Part 9

Quiet days filled with laughter.

Suddenly, the peace is shattered.

The Red Army is about to attack!

All 13 leaders prepare to move out!

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Chapter 1

I turned to look at Ray, desperately signaling him with my gaze to sort things out.

But to my horror he was smiling, and it was a mischievous smile.

His eyes were dancing and I suddenly knew he was planning something. Something awful.

Ray: Actually--

Kiera: Ray--

He reached out, ruffling my hair playfully.

Ray: I said I wanted to sleep, but-- she wouldn't let me sleep.

(Are you serious?!)

A clamor of voices rose up around us, drowning out anything I might have said.

Seth: Oh my, oh my, oh my! You're more daring than I ever imagined, Alice!

Fenrir: Seriously? Ray, you move too fast!

Fenrir: Hang on-- or is it Kiera that moves too fast?

Kiera: Hey, you guys--

Sirius: Ray, why didn't I hear about this?

Sirius: Listen, there's a proper procedure to follow when fraternizing with the opposite sex.

Luka: What? Did something happen?

Sirius: Luka, cover your ears.

Luka: Why?

(Oooooh, I am SO MAD right now!)

Kiera: EXCUSE ME! Nothing happened! And Ray, how dare you purposely mislead them like that?!

I knew I was blushing bright red, and I glared at him before I turned and stormed away, so fast I was almost running.

Ray: Why is she so angry?

Fenrir: With good reason. You were definitely in the wrong there.

Seth: He's right! Really, Ray-- I can't believe you tried to trick us like that! I'd be storming off too!

Luka: Sirius, it's not even midday and I'm already exhausted.

Sirius: That sounds about right, Luka.

Sirius nodded sagely, frowning as he glanced over at Ray.

Ray ignored them all, watching Kiera as she ran off down the corridor and disappeared down the stairwell.

Ray: I'll apologize later.

The days went by so quickly, each one of them busy and lively.

Luka: ...

Fenrir: Ahem-- Im sorry, Luka! Im sorry, Kiera! I mean it! Forgive me, okay?

Luka: But that was the first pie Kiera and I ever made together.

Kiera: Fenrir, what on earth possessed you to try cooking it with your guns? I know they're magic, but--

Luka: The pie is burned to a crisp.

Luka: I wish Fenrir was burned to a crisp.

Fenrir: Ack! I'm sorry!

Seth: Come now, no more fighting! We can make another one, all of us together.

(I'm so excited!)

Kiera: Sirius! The tree you gave me has flowers on it! They're starting to bloom and everything!

Sirius: That's because you've been watering it every day.

Sirius: Give me five.

Kiera: Yeah!

Every moment seemed to shine, thanks to the men around me.

My life was filled with joy and contentment, every single day.

And that's why I forgot.

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Chapter 2

I forgot that Cradle was a place that was always just one step away from war.

One evening I was in the office, borrowing a book from Ray.

Black Soldier: King Ray!

A young soldier came dashing into the room without even stopping to knock, his face pale.

Ray: What's wrong?

Black Soldier: I'm here to report!

Black Soldier: The Red Army is marching toward the Black Bridge!

(Oh my god!)

Ray: How many soldiers?

Black Soldier: There's about 50 of them. King Lancelot is nowhere to be seen.

Black Soldier: But the Ace of Hearts, Zero, is at the head of the troops!

Ray: We're on the way.

Ray grabbed his military cap off the desk, putting it on as he stood up.

Ray: All 13 leaders are to head there immediately!

Ray: All other soldiers will move out under command of Sirius and myself!

Black Soldier: Yes sir!

The room was suddenly so tense I could barely breathe, and my hands felt cold as ice.

(I want to go with you-- I want to fight by your side.)

(But--)

Ray: If you go into battle with us, they'll attack you first.

Kiera: Yeah.

Ray: You're not just a shield to be used and tossed away. We have to protect you.

Ray: So I'll decide when it's safe to ask for your help, and when it isn't.

(But it's not up to me anymore. I gave that decision up.)

I knew that me running headlong into battle would only make things worse for the Black Army, and for Ray.

I clenched my hands in my skirts as Ray turned to me, his expression calm as he gently ruffled my hair.

Ray: We'll be back soon.

Kiera: I know. Be safe.

Ray smiled at me, and then strode out of the room, his men behind him.

(There's only one thing I can do right now, frustrating as it is.)

(I can stay here and wait for you, and make sure this place is welcoming when you get back.)

The Red Army advanced steadily forward, heading for the Black Bridge.

Zero rode at the front of the troops, his horse moving at an easy pace.

Edgar: Zero.

Edgar urged his horse forward to ride next to Zero, an easy smile on his face.

Edgar: You seem to be in a particularly bad mood tonight.

Zero: Of course I am.

Zero: The Black Army hasn't attacked us, not even once.

Zero: And yet our army is starting the fight, like this? Why?

Edgar: Zero.

Edgar: You truly are very honest, and very strong.

Edgar: But as a soldier, you still have a lot to learn.

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Chapter 3

Zero: What's that supposed to mean?

Edgar: This has nothing to do with whether the Black Army is interested in fighting us or not.

Edgar: Right now our army has but one purpose.

Edgar: And that purpose is to absorb the Black Army into our own.

Zero: Hmph.

Edgar: If you find yourself unable to understand that, then I'm afraid I would have no choice but to draw my sword.

His light, friendly tone was completely at odds with the threat lingering in his words.

Zero: The King's orders were to take no lives.

Zero: So long as I'm leading this troop, I won't allow anyone to be killed.

Zero spurred his horse gently, and it galloped off ahead of the others.

Edgar watched him go, chuckling softly to himself.

Edgar: You're such a good boy, Zero.

Edgar: Take no lives, huh? What a vague order. Still, I guess I'll have to be content with what I can get.

Edgar laughed again as he turned to the soldiers following behind and raised his voice.

Edgar: Listen up! I will not permit any of you to take a single life of any Black Army soldier!

Edgar: But I won't blame you if you give them a good beating. Fight with all your might!

Red Soldiers: Yes, sir!

A chorus of loud, determined voices answered him.

Edgar: Well now, I suppose this evening won't be so boring after all.

---

When the Black Army finally returned, it was very late at night.

(Oh no, how awful!)

Everyone looked exhausted as they collapsed on the ground or in the nearest chair.

Sirius was frowning as he stared off into space, and I approached him first.

Kiera: Sirius, are you okay?

Sirius: Yes. Thankfully there were no major injuries.

Fenrir: But I would've liked to play with them a little longer, you know.

Seth: You're so predictable, Fenrir.

I didn't know what to say as I stared at their exhausted, grime-streaked faces.

(I wish you wouldn't push yourselves like that just to make me feel better.)

They were trying to act like their usual selves, but their smiles were so forced that I could see right through them.

I knew how happy they usually were, and it hurt me to see them so run down and upset.

Luka: Hmm?

Ray: What's wrong, Luka?

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Chapter 4

Luka: I can smell beef stew.

Kiera: Oh! Um, I made some.

Luka: You did?

Kiera: Yes, I followed your recipe to the letter.

Luka: Thanks.

-

"Eat it whenever you feel up to it. "

-

Kiera: Eat it whenever you feel up to it.

Luka: Yes, I'll eat later.

All the things I wanted to say seemed stuck in my throat, and I felt useless and weak.

(I wish I had the power to protect you all.)

(I want to protect you.)

I could feel Ray's eyes on me, but I couldn't bring myself to meet his gaze.

When I'd finished helping tend to everyone's wounds, I headed aimlessly for my room.

Ray: Hey.

Kiera: Ray?

Ray caught me gently by the upper arm, turning me toward him.

Ray: Hey, if you're not going to bed yet-- come with me for a bit.

(Where to?)

Kiera: Ray, wait up!

Ray: Nope.

It was a familiar exchange, and it made me feel a little better as I hurried after him.

We left the building in silence, but I wasn't paying much attention until we reached our destination.

(Oh wow!)

The garden was quiet and peaceful, and the sky seemed overcrowded with stars.

Kiera: This is amazing!

Kiera: The stars look close enough to touch! I didn't notice that last time!

Ray: That was probably because you were falling right past them.

Kiera: Yeah, maybe.

I pulled a face at Ray, and he laughed softly as he threw himself down on the soft grass.

Ray: Why don't you sit down?

Kiera: Okay.

I sat down next to Ray, smiling a little as a breeze caressed my cheeks and ruffled my hair.

Kiera: You brought me here before, too.

Ray: Yeah. But today I just wanted to take a break.

(Liar.)

(I know you well enough now. You brought me here because you saw how upset and confused I was, didn't you?)

Over time I'd come to realize that Ray's voice sounded gruffer than usual when he was lying.

(But it doesn't feel right to say thank you.)

So instead of saying it out loud, I whispered it in my heart.

I gazed up at the stars, wondering if I could really touch them if I reached up high enough.

Kiera: It's almost too beautiful. Tonight seems like a magical night.

Ray: A magical night, huh? Yeah.

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Chapter 5

Kiera: Hey, Ray?

Ray: Hmm?

There was something I'd been wanting to ask for a long time, and at last I felt able to do so.

Kiera: The first day we met, the Red Army used magic to attack you.

Ray: Yeah. You still remember that?

Kiera: Of course I do. It was the first time I'd ever seen magic in my life.

Kiera: It scared me a little.

Ray: Fair enough.

Kiera: But I've never seen the Black Army use magic.

Kiera: Why don't you use magic to fight?

Ray: Why, huh?

Ray gave a wry laugh, and when he finally answered me, I could tell he was choosing his words carefully.

Ray: It's true that it might be more advantageous to use magic to fight.

Ray: Magic is stronger than the sword I wield, and the arms I use to wield it.

As he spoke, I could see in my mind the exhaustion on everyone's faces as they returned from the battle.

(If you used magic, you wouldn't have to come home so exhausted, right?)

(No one would have to get hurt, right?)

Kiera: In that case--

Ray: Kiera. Hang on.

Kiera: Okay.

Ray continued to stare up at the stars, his eyes avoiding mine.

Ray: The stronger something is, the more easily it can destroy things. All kinds of things.

Ray: Possessing strength is not necessarily the same as protecting someone.

I stared at his solemn face, lit up only by the soft starlight and the half moon.

Ray: And that's why I don't use magic.

Ray: And why I don't let the Black Army use magic.

Ray's voice was faintly hoarse, and I thought I heard an edge of buried pain there.

Kiera: Ray?

I leaned closer, wishing I could better read his expression.

Ray: Hey, a shooting star.

His tone changed immediately as he pointed upward, and I turned to look.

Kiera: You're kidding!

Ray: Yeah, I'm kidding.

Kiera: What?

Ray: You're so gullible.

Ray began to laugh softly, and I pouted at him.

Kiera: And you're awful!

Ray: You know you love it.

(Well, this part of you hasn't changed at all. I suppose I should be relieved.)

Ray: Hey, is it my turn now?

Kiera: For what?

Ray: Can I ask you something? Just one thing?