[88.1] Hazel POV: The Family Thy Ignored

[Author's note: This part of the chapter is from Hazel/Alora's POV]

I rolled the token around in my hand as I took a deep breath in.

Marx shook his shaggy hair, "When you're ready to bring the army to the designated location, just activate the token. Anyone who chooses to come can walk through the portal."

I stared at the cold surface with a dull gaze, "Impressive."

He scratched at the stubble of his chin lazily, "Not really. I've been around for a while so this magic is quite easy."

I forced on a smile and met his eyes, "Take the compliment." 

"No thanks." He shooed me away, "Now leave already."

I gave a nod and turned back to the rest of the political prisoners now given the distinction of being an ambassador. I spoke to all of them, "You don't have to try to convince your kingdom to fight, nor do you have to return… But if you do, and if we are victorious, the Odalis Kingdom will never forget it."

In the small group, their faces were filled with anxiety while others were resolute. 

I didn't have much hope though.

I doubt any of them will succeed or even try.

I activated my token just as the others did. We each stepped through the portal that led to our respective homes. As I walked through, I suddenly appeared in a familiar dining room. Silverware shattered as a few people screamed from the jump scare.

"H-Hazel!?!"

I looked over at my mother who was frozen in place.

The King hopped up, "Y-You're safe!"

"Sister!!!"

My little brother came sprinting toward me with his arms outstretched. Much to everyone's surprise, I didn't avoid him but let him hug my legs instead. Guards burst into the room at that moment prepared to fight an intruder.

The King quickly stopped them, "It's just Hazel, no need to panic."

They lowered their weapons.

My little brother ignored them and started speaking with a bright face, "Sister looks so cool in pants! You're like a knight! Did you become a knight!?"

I rubbed the top of his head, "I did."

The King and Queen both shouted simultaneously, "B-But! That's against the rules-"

"-Your Majesties." I interrupted them and took a knee, startling everyone in the room, "I've come here today to beg you to join the war on behalf of the Odalis Kingdom. We cannot withstand one more attack and desperately require help. King Cyrus personally sent me to convince you."

Seeing the worried expression on their faces, I felt a bit panicked.

"Please… Please help. I know it's wrong to ask when I don't keep in touch and haven't treated my family well… But I…" My throat tightened as I kept my eyes lowered, "That place means a lot to me."

A moment of silence passed and as I prepared to hear the bad news. The longer the silence went, the more a hollow feeling started to spread.

The King answered by looking at the guards, "How long will it take to mobilize our army?"

"Approximately one day, my King."

I was shocked and looked into his eyes to see if it was a lie, "Y-You'll help?"

The King smiled at me, "This is the first time my daughter's asked for something… Although I'm surprised it's to join a war, I can't ignore her pleas."

The Queen added, "The Odalis Kingdom has taken care of you so well and they need help. As neighbors, if we don't help them then we could be next."

I felt gratitude fill my chest, "Thank you. Anything you'll need, I will gladly repay-"

"-Darling, we don't need repayment." My mother smiled softly at me, "You coming to us is repayment enough."

I swallowed down the suffocating feeling in my chest and smiled.

Everyone was shocked by the expression until my younger sister stuttered out, "A-Are you h-hungry?"

She motioned to an empty seat kept specifically for me. When I recognized it from where I'd sat in the past, a small smile surfaced on my lips for a brief moment.

"Mmn." I sat down as servants scurried out to fill my plate.

After a calm meal, my father and I bid farewell to my family and started preparing to leave. He brought me to a room where everyone important was already there waiting. I went over the plan with the generals, pointing to a map as I explained. To my surprise, they all took me seriously and listened intently.

"The Odalis troops will be protecting the Palace and its barrier to prevent any advances. Our job is to flank from the side and catch them off guard. We will slowly push them towards the ocean to cut off any escape. If anyone else succeeds in convincing their kingdom to fight, they will flank from the ocean until they surrender for good."

Once everyone was briefed and added their input, we prepared to leave. Once the army had been organized and everyone waited at the meeting point, I glanced at my Father who nodded at me. I've always stood in front of armies in the past so I didn't feel awkward as I stood in front and activated the token. My eyes widened briefly in amazement as a large portal suddenly opened. Even my father who stood next to me was surprised, "I've never seen such powerful magic."

With a quirk of my lips, I muttered in a low voice, "I've seen better."

"Today we make history!" My Father shouted to the army with a hand raised. When they cheered in support, he stepped toward the portal, "Forward!"

I stood by and waited until the last soldier entered. As I clutched the token and prepared to follow, I heard a soft voice behind me.

"Hazel, stay safe."

I turned around and saw my family waving. Most of them were anxious except for my youngest brother who had the utmost confidence.

"Kick their butts sister!"

I laughed at his words and gave a simple nod, "Mmn."

As I turned, still wearing a smile on my face, I didn't see their flushed expressions behind me. I stepped through the portal and had it closed behind me. Just as I did, the token turned black.

I tossed it aside and went to my father on the front line, "This is where we wait. It seems we weren't too late."

He looked around, "But where are the other Kingdoms?"

My eyes drifted around, but I didn't feel any emotion. From the very start, I had low expectations so it wasn't much of a surprise to see no one else there. 

I responded calmly, "Guess no one else wanted to help."

The King's expression darkened.

I saw this and felt a strange feeling in my chest, "Do you regret it?"

He shook his head, "I have faith in you. Even if we fall, we won't fall as cowards like the other Kingdoms will."

I felt the stuffy feeling alleviated by his words, "Thanks, Father."

He looked at me in surprise, but I turned away and looked over in the distance. A familiar restlessness took control, almost as if my blood was reacting to something.

The King recognized a sudden change in my mood and followed my gaze, "Hazel. What is it?"

I narrowed my eyes and answered calmly, "She's coming."

In response, explosions suddenly scattered across the sky near the Palace. They were so violent, we could even feel the shaking of the ground

Even though I didn't show it, anxiety grasped my heart.

I have no idea if Cyrus and the others had returned already. It has taken longer to mobilize the troops, so there was no way for me to know. I can't even go investigate because I was tasked with staying here to prepare for the cue to attack.

I suddenly felt a large hand pat my back, "Go on."

I looked at my father in confusion, but he merely smiled.

"I know the plan. Go and protect the palace. We will flank from the sides as you said."

I grunted in agreement and went to prepare to leave before I paused.

"Hazel?"

I turned to him and closed my eyes. A sweat broke out across my forehead as I focused. My father watched in confusion before he let out a gasp.

In my palms, a golden sword had been condensed into metal. It glowed with a mysterious power that no one had ever seen before.

I offered it to him, "If you wield this weapon you won't have fatigue. It can stop all kinds of magic and it will stay solid unless I die."

He flinched, "Hazel-"

I quickly jumped aboard my sword and lifted it into the air. I gave a wave, "Stay safe… Father."

I turned to fly off without looking back. Explosions littered the sky the closer I went, but there was something off about the attacks.

They seem too… Weak?

I slowly skidded to a stop when I realized something was wrong.

Why does it feel like a diversion instead?

A bright and powerful light surrounded the Academy, shattering the protective barrier.

I sucked in my breath as I stared at it.

Wait. Why is she attacking the Academy!? 

The children and people who cannot fight or help are taking refuge there! Those are civilians not-

My blood chilled, "...Zephyr."