspiring with Duo, it was only fueled by how secured the region was and the fact it was a Southern Senator that was locked up for the assassination of Benjamin.

The Southern Senators naturally took offense to this, "The South is with the Republic! Nobody as benefited from this Republic as much as our region. You'll have our militia, Mr. President." The Senator assured while glaring at the Central Undian.

Finally the Marine General looked over at Brea and questioned, "Mr. President, you don't actually plan on fighting in the field? We need you here, you're a symbol now! If you bleed the country bleeds!"

[Zeke Omoihake]

Maybe I should just go back. I could chart a ship back, something light and quick to speed me back to Santo-Luce. I'm sure I could make it in time. Zeke continued to play voyeur to the sullen citizens and soldiers that moved about the palace courtyard as his doubts continued to amass in him.

In time to do what, pray tell? To watch the outer cities burn? To see the results of the invasion before it could be told to you? You've already cast your die, stop being a coward and accept it.

I could make it time to save him.

You're not this stupid. Why do you insist on struggling against the torrents of fate when you know of a better way. A faster way, or should I say a faster person... The voice nudged Zeke's mind towards the obvious solution, and no sooner was it thought than did the angelic girl emerge from the palace, her sword drawn and an intensity that seemed to smoulder out from all around her.

"Shanira! Shanira, what's going on? Where are you going?" Zeke dashed across the courtyard to catch her, knowing full well he'd stand no chance to catching up once she got out in the open.

[A.B.A.]

Standing behind the cover of the stone decor, Velestia's eyes met with the empty stare of Roxa's visor. Her eyes widened a bit with relief as she exhaled deeply.

So, at least it's his body after all. A.B.A. ticked the imaginary box off in her mind. After all, to see that their mental link had returned was proof enough that for whatever reason at least Kain's body wasn't dead, nor was his magic. Her heart skipped a beat as she stared down Roxa, almost ready to tell herself that that was enough; that it was all the proof she needed. No, settle down and think. If that was all it really took you could have just asked Kain to come here. You brought him to you after all, you might as well use him.

Snapping out of her private thoughts, A.B.A. awkwardly broke the stare, darting her eyes across the crowd before frowning at Roxa, realizing that they'd been staring at each other for enough time to be noticeable. Well don't keep looking at me, will you? Pretend to be doing anything else, we can talk this way after all. A.B.A. commanded her thoughts out towards the armoured former Saint, trying her best to restrain herself from opening her mouth and shouting every pent-up comment she'd housed in her mind at him. She wasn't sure if it was the fact that Kain was seemingly alive or that the thing that stood in front of her didn't have the face of the man she'd envisioned dying in her arms for countless nights, but it seemed easier to stay her hand, for the time being at least.

So...I thought you killed him. Velestia turned her back on Roxa, pawing at her hair that covered the same place as where A.B.A.'s key would be.

[shanira]

Shanira glanced at Zeke as she marched by though she never stopped as she answered him, forcing him to either stay behind or keep up with her.

"Shanira know all Master feels, him need help and Shanira go there. Master feared, lots feared. Knows Shanira will go for him, he try to be brave," she shook her head, an awkward chuckle escaping her despite her grave tone, "but Shanira knows Master most, Zeke. Master need help, needs now. Is time to kill for Master, she knows. Master will be fine, Shanira promise."

[Brea Cao-Wei]

"That's exactly what I plan to do." Brea said, turning to face the Marine General who spoke up. He crossed his army across his chest and nodded slowly. "Let me make this clear... I'm a fighter and a warrior, not a politician. There's a difference between the man I am and the man that Benjamin was. Benjamin knew how to inspire men from any distance, be it in person with a hand shake or from behind a desk, away from the prying eyes of the public. I cannot do that. The only way I know to inspire people is to be there on the front lines with them, to bleed with them and to spill blood with them." He looked around at the others in the room, before his gaze finally fell back onto the General, his voice lowering. "Either way... I'm President now." He winked. "Who's going to stop me?"

He turned his attention now onto the Senators who were bickering amongst themselves and spoke up, his voice echoing around the room, silencing all.

"Let me address these issues that you have. If Unda falls it matters not what happens to Santo-Luce, because we will not be there to help them. Secondly, we are a unified nation are we not? Is this not what Benjamin fought for, to see us all stand together? I trust the South and will grant them such a duty not because of who they are or where they are from, but simply because they are in the best position to grant aid to those who need it. If they choose to betray us, then it shall be me and the rest of us that they have to answer to, will they not? Why do we have anything to fear?"

[King Roxa Hiaten]

Roxa didn't even pause to look at the figure for risk of people noticing. Instead, after the briefest of glances, he walked past and leaned against a nearby pillar, out of sight of the others. He crossed his armoured arms against his chest and simply stared upwards at the roof as he heard the same voice speak in his mind. He recognized it, but couldn't quite place it.

'I never killed him...' He responded mentally, his gaze falling down to stare at his boots now instead, his eyes narrowing behind his helmet, racking his brain to try and place the voice that he was hearing within his head to a face, to somebody that he could recognize. He had his suspicions, but nothing that he could use for a solid accusation. 'Someone else did...' He continued. 'That person then died right before me... But who would you be to take such interest in this..?'

[Mark Angelus Fri]

Brea did a fair job quelling the protest from the group, bringing up Benjamin as he did seemed to help get the words through. the Central Senator's grumbled and the Southern one's beamed in pride that it was their region that would keep the union together.

However, one of the points were not put down.

"But Mr. President, as wonderful as that sounds, you're thinking is stuck in the old world's ways!" A Senator protested, "The days of the valiant king dying in the field with his soldier's are done - we're in a world where the people expect you to be untouchable by these conflicts. We need you here ready to respond to any problems!"

"You're the only one who can do it," The Marine General added, "If not you, than who else?"

[A.B.A.]

Just because you didn't stick the knife in Kain's back doesn't make you any less of a backstabber, Roxa. Contempt tainted every word as she retorted against the young king's answer. I didn't bring you over to get your excuses, I asked you here because you're going to tell me if Kain is under any sort of magical compulsion. I recall you had a sort of talent for sensing magic.

Indeed, she'd seen both through Seigmand's spies and through her first meeting with him as Velestia that Roxa could sense magic, and do it well enough to place it to a person. If Kain was indeed under Duo's control, A.B.A. was certain he could sense it.

As for who I am...I guess it goes to show how easily you forget the people you stepped on to be where you are today. A.B.A. turned to the coffin that took centre stage in the room, sighing deeply to herself. Of course he wouldn't remember her. Not now. Ignoring the irony of the situation A.B.A. lamented on how different this Roxa was from the one that she'd known, and all the while resented him for it.

[Zeke Omoihake]

Despite her usual broken sentences Zeke understood exactly what Shanira was going to, for when she turned to face him he saw a glint of murderous intent in her. The same kind of expression that he'd seen in the eyes of enemies and comrades alike when it was time to wage war. Without quite realizing it himself Zeke reciprocated with a similar expression, one that flashed with just an instant of deep hatred. Taking off with her he intended to keep up till they got beyond the palace limits.

"Wipe them all out Shanira. You got me? Every one of them that dares go near Alexander dies." In the moment it felt good to say something so brutal. It felt right, and fooling himself all the while he blamed his love for the dark desire that burned in him. After all, what emotion was there stronger than love to move Zeke so far from his mindset?

"Oh and Shanira, don't come back. No matter what." The tone in his voice was harsh, almost threatening to the angelic blond, not that Zeke noticed at all. If Alexander was to be protected he'd do anything to make sure that he stayed that way, even if it meant sending a powerful ally away for good. "I don't care what Alexander says, you don't go back for me at all."

[King Roxa Hiaten]

'Who said anything about excuses... A.B.A?' He smiled inwardly, that slight moment of thought about the old Roxa, that momentary respite had opened her up just enough for Roxa to be able to dictate the familiar signature of the former Saint. It only opened more questions for the young King, why was she remaining hidden? Why had she taken so long to reveal herself, and many more, but he knew that they had more pressing matters to worry about.

'Also; my path to power has little to do with you. Had you been on the tower, I severely doubt you would have stood by and allowed Kain to tear this world apart... Van certainly didn't... Sonorc didn't and neither did I.' He paused momentarily as he latched himself on to Kain's signature. Roxa's method of detecting magic was unique in the way that it was effectively untraceable, rather than sending out a pulse of magic, which others would respond to but also trace back to him, he used some of Ave's power to tap into old, almost dead, mana lines which he could use to bounce magic from any nearby location, he did so now with Kain.

'As far as I can tell, it's him. But that doesn't make me any less suspicious... This is still Duo that we're dealing with, it's uncertain just how capable he is. The only evidence we have for him being the real Kain or rather, not being under anyone's control, is that he has his own magical signature, I can't sense any interference and he returned with our allies.' He paused for a moment, contemplating his own burning questions, most of which could wait, but he felt the need to ask one.

'Why come back?'

[shanira]

Shanira continued her march out of the palace gates, giving herself a couple extra feet away from the entrance before she abruptly stopped and turned back to face Zeke who spoke so viciously she realized it was odd for him.

And yet she felt a rumble of excitement within her knowing that he clearly approved of her actions and words. Even if he didn't she would have dismissed him and gone anyway but somehow having a partner who shared the same views on the situation just made it feel even better.

"Yes, all them!" Shanira answered, giving Zeke a wink, "Master's say is not mine order now. Shanira look after Master. Zeke look after Zeke. Kick ass!"

Her last couple of words she nearly shouted with great enthusiasm, turning on her heels then and stepping forward. Just as her right foot hit the ground the entire area around them lit up, a blinding burst of light in large circular mass that, when it cleared as quickly as it'd come, the angelic guardian was gone. And half a second later in Santo-Luce, she came smashing through the library window...

[Zaria DeGantz]

"Then I should go with you!" Zaria spoke up. She felt as though she had failed Benjamin, now she wasn't about to fail Brea. After all, he was Unda's new President. "I need to make sure nothing happens to you. After all, you said so yourself... I was hired to watch your back."

[A.B.A.]

Don't! Don't. You. Dare talk about Van to me. Of all those that had betrayed the Saints, Van had been the one that had left the deepest wound on her heart. The years had calloused it somewhat, but hearing his name still felt sharp and tender to her at the same time. She closed her eyes and breathed slowly, casting Van's soft features and voice out of her mind, pausing till she felt her composure return.

Make your excuses all you want. Hide behind those that agree with you Roxa. Don't think that it changes the facts. You betrayed us, helped kill our brothers and sisters, and now you're no better than Duo was. A.B.A. stepped out from the pillar and made her way along the luxurious carpet that led from the casket to the palace threshold.

Hold your questions for now Roxa. We'll have time enough when this is all over. For now, you're of no more use to me. With the ominous last words said to the former Saint she closed her mind to him and focused solely on the bearded Kain. His body and his magic alone on him, it was enough for her. How much more certain could she be? Even as she neared him it felt unreal, like moving through a moment in time long since past. Yet as her eyes looked into his it couldn't have felt more right when she at last stopped only a mere few inches from him, gazing up and feeling like once more she was in the presence of family.

"Kain, I mean sir... A.B.A., rank 15 of the Saint's Army reporting for duty." Unsure of what words to use to encapsulate everything she felt she fell back on the old and familiar protocol. Taking to one knee she bowed her head before him, waiting for his orders.

[Zeke Omoihake]

Zeke threw his hands up to protect himself from the bright light, squinting back only to see Shanira nowhere in sight. Damn, she wasn't kidding when she said she was fast. At first Zeke thought she'd merely teleported, but turning his head up he saw the settlement of loose dirt and debris that had been kicked up by her footfalls and widened his eyes in astonishment. If only I had a fraction of that speed... The thought started to bum him out, and Zeke quickly decided to linger no more on the matter for now.

"Hey! Are we here to sit around or are we here to get some payback?" Zeke called out from the palace doors, turning to face his comrades and the Undian troops that remained around them. "We got our ace in the hole now, and it's about time we take the fight to Duo's door! Who's with me?!" Pumping his fist in the air Zeke cast an assertive look towards those near him, hoping to burn away the sadness of those around him and replace it with the righteous indignation that he felt coursing through his body.

[Kain Angelo]

Kain directed his focus over at Katina as she spoke, he simply smiled and shook his head, “I'm very much real. I'm here to finish the job that was started so many years ago. Basically the same thing you're here for, Queen Chalybs.”

As ABA approached Kain, he couldn't help but stare wide eyed at her. It was like he was seeing a ghost, and for a moment he thought that this might have been some sort of illusion brought about from his time in Hellious. “ABA...” Kain began before forfeiting all of his 'cool' by falling to one knee and pulling ABA into a hug, “It's good to see you again.”

There was so much Kain wanted to say, he wanted to apologize for everything that had happened, he wanted to ask how she'd been and so much more. But the hug would have to do for now.