Broken Providence

(19) The Ultimate Ball Battle

As she turned, masked people in red began flooding into the floor and shouts emerged as the gunfire covered up the screams. Aleodei watched in horror as unarmed soldiers ran in all directions trying to get away safely. Aleodei lunged forward from the balcony into the open space and cursed herself for leaving her swords. The core regiments ran forward repelling the armored soldiers with their elements while noncore soldiers flipped tables and formed barracks surrounding the masked men and pushing forward to leave them cornered. Aleodei jumped into the ring along with Belm and other high core soldiers fighting against the automatic rifles of the enemies. Aleodei bit her tongue in pain as a bullet grazed her uncovered shoulder before sending hot flames to fire back. She was trying to be very careful because she knew that the room was filled with normal people.

Her ears flickered as she heard a familiar voice grunt behind the barracks and commotion following it. She swiftly turned and saw Duin fighting against an intruder.

"Duin!" Aleodei yelled jumping over the flipped tables and running toward her and dropkicking the person to the ground.

"Are you alright??" Aleodei asked urgently as she gripped onto Duin's shaking shoulders, surveying her. Duin nodded slightly shaking, this was her first time in combat and the adrenaline was overwhelming. Aleodei nodded carefully before gently letting go.

"Aleodei, are YOU okay?" She asked gaping at the bleeding wound on her shoulder. Aleodei nodded barely registering the pain.

"Yeah, it's not that bad," she said slowly moving the shoulder groaning, knowing she'll have to stitch herself up later. She turned back to the ring to see the remaining intruders getting their butts handed to them by Belm and the rest of the disciples. Aleodei let out a breath she was holding and nodded, hoping not many Trinity soldiers were wounded. She noted Belm walking up to them when Duin gave a little squeak and slightly hid behind Aleodei's tall long figure.

"Paladin, thanks for the support," She said sternly, Aleodei nodded and noted that even when she was grateful she was still stone-faced and serious. But then she remembered Duin's wish to meet Belm and sighed, she hated getting involved, but Duin really seemed to want to meet her.

"Any casualties?" Aleodei asked with half a breath. Belm looked down and frowned.

"five, so far, two sergeants who were on guard were poisoned and three officers that were close to the Infernal intruders when they started shooting," she responded grimly with a wave of growing anger. Aleodei did note that she seemed to keep looking around the room, probably looking for Claire, she narrowed her eyes and let out a quiet sigh.

"How did you know they were Infernal?" Aleodei asked curiously. Belm looked at her with slight frustration.

"They were wearing red. who else would've attacked us?" she said with a strained stressed voice. Aleodei only looked at her profoundly.

"I know you are very much aware that in a war there are not only two sides," She responded with a slight warning. Belm only narrowed her eyes and glanced away before shuffling back.

"whatever Paladin," she said as she began to drift away looking more attentively for Claire. Aleodei was going to let her go but then she remembered Duin's wish to meet Belm and sighed, she hated getting involved, but Duin really wanted to meet her and when else would she has this opportunity to do a meet and greet without actually having to do anything. she groaned internally and mentally hit herself in the head for caring.

"Before you depart Ameno Disciple Belm," Aleodei said reaching to Belm with her words, Belm turned back to look at her with tired eyes. "I'd like to introduce you to Duin, she works in the kitchen," Aleodei finished quickly stepping aside to reveal an awestruck Duin. "Duin, this is Ameno Disciple Belm," Aleodei turned to Duin and gestured at Belm. Although six years apart in difference, Belm wasn't much taller than the twelve year old Duin, and yet to Duin, she seemed like a God. Belm nodded politely and gave a slight smile. BELM CAN SMILE?? She thought to herself.

"Oh yeah, I've seen you before when my girlfriend-" Aleodei's surprised feeling sunk into a sour frown. "-and I volunteer in the kitchen. Thanks for always feeding the core soldiers when we get out super late... you're the backbone of Trinity," Belm said with her straight face but with light gratitude. Duin was only able to smile widely and nodded starstruck leaning on Aleodei for support. "Anyways I've got to go look for her," Belm said directing herself at Duin but then turned to Aleodei with cold eyes. "Paladin," she said nodding, Aleodei returned the nod and followed her as she walked around the crowd looking for Claire. Duin turned to her squealing grabbing her arm and shaking it.

"I met one of the disciples! I met disciple BELM!" She almost yelled out. Aleodei yelped and pulled her arm away.

"Wrong arm Duin," She said holding her arm defensively. Duin sheepishly looked at Aleodei and smiled.

"Thanks, Aleodei, it means a lot," she said sincerely. Aleodei only looked away and nodded.

"Of course," was the only thing she could get out because she had seen Claire and Belm reunite. She swiftly turned back to Duin and patted her head. "Let's get you to your room," she said as they began walking to the stairs. "This ball's over anyway." She finished as she glanced back.

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