Laguna - South-west end - Midnight

Man, this is turning out to be a drag…a real drag. Alex, me, Garrick, and these hungover idiots walk on the street, looking out for any bandits on the prowl. Most of them probably went back to their home base, or wherever they we in the city. The buildings are starting to all blend into one another, giving me the biggest headache of my life. Guess a city boy like me can’t stomach places like this without dazzling lights or cars honking for no reason.

“Ugh, I’m so bored,” I yell, trying not to yawn from all this deadly boredom. “Anyone got a story?”

“Yeah, I got one,” Chip slurs his words, still feeling under the weather from his little bender. “It’s called: let me bask in the quiet so my head can recover from this headache. How was it?”

“3/10. Lacked a happy ending.”

“Always glad to–” He gags a little, covering his mouth. “...disappoint.”

“Yikes. Gil looks better than you. How you do it, big guy?”

“Well, I puked out everything I could, so I’d say I’m not doing so well,” he ends, exhausted and sick to his stomach, whatever’s left in it.

“Sucks for you guys, I’m feeling pretty good,” I snicker, pointing my nose upward.

“Yeah, yeah, keep bragging.”

Yep, I’m all good! My mind is on overtime, thinking about all the stuff the old man told me. Although, none of it’s clicking in my noodle, but it’ll come to me, I know it… Hopefully.

“Sir Garrick, could you regale us with a tale?” Alex asks, his eyes practically sparkling with excitement.

“Sure. What do you want to hear?” he said, matching Nunnalé monotone voice.

“Well… Oh! We wish to hear about this city, and the battle the knights fought here!”

“We”? I couldn't care less about the knights and all that junk, but since he has a smile on his face, I guess I don’t mind. Besides, I might as well learn a thing or two about what happened here; might clear my headache.

“As I said, when we arrived, the residents of this city immediately attacked us. We fought for several days, and several nights to advance through the city. Our enemy used minerals that exploded from the slightest contact with fire.”

Sounds like gunpowder. Speaking of which, I remember Puck using a gun when we fought Cade. Actually, Ovan used a gun as well. If that’s the case, then why have I never seen a knight or even prison guards from the BlackRock prison use one?

“...The days were long, and the stench of blood would shrivel up my nose… Every waking moment felt more nightmarish than the last… However, Sigurd was different. Even in the midst of battle, he stayed strong.”

“Amazing!”

“...No matter how terrible, he kept pushing forward, and all we could do was follow his lead.”

I can’t make heads or tails on how he feels about this Sigurd dude. His dead expression buries any and all emotion, making it impossible to tell if he’s even interested in being here or not.

“Sigurd, he’s amazing. Even in a terrible battle, he’s able to bring everyone together and press forward to defeat an enemy… Truly gallant!”

Alex is practically gushing from the mouth about his hero. I have to admit, this dude sounds pretty badass.

“Yeah, gallant…”

Why did he have to say it like that?

“Now that I think of it, how did you and fa– Sigurd enlist in the war?”

“Every knight was a part of the war. Do you mean those that went on the march?”

“Yes.”

“After a couple of years, we were given the status of full-fledged knights, showing that were capable. However, Sigurd and I were different than the other knights. The king himself noticed us.”

Alex raises his brow. “How come?”

“Duh, 'cause Sigurd he was a top-notch strategist,” Chip answers, kinda slurring the last part of his sentence. “Whenever I went to the kingdom, I would hear about him. Folks saying that he was some sort of genius on the battlefield.”

“Me too.” Gil, sounding better than Chip, speaks up. “...He was also kind to his allies and to the townspeople. Though, whatever part wasn’t looking for blood.”

Alex did say that the kingdom was a different place during Godfrey’s time; full of really bad people.

“...Sigurd was talented, so the king noticing him was bound to happen, but I happen to get lucky by saving the queen’s life once.”

“The queen!?” everyone shouts, except Chip.

“Yeah. When Sigurd was being awarded his full-knight hood.”

“Was it after the attack from the West, North, and South?” Chip guesses.

“Yeah. He was the one who coordinated the underlings during the first wave, bulking our defenses. We suffered minimal casualties, but we managed to fend them off. Then, when the king noticed, he wanted him to work with the lead strategist at the time. However, Sigurd thought far ahead of him, making moves that seemed odd, but would save us men and resources in the long run. By the end of the day, the kingdom was still standing, and everyone recognized Sigurd, earning their respect…”

Can’t say for certain, but he sounds upset, yet doesn’t show any hatred or disdain for him; it’s like he’s reliving a memory that isn’t painful, but isn’t all that great..

“Get back to the queen-saving part,” I tell him.

“...During the ceremony, the queen was about to be killed by an outsider who snuck into the kingdom. Just before he could strike her down, I killed him.”

Alex recoils from the statement, visibly upset by the comment, but shakes it off before anyone could point it out. “After that, you got rewarded?” I ask.

“I was also sworn in, given the honor of protecting him and her lordship. Sigurd would act as a commander for the knights, as well as an advisor to the king. I would mainly protect them, as well as serve them in any other way I could. Over the years, there would be more knights that were recognized by the king for their impressive feats. As the war raged on, the first son was born.”

Relius. I remember that smug look on his face from the night of the ball. How could I forget when he was looking at me from his throne? Not to mention that I’m a wanted man thanks to him.

“...Then, three years after his birth, came his sister.”

Heard his sister died in a fire. That’s why they held that kingdom-wide celebration, or rather, a memorial.

“A couple of years later, Sigurd and I, along with many others, were sent to march off to Borghulda.”

“And when you guys got there, you burned down the whole village, right?” Chip sarcastically answers.

“Chip, do not make accusations such as that,” Alex bites back, angered by his sardonic comment.

“Hey, hey, calm down! That’s what I heard. The kingdom was ruthless when they fought at Borghulda.”

“Where did you hear this from?”

“A merchant friend of mine. Said you guys were anything but gallant.”

“That is wrong! They–”

“It’s true. We had to be ruthless. Their weapons were advanced, so much so that they could have posed a threat if they could use it against the kingdom. But we somehow triumphed, and with that, the war was officially over.”

I lean towards Chip. “Why did taking that place end the war?”

“The west and east were on good terms, but the west isn’t exactly thriving with supplies, so they fought with the east for their crops. So without support from the north, the east had no backup, and the west was already struggling to keep itself together.”

“I get you, but how did the battle at Borghulda go down?”

“Borghulda was attacked before they could tell what was going on. That merchant friend– Well, associate, told me it was pretty nasty.”

Chip didn’t bother to whisper that last part, catching Alex’s ear, who’s getting angrier by the second, but I step in before things could get heated. “Come on, guys. Who cares about the details, right? Right now, we need to find the others, and this little history lesson isn’t helping.”

Chip shrugs his shoulders. “Kid’s right, I wasn’t trying to be serious and all that stuff. This is just stuff I heard.”

“Oh… Then I apologize.”

“Nah, it’s cool.”

Whew, that was a close one. The animosity Alex was building quickly died down, displaying an apologetic expression. I don’t think he wants to be angry at Chip, but he’s getting heated for no reason, or at least I think it’s for no reason.

“Ya know, this place is the only other city I’ve seen since the kingdom,” wanting to get away from that war stuff, I blurt out this random statement.

“The second king had this place made for the outside. It was meant to be a token of appreciation. However, this set the kingdom back in resources, and thanks to that, they wanted some resources. Everyone thought they were being too mean, and boom, you get a war that screws everyone over in the end. Well, everyone outside the kingdom.”

“Oh… that sucks.”

Yeah, that’s the best I can say. I mean, not like I have anything better to say at the moment. Hell, what do we even talk about at this point…? Hey, what’s that over there? From the corner of my eye, there’s something lying on the other end of the street beside us.

I rush over there, ignoring the voices of the others. The closer I get, the more the object becomes clearer, and a repugnant smell from there grows stronger. Then…

“W…what the hell!?”

Human bodies, all of them sliced apart, their upper and lower parts severed from one another, bathed in dark red blood. The horrific image burns into my eyes, searing itself into my brain.

“Proxy!” Someone covers my eye, rushing at me with a forceful fervor. “Don’t look!”

“But…”

“You cannot look, absolutely not!”

It's already burned into my mind. The corpses that littered the streets haunted my sight, and its smell forces itself down my nose, but he’s still protecting me. His heart beating faster than a drum is off-putting, almost unnatural; any second it could tear out of his body and hit my head.

“Hey, I recognize these guys! They from our–”

Before Chip could finish, someone shouts at him. “...Are you… It’s you guys!”

Sounds like some of our boys.

“Where’s everyone else?” Gil opens.

“We got attacked by some guy! It happened too quickly. Before we knew it, we had to retreat!”

“We…didn’t know how bad they… I couldn’t imagine this…”

The thought of a boy brought up one person in particular.

“Who did this?” I ask, confident and angered by the answer I already know is coming… “Was his name…”

Laguna - South-west - midnight

“Jed,” I yell, catching his attention in the middle of the crowd of teenagers.

“Oh, Puck. How are you this night?”

“Why didn’t you stop Cade?”

He stares at me with a blank expression. “Truly, I have no idea what you–”

“Cut the crap! You know what I mean! I didn’t stop the fight, then you would’ve gotten him killed!”

“Now that is not true. I would have–” Unable to hold myself back, I pick him up by the collar. Some of the kids gasp, and the older kids try to make me let go. “Puck, I do not think you know what you are doing?”

“Too well.”

“Then I ask for you to release me…” He lowers his head to my ear. “...Before something unsightly occurs.”

His expression doesn’t change, but his words are bone-chilling.

“Cade, you need to– Cade!” Wedge calls his name over and over again, but he gets ignored. “Wait, you need rest!”

Cade stumbles around, rejecting Wedge’s help. “I’m fine… Why are we back at camp!?”

“Cause you were hurt,” I yell, hurrying to his side. “Wedge and I are gonna get you back to bed. You just–”

“Shut up! Who asked you!?”

Wha…what…? Those words cut deeper than they should, yet my heart physically reacts to them.

Wedge grabs Cade’s shoulder. “Cade! That was uncalled for!”

“Just leave me alone! I didn’t ask you to bring me back here! We could’ve gone after the bandits if it weren’t for you guys, so just be quiet…!”

I slump to my knees, processing everything he said. There’s nothing I can say that can make the situation better… I just…didn’t want to lose him…

“I just…I don’t…want to–”

“Puck, perhaps we should listen to Cade’s orders, no?” Jed butts in, interrupting me. “While it is night, we should head out and attack the bandits. Since it is midnight, they are bound to be tired.”

“Yeah,” Cade responds. “That’s a good idea.”

Jed turns to everyone else, raising his hands to the sky. “If we go now, then we are certain to win! If we strike fast, and with enough weaponry, then we can do it! So I ask you, would you all be willing to fight this battle, or allow our enemies to recover from our last attack?” The crowd, every child, and teenagers cheer him on, supporting the idea of attacking the bandits beyond the other side of the bridge. “Cade will lead us into battle, then to glory!”

The cheering grows louder than before, growing to heights that scale on ridiculous and frightening.

“Just follow me, and we’ll get our revenge,” Cade utters, the violent energy around him growing worse. “...We’ll kill every last one of them!”

“That guy behind you. I don’t know what his deal is, but you should probably keep him from fightin’ anymore. If he does, you’ll lose him, I can guarantee that.”

He’s gonna… I’ll lose him… He’s walking further away from me, somewhere I can’t follow…

“Puck, cover your ears,” Wedge, wearing a dire look, warns me. “I know you hate it when I yell.”

I silently nod my head, shielding my ears as best as I can. For a moment, Wedge took in a large breath of air, circulating it through his lungs. With his diaphragm, pushing his lungs harder than usual, he unleashes the loudest shout he could. “CAAAAAAADE!”

Even though I’m pressing my hands against my ears as hard as I can, I can still feel the strength coming from it.

“I can’t…agree with you… When I wanted to fight, I was just as angry as you were. My brother was the only person I had as a parent. When they killed him, when they raided our village, I hated them. So I was ready to fight to the death with them… But, seeing you like this, watching you treat your friends like garbage… I just can’t agree with you.”

“Wedge,” I mutter, shocked by his unwavering confidence.

“What does that mean? You don’t want to fight anymore?”

“Wrong! I will fight, but I don’t want to sink to their level; becoming killers.”

“You’re wrong! We’re the ones who are doing something about them! The ones who are actually getting rid of them!”

“What about the anti-bandit army?”

The air runs silent, Cade’s expression turns to anger, as well as shock. “Wedge, what did I say about mentioning them?”

“Then answer my question and I never will again: What about Proxy’s band?”

“They’re…they’re… Those bastards are hypocrites! They show mercy to their enemies, and even let them join them! Proxy even told me they have more bandits in their group!”

Yeah, I heard some of the Flame Wraith captains joined them from bandits.

“What’s wrong about that, Cade?”

Wedge pushed a question none of us ever thought was even a question, or maybe we never wanted to consider it. Cade’s face reflects confusion, as well as deep-seated rage, reaching its tipping point.

“What?”

“I ask, what’s wrong about that?”

Cade approaches Wedge, carrying that nasty presence. “Of course it’s wrong! They were bandits, they killed and hurt people!”

Wedge walks up to him, ignoring its toxic pressure. “So did we!”

They headbutt one another, pushing at the other with their foreheads alone. Wedge was always stronger than Cade, but I can’t shake this feeling that if they fight…!

“At the time… I thought you were right when we attacked the anti-bandit army, but then seeing the rage in Proxy’s eyes, and feeling his fist crack my head, I could tell what he was feeling! It was rage, but not the rage of murderous intent, but of a man fighting to protect something!”

“You…”

“You, me, and everyone else, we hurt innocent people that did nothing to us, so tell me Cade, what does that say about us?”

I run up to them, almost tripping on myself before breaking them apart. “That’s enough! Just stop! You two can’t be arguing like this!”

Wedge and Cade share an astonished look, darting their eyes back and forth between me and each other. They back away from each other, calming their breathing while staring daggers into the other.

“Hey, I…” Wedge continues, panting to catch his breath. “...I just don’t want you to end up being consumed by your rage, your sorrow, or even your bloodlust…! I lost my brother, I don’t wish to lose another one. Please, just slow down…please.”

He turns his back to us, lowering his head. “I don’t… I just can’t let any of them get away with what they done… None of them. Even if it means my life, I’ll let none of them live… I’m sorry.”

That’s just too much! I never wanted to… I…didn’t want to go this far. All I wanted was to help Cade, and everyone else. But, seeing him like this, sinking further into revenge, I just can’t!

“Cade,” I cry out, my voice breaking from tension. “...You–”

Destroying the tension, Jed claps his hands, loud enough to catch everyone’s attention. “Now, now, that is enough… Wedge…you are…” Wedge must’ve gotten him upset. Thought you could manipulate Cade like that and– “...completely right.”

What!? With a smile beaming on his face, he approaches Wedge, placing his hand on his shoulder. “I did not consider the consequences of the fight we just came back from, and on further contemplation, you are correct in telling us to slow down.” He bumps the top of his head with his knuckle. “What an oversight I made.” Why is he taking our side? I don’t like this, not one bit! “So, everyone, get as much rest as you can, for tomorrow, we shall strike.”

Continuing to go along with his suggestion, the crowd stirs into a frenzy, and Cade watches in silence, facing away from us.

“Puck… It seems like we’re at a divide…”

“Yeah, I can see that.”

Between Cade, Jed, and the crowd of kids wanting blood, I can’t help but think everything is changing and in not a good way… Can I even walk behind him at this point, or was I never even facing him, to begin with?

…

Time has elapsed after that unnecessary debate. Cade is progressing quite nicely, however, Wedge continues to be a problem. At first, I thought he wouldn’t be, but it seems as if he does not move blindly, or perhaps what I said upset that blindness. If so, that was a slight miscalculation on my part. And worst, he might be wary of me.

Puck is no problem, so all I need to worry about is Wedge, find a means to remove him, and then continue with my plan.

“Hm, should be time to meet with him.”

Ah, my private rendezvous must be waiting for me. Oh my, it is rather rude of me to keep someone waiting. I suppose I should go now rather than later, while everyone is busy.

“Wedge… If this is a challenge, then I accept. Afterall, it would be rude not to take you up on such an offer.”