If you wish for peace, prepare for war.

Does that really apply to right now?

He asked Y/n as they stood in front of a dungeon cell looking through the bars at a sleeping Miranda.

WE SHOULD JUST KILL HER NOW!

Chris could be heard shouting upstairs, Y/n shook his head.

Ya know I gotta agree with him... This is a bad idea... Why not just kill her?

I don't know completely... Something about her right now feels... Off...

Okay well don't tell Chris you 'don't know' or he'll go ballistic.

More then usual?

You joke... But yes...

WELL HE OWES ME ANSWERS!

Well no use trying to hide....

Y/n sighed as he climbed the stone steps, Leon staying behind to keep watch of Miranda.

When Y/n stepped through the doorway Chris turned to him with a bloodcurdling stare, murder in his eye and an expression he shared with Sheva, Jill, and Claire.

Why?

Where do you want me to start?

ANYWHERE-

Sheva grabbed Chris's shoulder, she being the last defense against Chris beating the living hell out of Y/n.

I don't care much for his barbarian-ism my dear but I do agree with Mr. Redfield about his concerns with Mother Miranda...

I understand your concerns, your probably all thinking this is a plot by her to weasel into our pity and take us by surprise but something is off....

What do you mean?

She arrives at the front door, covered in blood and wounds, asking for help... It's far too simple of a plan if she intended to manipulate us...

So you believe her?

No.

..... Then?...

Where's Travis?

Who?

Y/n old friend-

Now my number one vendetta.

This guy was attached to the hip of Lady Dimitrescu.

I still wince at the memory of his desperation...

But he was loyal to the idea of achieving god like power... Now his mistress shows up like that with no servants? I see what Y/n is saying... But it doesn't change the fact Miranda is still a problem.

I agree Chris! Fully agree!

Then why-

Because I don't know what happened to her! Claire... Miranda was the biggest challenge in the area, she was end all be all, BBEG of this story... Emphasis on was, someone OR something out there put her down... And we have no idea what IT is....

You sound scared...

The master is not scared Miss Valentine, a ridiculous statement.

What is this B-B-E-G?

Unless this is how her and Travis exactly planned it.

What do you mean?

We're standing here debating theories and babysitting Miranda while Travis wanders the Village alone... For all we know he's gathering the lycans for a final march on the castle...

The bunch begin to argue and debate as Y/n steps off to the side to peer out the window, he looks down at his hand as it can be seen faintly trembling.

Are you alright?

Y/n spun around hiding his hands behind his back.

Yeah just... Contemplating things...

Really?

Heh..... No.... Im very much not okay....

What's wrong?

Y/n turned the window and stared for a moment.

It's not about the wrong... It's about how there'll all right... I am certain Miranda needs our help but Chris is right, she is still a problem that NOW sits on our lap uninvited. Sheva is right because out there the one person who knows my demons best, plots against me... Worst of all... I have no answers... Only intrusive thoughts....

You'll handle it.

What?

You fought a licker and a pseudo-tyrant before you had your mutations... Now you have electricity, monster strength, mass healing and whatever else... I mean you saved my ass without it so what's stopping you know?...

........

Jill and Y/n to see Leon and Chris shoving each but whatever they were arguing about was muffled in the mix of aggravated voices.

Y/n stormed over to the group and just Leon and Chris were about throw hands Y/n grabbed both their arms.

Quit puffing out your chests! The pissing match is over.

We're not-

Leon was-

Nope. Don't care.

The two of them broke it off begrudgingly walking to opposite ends of the room.

Seems you can muster some control over these runts.

The room froze as Miranda made her entrance from the dungeon.

Alcina and Donna both took protective steps back as Alcina shielded her daughters. Leon aimed his gun at Miranda but Miranda held up her arms in surrender.

I came to parlay.

Miranda winced as she felt something knick the back of her neck. Behind her Ada had her crossbow aimed point blank at her head.

Given our history I'll be the first to call BS.

You wanna talk? Fine.

You can't be serious!

Chris we have numbers and fire power... Plus... She's powerless now.

What?

Miranda looked at Y/n blankly but she didn't reply as he continued.

It took me a minute to realize why the sensation I got from back in the church was colder then now... Initially I thought I was paranoid and freaking out but once I calmed down I noticed you haven't tried to dominate Donna, Alcina, or myself because you can't.

There was a stunned silence about the room as Y/n and Miranda were locked in a stand-off.

I was hoping to have more time before you figured me out...

Then how did you get out if your powerless?

I gave Alcina this castle of course I know every trick and passage wench, I thought L/n would have tamed that undesirable mess.

Claire was about to bite back till they all watched Y/n grab Miranda by the face and threw her across the room where she slid and hit the wall.

The response across the room varied, Alcina, Donna, Chris and Sheva approved greatly. Claire, Leon, Jill, and the three daughters were shocked silent. Ada was indifferent as they watched him approach the fallen queen.

Let's try this again... You don't talk to anyone else, you talk to me and talk with respect or I'll find a place you haven't seen to bury you.

That's more like it.

You dare... Put a hand to me?! You think little of me just because of my feeble state? May I remind you that I once had all of my children kneeling in my service till you came along-

Exactly, the hierarchy changed and now your kneeling before me so you want my assistance then you must this wager profitable.

Miranda looked about the room and then to Y/n, she stands up and fixes her hair as she approaches Y/n gently placing her hands on his chest.

Alcina extends her claws and Jill pulls her handgun but neither move as Y/n puts his hand up.

You have 10 seconds but I can't promise Jill won't zero you after that.

Miranda looks over his shoulder at Jill still hovering her finger on the trigger while it hover by her hip. Miranda leans to Y/n other ear and whispers quietly to maintain privacy.

I know my power has been stolen but if you return it-

Strike one. Im not dumb enough to hand over your control, try again.

Well... If you dethrone Travis I can give half the territory... Land ownership and I won't take my daughters... You'll never see me again-

Strike two. There is no way im leaving you unsupervised... Any power you regain after removing Travis I don't need that aimed at my back... Last chance.

Then I offer... Myself... You see I wish to be a mother again but I can see now my current plan has failed... So I will be the bearer of your first heir~

That's better... But let's expand on that... You wish to remain in MY village and with any semblance of power again then you'll take a life vow of servitude to my legacy~

What will Redfield think?

Y/n runs a hand down Miranda's hip and onto her ass, she closes the gap between there bodies her bust pushing against his chest unknown to the other who only sees Y/n's back.

He only sees what I let him... My plans are already in motion further then he can stop it so behave yourself and I'll share that victory with you~

Miranda ponders it for a moment then looks up at him and nods once.

With Y/n successfully taking advantage of Miranda's desperation he turns back to the group who have been sitting on edge the entire time.

So we killing her now?

As pleasing as it would be-

Oh for fuck...

Chris storms off before Y/n could finish his statement.

But she's the only one who knows where Travis is hiding plus she still has information we'll need if were going to war with him.

War?

Indeed... Travis may not have the lycans or Karl's automatons but he's been feeding corpses to Evelyn...

Evelyn?

My... Patron... The soul that lives in the mold, she was the first molded but soon her own power overtook her body now only the mind remains...

So Travis plans on ravaging the land with an army of molded... As much as I trust in all of you we can't face an army like this...

Especially the mortals, there flesh will only slow us down.

Is that right? I think I've survived more hell on earth then you've ever dreamed.

Please I've heard the stories and facing off against undead peasantry is nothing to boast about.

How about a monstrous insect formed from mountains of mutated flesh the size of this castle?

Or any endlessly evolving beast, dead set on hunting you down?

When you have to face off against an entire countries infected military, then I'll be impressed...

Entire island of infected cultists.

About the same.

ARE YOU DONE?

Everyone turned to Y/n, a stunned silence as the mutated soldier eye twitched. His twitching was less of sn issue as it had become extremely bloodshot. The virus reacting to his stress as he shook his head aggressively.

We have damnation knocking on our front door and your ripping into each over what?... MERIT? RESPECT? Quit the pissing match and-

His head snapped to the side, a heavy unnatural twitch as the virus reacted again.

And I need to... step outside for a moment...

Y/n stormed out of the room leaving everyone silent. He walked up to the roof where he and Travis once fought, he ran his fingers along the bell as the frosty wind rushed passed his face.

You leave that dent in it?

Y/n saw Chris was around the corner of the bell having a smoke looking out over the village. The dent he was referring to is the dent where he bashed Travis' head off of it.

My hands were involved sometime ago, yes... Great minds think alike?

Guess so.

Y/n and Chris sit on the edge, feet dangling over as Chris hands Y/n a smoke.

Not big on smoking, thanks.

No better time to start, especially at the cusp of war...

You heard that huh?

You were very vocal about it...

Y/n then accepts a cigarette from Chris and like any newbie smoker struggles and coughs but eventually smooths out.

Think I was to much of a dick?

Naw, you put them in their place and reminded them what's at stake... Sorta starting to sound like me.

God forbid.

The two share a relatively fond and rare moment of friendship. Quickly returning to silence as they watch Lycans in the distance crawling across rocks and roofs alike.

So do you trust this Mother Miranda character?

Fuck no but Alcina is looking after her and if she did try anything Jill and Leon have my permission to unload every shell into her.

That wasn't true but he knew it would make Chris feel better.

I told Sheeva the same thing.

Good good... Did you give her that same order for me?

You knew?

Of course I do, im a bioweapon... At one point you and I served a similar purpose, destroy the beast now im the beast you hunt... And after this all over I expect you to report back to the BSAA...

Do you not want me too?

Y/n noticed Chris' free hand reaching for his waist slowly.

I can't stop you nor will I try... But I want you to know at least... Im not leaving after we're done...

Your gonna stay here? In the castle?

You think society will accept me looking like a final boss that didn't make the final fantasy release? That's if the BSAA and government don't imprison me for being a possible terrorist threat... At least agreeing to stay here I have the freedom to start over...

But you'll be-

Under surveillance for the rest of my life? I've considered this multiply times Redfield.

Chris and Y/n go silent again listening to the wind, in his mind Y/n was hoping this would cement a somewhat positive opinion in Chris' head.

I guess I should thank you for being understanding of my position in this...

We have a common goal, we don't need to like each other to work together... I'm not saying I hate you, I just understand your putting personal pressures aside to work with us...

Well if we're working together like you said, wanna fill me in on your plan?

My plan?

You think your the only one capable of reading your enemies, I spent years training myself to read ulterior motives, to read between the lines...

You got me... We need numbers and we don't have time to wait for the BSAA to send in friendlies...

So where's the army your dreaming of?

Right there...

Y/n flicks his cigarette out towards the village where the lycans aimlessly hunt, a pack needing an Alpha.

Chapter End.

Quick Note: I know this isn't the sauciest chapter you all wanted after such a delay but we're building to something big I promise!

Thanks for the patience and sticking around as I plan our 1.5k celebration.