N.E.C.R.O.

Part 1 - Chapter 8: Context

Viol returned to her and Laetus' home village. Laetus had gone out of his village on an errand, which she found out from the village head. Even still, she stayed in the village, for she had an 'Operation' to execute.

A long while later, Laetus returned to the village after the errand. Only, what he returned to wasn't a village anymore. It was the remains of a gravely burnt village. He dropped the jug of water he was carrying and ran towards the village.

Unfortunately, all that remained were roofless huts and a few bodies covered in blood. In the middle of the village laid Viol's body and inside her coat was a note. It was very slightly visible but Laetus had noticed it. Laetus, though angry, looked at her with sorrowful eyes. He fell onto the ground, weeping.

He pulled out the note. It read,

"Laetus...

You're probably wondering what had happened in this village, why there is a deserted and burnt village here and why there is not a single body, dead or alive, around here. Before I answer that, I need to tell you something else. It's about the Highland Royals. You wanted to join them, right?

The reason why our village was burnt is because of them. Your pendant, as you know, houses the Eternal Shard. The Highland Royals wanted to steal it from you for a very long time. I somehow delayed that from happening. But soon, they ordered me to steal it from you. I couldn't deny them, so I had to do it. But they returned it after a short span of four years, which I found quite surprising (P.S.). This isn't even the beginning of their vileness. They have started an Operation Power, which involves them hijacking Ether Island and taking control over it. Then there is Operation Façade in which the Highland Royals pretends being 'good' to the citizens of the mainland capital – Node City – and slowly taking over their power too. There are many such plans, but there is one which is the most unethical of them all. Operation Fire. Wiping Tranquil Island – our town – out of existence, by burning all the houses and villagers in it alive, which would already have been commenced by the time you're reading this.

So, about an hour before the commencement of the Operation, I came here and evacuated the villagers to Flow Island. I know you're angry at me, and I understand that, but please... Do not join the Highland Royals. They are the most terrible and unethical people there can ever be. That was the very reason I burnt your arrow back then, do you remember? I thought they would recognize that as my magic, but they did not and you passed the test. I hope you believe me. I would be, by the time you read this note, outside our Plate*.

Run over to Flow Island and stay there, safe from the Highland Royals. And if you think so, safe from me too.

Viol

P.S., check your pendant and its power if it really is the Eternal Shard. Apparently, only you can do that, otherwise I would have, myself."

"But you're right here... Dead. And these people are here too, dead," thought Laetus. "What actually happened?" Suddenly, he realized the truth. "You failed in transporting everyone by the right time, and they killed you for being a traitor... Isn't that what had happened?"

His eyes renewed energy. "I will destroy them," he screamed. "I will destroy every single one of those Highland bastards! Operation Viol commence!"

Unfortunate for Laetus, a few Highland Royals had stayed back in Tranquil Town to arrest him, which they succeeded in doing. He was locked up in the Prison of Judgement, a place controlled by the Highland Royals and the Guardian of the Cosmos alone.