I haven’t seen Edward in several days, his room is always locked uptight. Occasionally I hear something drop, sometimes the door would open and before I could come and check on him it would close again. He is like a shadow. Perhaps it was better this way, especially after the talk with Master. When Eiden returned to the bar three more glasses were broken, three more dents in the wall. It took an hour to clean up all the shards. If Eiden disliked Edward before, he hated him now. On the brighter side of things, Master acquired critical knowledge for the rescue mission, everything from the convoy to security. Eiden is reluctant to follow Edward’s plan, but with Master’s support, he has little chance to oppose it.

There was one thing I had to write down, although I am not sure how to put it. When Edward woke in the medical bay at the Gala, he was a different person. He didn’t show any emotion, it was if he was suppressing them to the fullest degree but something more than that. I haven’t brought it up to Master, I don’t know if I should. In any case, everything that happens is…

For the Empire.

The butler and the teen walked towards the spectacle, hundreds of people were already gathered at the streetside. All wearing thick trench coats and fashionable sweaters. Each person hoped to get a glimpse at the colorful funeral. The Imperial Anthem blared through the streets, and people cheered as the soldiers marched forward.

“Can you see, by the twilight’s light? Our soldiers march under its great Shadow-”

They didn’t belong in the crowd, they should’ve been a part of the parade. Usually, parades were a celebration of an event, an important day, or after a terrible event. In any case, it was for people to turn off their minds from reality. This one was only slightly different, people weren’t supposed to turn off their brains. It was a reminder, a reminder that Carolina, and by extension, the Empire would triumph over its adversaries.

“...They shall not rest, lest the banner fall, For the Empire!”

The first vehicle set the tone for the parade, a tank. It was drab in appearance, its barrel pointed forward as if it was targeting unseen enemies. Dame Cornelia Gaston stood defiant atop the angular turret as if she was daring anyone to attack her. The woman’s eyes looked forward, never glancing down towards the crowd. Her cape flapped in its own arrogance, taunting those who were behind it. Those behind it were chained to poles, an object of mockery. Their expression’s sullen, they knew their fate; each had a varying degree of bruises and injuries. The butler was not at all surprised at the harsh treatment, it was to be expected by traitors.

“...Our Emperor stands tall, He'll conquer every foe!”

The crowd turned hostile at the sight of them, they threw stuff at them and shouted profanities. It would be difficult to convince the people that the horrid government was actually horrid, Percival thought. He and Eiden remained quiet and subtly moved with the prisoners.

“...The Council, never overthrown, Like mountains and sea, Their bloodline immortal and pure-”

If Eiden’s Gala plan was risky, this was suicidal. It was Percival and Eiden against Carolina’s finest, in the open, no backup, no cover, nothing. Fortunately, Havoc Squad was not assigned to the execution, owing to the fact that three sustained injuries at the attack, two in critical condition. Unfortunately, Eiden wasn’t in the greatest condition he could barely walk, let alone run. The pair still faced overwhelming odds, they still had to contend with two commando squads and an army of police. It all relied on Cornelia.

“...To arms, to arms, the Senate calls, Hail the Empire!”

The insanity was approved by Master, christening the plan with the words, ‘Edward needs to test his strategic abilities, no better way than practically.’ Although Percival would liken Edward’s plan to stratagem then strategy.

The parade marched to its final destination- the Capitol Building. The building loomed over the surrounding area, white columns held up its immaculate porch. Its dome reached into the sky, one large monitor hung upon it, displaying Imperial propaganda. A single flag pole extended out of the crest of the dome. The Imperial flag flew triumphantly at the top, while the Carolina flag flew under it. The ground transformed from concrete to smooth marble, trees stood amongst the unnatural soil. A stage was erected in front of the building, the number of guards was equivalent to the number of prisoners, twelve. Cornelia leaped onto the stage from the lead tank. The tanks then drove off, leaving the crowd. A squad of commandos stood guard at the front of the stage, each guard escorted their respective prisoner to the firing position.

The pair got as close to the stage as possible. Percival looked around, police were interwoven with the crowd. He eyed a particular set that searched through a woman’s purse, despite her disagreement. They were headed right for the two. The police went to each and every person and searched them. The teen paid them no mind while the butler glanced for an escape, another set of uniforms came from the opposite direction. The right pair of cops were three people away, Percival craned his neck, a couple with their child were directly behind them. There were no escape options without looking suspicious. Their disguises would be seen through, and Eiden’s concealed firearm found. Percival blamed Edward, he blamed the child for his overconfidence, his oversight of the police. Doubt entered the butler’s mind, he questioned why Master chose Edward. Wasn’t Eiden enough? They were boxed in. The police got closer.

He wondered why Eiden wasn’t reacting, he was just staring at the stage, with an ever-present frown. Percival traced his gaze to none other than the Dame. Cornelia held a hand to her right ear, moments later the police stopped just short of the pair. They also held a hand to their ears, the men stiffened and turned in the opposite direction.

“Of course the brat knew the police wouldn’t go through every one. Holding the perimeter is easier anyway.” Eiden pointed out.

The butler let out a sigh of relief. He couldn’t fathom the child predicting it, it was quite the lucky guess. The Dame moved to the center of the stage, mic in hand. The monitor displayed her face, her expression stone cold. “Never again with these criminals terrorize our State again!” Cornelia shouted. Her words reached the entire square, echoing further off of buildings.

The crowd cheered and clapped in response. Percival feigned clapping, while Eiden made no effort to blend in.

“These terrorists shall know that their actions have only strengthened our great State and by extension the Empire.” She turned to the guards, the monitor exposed all the beaten prisoners, their faces hung low. From what Master had discovered, the execution was broadcasted live to the entire State of Carolina.

“Ready!” Percival pulled at his collar, Edward was certainly taking his time. If he hesitated all of this could come tumbling down. He looked around, everyone in the crowd waited for the shot. The press were ready to take pictures. The commandos’ hands curled around their weapons, they expected an attack at any time. “Aim!” Percival’s stomach lurched, he pleaded to Edward to begin the operation, for their own sake.

Before the last command could leave the Dame’s mouth the screen went static. Cornelia looked up to the screen, her rigid expression wavered. The entire State’s broadcast was now Edward’s, neither Percival nor Eiden was clued into what Edward was going to say, only Master. It angered Eiden to no end. The static transformed into a picture of Edward’s mask on a pedestal, the shadow of the boy was behind it. Cornelia shouted orders through her come once again, not realizing it was too late.

The young teen’s voice was distorted beyond recognition, sounding more mechanical than human. “The Empire is weak.” Cornelia’s hands balled up into a fist, the crowd was horrified at the blatant heresy. “This State and the Empire it resides in cannot protect its own citizens.” Edward paused for a long moment as sirens wailed in the distance. “Right now orders are being shouted across the city, desperately trying to end this stream. But, not even they can stop what will occur, because you see…” He paused again, fully aware that he has captivated his audience. “There is something wrong with this Empire. Its foundation is built on the rights of man, yet…” The shadow placed a hand over his head, Percival frowned, was something wrong with Edward?

This break in the speech knocked the Dame out of her trance and shouted more orders. The Commandos started to disperse the crowd, yet all of them were still fixated on the screen.

“The Empire only is concerned with itself and not its people. The Dame made it seem like this was over. This is far from over. For we, The Patriots shall reveal the Empire’s true colors!” Edward cried out, the boy seemed to be alright. “If you see what we see then you will join us in changing this country for the better!” Percival would have clapped if he could. As much as he wanted Eiden to be the face of the group, the butler had to admit Edward surmised Eiden’s theory on how to bring down the Empire perfectly.

“Your change will bring nothing but sadness and needless death!” Cornelia yelled at the screen. “Guards, execute them!” The Guards took aim at the prisoners. No! Percival thought, Edward needed to act then.

The robotic voice lowered in tone, “I wouldn’t be hasty.”

Cornelia stopped for a second, her eyes widened ever so slightly. The Dame turned to the crowd, scanning it. Edward had directed a camera and a microphone placed on Percival’s collar. No matter Edward’s intelligence, he still needed real-time information. Cornelia caught on that she was being watched. “Should we fire Dame?” A guard asked the men looked between each other, unsure what was happening. She gave them no response, her eyes landed the pair. Percival wasn’t surprised, as expected of a knight. She recognized them.

“You failed to capture the leaders, and that will be your downfall. I have placed a bomb in Morehead Tower, it will go off if you don’t release the prisoners.” The boy spread his arms wide, “Will the State save itself or save the people?”

Edward was playing Cornelia like a fiddle. Percival was somewhat proud. Eiden was not, he growled, “That brat stole my idea.”

Cornelia stared at them, “You lie.”

“We were able to infiltrate one of the most secure places in all of Carolina” Edward retorted. Percival saw Cornelia slightly twitch at that comment.

“Carolina shall not be dishonored again!” Cornelia raised her hand to her ear, she said something he couldn’t quite catch.

Another squad came out from behind the stage, Percival identified them as Nova squad. A few glanced at them, their helmets preventing him from seeing their expressions. Maverick squad started to disperse the crowd again, this time trying to isolate Eiden and Percival. The teen grinned at the sight, Percival was horrified. Cornelia drew her sword and pointed it directly at them, Eiden drew his gun and raised it at her in defiance. People panicked at the sight, they trampled over each other to get away from him The sheer amount of people assured that no one was going anywhere. The police did their best at getting people out of the square as orderly as possible. Cornelia signaled to the guards, they all turned their guns on Eiden, their backs away from the chained prisoners.

Percival retracted his negative thoughts on the plan, between Cornelia deploying one of two of the Commando squads on hand elsewhere and the number of civilians making it impossible to have order; it was genius.

“It is too late Dame,” Edward said. Percival had a ghost of a smile appear on his lips. The Dame looked confused and in her confusion, the battle would be won. The plan unfolded. Something clicked. Not in the sense of a thought coming to mind but one of the sounds. It was a chorus of twelve clicks, all coming together to make something more.

Cornelia realized something was amiss.

It was too late.

The clicking ignited sparks. Sparks of revolution.

Alexa knocked Cornelia to the ground, all of the prisoners were freed in an instant. They beat the guards down into the ground until they couldn’t get up, one by one they stole the guards’ rifles. The crowd was in a full-blown panic, Maverick squad gave up on calming the people. They reached for their weapons, but to no avail, the prisoners knocked them unconscious as they leaped down.

Eiden turned the whole world into smoke, he shouted, “I’m not waiting for you anymore! If you don’t wanna die, follow me.” Eiden moved with the stampede, letting it carry him to safety. The rest tried to cleave their way through, they were met with mild success. Percival took advantage of the parting, he did his best not to trip, he did his best to cut out the screams of the surrounding people, to cut out the memories. The escapees exited the square, they slipped through the broken police barrier. Eiden staggered into the first alleyway, Percival breathed hard against the cold wind. His muscles worked harder than ever to keep up with the younger crowd. By the time Percival entered the alley the manhole was uncovered and the group arguing.

“... you think we are going to follow you in there?” Baethen jabbed a finger in Eiden’s chest, “Never, not after you left us for dead.”

Eiden bared his teeth, “We came back, didn’t I?”

Why were they having this argument, it wasn’t the time for it, Percival thought. “It is hardly the time for this.” The butler intervened. The group turned to look at Percival, save for Eiden and Baethen, who were still having a staring contest.

“Yea, we really need to go,” A girl, by the name Anna said. She took every opportunity to look at the main street, her face held a constant weight. Percival almost felt bad, just a child, he thought.

A fellow called Henry continued to waste time, “How do we know they won’t just abandon us again?”

Eiden pushed passed Baethen and got in Henry’s face, “Cause we won’t.”

Percival sighed at his overt answer, “We never intended to leave you, the plan did have everyone escape. Unfortunately, it didn’t turn out that way. We can discuss it later.” They did need to go, he vaguely heard radio chatter through the chaos on the main road.

“I didn’t hit Cornelia as hard as I could’ve, she’ll be here soon,” Alexa spoke up. Percival looked at her. The butler had a theory that Edward was referencing her when he talked of competent people. So far he agreed with the child.

“I am fine with leaving, but please don’t tell me we are going in there,” Kevin whined. Before anyone could react a sudden storm of footsteps, different from the crowd, echoed down the street and into the alley.

“They went this way!” Cornelia yelled. Alexa wasn’t wrong, the Dame recovered and was seeking their blood.

Alexa gestured to the incoming threat, “Is that motivation enough?” Kevin shook his head yes and jumped into the darkness, the second was Anna. One by one they all jumped in until it was Eiden, Baethen, and Percival.

Baethen stared at Eiden, “This conversation isn’t over.” The troublesome man leaped into the hole. Eiden glanced at Percival, he gave him a firm nod. He needed to keep an eye on that man. The teen dropped into the darkness below, with Percival following suite. He shut the lid as Cornelia rounded the corner.

***

Percival dismissed the rescued to their temporary quarters, it was him alone with Eiden in the bar. A small box TV sat on the bar counter. Cobwebs attached it to the wall along with a rotting cord. Then TV was on from the time Master and Percival had entered the tower, displaying nothing but a dead channel. On rare occasions the screen would change, it was one of those occasions. The red words, ‘Audio Only’ came on the screen. “I am most surprised, and grateful at Edward’s victory.” Master’s voice came off as distant, the butler guessed he had other things on his mind. He glanced down at the teen, Eiden remained quiet, eyes hidden. “Continue with the set plan, I myself must train Edward.”

Percival bowed, “Yes, Master.” Percival walked around the bar as the TV returned to static, Eiden didn’t take a seat at first. He was concerned about the teen, he was never that quiet for long. Percival went up to the cabinet beside the sink, dust swirled about as he opened it. The butler took out a glass and poured water into it. Perhaps the teen was tired, water would do the trick, he thought. But as he handed him the glass, Eiden ripped it out of his hand and threw it against the wall.

“Who does he think he is!” The teen roared. Ah, of course- Edward, Percival had a feeling. “Why did he win where I lost! He’s just 16!” His hands grabbed anything in reach, whether it was a stool, cups, trays, it didn’t matter, he flung them about like a madman. Tears streamed from his eyes, anger, and sadness combined. Eiden was hurt, the boy started to shake, shake so bad he fell to the ground. Percival ran from behind the counter, with his arms open wide. The teen shook his head and backed away like a scared animal. “No. Master doesn’t want me.”

The butler embraced him, “No. Never. Master will never abandon you, he will never leave you behind. He isn’t like him.”

The boy’s trembling lightened. “How do you know?” Eiden choked out.

Percival rocked him as gentle as he could, “Because he promised that he would hand you control, that the future was yours.” It had been a while since he saw Eiden like that, it was worse when Percival had met him.

The teen stilled and undercovered his eyes. The butler allowed him to stand, the boy stood tall. Even if his eyes were red and swollen, Percival saw a light in them. A light he was so grateful to see, resolve rather than anger. “I will show Master that I am supposed to lead, Edward is beneath me.”

He smiled, “Get some rest, it has been a long day.” Eiden nodded and left. Percival was drained both emotionally and physically, they all were. Percival took a deep breath and started to clean up the mess Eiden had left behind. The butler was worried, he wasn’t sure if he could prop up Eiden by himself. And the new members were a mystery, they could make everything worse. The old man frowned as he swept up the glass, he wished for the past to come back, he didn’t know if he could face the future.