The Princess of Wrath

Echoes from the Past - The Gray Death, Part V: Alliance

Only the echoing snorts of the already calm horses in that gigantic warehouse could be heard. The dead tell no tales, so at that time, depending on how the conflict between Lucy and Krios is resolved, there was going to be one possible outcome of two: either the two left there as allies, or just the Reykanite soldier with the head of the young Wraith apprentice in his hands.

"End the war, you say?" Krios asked after a long minute of silence, obviously skeptical of her words. "And with the death of a single man? Girl, you cannot expect me to believe in an enemy who has just infiltrated our territory, and made an attempt on the lives of alchemists and soldiers who will never see their families again."

Lucy thought carefully about her next words. The fact that she was still alive was another good sign and she could not afford to make single a wrong move.

"The mission assigned to my Master and I was to destroy the laboratory along with the biological weapons that were being produced there. Without those weapons, Reykana's military forces have no chance against the Imperial Army, despite all the internal errors and sabotage we have suffered. And you should know that perfectly well... You are fighting a war that you cannot hope to win."

The ghost of a bleak future crossed Krios's gaze, causing his eyes that resembled those of a predator in the dark to tinge with fear.

"Were there innocents who could not escape the flames? Unfortunate collateral damage, but a necessary sacrifice in order to save millions of lives, "she continued, her words spoken with false serenity slowly beginning to influence the soldier: the grip of his great sword was not stable, showing discomfort, and his ragged breathing did not help either. "If you help me, the deaths of the alchemists and your friends won't have been in vain. You just have to guide me to Joseph Berkano and I will be in charge of silencing him forever..."

Surely realizing that he was losing control of the situation, Krios regained his strength in his arms and threatened the young apprentice by placing the tip of his sword under her chin with deadly precision. Lucy raised her arms and stood still like a statue, making the Reykanite see that she was at his mercy.

"What does Director Berkano have to do with all this?" he demanded to know, his voice laden with seriousness and a hint of nervousness. "How can it be possible that just by killing him the war would end?"

Lucy swallowed hard and a wicked smile spread across her face, hidden from the cold eyes of the soldier behind her mask.

"The documents we found indicate that he is the only person alive with the knowledge to recreate the biological weapons we destroyed. Without Imperial technology and resources, of course it will be almost impossible for you to rebuild such a laboratory... But as long as that knowledge remains in the wrong hands, the danger that you created and we destroyed will never end. Berkano must be silenced; without a direct order from the Empress, my Master was not going to act... That is why I decided to abandon him and come here, ready to give my life."

Carefully aware that the deceptive logic in her words was working again on Krios, Lucy pushed the blade away from her neck and guided it toward the ground. The web of lies grew bigger and Krios, instead of realizing that he was getting entangled in it, allowed himself to be convinced of it... His arms lost strength and the tip of the great sword hit the stone floor with a gentle, metallic chime.

"I am a lone she-wolf who wants to save both the Empire and Reykana from mutual destruction." She closed the distance with him and, once face to face, extended her right arm, offering her hand. "Help me and let's end this battle together."

Lucy could easily see the soft eyes and a part of the soldier's face on the other side of the visor, stipulating a relatively young age. There was indecision in his gaze and surely many thoughts running through his head.