“What are you planning?” Gieldan intervened once more.
“Let him talk, Gieldan!” Emily ordered him, anticipating what Greed had to say.
“You have my thanks, my lady. Also, thanks to my current situation, I obligated myself in Lord Pride’s duties, and I was tasked to punish this wretched traitor and heretic – the one who's called Despair.”
“So he is responsible for all of this?”
“Oh, yes, all of it. I'm ashamed to admit that I should've seen something like this coming from a mile away, but here we are. I know we are quite different, but if you're interested, my men and I would love to have your strength accompany us on the battlefield.”
“Emily! Think about it, I don't think it's a good idea,” her aspect seemed against Emily having a conversation with Greed, but with the body of her late friend in her arms, she was far away from listening to his advice.
“You know where we can find them?”
“Indeed. We will begin moving out shortly, in hope to exterminate his troops before he can reorganize or rejuvenate them,” Greed said overjoyed.
“Emily! I don't thin--”
“We're going,” Emily shut down her aspect.
“B-but…”
“We are going, Gieldan!”
“Ahh, what a relief. It makes me happy that despite our differences you realize that we can help each other,” replied Greed who was happily folding his hands.
Emily eventually rose up, after she had taken care of Olivia. She had wiped off the teardrops that landed on her and covered her in one of the scattered tablecloths. One last time she kneeled before Olivia’s body and laid her hands together. Nobody dared to make a sound, and for a moment everything was truly engulfed in silence. After a while, she suddenly stood and was directly marching towards the exit.
Followed by Greed who was rubbing his hands together, strutting gleefully next to her. Gieldan hesitated for a moment but followed as well.
“I don't care what you might be planning, Greed,” the zealous wolf pricked his ears underneath his helmet, but he already knew what was about to follow. The cards were already laid out on the table and the pot was his.
“I don't care what happens to me anymore. This time I will fight back and take my revenge to their doorstep. Gieldan!” Emily proclaimed.
“Yes?”
“I hope you are ready,” her eyes were gleaming with fire and her determined walk brought the crumbling earth to falter. “We will incinerate every last one of them, until nothing but ash remains.”
Gieldan nodded in agreement, ready to follow Emily wherever she would go.
“Kjohoho, Pride, are you seeing this?” Greed was at a point where he couldn't hold it in anymore. It took so much effort to contain his thoughts and laughter that he began to feel physical pain. He almost lost control, but regained his composure a moment later as he realized something while the trio was on its way.
“Humans truly are interesting.”
Chapter 30 – the Story of Another World
“Things really are relatively calm out here, huh?” Gwyn seemed depressed as he leaned over the rail in front of him, watching the energetic city of Pride move on with their lives.
“And I can't believe both of you survived that,” Asthen followed up with.
“We'll be going soon. Get yourselves in gear, pals,” Passionare reminded them.
The group had made a stop on one of the observation platforms that were scattered all around the city, connecting the different areas together. Neatly fitted tiles of stone and mosaics were embedded into the stairs leading up to it, while they were sparkling in the warm city lights, just like they've come to expect it. Leandro ignored the muscular men and joined the two other humans.
“Not surprising. It didn't take long for them to put out the smoke, while the palace had been surrounded by these blue masked guards and other soldiers. The countless men of Greed some to have left the city already. Just as fast as it had hit them it was done. Only those inside truly knew what kind of horrors were going on. I think this city has far more secrets than it lets us in on,” Leandro explained his thoughts.
“It feels as if Pride even gained something in this situation,” Asthen said.
“Yeah, his citizens are more adamant about following their leader than ever before from what I've overheard on our way here” Gwyn confirmed before he started laughing.
“What's so funny?” he was pressed by Leandro.
“It's just… no matter how many crazy or cruel things I keep hearing, I realize how wondrous this world really is. If there is no 'better' world to go to, then it can't get any worse, right? Somehow that makes me feel at ease if that makes sense.”
“It doesn't,” Leandro chipped in.
“So, you're saying, if everything is already without hope, then there is no reason to stress yourself anymore, because it can't get worse, since it never was any good to begin with?” Asthen pondered about what Gwyn had said. “I don't know if I'm able to agree.”
“That may be a reason as well,” Gwyn started to expand. “But more that I don't feel like such a stranger to this world anymore.”
“Hmpf,” Leandro didn't seem to understand his reasoning at all.
“Master Asthen, please let me keep you company,” Vylsanas joined them with a puppy-eyed look on his face.
“What, don't the other kids like you?” Leandro smirked as the three turned around, watching Delirias and Passionare playing with Destare’s armor, hoping to reveal his secrets. Despite his injuries, the aspect was able to withstand Delirias climbing onto his shoulders, as the white-haired aspect tried to get a glimpse underneath his helmet. Meanwhile, Passionare swarmed over how Destare's arms were almost as big as his.
Leaving the aspects to each other, the three young men decidedly changed the topic as both Gwyn and Leandro were interested in what Asthen knew about this world. Though, it didn't amount to much, except for discussions about the distorted feeling of how time passed.
All of them confirmed once and for all that they stopped thinking that any of this wasn't real. It may have seemed weird after all they had been through, but having confirmation changed how they felt inside. This was not the place they intended to die, nor the place they intended to stagnate in. Though Leandro tried to subtly change his mind from time to time, he accepted his choice and was ready to go with Gwyn.
“It's the first time that I have felt truly alive. Choosing a path that I carved through my own merit,” Gwyn summed up his feelings. He knew the risk they were undertaking, yet he wasn't trying to evade it. All of them agreed that, if they were marching together, none of them would have any regrets.
Suddenly a slow, almost sarcastic clapping resounded behind their backs.
“Well, it was about time. I didn't know how much longer I could contain myself.”
It was Delirias that applauded them, smiling at them with his usual sinister expression.
“What do you mean by that, aspect?” Leandro became defensive.
“Can't you guess it? If you hadn't decided on your own, you would’ve run with your tail between your legs mid-way. In the end, you might've even suspected me of manipulating the situation. Something my soft soul couldn't bear to hear.” He dramatically touched his chest and began to moan.
“Then I guess everything is settled. Let's go boys – I will bring you to Greed’s Armada,” the hot-blooded Passionare proclaimed and chased the group to the northern entrance gate of Magnus. Arriving there made them feel just as anxious as when they had first entered the city.
“Hm? Where did that damn idiot run off to this time? I explicitly told her to wait for me right here.” Passionare seemed lost, as he searched for something, while the men were gasping in awe.
On the wide, green fields before Pride’s city, a whole army had found together. Ready for battle, preparing their supplements. Even after minutes had passed Gwyn couldn't grasp the sheer size of it. Strange creatures and different looking warriors were all te
amed up to follow their leader into the fight. They seemed to be a special kind of breed, as Gwyn noticed the behavior of Greed's men vastly differed from Pride's or Lust's.
There didn't seem to be a clear hierarchy, but at the same time they weren't rejoicing in each others arms. It was more like a fierce rivalry between thousands of male and female personas alike, raging on at the same time. Yet they could still laugh, bicker and fight together, and generally were a bit more of a louder bunch, which had fit right in with the mighty Passionare who made his way through the crowds. What stood out the most, except for the few beasts and creatures that they couldn't really see between all the chaos, were strange fox-like creatures that could be seen all around. Their body was covered in long, brown and white colored feathers with a soft fur coat underneath.A slim neck lead up to a pointy snot, dark eyes and pointy ears. Long claws from their strong legs dug up the green fields as they trampled over them as they were fully loaded with all kinds of materials, supplies and weaponry. An extensive tail, mostly made up of feathers as well, swung around while they walked along. Each of them nestled itself up to Greed's men, as they enjoyed being scratched and pet, responding with a lovely screech.
“There is so many of them," Gwyn marveled. "I haven't seen them before. I really wish we could get to see how Greed runs his city.“
“Now is not the time for that, Gwyn,“ Leandro reminded him.
“I hope you've thought long and hard about this, Leandro,” Destare said to his partner in a private moment.
“Let's not do that, Destare. The more I think about it, the harder it gets. The only way from now on is forward,”
“Ho ho, then I will eagerly watch over you,” Destare responded while Delirias seemed confused as to where the Cerberus Guard went that had greeted them before.
“Yoo-hoo!” They heard a jarring voice shouting at them from the gate. It was indeed the three colorful masked men, suddenly waving at them in a heartfelt manner.
“Come visit us again anytime you want, my dears. The Cerberus Guard will always be ready to deliver with a grandiose show,” they said, as the group tried their best to ignore them.
“SHARSAN! SHARSAN, WHERE ARE YOU? COME HERE, MY HONEY!” They were disrupted by Passionare and his enormously loud voice that screamed over the whole field, pushing away Personas with his big body as he was still looking for someone.
“Is that really necessary?” Asthen asked him after he returned.
“I hope you're joking, young boy Asthen. We need Sharsan, she is one hell of a mean machine. Such a loyal beast only comes once a lifetime. Without her, I would never get back as fast as I .” He turned himself to the other men. “Guys, cover your ears for a few seconds, will you? This could get quite loud.”
All of them pressed their hands against their head, not risking anything after Passionare’s warning, with the exception of Sylvanas who used his hands to protect his self-appointed master. With tremendous force, the servant of Lust took a deep breath and whistled so loud that almost the entire army of Greed could hear it.
Just as promised, something was rushing towards them in the distance. Almost shaking the ground as they heard a wild roar clinging through their bones. The men could not even imagine what was about to greet them.
“Finally, there comes my little girl.” Passionare pointed forwards, and the rest tried to guess what kind of beast it was, but they couldn't see anything other than smoke that was whirled up by its sprint. Even the roaming soldiers pulled away from the cloud as their shouts rose through the ranks. With the ever-growing intensity of the vibrating earth, it came closer, stopping right before Passionare with heavy puffing and a smelly breath. The dust had settled, and despite their experiences, they were baffled once again.
An impressive sizzling resounded, coming from a fire and the intense grunts of a beast could be heard. And just like that an enormous boar, coated in flames, was standing before them, rubbing his cold snot onto Passionare's face in excitement.
As if that wasn't shocking enough that it was taller than the muscular man himself, it was even large enough to ride into battle with. The fine hair of his fur was burning with crimson red fire, flattering back and forth so that only his face and hooves could be seen. Only after Passionare started to caress the beasts cheeks did the flames go out one after another.
“Let's go, guys! My cute Sharsan will accompany us, while you will ride alongside me.” He pointed at a carriage that was meant to transport the humans and aspects to the site of the battle.
“I'm not sure about the cute part, but whatever,” Leandro casually commented.
“I'm already getting sick,” said Asthen as his face went paler and paler. Vylsanas carried his partner to the wagon. The carriage itself was drawn by the all present fox-like creatures that roamed around the field, and happily got along with Personas and beasts alike. . With its eight wheels, it looked more like a train than a wagon to Leandro, while the men cautiously stepped towards it.
Coincidentally they saw Emily entering one of the other wagons with her aspect in tow. She was already dressed in the battle garment of Greed's army and didn't spoke a word with them since their reunion in the palace. Just barely Gwyn caught a glimpse of something that looked like Greed's symbol embedded on her armor. Their eyes met for a moment before she closed the door behind her. Following her ideal, the men inspected the carriage that easily held enough space for twenty of them. Even Destare had no problem finding a seat and tended to his wounds.
“It really is like a train,” Leandro said dumbfounded while needing multiple steps to reach the middle. It was filled to the brink with pillows, rugs, and laid out clothes, making it more comfortable than it should've been. Little lamps were burning on the inside, as Gwyn could even see some of the dragonlarches he saw in Lussuria, though he never got to touch one of them. Fascinated by it he laid down on one of the piles of pillows and began to play around with the tiny larche that was crawling alongside his fingers.
“Why do you always have to touch everything,” Leandro let out a sigh as he let himself fall down next to Destare. Inside Asthen noticed that new clothing was prepared for the three men as well. Somewhat irritated, but thankful they accepted the hospitality and changed into the leather garment that Greed had provided. Now all three of them looked quite similar, as brown pants and wide black shirts covered their bodies, making them almost look like commoners in comparison to their formal outfits from before.
Moments later, they heard Greed’s impressive voice roar through the army, inducing bloodlust within every last one of his followers. Passionare could be heard on the outside as well while he gave Sharsan the order to move out. Promptly the giant boar squeaked, and sparks of his fiery fur were flying past their windows. With an enormous lurch, they were almost thrown off their seats. Though it didn't take long for them to accustom themselves to the fast pace of the ride and they began to pass the time on their own.
Gwyn was looking outside the window with the larche by his side, marveling at the gorgeous night sky. Delirias relaxed on a couch in the middle while Leandro and the rest were sitting together next to a table. To the group, it felt like they were riding for hours on end, wondering how long it would take until they reached their destination.
After a few naps, they sat together, talking to each other to pass the time.
“I really have to give it to you two. Surviving all of this on your own,” Asthen suddenly started and folded his hands before him on the wooden table.
“I think we don't know how we did that either,” Leandro responded with a half-serious smile. After telling Asthen everything they had seen together, he was even more impressed.
“You guys really are exceptional. Nearly all the humans I have ever met were in groups or were way too scared to even risk anything. Yet, despite their caution or maybe because of it, most people died when they arrived here.”
“I can totally understand not wanting to get hurt,” Gwyn seemed to frown.
“Seems like
we had more luck than anyone could have anticipated,” Leandro added onto that.
“Maybe not. Our aspects are the biggest differences between us, or rather what we made happen with their help,” Asthen answered in hope to give them something they could be proud of. “I remember how hard it was for everyone that arrived here. No one wants to believe that this alternate world exists with no escape from its fangs. And their aspect was the ultimate proof of that, reminding them of that fact every single moment of how they're trapped in a nightmare without return.”
“Understandably so,” murmured Gwyn.
“I don't even want to think of what they had to do in order to survive. A strange and unfamiliar world, where I'm sure we've not arrived in without reason,” as Asthen finished his thought Leandro agreed with him.
“We theorized something similar. The most likely explanation is that it is some sort of punishment, which would explain why not everyone in our world gets dragged into this place. But I guess that would make it all the more pathetic. Like a group of convicts that were running away from their problems for far too long.”
Leandro puffed up his cheeks while calming himself down. “Not a nice thought to have if you ask me.”
“I agree, though we may not be entirely correct on that, Leandro,” Gwyn intervened, and it was at this moment that Delirias interrupted his relaxed state and started listening.
“I can't deny how terrible this place is, but all of it exists, whether we hate it or not. I think it may be more likely that we are the unexpected variables of this world, tipping the balance in one way or the other. Like some sort of test rather than punishment. But I guess that everyone has a different take on these things.”
As their ride went on the cart was rocking underneath them. One of the lamps was almost knocked over by Asthen who lost his balance out of dizziness, with the group rushing to his side.
“Master!” His aspect called out to him and took him to the other side of the wagon to rest. “It looks like he still hasn't fully recovered from what happened in Lussaria, my apologies.” Vylsanas bowed before the two friends. They didn't mind and let him rest in peace.
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