Folly & Agendas & Talulah

(STC) Chapter 26: Command in the Middle

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This Chapter will be subject to future changes!

I apologize to those who have made it thus far,

but I plan to rewrite this chapter in the future

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One must give the orders.

One must follow them.

One must conspire.

In order to destroy their borders.

A bustling city filled with soldiers - not pedestrians - is confined to its own cell, away from the world, but close enough to damage it.

I walk down a busy street full of injured soldiers. The medics were scrambling to treat everyone the best they can, but many have long succumbed to their wounds. Many of them use their Arts to save the lucky few who survived.

Among the hapless soldiers lay Frostnova who was currently sitting down, leaning on a building, while her comrade gave her a canteen of water. Thin Originium crystals were slowly forming in the air around her. Only three have fully crystallized; the rest were slowly growing.

"Frostnova. What happened to you?" I greet with a slightly interested tone.

The white Cautus looked up at me, and covered a cough. "I just used too much power all at once."

The ground underneath us was frozen solid. Her comrade took the canteen back once she drank from it.

"Too much power?" I asked. "Why would you need to do so?"

"I saw Kaiser Rye today, he had two people helping him." Frostnova answered as she slowly got up.

"Help?" I mused. "I assume that he confronted you alone beforehand."

"He had help from Rhodes Island afterwards." The two of us turn around to see Patriot wielding his spear and shield.

"I thought you two were able to eradicate them?" I say as I slowly walk away from the two of them.

"They decided to flee the city." Patriot responds indifferently.

"I never thought that they would degenerate into a rout so quickly." I remarked. "They have the courage to enter Reunion territory after all."

"They had to do what's necessary to survive." The Wendigo replied. "It's no wonder why they retreated."

"Necessity precedes one's objective, but once they fail to complete it, then they realize that they've wasted a monumental amount of time." I state as Frostnova unwrapped one of her spicy candies and ate it.

"Why would the soldiers of Rhodes concern you?" Patriot spoke, I looked up to make eye contact with the gargantuan Wendigo.

"They served as a deterrence to the Reunion. Their removal from our affairs would greatly benefit us." I respond.

A soldier holding the hilt of a saber ran up to us.

"Madam Talulah!" He said in an unnecessary loud voice. "Skullshatterer and his troops are ready, and so is Faust and Mephisto."

I turn to face him. "Tell him to meet me in fifteen minutes near the edge of this city. Send a message to Mephisto and Faust as well."

"Understood." The soldier scurried off.