Chapter 46: The Song Burning in the Embers 1
A/N: Third person limited pov. (Preparation for transition later)
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Leo sat as the woman with curly hair spoke.
"Go, and preach the word of her Majesty, the Tsaritsa!"
Men and women in different uniforms saluted. They carried bags of supplies, their weapons tucked in their hands as carriages lined up like people and horses neighed.
"We shall await your return!" With a wave of her hand, they boarded the carriages. One by one they left until only their silhouettes could be seen in the distance as the sun rose.
Leo yawned, he drifted in and out of sleep, his body and mind telling him to lie down and succumb to sleep. By then he felt a tugging sensation at his sleeves. Looking up, he saw a girl with the same drowsy expression. Her eyes are moist and glistening.
The girl before him showed weariness despite their similar circumstances. Her hand gripped his arm, and her eyes despite opening and closing observed the surroundings.
"Leo, don't fall asleep now,"
"Same goes for you," Leo replied. "Where's Peruere by the way?"
"She said she's going to brew tea,"
"She knows how to brew tea?!" Leo cried. The girl nodded as she scratched her eyes.
The rising sun's rays seeped through the curtains as they passed through the corridors and into the cafeteria. In there, what waited for them was Peruere's stoic and unreadable face.
"The tea's ready,"
She handed them a cup of tea as they sat in the middle. The place bears no residents and only the sound of cooking can be heard on the back as Leo sipped the tea.
They sat in silence. A growing unease threatened to jump out of Leo's chest. The moment of respite, the calm before the storm was ever so loud. Leo knew that everything would change when night came. That this bliss that they're currently indulging in would soon end as the storm on which the future would be decided will hit.
"So, what's the plan?" Clervie asked as she put down the half-empty cup of tea.
Leo stopped midway—putting the tea on the table and wiping his mouth with a paper towel.
"Pereure would ask Crucabena to come with her," Leo scratched the back of his head. "you can pick whatever reason you can find, just get her to the arena. Then Clervie, Polochko, and I would hide until you get there, then everything would be up to all of us to deal with her."
Peruere and Clervie stared at him. Their eyes carried a level of trust that seemed to have been forged by their time together. Yet deep within Clervie's eyes, Leo felt hesitation, reluctance, and optimism.
With a sigh, Leo stood up and reached for his pockets where candies were put. He then handed the candies to them.
"Relax, there's no point worrying about it now." He paused—a sort of smile emerging from his face. "Here, they're the expensive ones that are popular lately."
Despite his efforts to lighten the mood, a dark shadow still hangs on Clervie's face. Peruere held her hand as her eyes looked at her intently.
"It'll be fine,"
***
The sun slowly sinks as Leo searches for Polochko—intending to speak to him once more before the act.
"Polochko!" He silently called to him.
"Young master, it's not too late to back down, please think this through," Plochko begged with his hands clasped.
"Were already this far ahead, we can't back down now,"
"We can always back down young master!"
Leo sighed, the weight of the moment pressing heavily on his chest. Polochko had always been someone who picked the safest path, the one with the least risk and the highest chance of survival. It was a trait Leo respected, but also one that frustrated him. That caution, that relentless need for security, blinded Polochko to the bigger picture.
"No, not this time." Leo said firmly. He locked eyes with Polochko, his gaze steady and unwavering. "Polochko, I know that you're worried about me, but please understand that I'm also worried about Clervie and Peruere. If I let this pass, if we let this opportunity pass, there might never be a next time."
Polochko's teeth clenched so tightly that the faint metallic taste of blood seeped into his mouth. His voice trembled with restrained emotion as he spoke. "Young master, is there any way I can change your mind?"
Leo strongly replied, his gaze unwavering. "No, there's nothing you can do or say to change it."
For a moment, silence hung heavy between them. Polochko gritted his teeth as he kneeled in front of Leo. With hands on his chest, he pledged. "I will do everything to keep you safe, but if this plan of yours does not succeed, I will prioritize you over them. Even if you order me I will not follow it."
Leo smiled. His hands lay on Polochko's shoulders. "Thank you, thank you for following this foolish young master of yours."
Leo tapped his shoulders before he turned around and left.
Polochko looked up, his eyes glistening with a mix of frustration and loyalty as he watched Leo's back. "You are no fool, young master. Just someone with a heart too big for his own good."
***
The wind blows as it threatens to wake the sleeping souls in deep slumber. A series of rustling sounds silently filled the air as two people sneaked into the arena. Patrolling guards were knocked out as the same happened to those who were unfortunate enough to roam the corridors as they walked towards the toilets.
Leo reached the arena after a few encounters. He along with Clervie sat between the flowers—the ones taken care of by the children.
"Now we wait,"
His heart thumping like he ran a marathon. The last time he has felt this way was when he encountered the Frostarm Lawachurl. Beside him, Clervie was covered in cold sweat. She clutched her hands and gripped it as she seemed to be praying to the gods.
"Clervie are you okay?"
"I-I'm fine, just nervous."
Time passed as they patiently waited.
After a while, Leo felt a foreboding sense of urgency. Why was Polochko still not here? What happened? His mind crafted scenarios—outcomes that this rebellion would result in. Within them, a lingering sense of unease emerged.
Footsteps rang as it slowly walked towards the arena.
Polochko, where are you! Leo lamented.
As they get closer and closer his heart beats louder and louder. With each second that Polochko remains missing, panic creeps in little by little until it bursts forth when Crucabena and Peruere arrive.
In the end, he decided to not wait for Polochko. His eyes locked on Crucabena as Peruere and her conversed.
"So, what reason do you have for bringing me here, Peruere?"
"Mother, what do think of us?"
Crucabena showed a bewildered expression. Her eyes scanned the place and a smile emerged from her lips.
"Of course I love you all, after all, you're all my children." She extended her arm towards Peruere, as if she were appraising her. "But I suppose such lies would not work for you anymore, right Clervie?"
Her gaze drifted towards where Leo and Clervie hid.
How did she know?!
Putting the puzzles together, he realized. It seems like he didn't catch her in their trap, but they were caught in hers instead.
They emerged from where they were hiding.
"Since when?" Leo asked.
"What do you mean?" Crucabena tilted her head, but the sly curl of her lips betrayed her.
Leo picked his spear while Peruere and Clervie held their swords.
Leo didn't hesitate. He hoisted his spear, its tip glinting in the faint light. Beside him, Peruere and Clervie readied their swords. "Since when did you know what we were planning?"
Crucabena's smile widened, a mix of amusement and malice. "Oh, about that-" Suddenly, an explosion caught their attention. Instinctively, they all turned toward the source of the sound, their eyes widening as they saw a massive pillar of fire roaring into the night sky,
"Looks like your dog and mine are having a delightful time together."
The realization hit Leo like a lightningbolt.Alarms blaring in his mind as he pieced the situation together in an instant. The reason he didn't make it... the trap laid out so carefully. His knuckles whitened as his grip on the spear tightened further. "What did you do?!" His voice boomed with a mix of fury and dread.
"Oh I didn't do anything special," She chuckled, her gaze directed at Clervie. "I simply played along and waited until you've set up the best opportunity for me to get rid of an annoyance."
Clervie flinched and her face distorted in pain. Her mouth opened but no words came out.
"Mother." Peruere stepped forward. "It doesn't matter, we'll end you here and now."
Crucabena's expression darkened in an instant, her smile fading into something more sinister. A deafening laugh echoed as a sword emerged in her hands. Her laughter died abruptly, leaving only a cold silence as she locked her piercing gaze on them.
"How grotesque," Crucabena sneered, her voice dripping with disdain. "Still clinging to such innocence and kindness. How utterly useless."
Crucabena raised her sword and extrended it towards Clervie. "I should have gotten rid of you long ago," she continued, her tone both mocking and venomous. "A flower is best plucked when it's still blooming, not when it's wilted and weak."
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A/N: Should I edge you guys and release the chapters 1 by one or release them all at once? For this arc I mean.
Are you guys buying the skin? Cause I sure am.
Should I keep this style from now on? It's actually quite easier to write than 1st person
Also how is this chapter?