Hidden & Quiet No Longer

Dusk found the Heroes of Wilderness standing before a pyre. Polaris laid Hexxit's remains atop the pyre. KBar spoke as Polaris stepped down.

"Hexxit wasn't like me in anyway. The Mother of Fae watched over her, watched over all the dwellers within this forest. Hexxit was kind enough to show me I was more than just a blotto, a drunk for those of youse unfamiliar with my lexicon. She showed me I more than the flashes of the Great War that robbed me of my peace, robbed me of my sanity all those years ago. With her, Wilderness was never dull, and yet, with her gone, we must carry on into the night. With her remains, we commit the souls of the soldiers we lost within the fight.... May our enemies feel the heat from these fires as a show of strength and resolve. Hexxit didn't fucking die for nothing.... She died believing in all of us, believing in Wilderness. Polaris, send her home."

Polaris stepped forwards and lit his hand ablaze. "Wilderness thanks you for your service Hexxit, but now we commit you back into the arms of the Mother of Fae." "Upon me finishing my statement, please respond with the Creed of Wilderness." "In Death there is no defeat, just a defiant scream of the soul, demanding retribution and recompense for the damage caused..."

"And with that scream, debts of the damned are paid, fates of the aggressors are sealed, for as long as the banner of Wilderness waves, so to shall the ideals and principles for which it stands. Not For Glory, Not For Honor, but for those without a voice, Wilderness does serve." Replied those who served Wilderness as Polaris lit the pyre ablaze. 

Once the fire had claimed Hexxit and the other soldiers. Everyone but Polaris and KBar left. 

"What now boss?"

"Now, we make Wilderness an untouchable fortress. The attack on Initiative City was their first big move, but thankfully Fog anticipated it. We were barely prepared, but all of this can be discussed in the morning."

"Goodnight sir."

 Within the week, Polaris took his seat at the Situation Room's head seat. The Heroes of Wilderness, the Allies of Fort Wilderness, and a few key citizens took their seats as well. 

"Good Morning everyone. I want to waste no time on this. With that being said, Gardos, as Away Team Leader of the Guardian Legion, I ask you a single question. Would your Elder move your people under the banner of Wilderness?"

Murmurs filled the still air as Gardos looked at his long friend. His deep blue eye locked to Polaris. "If Wilderness can guarantee the Guardians will be equal in rights and freedoms just as all others within your domain are, I have no doubts that the Elder Guardian will make your banner our own and assist you with the task of protecting Fort Wilderness and the Territory."

"I can personally guarantee that. As to the Territory remark you brought up Gardos, King ArgaBald, Head of State Fog, where are we on the proposal?"

"Well, the Dwarven King and I have personally spend countless sleepless nights on this. As asked, Wilderness would become a full fledged nation. The status of Territory allows us to run things as they are, but with such a thing, we are at the mercy of the other surrounding nations. Many of which have adopted the Doctrine of Humanity, leaving us vulnerable."

"And with this declaration of nationhood, how will the other nations react King ArgaBald?"

"Well, I have spoken with several key nations and the merchants guild. They are all willing and ready to welcome Wilderness into the fold as a nation. However, allies of the Church of Humanity will see this as a direct attack on the Doctrine."

"I am fully prepared for such a thing. I will make the announcement over Gem-Cast within the hour. Send our fastest messengers to deliver the declaration. Meeting adjourned."

A few hours passed and Polaris along with Fog were standing before the massive gem to deliver their message. "ATTENTION! ATTENTION! ALL CITIZENS OF THE WILDERNESS TERRITORIAL DOMINION, THIS IS A MESSAGE FROM THE HEAD OF STATE!"

"Good Afternoon Citizens, today I am pleased to announce there will be hell to pay for the recent attack on Initiative City. As of this moment, I am declaring the Wilderness Territorial Dominion no longer meets the requirements to be a territory, and meet those necessary to declare nationhood. The plot to bring us down has failed! I hereby directly challenge those who support the Doctrine of Humanity and declare the Wilderness Meritocracy a sovereign nation!"

The citizens cheered as Polaris stepped forwards. "Today marks a monumental step for Fort Wilderness as we shall come under the governance of the Meritocracy, and the leadership of now, Governor Fog. Together, we shall no longer stand as fractured set of territories, rather today we make the first step into securing our future!"

As they two stepped back, the crowd erupted into cheers. The two led their armies to meet in the center of Initiative City. Their flag carriers stopped and stood in front of the two lines of of mixed company. Polaris and Fog took two steps forwards to shake each other's hand. 

"Sir, I just want you to know...."

"Make thy mouth be still Governor Fog, you have earned this. Service and Dedication to Fort Wilderness for such a long time. You have come a long way since the days you served the Winters' Family as their butler, as my butler and teacher. Stand firm, together we shall create an nation truly harmonious, one that we both longed for." 

The two grasped each others hands as the citizens and other allied nation delegates clapped and unveiled the new nation's Flag along with a monument of Initiative City Knights and Heroes of Wilderness shaking hands to affirm the agreement and unity of the two entities.

As the citizens cheered and clapped, Polaris, Fog, Gardos, Cerberus, and Scarecrow stepped in front of the statue to wave, but received a surprise interruption. Knights cleared a pathway leading upto the five as the massive gates of Initiative City. Fog and Polaris both took a step forwards as the quiet air soon became filled with the rhythmic, heavy, dropping of metallic feet. As the crowd of citizens and allies turned to look, their gaze soon fell upon something they'd never witnessed in their lifetimes.

His eye was a dull, auroran purple, his metallic skin was a bronze color with what could only be seen as faded black tattoo-like markings, covered in battle scars, burns and blemishes. The metallic vines and muscles had been aged by time, weathering many events, and for his age, he moved a sense of purpose, an awe-inspiring show of endurance. 

"Who is that Polaris?" Asked Fog quietly, without breaking eye contact with the approaching figure.

"Be still and silent Fog, this is something that may never happen again. That metallic being walking towards us is someone I will never forget..... The Elder Guardian."

The Elder Guardian coughed a harsh and violent, metallic, cough before standing before Polaris and Fog. He retracted his four arms and made to medium sized limbs. "So.... these are the two.... If I am not mistaken... Right Surveillance?" He said in a tired, raspy metallic voice.

From behind him, a copper-eye, vantablack skinned, Guardian stepped into view of Polaris and Fog. It nodded and the Elder Guardian turn and looked directly at Fog. "Why don't we head into the Governor's House of State. We have..... much.... to discuss." Said the Elder Guardian shifting his attention to Polaris. With a swift motion of his hand, Fog ordered the Knights to escort them to the Statehouse.