Indigo and the Liberators had spent an additional day within Shadowrock, resting up and gathering supplies before their long trip North.

The previous day was nothing but preparation and final, long conversing with the Scarred people. There were some weaponsmiths in the area who were able to do some work on some Liberators' gear that needed it. None of them were of the quality you might find in Fortress-Homes or back in the Republic, but any check ups they could get on their gear was always good enough.

The Liberators were also well known within the area. Children nearly lost their minds at Zo's presence despite having seen her for a few days straight. They also loved watching Ryton's sword tricks, watching him flip them about. He even swallowed one nearly halfway down his gullet. The sight made so many cry out in excitement but it nearly made Indigo die from anxiety.

Indigo had started the day off with Zo, enjoying a full meal to begin their work. She still felt somewhat nervous in Zo's presence. Her confidence and commanding demeanor threw her off guard, despite knowing how sensitive and intimate she could be. Even if it was just one night.

They sat across from each other at a table in the corner. Zo spread some jam and butter onto her hunk of bread and placed some berries on it before taking a large bite. Indigo didn't shy away from digging in as well, following her lead, adding cheese to her mixture. No holds barred. It would be a while before they could eat this much again. Indigo had no worries about last meals. But with the severity of their end goal... perhaps Zo thought about such things.

"So," Zo said after taking a large swallow. "You want to know why I'm after the High-Priest's head."

Indigo chewed and nodded.

Zo looked down a bit and looked as though she fell into another time. She swirled the water round in her stone cup. "I'm sure you can get an idea from last night," she said. "I don't want this world to fall beneath such a ruler. Nobody's ever seen the bastard. But everyone in the Kingdom answers to his voiceless, bodiless orders.

"I'm from the East, originally. Umsa. Lived there up until the Kingdom's attempted attack on us for our beliefs. Back when the Republic formed their treaty with the Kingdom." She laughed. "We all know how well that holds up. At least it prevents war."

"What we're doing," Indigo said, looking at her intently, "will almost certainly cause war."

Zo met her gaze. "Maybe." They both ate for a bit. Then Zo continued. "Anyways, Indigo," she said, sighing, reclining in her chair and propping her feet up on Indigo's lap. "The only reasons I have for killing the High-Priest is so the world can exist as the Goddesses intended. Freely. Equally. Pretty good reason, huh?"

Indigo smiled. "Good reason. Doesn't make it any less stupid to try." She squeezed Zo's leg. "You're killable. I'm... well. I'm just not. I'm tempted to tell you all to stay behind while I go do it. They can't stop me."

Zo raised an eyebrow. Nudged her body with her foot. "Have you ever been diced up into pieces?" She lifted a small berry. "Crushed into nothing but blood and guts?" She squished the fruit between her thumb and forefinger, the red juice dripping down onto her forearm.

Indigo leaned her elbows onto the table. "Not yet. Don't really intend for that to happen either."

"So what would happen if you were?"

Indigo thought for a moment. Every time she had been killed it had been nearly instantaneous recovery. A crushing blow to the skull and she was catching herself on the fall with a severe headache and the other guy was dropping dead to the ground with his brain leaking out of him. The last time she died, she was dying with her throat open and in the next second she could breathe as though nothing happened.

She had never died in, relatively, morbid ways. No mutilation or absolute destruction of the body. The thought made her afraid. But that was good. Meant she was still human at the very least.

"I've never thought about it until now, I suppose," Indigo said, looking down at the table in thought. "It's instantaneous recovery if there's someone within my Aura for the circumstances of my death to pass on to." She imagined Zo's scenarios playing out and shivered. "If I really were to be diced up into pieces or crushed into mush... would I really be put back together in an instant? Would it take more time? I'm not sure..." Indigo looked at Zo.

Zo smiled, looking her up and down, sitting up straighter and holding out her hand. Indigo hesitated but it was merely a flash of her old self returning for a moment. She took Zo's hand.

"Well," Zo said, "At least I know I can be a little rougher with you." She gave Indigo a mischievous grin.

Indigo blushed but squeezed Zo's hand, not letting her distract them both from the importance of the conversation.

"You're changing the subject an awful lot," Indigo said.

Zo laughed. "Sounds like you don't know the true extent of your Gift. If there is a weakness in there, you'll need support. This isn't something to be done alone."

"It's true," Indigo said. "I don't know what would happen under those more... violent circumstances. But it doesn't change the reality of your mortality." She squeezed Zo's hand harder, making Zo flinch. Indigo didn't care. She would drive this point home. "I will not be responsible for the deaths of anyone else that I care about."

Zo held her gaze. Then closed her eyes and placed her other hand atop Indigo's tensed one. "Sounds like there's a specific reason you want to kill the High-Priest, then?"

Indigo loosened her grip. Was sent back in time. She sighed... then told her the tale. "I'm from the Republic too. Was born and raised there." She absent-mindedly placed small berries into her mouth and chewed as she talked. "Life was sort of lonely when I was young. But I had some close friends. J'son and Kila. J'son I'd known for years and years." Zo was caressing the top of her hand. It felt nice. "I think I loved him. I was young, so, who knows. But I felt that way until I became an adult.

"One day... there was an attack on Rosebury. The Alchemists... I think they have a way of tracking Gifted. The machines they used, I've seen them since that day. Those birds..."

"Hawks," Zo said. "A double-edged sword, those things."

"I had heard of the Kingdom sending soldiers to infiltrate cities to kill or capture Gifteds. But, of course, such a thing happening to or near me never concerned me. The Republic is notorious for not having any Gifted civilians, or if they do, they're silent about it, hiding their existence well. Dampening your Aura isn't a difficult thing to do, after all. Plus, the Republic doesn't have much of a desire to keep track of their Gifted citizens if they had any."

The serving girl arrived to fill their mugs with more water. The Tavern was busy, mostly travelers. The kitchens in the back wafted in smells of spices and meats. Indigo hoped for a final meal here before leaving for good. They thanked the girl and Indigo carried on.

"Well, they came for me. Those strange men. At first I was so confused. Who were they? Why me? The Guardsmen of Rosebury weren't going to save me in time. A sword entered my back and I fell." Indigo laughed, strangely enough. "This was the first time I ever died. I still remember that feeling of breath vanishing from my lungs. I think the blade pierced one of them, in fact.

"If only that man had killed me right there, maybe things would have gone better. As I died I couldn't believe that I had a Gift. Though, it was the only reason I could think of for them trying to kill me. So, I tried to find it, use whatever it was I had in me but nothing happened. Before the man could deliver the final blow, J'son found me and used his own Hawks against them. His family comes from a long line of Alchemists and his Father worked closely with the Government. Well off. Could afford plenty of Hawks for emergencies.

"The Hawks chased them away. J'son carried me back to his house." Indigo swallowed more fruit, using the food as comfort. Zo's caress wasn't quite enough. "He and Kila spent so much time together. They were lovers. It always hurt, but I cared for them both so much. And I was happy to be with them at the end. J'son left me with Kila who worked to stop the bleeding, having me on my stomach." Indigo stared off into the distance, squeezing Zo's hand again without knowing. "It hurt so bad. J'son left to find a skilled Alchemist. But I died."

Indigo looked to Zo again. Zo, for the first time, had a solemn look in her eyes. No longer as relaxed, but leaning forward, holding Indigo's hand, intently listening. Indigo loosened her grip again.

"Sorry."

Zo shook her head. "No, you can squeeze if you want."

"It was the first time I experienced such a thing. It was like I blinked and suddenly I felt healthy again. And Kila was bleeding from her torso. I was so confused, but didn't stop to think too hard about it. I just prayed to whatever was above to save her. I tried to stop the bleeding as she did for me. But she died within moments.

"And then, as I was crying over Kila's corpse, J'son arrived with an Alchemist. I'll never forget the way he looked at me. The realization poured over his face. He realized, in that moment, seeing that I was fine and she was dead that I had killed her. Didn't matter if it was intentional or not. But those Royal spies who tried to kill me were right -- I was Gifted. Cursed. Whatever you want to call it.

"He lunged at me." Indigo shuddered. "I'd never seen him so angry. Practically tackled me off Kila's body and wrapped his hands around my throat. I tugged at his arms for a moment but stopped resisting. I told him, 'I'm sorry', with what little breath I had left. I couldn't stop crying. He released me then. The Alchemist behind him didn't even try to stop him.

"I ran away. Didn't stop running for about five years." Usually when Indigo recited this story to herself she had to resist crying. She always imagined telling it all to someone else. But now that it was happening she was just... telling it how it was. "It wasn't until a year ago that I decided to stop wandering and do something about this pain." She stared right through Zo. "I decided I would kill the man that caused me this pain. I'm not as righteous as all of you. I'm not doing this for moral reasons. I'm doing it for revenge."

Zo nodded. Released Indigo's hand. Indigo watched her move around and sit next to her and lean her head on her shoulder. Indigo looked down and didn't move for a moment.

"I'm sorry, Indigo," Zo said. "I've suffered pain. But I'm not sure anyone has suffered quite like that."

Indigo wrapped her arm around Zo's waist and rested her head on hers. "I found you," Indigo said, smiling, looking across the room. "I found all of you. I... didn't think I ever would find people who would see me again."

Zo looked up at her and Indigo looked back. "I'm glad I've met someone like you," Zo brushed her fingers across Indigo's face, her fingertips running over scars. "We're in this together, Usamea. We've spent years planning this infiltration. We won't fail. And if we die... we die together. For a cause. Warriors fight for each other. And die for each other." Zo grinned. "And when you come back, don't forget about me."

Indigo wanted to argue, but couldn't bring herself to do it. She kissed her and Zo kissed her again on the head as she got up.

"Let's devour the rest of this and see how the team is doing."

They headed out the following day. The Team made final preparations, finished packing and headed out to the front of the Tavern. Indigo had been outside looking at butterflies. Vivian had noticed and wandered over.

Indigo reached out and the blue Nadian Monarch Butterfly landed upon her finger. Vivian's eyes widened and brought her fingers to her lips.

Indigo smiled at the woman. The woman who called her Usamea. Who introduced her to such an idea.

"They just come to me," she said. "I'm not sure why. I don't think a day has gone by when I haven't seen a Nadian Monarch near me. No matter where I am."

"They like the way you smell, then," Vivian smiled, brushing her short hair out of her eyes. It was getting too long for her liking it seemed.

Indigo had never heard this before. "You think so?"

Vivian nodded and placed a hand on Indigo's shoulder. Her eyes were still fixated on the insect. She smiled, her face pure passion. "You are Gifted. Your Aura is always present. It is said in the country I'm from that the Nadian Monarch is attracted to the Auras that hold the greatest potential for beauty. They sniff them out and want nothing more than to spend their time around such sweet scents." Vivian grinned widely at Indigo, a smile that made her eyes squint nearly shut.

Indigo looked back to the butterfly. She couldn't believe such a thing. All the death and pain that has surrounded her Aura, something she was only semi-aware of in the first place. She stared forward, not really looking at anything in particular, considering her Gift and what it could do.

"My Gift is so destructive," she said, shaking her head slowly. "It's only used for death."

"Mmm," Vivian hummed, "Against those that might bring destruction and death upon the innocent. A Gift from the Goddesses is never only this or that. There is potential within you that you haven't explored. I believe that." Vivian did her thing that Indigo was not quite used to yet -- she pulled Indigo close and kissed her on the head. Indigo blushed and laughed.

"We leave shortly!" Vivian got up and headed for the Tavern. "I'm excited to travel and fight alongside you, Indigo."

Indigo gave the butterfly a final consideration before it flew away. She headed inside to gear up.

She was the final one in the building, packing her bag, stuffing her pockets with some bread. She threw on her cloak, a hue that matched her name and secured her sword to her hip. Her clothes were the same as always, now having received a good wash. Long-sleeved tunic and pants tucked into her travel boots, all of the fabric dark browns and blacks. She headed for the door.

"Um. Excuse me." She turned. It was the Tavern-owner, the old man who she had conversed with before.

"Oh, hello," she said, having to look down to look him in the eyes. "Thank you for taking us in." She smiled.

"I wanted to apologize," he said quickly.

Indigo tilted her head.

"I've... so many of us have heard the rumors of you." He spoke without looking her in the eye. "Witnessing your kindness. The Liberators' disposition toward you. I was wrong!" He clasped his hands together and bowed his head. "I may not have said anything. But I have wrongly judged you. So many of us have." He looked up and smiled, though his regretful tone and expression did not leave him. "I, and so many of us, will be sure to tell all we meet of En-Maer. That her name is Indigo Scout. And she is a good woman!"

Indigo breathed deeply. Held out her hand. He took it and Indigo moved her other hand over his. "Thank you," she smiled. "Truly. I'll never forget Shadowrock. This town is where I became a better person."

She left the Tavern full of hope and adventure. Her new comrades, her new friends, smiled at her presence. So many of them she had met over the few days spent in this town. So many were left to get to know. All together, including her, they stood as an army of two-dozen men and women, ready to take on the world.

Zo stood before them all on the path, the sun rising behind her.

"This is our final stretch," she grinned, panning her gaze across them all. The air was cold but the sun was bright and eager to burn through it all. "Hundreds upon hundreds of miles are before us. But we can see the haze of the Kingdom's gates in the distance." She had her hair tied into a ponytail, and her armor was of dark brown, hardy leather, armoring her arms, legs and torso. "I do not know what awaits us in the future except one thing -- the High-Priest's head."

The Extreme Liberation Team cheered, raising their weapons, sending their battle cries out, echoing across the town, across the valleys of the Scarred Lands.

"Let's move. We rest at sundown within the Chestnut Woods." She spotted Indigo out of the crowd. "We get to show a newbie how to sleep in the trees. There, we will go over our infiltration plan and finalize all details."

Indigo smiled and looked around as those around her clapped her on the back and nudged her in support.

And so, their journey began. A terrifying one to be sure, one of terrible risk and the threat of demise and perhaps war. But one worth taking. And now, Indigo felt as though she could move forward for a greater cause than rage.

The fields were enormous. Indigo hadn't ventured this far North yet, and she was glad to do it with others. Nyle, the enormous, nearly seven-foot-tall man offered rides on his back for anyone who got tired. He laughed so loudly and was much of the entertainment for the long walk. His accent was gorgeous. Indigo wanted to ask where he was from but felt strange prying, despite how open everyone seemed to be. Nyle sang and told tales. Others did too. Indigo heard stories of ancient battles, legendary warriors, as well as the Goddesses. Vivian, especially, told much about them.

Zo looked back with a smile as Vivian told Indigo about the Goddesses.

"You mean you haven't heard of them, Indigo?" Vivian was practically gushing.

Others looked on curiously and butted in.

"I've heard of them," Indigo blushed. "I just... never knew people took them so seriously."

Ryton had his hands behind his head as he walked. "You Southerners!" he scoffed, playfully. "All about your Alchemy and nothing else." He smiled at Indigo, his silver eyes nearly sparkling in the sunlight, such pretty eyes for a man. Most men Indigo met had harsh expressions and stern eyes. "Vivian here speaks to 'em!"

Indigo looked to Vivian again. Vivian's face was turned upward, her palms doing the same. She laughed softly. "Oh, Ryton," she said. "Not always. It's not so simple as just striking up a conversation. And it's only happened a few times."

Indigo was incredibly curious now. She had heard of the Goddesses being worshipped to the East, some to the West in Madrus, that Gifted society. But she had never considered it being as widespread. She especially didn't know what she thought of a person actually speaking to any of them. But she didn't pry.

"Zo referenced the Goddesses at the fire... and a few other times too," Indigo said. "You're all believers in the old religion?"

Vivian snorted. "Nothing 'old' about it, Usamea. The Goddesses never left. Calling it the 'old religion' is how the Kingdom controls the truth. What we should be saying is that the Devoted are the 'new religion'."

"Umsa is the only place left that holds the Goddesses in their hearts these days, though," Zo said, not looking back, venturing forth on the path with determination. "I'd imagine there are some Gifted over in Matrus that believe in them. But yes, most of us here believe in the Goddesses. None of us hold the Kingdom's religion, no matter how much they've spread it across this land."

Indigo listened to them with skepticism. Despite her eagerness to pray and reach out for the Gods, loosely accepting a supernatural belief, she felt averted to such a new idea... or old idea by their terms. It simply wasn't what she was surrounded by. The Republic was all Alchemy and a little bit of Devoted-talk, but none there took the religion too seriously either.

"You all really think my abilities come from some spiritual source?"

"Where else would it come from?" Vivian smiled. "Royal Alchemists have used Alchemy to dampen Gifted abilities. They claim to have figured out where the powers originate. But they lie about what their drugs are truly doing. Their poisonous concoctions only dampen certain areas of the brain that appear to light up during Gift-use -- but it's also the same area that lights up when Alchemists focus. And it's the same area we use for any prolonged effort. Anyone truly under the effects of their drugs would also have a hard time walking or speaking properly." Vivian shrugged. "No amount of Alchemy has figured out how Alchemists do what they do or Gifted for that matter. They're both of divine origin in my opinion."

The sun was approaching the tips of the distant blurry mountains as they neared the Chestnut Woods. They had taken a Northeastern route, not following the main road to the Kingdom, but instead a route toward the Eastern shores. Then, they would leave the road and head toward the Kingdom's walls from its most-eastern side.

Hot sunlight still bore down on them all despite the day winding down. Shade was going to be a welcome treat but their destination was still so far -- a sea of green rising up on the horizon, splotches of darkness between them that promised cool air. Though, the chasm they had just entered through offered some reprieve. The land rose up around them with a path cutting through a large hill, mostly rock.

Indigo was riding on Nyle's back, something she was self-conscious about doing, but they all could certainly travel much longer and harder than she could. Nyle laughed his hearty laugh at Ryton's questions to Indigo.

"You're telling me there's no afterlife? This is giving me such anxiety. I don't need this right now," Ryton huffed and rolled his shoulders.

Indigo laughed nervously. "I'm not saying that," she said. "I'm only saying I've never seen anything when I die." She sighed. "If it makes you feel any better, Ryton, I'm not sure I have the chance to see any afterlife. Everytime I die it's instantaneous recovery. My death doesn't last any longer than a millisecond I don't think."

Nyle laughed again, the sound reverberating through the natural alleyway they all passed through.

"The idea of potential oblivion is funny to you, eh?" Ryton looked up to Nyle.

"I think it's refreshing!" Nyle said, patting Indigo on the leg. "Flesh and bone is easy to deal with. Impressing anything beyond human in some other world is tiresome. Let me live and let me rest when I'm done."

Indigo smiled.

Then, she noticed Willow below them, the archer woman with a keen eye and sense of smell. She darted a look to the distant bushes at the end of the pathway where the world opened up again. She removed her bow and nocked an arrow.

Everyone stopped moving almost instantly. Zo looked back.

"Alright," she said. "Certainly not surprised." She drew her blade and nodded to Willow. "Bandits. Prepare yourselves!"

Willow fired an arrow past Zo's head which entered the bush, probably a good hundred feet away from where Zo stood in front of the group. A body fell from within its contents with a scream, the arrow deep within its chest.

"Off you get, Indigo!" Nyle said, crouching down to let Indigo step off. He removed the battle-axe which was also secured to his back and gripped it firmly. "Looks like we have company."

Indigo looked around her. She was nothing but confidence before among these people but now that conflict was on the horizon she was --

She didn't have time to finish her thought as battle-cries sounded from above them. She looked up. About a dozen figures, covered in dark red cloth wraps and white, loose clothing dove off the cliffs above, wielding daggers and longswords.

"Damn it!" Zo shouted, her previous confidence also seeming to falter. "These are Boneless!"

Boneless? Indigo soon found out, however. The bodies landed upon the Liberators without seeming to be harmed. Luckily, neither were any of her comrades, knocking away their bodies or avoiding their strikes. These Boneless, she saw, especially the ones which avoided landing on anyone, impacted the ground and their limbs bent at impossible angles. However, they rose quickly, unaffected by such bending.

"What?" Indigo breathed, drawing her sword.

The Liberators went to battle. Indigo had never seen anything like it. These attackers could bend and swerve away from attacks in ways that weren't humanly possible. Their backs could bend back until they were at complete right-angles. They curved and dove down doing splits and rolled about, so nimble and inhuman.

One avoided a sword swing and dove right at her. She stepped forward, gripping her sword tight and arched a swing with a forward lunge. Her blade cut the Boneless attacker down the middle, showering herself and the ground with blood and his body fell, dead, with a gouge down his entire body.

"Wonderful skill, Indigo!" Nyle praised, reeling back and taking out two attackers with a single swipe of his enormous weapon. The man was so fast and strong, swinging with seemingly careless resolve but he avoided hitting any of his fellow Liberators. Such articulated strength.

She was sure of herself, but these things threw her off guard. That one that went for her was careless and gave her a good opening. The rest she encountered, however, were more nimble, more careful. She came to blows with another, gritting her teeth, blocking its stabs with a dagger as well as she could but it was so fast -- she could only refer to them as it. These things couldn't possibly be people.

She got nervous. The dagger nicked her again and again. She leaped back but her opponent followed with quick cartwheels. These close quarters weren't good. Indigo wasn't the best fighter either... she relied on her Gift so often because, well, she had fought alone so many times. Here, however, if she ended up dying, she could end up killing one of her fellow soldiers -- one of her friends. Her Gift did not differentiate between anyone within her Aura. The nearest one to her would die if she did.

Just as this Boneless thing was about to strike again, Zo pounced out from the crowd of fighters and beheaded it. Indigo flinched. Zo winked at her and leaped back into the fray.

No, they were far too confident. They didn't understand, not really. None of them were safe with her here. She had to escape, somehow, get away from everyone so no one would die. She backed up into the cliff wall. They all fought their hearts out but the enemy was so fast. There seemed to be eight of them left, up against twenty-four, but even that was giving them difficulty. Even when these Boneless were cut or stabbed they could keep fighting.

And then, to Indigo's horror, more came leaping down from the tops of the cliffs. They landed upon heads and tackled warriors to the ground, more and more. They were swarmed with about ten more of these creatures. Indigo couldn't even tell if they were men, women, other, human or inhuman as their faces were completely wrapped in cloth. How could they even see?

Indigo found an opportunity to stab one through from behind that bounced off Nyle and landed before her. But the thing turned its head completely around and grabbed hold of her blade, its hands gushing blood within seconds.

A mouth opened up in its cloth face. A gaping hole of darkness in its head, outlined by sharp teeth, seemingly made of the cloth wraps, but looking sharp as knives. The suddenness made her go cold. And she instantly witnessed her own death.

Flashes of Kila entered her mind.

"NO!" she cried, desperate to survive, gripping hold of its mouth, her hands digging into its sharp teeth as it lunged at her, seemingly to bite her neck clean off. She growled and squeezed its jaw and upper teeth as hard as she could. With a cry of pain she flexed, tensed, and ripped its mouth further open, the side of its face tearing open and it fell limp before her.

She removed her blade from its back and trembled at the warzone before her, a battle that erupted out of nowhere.

En-Maer. The Roaming Death.

She shook her head. No, none of that was true. She did not attract death. She was not bad luck. She stood and listened to swords clash and voices erupt into desperation. Gods, she couldn't move. Her knees quaked. He was trapped between her decisions. Run? Stay and fight? And risk the lives of her comrades? They had faith in her but she certainly did not have faith in herself... not as much as she thought.

No, she had to run away! This was a mistake... She should have known by now that she was not skilled enough to fight alongside others. Her Gift was too dangerous to get too close to people. So stupid of her to think otherwise!

"Indigo!" Zo's voice cried. Was she dying? She couldn't do anything.

"I'm sorry," Indigo whispered. Frozen with fear.

"Indigo!!" She snapped out of her thoughts and could see what was really going on before her. Zo was standing there, blood coating her face. Staring directly into her eyes.

She looked around. The battle was over. The Boneless laid dead around them. The Liberators were fine, if not a little bruised or cut up.

"What's with you?" Willow scowled, securing her bow to her back, looking Indigo up and down, eyes full of judgement.

Others were more sympathetic, however.

"Indigo, you alright?" Ryton finished cleaning his sword of blood with a rag and sheathed it.

Vivian and Nyle looked at her with concern and some confusion.

Zo gripped her shoulders. "Hey. You completely froze up. I had to stop one of those things from running you through you know."

Indigo looked up at her, her eyes wide. She did? Oh no. Oh no.

Fuck. This was a mistake. A complete mistake.

Indigo shook Zo off. Moved to run.

But Zo gripped her arm and yanked her back. Slapped her across the face. The sound resonated. The pain left her mind silent, her gaze empty. All was silent.

Then, Zo pulled Indigo in and hugged her tightly.

"It's okay, Indigo," Zo said. "Don't run away. Please. Why won't you trust us? We know the risk. Yet we will fight alongside you."

Indigo felt Zo's warmth. Her heavy heartbeat. She looked to all of her comrades, who smiled back at her. Nyle nodded, giving her a soft smile. Ryton stepped a little closer, crossing his arms, grinning. Vivian placed a hand on Indigo's shoulder and closed her eyes. And despite Willow's harshness she looked to her and said,

"A true warrior not only trusts their comrades to fight for them with bravery -- but to be willing to die for them with courage." Just like what Zo said to her before. Willow did not smile but looked right into Indigo eyes. "I am willing to die for you, Indigo Scout."

Indigo shuddered. One by one, the rest of the Extreme Liberation Team stepped forward, those she had started to get to know, others who she had yet to meet.

"I am willing to die for you, Indigo!" cried a young man named Brennan, standing up straight and tightening his fists.

"I am willing to die for you!" exclaimed Lukas, a man gripping a large broadsword nodding and placing a hand on his hip.

"Usamea, I will die for you for this cause!" shouted Robyn a swordswoman around her age.

Again and again, warriors stepped forward, repeating the sentiment until none were left to say it. They would die for her. They would fight for her. Indigo squeezed Zo back. Then they released each other. Ah, what a fool she had been. For so many years. Even in days past, she didn't truly believe this change she had gone through. But now she felt it. Deep, deep down. Far, far in. She felt that liberation that came with the name Usamea.

Zo nodded to her. "We all know your abilities. We had all talked about this. And we are all willing to do what it takes to change the world." She took Indigo's hands. "I will die for you Indigo. If that's what it takes." But then, she grinned and turned to the entire team. "But we don't plan on dying so easily, do we?!"

The Liberators cheered and roared -- they shouted "NO" in response and raised their weapons.

Indigo blinked away tears. Now was not a time for crying. When the cheers fell silent she stood tall before them. "I'm sorry," she said. She sniffed and looked out to them all with determination. "I will not falter ever again! I will fight for all of you! Death will not come so easily to me either!!"

Indigo pushed the shame down. She had messed up. But not again. She would fight with fervor. Train with her comrades to hone her skills with her sword. No longer would she fight this life by refusing it and waiting for death. She would grip onto her life with bravery and courage. She would fight, and have faith, from here on out.