Dirtha 21, 2595
Eager cheers alerted her that the Dalenthi must have spotted her. Cursing, the Aerian ran faster to increase the distance between her and her pursuers. She especially didn’t want Engum to catch her since he whispered into her ear about the “fun time” they had together, which she rather much forget. The longer the chase, the longer she could prolong getting caught. Already she could feel her heart pound faster just thinking about it. Shaking her head, she forced herself not to think about Shintra’s punishment and focused instead on getting away.
Before long, she could hear all of the doors around her slammed open, telling her that they were closing in on her. Desperate, she looked up to the domed ceiling above, and a thought occurred to her - they would never expect her to go up. Unfurling her wings, she flew up just in time. Angry shouts below told her that she barely escaped her captors and looking down, she could see a swarm raising their arms at her. No doubt they were upset that they weren’t the one to catch her. Smiling a little, she ignored their curses and flew away.
That feeling of euphoria didn’t last long. Someone slammed hard against her, causing her to lose her breath, and wrapped his arms around her. Dazed, it took her a second or two to notice that black wings engulfed her, which told her that Fallen had captured her. She started to struggle until she heard a familiar voice. “Stop it, Ressi. It’s useless.”
Turning around, she looked at her former fiancé pleadingly. “Please, Mikhail, let me go,” she begged, hoping that she could somehow reach the part of his soul that wasn’t influenced by Shintra. “You know this isn’t right. The Mikhail I know would never allow this to happen. Don’t you remember that you promise to protect me from harm? So please help me.”
For a moment, she thought she saw a flicker in his eyes as if he remembered their times together. Alethea held her breath and wondered if she managed to reach out to him. However, the look disappeared, dashing her hope. He gave her a serious but apologetic look. “I’m sorry, Ressi, but orders are orders. Lord Shintra asked us to bring you back, and I intend to obey it.”
“Even if he tortured me!?” she screamed angrily, but he looked at her sternly.
“That is your punishment for insubordination. He is our Supreme Commander after all, and you need to know your place. I know that it’s difficult to accept the fact that Duermon is leading us, but you need to learn to accept it. This is for your own good.” Shintra’s hold on Mikhail was too strong for her to break. Realizing that it was useless to reason with him, Alethea just slumped in his arms and became resigned to her fate. He must have noticed because he added, “Listen, if you agree to stay in your room and be more obedient, things will get better. Lord Shintra is an understanding and merciful man, but only if you let him be. Remember what our instructor used to say: an obedient soldier is a good soldier.”
She didn’t bother responding to him and just watched silently as the crowd below made room for them to land in the center of the room. It was pointless persuading him. They landed on the floor with ease and waited in the middle of the crowd, who soon parted. Alethea thought for sure Balster would walk over to her and give her the usual talk; however, she was surprised to see a disapproving Shintra strolling down the aisle toward her. Was he back already? However, someone else also caught her attention. Noeth, who was wearing extravagant clothes, was walking beside the Duermon; the expression on his face was unreadable. “Noeth!” she screamed, struggling to break free from the Fallen’s iron grip. The Ankan didn’t react to his name though, and he continued to remain stoic. Nevertheless, she was somewhat relieved that he didn’t appear to be harmed in any way.
“Don’t think he’ll help you out of this mess!” Shintra rebuked. He stopped right in front of her and shook his head. “I heard you’ve been causing trouble these past few days. Leaving your room without permission and making my men chase after you. Tsk, tsk. I thought you would know better,” he admonished. “Because of your antics, I had to cut short my visits. You know how irritating it is to reschedule? Now, what do you have to say for yourself?”
The Ilmarian of Truth was about to make a retort when she stopped herself. Even though Shintra was bemoaning her rebelliousness, there was a twinkle of bemusement in his eyes. Does that mean…? She clenched her fists at that realization. That damned bastard! She fell into his trap. He knew all along that she would try to pull a stunt like this! She should have known he would figure out that she would try to escape while he was away. Why else would he tell her to stay in her room? He discerned that she would do the exact opposite and alerted his followers to her intention. If that so, then he also foresaw that she could use her magic on them, which begged the question: why did he still give her that ability?
Annoyed, she shook Mikhail’s hands off her and glared at Shintra, who continued to give her that condescending look. “I’m going back to my ‘room’, and I don’t need a goddamn escort to follow me. I know where to go,” she snapped.
Shintra simply raised his hands up and stepped aside so she could walk by him though it looked like he was trying hard not to laugh. With a huff, she stormed by him and headed up the stairs. She thought she heard some snickerings and muttering of “lovers’ quarrel”, which infuriated her more. Nevertheless, something else dawned on her. Now that she thought about it, it was pointless trying to search for a needle ring in a crowd of millions. Sneaking around and hoping to bump into someone who has it was a stupid idea. Looking back at the gathering behind her, Alethea wondered if she needs to think of another plan to escape.
Eager cheers alerted her that the Dalenthi must have spotted her. Cursing, the Aerian ran faster to increase the distance between her and her pursuers. She especially didn’t want Engum to catch her since he whispered into her ear about the “fun time” they had together, which she rather much forget. The longer the chase, the longer she could prolong getting caught. Already she could feel her heart pound faster just thinking about it. Shaking her head, she forced herself not to think about Shintra’s punishment and focused instead on getting away.
Before long, she could hear all of the doors around her slammed open, telling her that they were closing in on her. Desperate, she looked up to the domed ceiling above, and a thought occurred to her - they would never expect her to go up. Unfurling her wings, she flew up just in time. Angry shouts below told her that she barely escaped her captors and looking down, she could see a swarm raising their arms at her. No doubt they were upset that they weren’t the one to catch her. Smiling a little, she ignored their curses and flew away.
That feeling of euphoria didn’t last long. Someone slammed hard against her, causing her to lose her breath, and wrapped his arms around her. Dazed, it took her a second or two to notice that black wings engulfed her, which told her that Fallen had captured her. She started to struggle until she heard a familiar voice. “Stop it, Ressi. It’s useless.”
Turning around, she looked at her former fiancé pleadingly. “Please, Mikhail, let me go,” she begged, hoping that she could somehow reach the part of his soul that wasn’t influenced by Shintra. “You know this isn’t right. The Mikhail I know would never allow this to happen. Don’t you remember that you promise to protect me from harm? So please help me.”
For a moment, she thought she saw a flicker in his eyes as if he remembered their times together. Alethea held her breath and wondered if she managed to reach out to him. However, the look disappeared, dashing her hope. He gave her a serious but apologetic look. “I’m sorry, Ressi, but orders are orders. Lord Shintra asked us to bring you back, and I intend to obey it.”
“Even if he tortured me!?” she screamed angrily, but he looked at her sternly.
“That is your punishment for insubordination. He is our Supreme Commander after all, and you need to know your place. I know that it’s difficult to accept the fact that Duermon is leading us, but you need to learn to accept it. This is for your own good.” Shintra’s hold on Mikhail was too strong for her to break. Realizing that it was useless to reason with him, Alethea just slumped in his arms and became resigned to her fate. He must have noticed because he added, “Listen, if you agree to stay in your room and be more obedient, things will get better. Lord Shintra is an understanding and merciful man, but only if you let him be. Remember what our instructor used to say: an obedient soldier is a good soldier.”
She didn’t bother responding to him and just watched silently as the crowd below made room for them to land in the center of the room. It was pointless persuading him. They landed on the floor with ease and waited in the middle of the crowd, who soon parted. Alethea thought for sure Balster would walk over to her and give her the usual talk; however, she was surprised to see a disapproving Shintra strolling down the aisle toward her. Was he back already? However, someone else also caught her attention. Noeth, who was wearing extravagant clothes, was walking beside the Duermon; the expression on his face was unreadable. “Noeth!” she screamed, struggling to break free from the Fallen’s iron grip. The Ankan didn’t react to his name though, and he continued to remain stoic. Nevertheless, she was somewhat relieved that he didn’t appear to be harmed in any way.
“Don’t think he’ll help you out of this mess!” Shintra rebuked. He stopped right in front of her and shook his head. “I heard you’ve been causing trouble these past few days. Leaving your room without permission and making my men chase after you. Tsk, tsk. I thought you would know better,” he admonished. “Because of your antics, I had to cut short my visits. You know how irritating it is to reschedule? Now, what do you have to say for yourself?”
The Ilmarian of Truth was about to make a retort when she stopped herself. Even though Shintra was bemoaning her rebelliousness, there was a twinkle of bemusement in his eyes. Does that mean…? She clenched her fists at that realization. That damned bastard! She fell into his trap. He knew all along that she would try to pull a stunt like this! She should have known he would figure out that she would try to escape while he was away. Why else would he tell her to stay in her room? He discerned that she would do the exact opposite and alerted his followers to her intention. If that so, then he also foresaw that she could use her magic on them, which begged the question: why did he still give her that ability?
Annoyed, she shook Mikhail’s hands off her and glared at Shintra, who continued to give her that condescending look. “I’m going back to my ‘room’, and I don’t need a goddamn escort to follow me. I know where to go,” she snapped.
Shintra simply raised his hands up and stepped aside so she could walk by him though it looked like he was trying hard not to laugh. With a huff, she stormed by him and headed up the stairs. She thought she heard some snickerings and muttering of “lovers’ quarrel”, which infuriated her more. Nevertheless, something else dawned on her. Now that she thought about it, it was pointless trying to search for a needle ring in a crowd of millions. Sneaking around and hoping to bump into someone who has it was a stupid idea. Looking back at the gathering behind her, Alethea wondered if she needs to think of another plan to escape.