HQ was a flurry of activity as we prepared to leave Tetsu and make our way toward Republic, the capital of the province of Rumae. That was step one in our plan to assassinate the Empress.

I was rolling up some sleeping bags when Tsuban came up behind me. He tapped me lightly on the shoulder.

"Hey, what's up?" I greeted him, turning around and sitting on the rolled-up sleeping bag.

Tsu sat down beside me. "How are you feeling?"

"Determined," I replied resolutely.

"Nervous, huh?" He had an eyebrow arched at me like he knew everything.

"No! Okay... Maybe a little bit." I grinned sheepishly.

I didn't like admitting I was nervous or scared or sad. I didn't like admitting I was weak. Actually, I didn't really like admitting any of my feelings, come to think of it. I felt like I had locked away my emotions inside the dungeon of my heart, but I had lost the key. On my own, I couldn't find it. But, I was starting to learn that with the help of others, like Tsu, Marge, and even Roan, I had uncovered the key again. It was encouraging, but absolutely terrifying as well.

Tsuban put a hand on my shoulder, breaking me away from my introspection.

"It's okay to be nervous, but don't let that get to you. You're stronger than you know, Victoria. I have faith in you. In all of you. I believe you can defeat the Empress. Just remember that."

I smiled. "Thanks, Tsuban."

He grinned "Don't mention it. Oh! I almost forgot to tell you! I have to leave, now. My private helicopter is to pick me up in the Square in about ten minutes."

By then it was dark out. I nodded at Tsu. I didn't want him to leave, but I knew it was for the best. We needed him to be Tamotsu for a little while longer.

"I'm gonna miss you," I said, wrapping my arms around his neck and giving him a big hug.

"I'll miss you too, Vic."

We waved to Tsuban as he walked down the sidewalk to the Square.

"You know," said Sin, "I've always had a good feeling about Tamotsu."

I don't think I was the only one to roll their eyes.

×××××

That night I had a dream of how our empire came to be. It was like I was watching a video of the history of the Rumaen Empire.

Elves had been forced to seek out new territory after being driven out of our homeland by cyclops, minotaurs, giants, and all sorts of others monsters. The settlers finally found our Empire, and decided they would settle down there and make it into the greatest empire the world had ever seen.

And it had been just that: the greatest empire in the world. The greatest empire, that is, until Maria Gabelle showed up.

I watched in horror as the sky turned to ash and the city of Republic went up in flames. People ran to and fro in the streets, panicking.

Then, I saw her. Standing at the top of the highest building in the city. The Empress was in a frenzied state; her hair down and matted, her dress tattered and ragged, her long nails bloody and torn from scratching herself over and over again. Her eyes were blood-shot and crazed; her scarlet lips were parted in a Cheshire cat smile and she was cackling wildly at the ruin of the very thing she had worked so hard to get under her thumb.

Suddenly, I was standing before her, my legs and arms immobile; my entire frame frozen. The corners of her mouth hitched even higher than I thought possible as the Empress approached me, a murderous glint in her eyes.

I tried to fight. To run. To do, well, ANYTHING, but again found it impossible to move. She clucked her tongue at me.

"Not so tough now, are we?" she cooed, coming closer and digging a jagged nail under my chin. I felt the skin break, and blood trickled down my neck slowly.

I squeezed my eyes shut and swallowed back the scream threatening to escape from my throat.

She gripped my throat with one hand, lifting me up off of the ground and effectively choking me. Her strength was incredible.

She approached the edge of the building with me still in her clutches, and stretched out her arm. I was now dangling over a bottomless abyss. A black hole. Death itself.

Fear's icy fingers clutched my heart. I was having a hard time breathing. Darkness crept its way into the corners of my vision until the Empress' deranged expression was all I could see.

"Goodbye, Victoria," she spat.

Then, she let me go.

×××××

I woke myself up screaming and thrashing. I was drenched in a cold sweat and panting.

Roan was the first one into my room. Marge was right behind him, along with everyone else.

Roan grabbed my shoulders and peered at my pale face.

"Are you okay?" he demanded, his eyes pierced with fear and worry.

I nodded numbly. Roan's stare became more intense, and I broke.

I clutched the front of his shirt and buried my face in his shoulder, heaving sobs overtaking my body. I felt his arms wrap around me, and felt him sit down beside me on the futon.

He pulled me close, and, for the first time ever, I let Roan be my life-like. I let him him hold me. I let myself hurt, ache, mourn. I let myself be weak and fragile, if only a little while.

I heard Marge whisper to everyone else, and then they all filed out of my room.

After a few minutes, my crying had subsided and I was ready to talk. Roan noticed this, and began asking questions.

"What happened?"

I sighed. "I had a nightmare. It was about the Empress. She was strangling me and I couldn't move and...." I teared up again. I took a couple of breaths to calm myself down.

"It was just a dream, Vic. It'll be okay. I'm here."

I let him soothe me, his calming words rhythmic and drowsing.

"Listen," I said, making no move to remove myself from my position snuggled up against Roan's chest, "I just want you to know, that you were right."

He looked confused. "Right? Right about what?"

I sighed again. "About me pushing you away after seeming interested. I DO care about you. It's just, since my parents died, I didn't want to open myself up to experiencing that pain of losing someone you love ever again."

A single tear fell from my cheek and onto Roan's torso, soaking into the fabric of his shirt.

He hugged me close. "Vic, I will never leave you. I know what it's like to lose someone you love, but I also know you can't let yourself dwell on locking away all your affections because of the chance of losing someone. You'll go insane trying to shield yourself.

"It's difficult, and scary, and a little uncomfortable at first, but in the end it's the thing that saves you. It will be your guide. That's what I've learned."

I smiled at him. "Thanks, Roan. That was very poetic."

He grinned his lop-sided grin at me, obviously pleased.

"You think so?"

"You could've been an author. Instead, you're stuck with me," I joked, laughing. I realized I hadn't really laughed in a long time.

"Well, I'd much rather be stuck in this run-down warehouse with you in my arms than surrounded by a thousand adoring fans," he whispered huskily into my ear, sending shivers down my spine, but in a good way.

My arms broke out in goosebumps as Roan's hands slowly rubbed them.

"Cold?" he asked me.

I nodded. "I'm a little chilly," I admitted.

He leaned down and grabbed the blanket I had no doubt kicked off while thrashing in my sleep, and threw it over both of us.

"Better?"

I sighed contentedly. "Much better."

I pecked him on the cheek and snuggled closer to him, my eyelids droopy and the sound of his rhythmic heartbeat so comforting and soothing.

And that was how I fell asleep in Roan's arms.

×××××

The next day we all set out for Republic after lunch. We decided that we would first need to stop by a local grocery store to stock up on food, drinks, and other necessary supplies we might need.

Thanks to Tressa, who was not only our undercover and disguise specialist, but was also our pickpocket, we ended up with a little over 500 bucks in cash.

After about three hours of walking (we couldn't go to the closest grocery store near us, for fear of being recognized by the locals), we arrived at both the grocery store and the conclusion that we really needed a vehicle of some sort. An SUV would be ideal, but that was if we were lucky. I really hoped we wouldn't have to try to squish all eight of us into a mini sports coupe or some other sort of small car.

We entered into the run-down store and quickly found everything we needed. Teruo unloaded the items onto the conveyor belt while Sin paid.

The cashier was tall and pale with shoulder-length blond hair and hot pink with hot pink tips. Sin grinned charmingly at her.

"Hey, uh, can I ask you a question?" he began, leaning against the counter nonchalantly.

The elf looked bored. "You just did."

Sin didn't take the hint.

"I know, but a different question."

The girl shrugged. "Whatever."

"Did it hurt when you fell from heaven?"

I rolled my eyes. Roan face palmed. I heard several exasperated sighs and groans escape from the rest of the group. Teruo looked like he was ready to chuck the can of chicken noodle soup he was holding at Sin's head.

The cashier crossed her arms and glared at Sin'ichi, making him shift uneasily.

"Did you just call me Satan?"

Teruo burst with laughter. It took everything inside of me to stay composed.

Sin stuttered, trying to dig his way out of his metaphorical grave, all the while blushing profusely. The cashier put in some ear buds, turned on some music that only she could hear, and then proceeded to ring up our groceries, ignoring Sin the rest of our visit.

Teruo clapped him on the back. "Smooth, Sin. REAL smooth."

"Shut up, T," Sin hissed back.

I couldn't help it. I giggled.

×××××

We walked back into the parking lot and there, sitting in one of the many empty parking places, was an empty, black, shiny SUV.

Marge and I shared a look. She approached the vehicle cautiously and then waved me over. "Vic! Come look at this!" she called.

I logged quickly over and saw she was holding a piece of paper with very neat handwriting on it. Marge handed the note to me. I read the inscription aloud.

"Vic,
     Sorry I'm not able to do more for our cause or be there with you. I hope this gift will ease your way a little bit.
     I love you!
       –T
(PS, I hope you know how to drive!)"

I stared at the car in disbelief. This was ours. It was by far the most expensive thing that had ever been truly mine, but I found that it was not the most valuable. I involuntarily glanced at Roan, the who was admiring the car thoroughly.

Marge elbowed me gently, and gave me the keys. I pressed the unlock button, and the headlights blinked happily at me in a greeting. I smiled. Tsuban had really outdone himself. Then my attention was again drawn back to the letter.

"Um... So, DO you know how to drive?" Marge asked me uneasily.

I guess it really would suck if none of us know how. That means we'd either have to walk all the way to Republic, or we'd crash and wreck this really nice, brand-new car, injuring, if not killing, oursleves in the process.

I grinned sheepishly at Marge and she groaned. She turned to the group. "Okay, does anybody know how to drive?"

Sin raised his hand eagerly. "Oh! I watch formula-1 racing! Does that count?" he asked hopefully.

"Um, no." Marge turned to me. "Remind me to never let Sin behind the wheel."

"Done."

Sin crossed his arms moodily and moped.

Then, Midori stepped forward. "I actually do. My father was a professional race car driver, and taught me everything I know."

We stared at her, some of us open-mouthed. This was the closest thing we had ever gotten to a back story from Midori.

She took the keys from Marge and turned them in the ignition, the engine roaring to life.

She leaned out the driver window and said to us, "Come on! It's getting dark!"

"I call shotgun!" Sin blurted, his moodiness gone. He dashed to the passenger side and hopped in quickly.

I glanced around, noticing for the first time Teruo and Giin's absence.

"Hey!" I said. "Where's

Just then we heard the automatic doors open and out stepped Teruo, who looked like he was supporting a very wobbly Giin.

Roan rushed over to help Teruo. "What happened?" he asked quickly.

"She's fine, she just... Accidentally got drunk," replied Teruo, as if that explained everything.

Marge arched an eyebrow. "How do you, 'accidentally get drunk'?" she asked Teruo in her normal cynical way.

The blond sighed. "She thought she bought a root beer, which turned out to be an actual beer. She chugged the whole thing."

I pinched the bridge of my nose. "My gods."

"Oh yeah, that makes sense. Keep drinking the stuff when it tastes different," added Tressa sarcastically.

Teruo glanced at Giin nervously. "She said she liked the taste."

Great. Now Giin was an alcoholic, albeit an "accidental" one. And we didn't even know if she was addicted or not yet, but still.

Yep. The fate of the Empire rested on our shoulders. I really hoped people still believed in miracles.