Spoiler
Two days had passed since the end of the mission. On this day, Queen Kalina was to appear before the Supreme Senate to discuss the situation in Sankadesh. In the afternoon, Kalina and Tokahev arrived in the Great Halls of Tenzo Palace, where the meeting was to take place.
The Great Hall was built like an amphitheater, with cascading wooden desks that stretched from the walls of the room to the very middle, leaving room for a staircase between them leading down to the Royal Seat and speaking platform. The room had a large skylight above the speaking platform, and the sun would shine down brilliantly on it, illuminating the room with indirect light. Three statues surrounded the platform in a triangular fashion. These statues were depictions of Lady Justice, Lady Equality, and Lady Peace.
They were made of marble, but the items held by the statues were made of gold and glimmered in the sunlight. All of them were depicted wearing flowy, transparent linen robes. The transparency of their robes to their bodies were brilliantly carved with awesome technique. Lady Justice held a golden sword skyward towards the sun and a set of golden scales.
Lady Equality wore a blindfold around her eyes, and both of her wrists were adorned with broken golden shackles, held up proudly towards the sun. Lady Peace had golden flowers in her hair and held a golden dove in her hands. She held it towards the sun, and it looked as if she was setting the bird free as its wings were spread out, as if it were preparing to fly away. Right behind the Royal Seat was the flag of Vevoskovia, draped down to the floor from the ceiling.
The room was filled with Supreme Senate members. All 12 of them took their seats. Tokahev sat next to his mother on a seat that was at a lower height then the Queen's. Kalina rose up from her seat to start the meeting off with the standard prayer.
Kalina: To our people, laws, ideals, and way of life, may our Creator and our Keeper bless us and watch over us, in the name of the Path of the Lotus. Indra Edo. Everyone else in the room repeated her last phrase. Indra Edo was the formal way Luxaura would end his prayers in the Book of Wisdom, written thousands of years ago in a completely different era.
Senator Samara stood up to speak.
Samara: As we all know, the Feudal Lords supporting Prince Salem have been hit hard by a Loyalist offensive. The latest casualty of this was, unfortunately, Feudal Lord Elvira. King Khana has not only enlisted the help of his own armed forces, but that of civilians and radical terrorist organizations as well. Their advances throughout the cities of Sankadesh has cost the Revolutionaries greatly. Every day, they draw closer to cornering Prince Salem. This not only hurts the people of Sankadesh, but also hurts Vevoskovian and Asaji interests as well. King Khana has dealt almost exclusively with the Syvian Assembly, as they provided him with weapons, supplies, and money.
*WAR IS ON SALE*
Samra: Yet despite this, Khana has made Sankadesh into what can only be described as an Iron Curtain regime, with information about the country being unattainable through conventional means such as pamphlets and government reports. Prince Salem wished to undo this and open partnerships with Vevoskovia and Asaji. Prince Salem could serve as a way for Vevoskovia to purchase resources and trade knowledge with the people of Sankadesh, but this possibility has been greatly hindered by the civil war. Not only have Vevoskovian ambassadors and tourists been unfairly incarcerated under the rule of King Khana, but the Special Organization of Espionage has had to bury 4 agents in the past 2 months, as a direct result with intense fighting with Loyalist forces armed with Syvian weaponry.
One could almost feel the resentment for Syvia heat up the very air in the room.
Samara: This occurs during a time where King Yondel unlawfully and arrogantly works to re-militarize Syvia. In response to the severity of this situation, the Asaji have made it clear that they will respond with equal force if Vevoskovia opts for military intervention. The radical organizations under Khana's payroll have made regaining lost ground much tougher than it should ever have to be. They've massacred not only those suspected of supporting the Revolutionaries, but those who follow Agzatona as well. Their disgusting acts of brute force and ideological violence has claimed the lives of civilians and soldiers alike.
*PEACE IS OVER*
Samara: In response to this increased aggression throughout the country, the commanders of the SOE have narrowed our options down to 3 possible choices. 1; Give full authority to the SOE to engage in Aggressive Counter-Intelligence Operations. This includes but is not limited to: Discrediting Khana and his allies in Sankadesh media, bribing opponents of Khana to fight against him under Vevoskovian payroll, planting moles in Khana's network of allies, killing Khana's loved ones, beating and intimidating Khana's allies, and assassination if necessary. 2; Shelling Operations. Vevoskovia has the worlds most advanced artillery, mortars, rockets, and missiles. This option allows us to deploy a minimal amount of men and give shelling support to the Revolutionaries from afar. 3; Full Scale Deployment. Vevoskovia is capable of weaponizing and mobilizing our troops at the drop of a hat. Though this option is costly, the country could handle a prolonged conflict in its current economic state. I ask the Queen what she thinks of these options.
Kalina stood up.
Kalina: Given the costs and risks of option 3, we will save that until the situation becomes absolutely dire. I want to go with Option 1, giving the SOE full authority to engage in ACIO tactics, with option 2 as a fallback on standby. For now, dealing with the Loyalists as discreetly and inconspicuously as possible will cost us the less amount of money and resources, and it can be done under the nose of a re-militarizing Syvia. Another thing. The Feudal Lords depend on Prince Salem, and Prince Salem depends on the Feudal Lords. I'm sure they're feeling down given their recent defeat at the hands of the Loyalists. I want the SOE to smuggle them out of the country and ensure their safety.
Senator Daemon stood to speak.
Daemon: Do you intend to provide refuge for them here in Vevoskovia?
Kalina: Absolutely. The Menlayev family will pay for the expenses involved in the operation to get them out of Sankadesh. We can place them under Persecution License and give them military protection here. We cannot afford the morale of the Revolutionaries to falter at such a critical time in the civil war.
The senators all nodded in agreement. Tokahev also agreed with his mother's actions. He thought he would've made the exact same decision given the circumstances and risks involved
Samara: Unless there are any further concerns or questions about Sankadesh or how Vevoskovia will react accordingly, this senate will take the vote. All those in favor of utilizing the SOE's ACIO tactics, giving them full permission to engage in more aggressive operations, please say Aye.
The room was filled with an unanimous Aye.
Samara: All those in favor of escorting the Feudal Lords and Prince Salem out of Sankadesh, please say Aye.
Once again, the room erupted in an unanimous Aye.
Samara: The vote is unanimous. The Supreme Senate hereby grants the SOE the power to operate as specified. Is there anything else, Queen Kalina?
Kalina: No, that will be all. You're all dismissed.
The room emptied as the Senators got up to have break in the Dining Room. The only sound left was the sound of their chatter behind the closed doors of the Great Hall.
Tokahev: You made a pretty good choice, mom. It's the safest way to play in this situation.
Kalina: If this civil war results in the extirpation of Sankadesh's Linen Curtain party, we would have missed a major economic opportunity. I'm so glad you see it my way, Toky Woky!
Tokahev crossed his arms and looked away from his mother
Tokahev: I told you not to call me that!
Kalina laughed and leaned in towards Tokahev
Kalina: Oh, but come on! I used to call you that all the time and you loved it!
Tokahev: When I was a kid! I swear, it's the sickness of every over-affectionate mother. Everything that's embarrassing for the child to remember is nothing more than an adorable memory for the mother.
Kalina: Over-affectionate? I hardly bug you enough these days! My little man is on his way to becoming the heir to the throne!
Tokahev: How can you call me a little man, I'm 20!
Kalina: Is 20 years old too late to go get some ice cream after this long and boring Senate meeting?
Tokahev: Well, actually....I have a date.
Kalina stared blankly at Tokahev until the weight of his words finally shattered her heart.
Kalina: D-D-D-D-DATE?!?!?!?! With who!??! Is she pretty?!? What's her name?
Tokahev: Her name is Amiya. She's a descendent of Providence, and yes, she's extremely pretty!
Kalina: Providence?! Wow, a rare breed! She must be pretty if she descended from such an affluent bloodline. But how about her ta-tas?
Tokahev: Her...what?
Kalina: I'm talking about her tits. Does she have nice tits? Every woman a Menlayev has ever married has had at least D cups. Small tits are an omen of infertility you know!
Tokahev: IS THIS REALLY MY MOM TALKING?!
Tokahev sighed and reluctantly answered the question
Tokahev: Yes. I haven't gotten that far with her, but you can definitely notice it, even when she's clothed.
Kalina: Damn, I'm kind of jealous! To be completely jacked AND come from such a great bloodline? She's so lucky!
Tokahev: Why is it all that different? We descend from the Asane Clan after all. Isn't that also a very well respected bloodline?
Kalina: True, but it's not like we were particularly known for being the most beautiful girls in the world. That title was given to Providence women. The last true beauty and sex icon the Asane had was Phaedra Asane. There were so many legends about her beautiful hair and eyes.
Tokahev: Oh come on, give yourself some credit. You've got everything a woman of Providence would have too.
Kalina smiled and the two got up to leave Tenzo Palace.
Kalina: Thanks, love. I truly appreciate it.
As the two walked outside in the sun of the late afternoon, Tokahev prepared to attend his date.
Tokahev: I'll be headed down to Isabelle's Cafe, so this is where we split.
Kalina: Alright, just be home before it gets too late. And bring her over some time! I don't bite!
Tokahev walked down the street and waved goodbye. Kalina took a ride back to Castle Asane and ascended up the steps leading to her personal quarters. She was startled to find Katya sitting on her balcony, waiting for her.
Kalina: Hello there. Do you need something?
Katya: Oh! Good afternoon, my lord.
Kalina: Please, you barged into my quarters. There's no real need for formalities now.
Katya: Yeah, sorry about that. I meant to get here the same time you did, but it seems you were a little late coming home.
Kalina: I don't mind it. I've been dying for company anyway.
Kalina smiled, but her attention also shifted to Katya's forehead and eye, as she had them wrapped in bandages.
Kalina: Why is your eye bandaged like that? Did you get hurt?
Katya: Oh, this is nothing. It's hard to explain, but my eyes are capable of performing the Marluxian Arts. The training for this ability is intense and potentially lethal. I've been doing fine, but today my eyes needs some rest. It's been very sensitive to light all day.
Kalina: Oh, I get it now. You're the one they call Katya, right? Your Kruger's subordinate! Commander Borealis has spoken very highly of you.
Katya blushed and fiddled with her thumbs.
Katya: Really? I never knew Borealis spoke of me like that.
Kalina: Well, he has! Oh, I'm very sorry. I've derailed your entire purpose of coming here in the first place. What exactly did you need?
Katya: Right. Borealis was just wondering what your decision was regarding today's meeting at Tenzo Palace.
Kalina: Oh right! Yes, I'll inform him that....
Kalina began to cough. To Katya, it sounded like a very dry and painful cough.
Katya: Are you okay, my lord?
Kalina: I'm fi-
Kalina's words were interrupted by more coughing. Kalina fell to the ground and began coughing up blood, to the alarm of Katya. She fell unconscious as Katya tried calling out to her. In a panic, Katya rushed her to Deshavi's HQ medical room for an examination.
In the medical room, a team of doctors, Katya, and Borealis waited for Kalina to awaken. Katya sat close beside her and the doctors were off to the side after conducting a successful diagnosis. Borealis leaned against the wall next to the door. At last, Kalina began to wake up. She was dizzy at first, and the bright lights confused her. But she was able to sit up in her bed and thank the doctors for taking care of her.
Kalina: Borealis....
Borealis: Kalina. Remain calm and listen carefully to me.
Kalina's eyes were filled with fear and anxiety.
Borealis: The blood you coughed up was a result of a growth inside of your lungs. It appears to be cancerous. Much of your left lung has begun to deteriorate because of this. Usually, the Deshavi can offer medical assistance to certain diseases we have cures or treatment for. But this is much more complex. Though there is a possible route of treatment, it would involve using the Art of Pluto directly on your lungs and cells within the lungs. This is a problem because mending individual cells without affecting surrounding cells is practically impossible. Not without severely damaging the lungs and surrounding organs in the process. The Art of Pluto just hasn't been studied long enough to find a way to combat this. In time, this cancer will kill you. And it may not even take long.
Kalina held her arms as if she was cold and began to tear up. Her tears turned into a gentle crying.
Borealis: Also, Kalina. We've noticed the cuts on your arm.
Kalina was shocked to hear those words. She caressed her cuts with her thumb before covering her face with both of her hands. Her gentle crying turned into a shameful wailing. Borealis exited the room after he said that, and the doctors decided to give Kalina some time to cope and reflect. Katya stayed beside Kalina and held her as she cried. She cried tears of pain, agony, shame, self-hatred, and sorrow. Without words between them, Katya was able to understand what Kalina was trying to say with her tears. "I don't want to die."
After an hour, Kalina was ready to depart Deshavi HQ. Katya escorted her outside the waterfall, where Borealis waited for her.
Borealis: Katya. I would like a moment with the queen, please.
Kalina stayed silent as Katya gazed at her with concern written on her face. Despite her concern, Katy ventured back into Deshavi HQ. Kalina and Borealis stood together watching the sunset. The two didn't look at each other directly.
Kalina: How long do I have?
Borealis: That depends on how fast it progresses, and how far of a length you're willing to go to hide it.
Kalina: So you knew...
Borealis: You don't have to go through everything alone, Kalina. Just because he's gone doesn't mean life has to be a burden on you.
Kalina: Don't mention him in my presence. I'm done remembering. It was a relationship that was bound to be torn apart by the political and social circumstances of the times we live in.
Borealis: If not for him, then for your son. Seek help, Kalina. The Deshavi is more than willing to act as a shoulder to cry on.
Kalina: I don't want your pity. Just keep doing your jobs, and I shall continue to do mines. Tokahev will know in due time. I just have to find the right time...
Borealis: You're practically dead already. The "right" time does not exist for you.
Kalina: Perhaps you're right about that.
Borealis and Kalina watched as the trees danced to the gentle song of the wind, and the birds flew above singing nature's song.
Kalina: I suppose I should be going now. I still have some work I need to finish at Castle Asane.
Borealis: Katya. I'll be assigning her as your personal guardian.
Kalina: The girl? Why?
Borealis: Katya has endured through unimaginable sorrow for someone her age. She should've never had to go through the things that she has. But even still, her spirit is warm and kind. She's the flame to your oil. She'll be your light.
Kalina: I'd be happy to accept her then. Farewell, Borealis.
Borealis: Farewell.
Kalina departed back to Castle Asane. At first, she stood in her room, completely silent. Then she began to smash the plates resting on the granite counters of the kitchen. She yelled at the top of her lungs in painful anger and nearly began to hyperventilate. As the fragments of the plates found their way to the floor, so did Kalina, as she sunk down to the flood with her head covered by her legs and arms. Her tears flowed like rain once again. Rain that would never be heard or felt.
Later that night Borealis received a notice from a team of Deshavi about bodies that had been captured. The soldier knelt before Borealis in his office.
Borealis: A message?
Deshavi: Yes sir. It seems the enemy was carrying an encrypted message inside of their bodies. All four of them have different parts of the message, but we'd need a skilled surgeon to get them out safely.
Borealis sighed, knowing he'd have to deal with the stench of death tonight.
Borealis: Alright. Assemble the autopsy crew.
Vera just so happened to be in the medical room when the bodies were dropped off there. La'amica was nice enough to let her gaze at the bodies resting in the morgue. The bodies of the four enemies from Sankadesh were laid out on four separate tables. They had already been cleaned, weighed, and stripped. They were all men, all of them had tattoos, and they all had stitches were the messages had been placed into their wounds.
La'amica prepared the bodies for operation as Vera continually pestered here.
Vera: PLEEEEAAAAAASE!
La'amica: Damn it Vera! For the 100th time, no!
Vera: Yeah, but certainly not for the last time! You're too sweet to turn me down! Come on, just let me cut one open! At least let me undo the stitches!
La'amica: Why don't you just give up already!
Vera: Are you serious? Just f*cking smelling the death on these asshol*s is making my nipples rock hard! I have never been this aroused in my life! But for god's sake, for the sake of the queen and all that is right in the universe, you've got to let me cut open one of these sorry, Sankadesh bastards!
Borealis: That's enough, Vera.
Borealis walked into the room to oversee the operation.
Vera: Boss! Come on! Let me have some fun here! You don't want to make a girl wait, do you?
Borealis: If it's you I'd gladly do it. Seeing you complain and squirm is honestly very amusing. Washes away the seriousness of the profession.
Vera let out a very confused and shocked yell, as if she was offended by what Borealis said.
Vera: Sir, if I may, they're already going about it all wrong! Look, Mr. Dickchin over there still hasn't even washed his hands. Great going there, Mr. Dickchin, I bet you're just immune to all sorts of biohazards, aren't ya! And then Ms. McPerkytits over here wants to line the wound with some sort of liquid before cutting it. Just perform a full autopsy you stupid cunt! Make the Y incision! Sir, I'm telling you, nobody's hands are more wet-I mean, prepared than my hands! I can just feel the excitement coursing through my veins! Please! I'm foaming at the mouth and down south! Let me cut open these bodies!
Borealis released a heavy sigh.
Borealis: Do you promise you won't do anything weird with their intestines?
Vera: Of course not! It's the stomach and heart that interest me the most!
Borealis: Yeah, that's not the point. Do you swear you'll hold in your excitement at least until the procedure is done?
Vera pushed her fists against her cheeks, giving herself a chubby face as she blushed and spoke in a quiet, yet excited voice
Vera: I pinky promise forever and ever!
Borealis: Fine. Help them out. We can get it done faster anyway. But be careful not to destroy the messages within them. Go ahead and get-
Vera: Already done sir!
Vera was already dressed in the standard clothing and garments for this operation, seemingly in the blink of an eye.
Borealis: How did......
Vera: Not important! What's important is that I orga-I mean, open up these corpses!
After a few hours, Kruger and Locke emerged from their rooms to check on all the noise in the Medical Room.
Locke: What the hell is going on in here?
They stepped into the sight of Vera putting her face into the open chests of the corpses and taking a glorious, long whiff of the smell of death.
Locke: Oh god...Commander, what have you done?!?!
Vera looked like she was lost in a paradise of love and ecstasy.
Vera: He even said he'd let me sew them back up and put them in the morgue until we dispose of them! Oh, hey Kruger!
Kruger remained silent and walked out of the Medical Room.
Vera: What is with that assclown. He gets his feelings hurt once and he acts like I stuck a firecracker up his ass. Maybe he's on his period or needs marriage counseling or some stupid sh*t.
Locke: He's been gloomy for a few days. Every leader goes through it. I'm sure he'll talk to you soon enough.
Vera: I swear, at this rate, he could just grow his hair over one of his eyes and talk about how much he loves cutting himself while thinking of killing his mom or some sh*t. The kid is just that f*cking edgy now. Maybe he can go get his vagina pierced while he's at it.
Borealis: Locke, we're a little busy right now. It's late, you should go to bed. We just have to put the corpses away now.
Locke: Well, alright then. Night you guys. Night, Vera.
Vera blew a kiss to Locke
Vera: Nighty night, f*ckface.
La'amica: Well, let's start cleaning up now. The Cryptology department will handle the rest.
Vera: Yeah, I'll go get some towels.
La'amica: What? I meant the bodies. We don't need towels to clean the bodies, Vera.
Vera: What? OH! Yeah, right. Sorry about that, darling.
Vera was very excited to place the corpses in the morgue. All she could do was blush as her eyes glittered like stars in the night sky.
Vera: Well, that's the last one. I forgot how cold it is in here.
La'amica: That's natural so these bad boys don't stink up the place. They've outlived their usefulness, so we'll probably destroy their corpses tomorrow.
Vera: Aw hell yes! I want in on that action!
La'amica: Damn it. Why did I bother telling you that...
The night finally winded down and Vera went back to her room to check on Katya and go to sleep. Katya was already laying in bed with her eye shades on.
Katya: Hey there.
Vera: Crap, did I wake you up? Sorry, sis.
Katya: No, it's okay. I was only just starting to go to sleep.
Vera got undressed and into her pajamas.
Vera: I had the most amazing day today! Boringalis finally let me cut up a body for the first time in years!
Katya: I guess I'm happy for you...
Vera: You guess? This is the equivalent to another girl telling you she's getting married soon! This is a huge deal for me! Death was my first love, after all.
Katya: I just wish you had normal attractions, you know?
Vera: You what? Katya, I'm baffled! Who could ever replace the most tender and beautiful kind of love in the world? There's nothing sweeter than greeting death in your favorite dress, adorned with dozens of roses in a black casket. Nothing is sweeter than the kiss of napalm as it burns your enemies alive as their kids watch. Nothing is-
Katya: Yeah, I'm gonna have to stop you right there and tell you to shut the hell up and go to sleep already.
Vera looked at Katya was a very sassy and annoyed expression before jumping on her side of the bed and violently fondling Katya's body. Katya jumped out of bed, startled by Vera's unusual and invasive move.
Katya: What the hell, Vera!?
Vera: Come on, if I sex you up maybe you'll stop being a biggity bitch about everything. You've gotta learn to live, Katya! And to die!
Vera chased Katya around the room as Katya guarded her bodily goods away from the suddenly sex crazed and death obsessed Vera. The two finally wore themselves out and collapsed on their beds.
Katya: You're absolutely insane, you know that?
Vera: Sorry, Katya. Just so horny I couldn't help myself. Wanna give me head?
Katya blushed and threw her pillow at Vera's face while she was laughing.
Katya: You're so sick!
Vera: Yeah, but you love me don't you? Don't you?
Katya let out a reluctant yes, and Vera gave her a quick kiss on the forehead before getting ready to exit the room.
Katya: Where are you going?
Vera: To fantasize about the usual stuff, of course.
Katya laid down on her bed annoyed at the behavior of her comrade
Katya: Why do I even keep asking that question anymore! Hey! Take a shower while you're at it! You smell like death, suffering, and last minute prayers!
Vera: I will, you damn harlot!
Katya went to sleep, and Vera followed soon after. Deshavi HQ grew quiet, except for one person. Kruger had exited the base and decided to have a walk in the middle of the night. He walked along the path in the forest, with his hands in his pocket and his mind wandering about endlessly.
Kruger: I don't want to do this anymore. I don't want to keep killing people. But someone like me doesn't have a choice, nor a future, huh? Damn it...
Kruger sat on a rock, looking up at the supermoon the night brought.
Kruger: At least the moon is beautiful tonight.
Suddenly, a noise began to form behind Kruger. He looked behind him, drawing his shortblade in alarm. It appeared to be a fracture in time-space itself. A portal. Then, a hooded man in a black robe emerged from that fracture.
Von: What a forlorn existence. To have your very life and will belong solely to your country, and nobody else.
Von's feet landed on the fallen leaves that covered the ground. He looked up to see Kruger with his own eyes, noticing he was clearly alarmed by his presence.
Kruger: Who the hell are you! You're not supposed to be here! Leave now!
Von: How ill-mannered of me. But at the same time, how discourteous of you. Regardless, my name isn't important. I'm here to see you, and you alone.
Kruger saw 2 figures emerge behind Von, both hooded.
Von: I know very well what you're feeling. I have known persecution, suffering, and exile in my life. What if I told you, I can give you the power to break free of the yoke of the Deshavi?
Kruger was baffled as to how these three could sneak so close to Deshavi HQ without being detected. He decided to take action. He threw his blade at sound-breaking speed at Von, expecting it to hit and kill him. But the sword went right through him.
Kruger: What?! Did I miss?
Kruger then used the Art of Jupiter. He clasped his hands and pointed his right hand at Von, unleashing a violent attack of electric streams. In response, Phaedra used the Art of Jupiter to form a protective barrier around herself, Von, and Iris. As the electricity bounced off of the protective barrier, sparks flew around, illuminating the forest with hissing flashes of orange and blue light.
The immediate area began to fill with the haze and aroma of smoke while some of the broken branches and leaves caught fire. Before Kruger could disengage the attack, he heard another sound behind him. It was the same time-space fracture he saw before. Von emerged from it and lunged at Kruger, who was too slow to react. Von's cold hands gripped him by the throat, and threw him into the rock he was sitting on, which shattered into tiny pebbles.
Phaedra: This one is still young and recalcitrant. If he's going to continue being this uncooperative...
Von: Leave him be. He'll come around. His truculent attitude and ego will be shattered soon enough.
Kruger slowly emerged from the rubble of the rock, struggling to control the muscles in his body after such a heavy hit.
Von: He has yet to learn defeat. That is what I want to accomplish here.
Kruger: Who....who are you? ANSWER ME!
Kruger clasped his hands and raised them in the air. Von realized instantly what he was trying to do.
Von: Phaedra, Iris! Stop him! He's going to reveal our position!
Phaedra used the chain of her kusarigama to grapple and trip Kruger onto the ground. Iris jumped on top of him immediately, impaling both of his hands together with his sword and preventing him from using the Marluxian Arts. Meanwhile, Von used the Eye of Nibiru to teleport everyone far away from Deshavi HQ. They appeared in far western Vevoskovia, in the land that used to be called Koga. They stood before the Great Lake of Koga, the world's largest and deepest lake. Kruger frantically yelled and cursed at his captors. Once again, there was a noise behind him. It was the same portal, but Von didn't appear to be teleporting.
It clearly meant one more person was behind that fracture. Out of the portal emerged Fate, a member of the Order of the Phoenix Demons. Fate wore the Phoenix Demon Cloak, adorned with the symbolic Lotus Flower on the back. His eye shined red just like Von's did. His skin was as pale as the snow, and his head was completely bald. It seemed his entire body was devoid of any bodily hair. His voice was sharp, like that of a serpent's.
His nails were painted black, in accordance to Phoenix Demon tradition, and his arms were covered in tattoos of planetary symbols, runes, and seals. He stood tall, at least 7 feet. His stature and inhuman appearance made him completely frightening to Kruger, as he struggled to back away from Fate. Running was useless, he was surrounded by four, clearly powerful individuals.
Von: Well, Fate? Here he is. This is the one I wanted to try. He's feisty, but it seems his obstreperousness has finally calmed down. He's learned the taste and feeling of defeat.
Fate looked at Kruger dead in the eyes. Kruger could only feel fear in his situation.
Fate: I sense much potential in him. Are you going to force him to open it now?
Von: No, not at all. That would be much too...forced. I want the process to be natural.
Fate: I see...they have much planned for you, boy.
Kruger: What the hell are all of you? You were all using the Marluxian Arts! I know it, I saw it with my own damn eyes! What are you!?!
Von: Defeat. Regret. Helplessness. Inferiority. Shame. An avaricious taste for free will. That is what you feel when you're with the Deshavi. But what if you could be better than that? What if you could gain the power to break free from the Deshavi, and regain your free will? Would you take that chance, even if it puts your very life at risk? Right now, in the midst of the political upheaval of Sankadesh, you and the rest of the Deshavi are bound to have your lives thrown callously into the flames of a dawning war.
It was as if hell itself was burning, shining in the depths of Von's eyes.
Von: You will kill again. And again, and again, and again. You will torture, because that is what your nation requires of you. You will break bones and teeth because your commander will tell you it will keep Vevoskovia safe. But what has Vevoskovia done for you besides take advantage of your unfortunate circumstances? What has it done besides strip you of your freedom and deny you your place and right to live in society? What blood, sweat, or tears has Vevoskovia shed for you, to demand such religious and furious sacrifice on your part?
Kruger could only sit in silence as his hands bled on the floor. He himself began to ponder the answer to those questions.
Von: Think hard on what it is you ought to do. Think hard on what your very soul is worth. For I know your pain. Your very soul is on the verge of corruption, not even being able to recognize itself, for a nation and people that will never love you, never accept you, and never remember you when you die and become one with the salt of this earth.
Phaedra took Kruger's hands and healed them with the Art of Pluto. He still felt the pain, but the wound was completely gone.
Fate: At the bottom of this river lies your salvation.
Kruger looked at Fate, puzzled as to what he meant by that. At first, thought he meant suicide.
Von: A power beyond the natural forces of destruction itself. It has been used twice before to punish humanity for their wrongdoings. The Forbidden Statue lies at the bottom of this lake. If you seek to break free from your blood soaked future and destiny, meet my subordinate here, one week from now, at this exact same time.
Kruger: Why? Why would you want to help me?
Von: Because as I've said, I've known the same kind of suffering you have. And besides. You'll be the first one besides "Her" to open it. Goodbye, Kruger. Fate, do take him back to Deshavi HQ for me, will you?
Fate: Of course.
Phaedra: Fate. The eyes.
Fate: Yes, I know. I'm working on it. There's a lot I need to do first. Inadora is not an easy target.
Von: Fate might not be able to get you those eyes for a long time, Phaedra. Be patient. A sacrifice has yet to be born, and Nibiru has yet to make its next approach. All the pieces of the puzzle will fall together.
Iris: Do we seriously have to wait? The Phoenix Demons can't be THAT tough.
Von: They're responsible for stealing two of the Underworld's most powerful demons without even being detected by Zorc himself. They're much stronger than you think. Attacking them head on like this would be suicide. I still have not fully recovered, Phaedra needs her eyes, and you and Fate alone aren't strong enough to take them on. Our day is still ahead of us. For now, we focus on Kruger. Then, when their plan springs into action, we will take advantage of the eventual disunity of the Phoenix Demons. Besides, we still have the Oblisks on our trail.
Von, Phaedra, and Iris teleported out of the area as Kruger watched in amazement. He knew whatever power that was, it wasn't the Art of the Moon.
Fate: Let's go. You're going back.
Kruger was helped up by Fate, and the two appeared right outside of the giant waterfall.
Fate: Speak nothing of this night to anyone. The moment you do, we will show you no mercy. Behave well enough, and your thralldom will come to an end.
Kruger walked towards the waterfall to head back inside, but turned around to get one last glimpse of Fate. He saw only the Lotus Flower symbol on the back of his black cloak before he too teleported somewhere into the night. Kruger thought hard of what he should do. Abandoning the Deshavi is a form of treason. But to him, assuming ownership of his entire existence for the rest of his life was treason to the all too familiar curse that God had blessed mankind with.
Free will.