[ Dauphin, Nord-Way, 6:47 PM ]
The military troops and Raily's group were already on their way to the camp. "Madam Mertha gave me permission to rescue Her Majesty in her stead," I said firmly, tightening my grip on my horse's reins.
The three soldiers accompaning me remained silent.
Clara, riding to my left, hesitated but finally spoke. "We've sent the troops to wait for us near
She continued, her voice trembling. "Enzo and Iriel were tasked with getting the troops inside the cart and moving them closer to the camp, where we'll meet with Raily. But… shouldn't one of them be here? To escort you past the wall aswell?"
I shifted my gaze back to the road ahead. The leaves trembled as a cool breeze swept through the trees.
"Clara. Will. Sam. Everything will work out." I kept my tone steady. "We were delayed, that's all. I'm sure Enzo and Iriel already escorted the troops—and went with them. It's almost seven. They're probably reviewing the plan right now."
I exhaled sharply. "Getting past the wall won't be a problem. I can trespass easily."
Clara's voice cracked. "But… Let me help you too. I want to help, Emerald. We all want to save Her Majesty."
A small laugh escaped me as I slowed my horse. "It'll go smoothly. I believe that. I promised Mertha…. and I want to show both her and Mei that there's always a solution, even to the impossible."
I dismounted, turning to face Clara. She followed, along with Sam and Will.
"I need to go. I'm already late. I'll take the forest path that leads me past
I handed Clara my reins. Her expression was solemn, sadness pooling her eyes.
[Even if I have to use my father's influence.]
Clara stepped forward and wrapped her arms around me. "Stay safe. Please."
I returned the gesture briefly, patting her back before pulling away. "Thank you."
With one last wave, I turned and headed into the woods.
⪻────────𖤓────────⪼
Emerald had been walking for a while when the forest changed.
Not in sound, the crying of birds could still be heard somewhere distant, leaves still echoed caused by the strong wind currents, but in the way the air pressed against her skin. Thick, bitter, smoke. It crawked into her lungs and burned.
She froze. Then muttered. "Fire."
She moved faster, boots crunching over debris that hadn't been there before. Charred wood snapped under her steps. The warmth grew oppressive, shoving at her face, and then—
Followed up with choas.
Horses screamed and scattered, their panic rippling through the air like torn fabric. Emerald staggered as overlapping auras collided with her senses—fear, pain, death. Her heart began slamming against her ribs.
"No…no.." she whispered under her breath.
Then she reached out, fingers trembling, and brushing against something solid.
A body, still warm. The aura was dim, flickering, almost…gone.
Emerald dropped to her knees and turned the figure over with trembling hands. The moment her palm touched the insignia on the armor, her breath left her body entirely.
She gasped loudly. This wasn't an enemy…no.
This was hers.
One of her own. Her troops.
The ones she had sent to aid Raily. The ones she had trusted to carry out her command. The ones in charge to help rescue Her Majesty.
The one who… —Emerald recoiled as if burned. Nausea rising in her throat, which made her gag unconsiously. One by one she sensed them—her fallen soldiers energy rushing in her. Their bodies scattered across the forest floor, their auras extinguished or fading into nothing. Their bodies burning and turning into ashes and stones.
Each struck her like a blade to the chest. Taking turns.
"I…I sent you," she whispered, her voice cracking mid-way. "i sent you here…I sent you here."
Her legs gave out beneath her grief, but panic clawed her upright again. She turned toward the shack, where the fire roared the loudest. Flames devoured the structure, chewing through wood, leaping to nearby trees, turning leaves and stone into ash.
The heat was unbearable now, and the smell—burning flesh—made her choke on her own breath.
Tears streamed down her as she stumbled forward, sobs tearing free before she could stop or wipe them.
Emerald wandered around, circling, lost.
Then— A cough.
It was weak, ragged and…human.
Emerald turned her head toward the sound and ran. She nearly tripped on dead bodies before stepping on the broken steps leading to the shack.
There slumped near the doorway, his aura flickering like a dying flame.
"Enzo!" Emerald screamed. But all it came out was a ragged whisper.
She dropped beside him, hands finding his shoulders, his face, her touch frantic. He was alive, barely.
"Is…that you, Emerald…?" He rasped, each word dragging blood and smoke from his lungs.
Her sob broke fully. "I'm here. I'm here, Enzo." She pressed her hands to his chest, already unlock her skill, light trembling beneath her palm.
Enzo's hand snapped around her wrist. "No," he coughed. "Don't."
"Enzo, please—"
"Emerald," he said, forcing the word out, tightening his grip despite his weakness. "Listen…carefully now. What we made was a huge mistake—"
Her breath hitched as he lifted his head, just enough to face her. Even without sight, she felt his gaze, heavy with regret and urgency.
"There is still time," he continued, voice shaking. "Time to stop.. them."
Enzo swallowed hard. "That woman… Iriel. She was a spy." His grip loosened, his strenght fading fast. "She set us up. Slaughtered our men. They're already inside…Victoria—the camp!"
"NO!" She sobbed hard. "NO! NO! NO! This—This can't be—ENZO?! WHY?! WHY?!" Her voice broke completely, desperation crawling in. "I thought we had… everything sorted out. I trusted them. I trusted this operation. I trusted her. Was it all… for nothing?"
Enzo's eyes fluttered shut.
"St op th em," he whispered. "Be fo re it's to o lat e.."
[ . . .]
Then his hand fell limp. His body's aura vanished like a candle's light disapearing after a quick blow.
Emerald screamed in terror.
She collapsed forward, clutching his body as flames roared around them, as the forest burned—
She slammed her fist, hitting the wooden floor.
"No….No…no…" she choked, rocking back and forth. "This can't—be happening. This can't be—real!"
And for the first time, Emerald felt like her whole world was on fire.
- - -
From the flames, a silhouette carved itself into view.
[ click, click, click ]
Sharp heels clacked against the burned ground. Emerald's shoulders stopped trembling, her head hanging low.
"Would you like to join the after party, Emerald?" The woman sneered.
She opened her arms wide. "You're more than welcome."
"After all, without your stubborness and naivety, we would have had a much harder time killing over a hundred and fifty of your men."
Half her face was hidden behind a black veil. The fire around her burned intensely, as if raging in response to her presence.
Emerald turned her gaze toward the voice. Her eyes were swollen, her nose running, and her lips trembling. She bit down on them.
"So this was what you guys were after?"
"This was just another meaningless step— one that couldn't be helped."
"What?"
Iriel shrugged. "The previous plan was hideous. Seriously, such a childish dream. Tear down the Wall and overthrow the
Iriel tilted her head slightly.
"Mertha is not suited to be a prominent leader. Well… I can't blame the poor woman, it will take centuries for the
Her tone hardened.
"To start a revolution, certain things must be changed and certain things must be—sacrificed."
Iriel took a step closer.
"Hardship and sucession only occur when there is a price to be paid.
A few hundred and fifty men, and Sen's filth, needed to be executed from this world to ignite a riot."
Iriel's irises shifted. The horizontal line within them became bigger and bigger, nearly suffocating inside her eyes.
"This world," she murmured, "can only be changed by cleansing the filth."
In a mocking tone, she whispered, "Don't you agree? Emerald?"
Emerald slowly stood, gripping her crimson robe as she descended the steps in measured, deliberate motion. Her lips were sealed. Her eyes half-lidded, gaze lowered.
Iriel watched with an amused expression, intrigued on what Emerald would do.
Would Emerald strike her? Try to reason with her?
…Or would she agree?
A shimmering sound chimed through the air, like the ringing of a distant bell.
A grimoire materialized before Emerald. Its pages flipped faster and faster as her fingers flickered along the edges, magic stirring violently between the paper and flame.
[ by ink unbound and parchment's breath, I call the shapes from silent death : Skill Unlocked. ]
「 Amethyst Reverie」