15 Apocalyptic

"Another bullseye."

Chiro was surprised to see Corelia, faced away and firing backward, throw a small dagger into the diagram of a crest of two entwined snakes, their bodies forming three diamonds along the bottom. It was the crest of the Storm Twins, and the dagger was right at the center of one snake's head.

Corelia glanced over her shoulder. "I'm used to exterminating snakes."

Chiro was standing before her, and next to him, there was a female sylph, her violet armor marking her status as a lieutenant. She was relatively older-looking, with silver hair tied in a long tail, and dark eyes. It was none other than Atara. The two lieutenants and Corelia were the only ones in the old observatory.

Recollecting herself, Corelia went on to speak, "What was it you were saying? About the other lieutenants?"

"Our numbers are getting a little low," said Chiro. "As far as Royal Lieutenants go, of course. If you include Ryu and Surei, there are six. I feel as though the number should be higher, about fifteen or so."

"It's lower than our average," Corelia agreed. "That'll take time, though, and we seem to be getting by with who we have."

"We absolutely are," Atara remarked. "If it's not broken, don't fix it. If that changes, though, we have plenty in reserves to pick from, and I'm willing to bet that there are some ready for the promotion, among the commander ranks. We could also call back the two you have undercover..." She glared at the thought. "Well, preferably only one of them."

"That's always good to know," said Corelia, ignoring that last part. "I couldn't help noticing that you were still singling out the boys, Chiro. Do you still not think they're ready for this work? Their training, from what I've seen, would certainly say otherwise."

"Ah, I only single them out because they're new," Chiro replied. "I'm very confident in their abilities."

Atara arched one brow. "You constantly berate them about it."

"If they constantly think they need to improve, they'll constantly improve," Chiro remarked. "Simple tactics, Atara, keep up with me. After all, it's in their blood to fight."

"Here we go," Atara muttered.

Chiro gained a prestigious tone as he preached, "Our blood-born duty will continue to be fulfilled. My father, his before that, and so on were all lieutenants in this army, loyal and serving to the crown. It comes with having the Hitai blood to take up this responsibility. Each of us lives in the way of the violet armor; we wear it with pride! And..."

He trailed off when he realized that Atara was trying to contain her laughter. Chiro shot her an unamused glare.

"You dare mock the legacy of the Hitai clan?!" He exclaimed, reaching for the hilt of his sword.

"All that fuss over colored metal," Atara remarked.

"'Colored metal'?!" Chiro snapped. "This 'colored metal' we wear isn't just for protection! This armor represents fearlessness, power, experience, gallantry, and dignity! It shows other Aubades that we are the ones to defend them from any threat, then shows the threat itself that they will be met with intense fury if they dare to attack Sybilius! 'Defend peace, defend honor, defend Sybilius,' the code of lieutenants because this is what it means to be one! Be proud that you wear this armor, imp!"

Corelia quickly intervened, "Alright, alright, calm down. Chiro, no one's underestimating anybody."

"She just did!" Chiro exclaimed, pointing at Atara.

"I am one, you idiot," Atara argued.

"I don't know how you work!" Chiro retorted. "Gods know what goes on in that enigma you call a mind!"

Corelia quickly searched for a way to change the subject. "Ah, why don't you two tell me how things have been with Kita? Considering how hectic things have been, I can't help but worry. Are you being extra careful that she's not getting caught in the crossfire?"

Atara sighed, "You worry too much for a traitor, your majesty. I really don't think it's good for you. Anyways, we've sent a total of five patrols in there, this last month. We were trying to cut back after..."

Corelia frowned, nodding. "After Shira. I know."

Chiro kept his proper stance, but dipped his head. "A good warrior. She won't be forgotten."

Atara cleared her throat. "Well, anyway, about Kita. Only one, a patrol led by Sir Gara, has seen Kita. While she doesn't really fight, most likely due to her lack of training, no one seems to be able to get through to her."

\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\

(TWELVE DAYS AGO...)

A group of about twelve sylphs crossed the Blood Stream, bravely entering the demons' side of the forest. Only one sylph, the leader, had violet armor to mark his lieutenant status. This sylph was a male with slicked blue hair and gray eyes, and a dagger and sword were sheathed to either of his sides. Gara had a reputation for being a conman and smart-aleck, so when he spoke, it was with a voice that contradicted the dangerous scenario.

"Remember our plan," Gara chimed. "Demons are to be attacked, obviously. If the rogue sylph is spotted, no one makes any move toward her. You just tell me."

That being said, Gara chanted 'onward!' as they started trekking through the Blood Forest. The sergeants in silver armor followed Gara's lead. Most of them were swordsmen, with a couple of archers to break the pattern. As they went on, a feminine archer began speaking.

"Why not just end Kita? It may sound bad, especially considering she's one of our own kind, but she betrayed us for our worst enemy. That's something that won't be forgiven so easily. Others have been executed for treason as extreme as this."

"I'm afraid her majesty has given a clear command," said Gara. "We can defend ourselves non-lethally, but under no circumstance can we kill Kita. Her majesty refuses to give up on that deceiver yet, for reasons I'm unsure of."

"But her majesty told those other two sylphs that Kita was most likely dead," a different guard spoke, the voice masculine. "I'd assume that means she gave up."

"She had, at one point," Gara answered. "It must've just been a moment of fury, because it didn't last very long. Once she was given two or three days to calm down, she decided to change her motive from treating Kita like another demon to trying to get her back to us. Not that it's working, but oh well. Queen's rules."

Another guard muttered, "Even though it costs us several lives, and it's for nothing. Kita was obviously the one who killed Shira, meaning she survived that long, but what now? It's been nearly a month since then; she could've been killed by if not a demon, then whatever else is out there."

"I must agree with your confusion over Kita's current condition, but our death toll hasn't been as high as you think it would," Gara explained. "Knowing how 'lucky' we usually are in that area, I was expecting-"

-Tchk!

"We can fix the problem with your death toll."

That sound made Gara freeze. In just a flash, he unsheathed his dagger and hurled it at the new speaker.

-BLAM!

The dagger blew into hundreds of pieces as a thick bullet hit it first. On the other side of the barrel of the shotgun, there was a menacing ginger Zyrean. Gara was tempted to continue attacking, but then stalled when he saw more Zyreans. Two more, a female with brown hair and a male with a golden sword.

Gara sighed, "Well, at least it's just the three morons of their group."

The demonic swordsman sneered, "Y'know if you ran as much as your mouth, you'd be the fastest sylph there is."

"So funny, are you?" Gara responded. "Are you also one for rumors?"

"Depends," the same demon said. "I usually only like the rumors I start about you, and your kind."

"Then tell me; anything recent about a sylph named Kita?" Gara inquired.

Strangely, the demon glanced to the side for a minute, then looked back again. "There is. She wanted someone to tell you, 'piss off and mind your own damn business.'"

Irate, Gara muttered, "That's more of a message than a rumor."

"I would've said it myself, but Zin says it better."

Gara was expecting to find Jem speaking, but was startled by the truth. He found Kita standing behind the ginger demon, lingering in the shadows away from the soon-to-be-battlefield. Though this sylph didn't look like much, just a scrawny thing with no training, Gara knew just how important she was, which put things in perspective.

"Will you stop coming after me?" Kita spat. "I'm not going back."

Gara smirked. "I wouldn't be so sure about that, Ms. Rein."

\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\

As she finished her story, Atara sighed, "Kita made her stance very clear. She wants to stay with the demons, and she hates us. She wouldn't listen to a word we had to say. Honestly, I think getting her to rejoin our ranks would be nearly impossible, at this point."

Corelia didn't say anything in response. Sorrow was in her eyes.

"Don't give up yet," said Corelia. "Neither of you; don't let the heat of battle get to you. Sylphs will get hurt, but losing someone like Kita, and in that way..."

"Why are you so hellbent on saving Kita, your majesty?" Asked Chiro. "At this point, the little brat doesn't deserve your kindness, and you definitely don't deserve her insolence."

Corelia gave a dismissive gesture. "Believe me, you wouldn't understand. Just trust me. There's a lot you don't know about Kita, and she really was a special sylph. Her betrayal is beyond frustrating, I agree with you that much, but also devastating. Though it may not look like it, we took a bad hit by losing her."

"I don't see how, but I won't question you," Chiro obediently spoke. "If Kita is was you want, then we'll get her back dead or alive."

The word 'dead' made Corelia shudder, but she looked calm and collected as ever. She was good at masking her true thoughts and emotions, as it was a necessary skill. She needed it a lot as a queen, to deal with both demons and her own people.

Atara broke the unnerving silence. "We should get back to work."

"Right," Corelia spoke, clearing her mind. "Atara, I want you to send word to the undercover lieutenants in Lion's Bridge and Citadel; update them on everything major that's happened, mainly about Kita and the new trade sources. Make it clear that demons are to be killed, but not Kita. As for you, Chiro, prepare and approve the next shipment going to the Magma Harpies."

Chiro obediently responded, "Of course, your majesty."

Atara furrowed her brows. "Speaking of which, why are we getting involved in all this trading? We've never relied on others. All trades come from other sylphs and rarely elves or dwarves, and that's just the small trinkets for the citizens. This is very powerful weaponry, made with all sorts of strange magic, and we're trading it with darker creatures? And the Kaens, had they not denied the offer, we would've been working with..." It took her a moment to spit the word out. "Demons. With demons, your majesty, isn't that a little too-"

Atara was silenced by Chiro, who kicked her in the leg.

"Don't question your queen, imp!" He snapped. "She has her reasons!"

Corelia quickly interfered, "Chiro, please, it's alright. As a matter of fact, I expected the exact question to come up sooner or later."

"My apologies, your majesty," said Chiro, now looking calmer. "I simply work to defend your reasoning and enforce your requests."

Corelia laughed a bit. "Rest assured, your endeavor is appreciated. Just try to make sure our subjects are spared, will you?"

"Very well," Chiro replied.

Corelia continued, "As for your question, Atara, the trading is yet another new tactic we're trying. See, I've seen odd things happening in the Northern Territories. Originally, when it was only rumored, I thought nothing of it." Her tone turned dark, as she glanced at the wall behind her. "Then I saw for myself. Strange, very strange things are happening. The fact that Kita is in the middle of it is concerning, and if you knew the truth behind her, you'd be just as shocked."

"What's her story?" Asked Atara.

Corelia shook her head. "I promised that I wouldn't be the one to reveal the truth, and it's not just her. The other parts are just as bad. I fear for Sybilius's safety, and I already know the root of this apocalyptic behavior."

Chiro was clearly unamused. "I already have a feeling of what you'll say. Something demonic?"

"Yes," Corelia answered. "In a far-off place, a small group and I managed to dig up ancient texts, about the original afterlife instated by 'humans' before sylphs even roamed the world. There are several times when they link demonic beings to the apocalypse. Some darker creatures evolved from that original hell's other creations, as well. I have the feeling that's a good enough hint for us, am I wrong?"

"Then why try to work with demons?" Asked Atara. "Wouldn't working with the harbingers put us in more danger?"

Corelia sighed, losing her patience. "I'm afraid it's a bit complicated, Atara. When everything went to hell, I became much more worried. Things were bad enough already, but it got worse. I killed Thundur, leaving Leiytning to rot with her, so I thought things would return to normal. However, they didn't. That's actually when it got worse. Originally, I did think starting a trade would be good for Sybilius. We could get rid of a few weapons we didn't need anymore, and get more money for our citizens. Then I saw the worsening of those odd events, and knew we needed to improve our armory, rather than get rid of it."

"So..." Atara was still at loss.

Corelia ignored her and continued, "But now what? What to use? Not just against demons, but anything else that became an enemy, dark or light in nature. That's why I decided to target darker and demonic creatures to trade with. Not only would we get their magic and weapons to gain at least equal power, but our interactions might've revealed any secrets, and well as deepened our understanding of these beings. It also would've given us some leverage over them, so we could leave them vulnerable."

Chiro blinked hard. "Using their strength against the. I see, now."

"Getting anything we can use," Corelia concurred. "The Kaens would've been most useful for that strategy, and I thought their 'lesser' intelligence would've made them more submissive. That's why I went after them out of all the demon tribes. However, you saw how that turned out."

Chiro paused for a moment, then spoke, "Your majesty. If you're looking for things to use in a trade, or perhaps to keep increasing our defenses, I think I have an idea. Also a way of getting closer to one of your targets."

"What is it?" Corelia inquired.

"See, when I interrupted the fight between you and ol' one-eye, I also saw an interesting reaction from his apprentice, the small one that always wears red."

"It's..." Corelia paused to think. "Timbur, yes. He is the beta, though if Thundur died and the twin rule took effect, then that would mean he's actually the new leader."

Chiro looked to the ground, in thought. "Is he really a leader, though?"

He took a moment to think back. He put himself back in the position he was, nearly a month ago. Using the same tactics as Corelia, he managed to get to the blazing Scorched Ruins. He was intent on sending the message, as it regarded her severely wounded daughter. To Chiro, it was painstaking having to trek through sand and harsh winds. Eventually, though, the work paid off. He found what he was looking for.

He was seeing the fight between his own leader and the enemy's. While Leiytning's apprentice was next to Thundur's unconscious vessel, trying to stop the seemingly heavy bleeding from her wound, Leiytning had just retrieved his spear after losing it and what seemed to be his left hand entirely. Corelia stood across from him, ready to continue the fight.

After he interrupted the fight, and delivered the message, Corelia stayed to say one more thing to her old enemy. As she did, Chiro inspected the place. Blood was everywhere, some red and some black. His eyes eventually landed on the source of most, which was Thundur's body. The sight made him chuckle to himself, knowing that it would only be a matter of time before she would bleed out, and the legendary twins would be gone.

However, Chiro then saw the beta say something under his breath. He looked closer, and saw that while his master was occupied, Timbur let his weak side show. Furthermore, Chiro was familiar with this form of angst. He had seen it in his own sons, and it made him very angry. For someone in Timbur's scenario, however, he couldn't help laughing.

"I beg your pardon?"

Chiro blinked hard, breaking his trance.

Corelia looked very confused. "I don't understand what you were implying, Chiro. Why wouldn't he be the leader? Their laws say that the beta will be the new leader once the current one has died. I'm sure that law would be enforced, no matter the situation."

Clearly disappointed, Atara shook her head. "He's talking about a stupid rumor, probably. Something Ryu or Gara, or the ones like them, started."

Chiro shot her a sharp glare. "That is not the case, and don't lump Ryu into that band of fools. As for what I meant, I saw something in that beta, Timbur, which revealed a certain weakness. Maybe a straightforward attack on the Zyreans is still unwise, but we can still use them to our advantage. Timbur showed something I've never seen in a Zyrean Demon, yet."

"How so?" Asked Corelia. "What was it?"

Chiro gained a sly smirk. "Fear."