A Broken Future (Book One)

Chapter 17 A Leader's Test

A few days after their first battle their victory inspired enough hope just as Zeta said it would spark many more rebellions growing their forces greatly as Yuri and Zeta act as leaders of the rebellion, Yuri leading the small skirmishes against the pim forces although the battles so far had been easily scattered forces and leadership gave them too much confidence as they started moving towards pim tower.

"Bronya are you feeling better?"
"Mmmh...not exactly hido...my head is on fire and I keep having strange nightmares." She sits up as Hideko sits down with her rubbing Bronya's back as Selena walks in.
"Hey you two are you okay?"
"Yes thank you for checking up on Bronya she probably will sit out of this next fight."
"N-no! I can keep- cough cough cough!" Hideko gives bronya a drink.
"Yuri wants us all to meet for the meeting." Hideko groans.
"I know but it's important."
"I know...Bronya I'll carry you there." Bronya nods as Hideko lifts her onto her back.
"I know you don't agree with Yuri but please be patient with him hido he is going through a lot and needs our support."
"I am supporting him by telling him where he is wrong so he doesn't get a big head and lead us to our deaths." Hideko sees Selena's birthmark on her neck.
"You know I never asked but we have the same birthmark." Selena touches her neck and sees Hideko's mark.
"Yeah I think it's a mark from the apocalypse family like the one Phim has but...different in some way."
Hideko nods as they reach the command tent.
"Alright everyone thank you for coming here! We have a new plan of attack for Pim Tower." As Yuri goes over the plan Soma raises her hand.
"This is a great plan Yuri Don't get me wrong but...this scale of plan..it won't work we are fighting a large bunker of enemies your plan assumes we are in a skirmish not to mention our resources are being allocated all wrong."
"Hmm don't worry soma I know what im doing here this plan is sure to lead us to victory!" They all cheer as Soma looks on worried.
"Welcome to my world soma." Hideko pats her back as they all head out to the bunker it cuts to James and the robbed figure.
"Well, then do you have a plan!?"
"Yes of course I do James its arriving now." A portal opens as a woman steps out flames accompanying her every step.
"Well well! The infamous pim tower~ if you called me then that must mean you are in dire straits huh? So much for the amazing apostle of calamity."
"I would watch that tongue of yours this is a chance for you to redeem yourself for your failures in retrieving the spear." The woman growls at them before turning away.
"So You are supposed to be the tide-turner? You l don't even look like you could hurt a fly." The woman laughs as she stares off the balcony.
"Oh, you will certainly see what im capable of Pim very soon I RUDA PENDRAKE WILL CRUSH THIS REBELLION!"

The serenity rebellion moves along to the bunker as Sasha skips around Astrid looks at her nervously.
"Hey, sash...are you okay?"
"Hmm? Im fine Astrid why do you ask?"
"Well so much has happened and you keep smiling."
"I...I have to keep smiling for everyone especially now that everyone is looking at me."
"But if you don't let it out you will burst sash." Sasha starts to shake before she hugs Astrid.
"IM SO SCARED ASTRID!" She sobs into Astrid's chest as Astrid pats her head.
"I know Sasha let it out."
"I miss Asura I miss Dad i-i don't want to lose you too."
"Neither of you will die I promise that." Yuri walks over as Sasha wipes her tears.
"Yuri...are you sure about this plan?"
"To be honest no not entirely but..."
"Why not listen to soma she sees to know these things."
"I know! But...I have to do this I have to be the one to lead everyone to peace if I don't...then I don't have a reason to even be born."
"You guys care too damn much about living up to your parents!" Yuri jumps as Astrid sighs.
"Don't act like that Astrid you care about who your parents are too I see how you act towards Idunn." Astrid squints at him as Sasha steps in between them stopping the argument.
"Look you aren't the only one with something to prove but you have to remember that our lives are at stake here too." Yuri nods as he heads back to the front of the formation.
"We are here! Everyone halt!" Zeta stops everyone as they see the enemy encampment protecting a bunker.
"Alright if we capture this then getting into the city that Pim is holding will be a lot easier."
"That bunker has a tunnel into the capital which is where Pim Tower is of course the enemy will defend this with their lives," Idunn adds as she tinkers with the prototype gun.
"Idunn will this gun work this time?"
"Im sure of it!...like 75% sure." Astrid takes the gun and checks it as everyone makes final preparations Gray approaches Yuri.
"What's up gray-woah!" Gray hugs Yuri from behind.
"Just wanted to hug you is all."
"Oh wow Gray is worried about little old me almost makes me blush but don't worry we got this." He boops gray as they both laugh.
"We are gonna make it through this gray I promise."

The next day comes quickly as Seraphim uses her full dragon form to raze the defenses allowing the army to easily collapse inside seeing another battle was easily won gave them too much confidence.
"Haha, don't you see everyone this will be easy after all!" As he says that however, he feels grimdark's presence almost too late as he gets sent flying by the dragon slamming down next to him.

Everything was ringing as Yuri gets up as he sees the fighting all around him, His vision was barely able to keep up with the battle as flashes of magic shoot off suddenly seraphim slams into grimdark as a woman leaps off him.
"So this is the group that gave him such trouble I am unimpressed!" She dashes through the group reaching a dazed Yuri.
"Well, you look important!" A flaming scythe appears in her hand as she brings it down Gray takes the slash landing in Yuri's arms as he completely freezes.
"Get back!" Soma rushes over swinging her hammer and knocking back Ruda as Zeta starts to fight her.

"Gray yuri! Are you two okay!?" Yuri was breathing heavily as ash rushes over grabbing Gray and healing him, Soma focuses on Yuri lightly slapping his face to get his attention.
"Yuri! We need you to lead them." Yuri looks at Soma his eyes darting around as he shakes his head fast.
"No no, I can't! I-i just can't!" Soma looks frustrated at Yuri but sighs understanding that feeling.
"Yuri...I know it's scary but you can't break down every time your plan fails."
"But gray....gray."
"He is alive he protected you because he believes in you."
"Soma...you have to lead them." Soma looks surprised and nods as she raises her hammer.
"Hideko defensive bubble!" Hideko nods as Seraphim slaps away Ruda and Grimdark as everyone gets close to Hideko as she forms a barrier seraphim uses her dragon magic to strengthen it and makes the barrier larger as they have a moment to breathe.
"Fucking great thanks a lot, Yuri!"
"Im sorry." Hideko stops and was completely confused.
"Oh uhm...im sorry as well." Soma stands in front of everyone as she clears her throat.
"Everyone Yuri is im no state to lead us unfortunately so if you all are comfortable I would like to lead us in Yuri's stead." They all say yes including Yuri himself.

"Sorry kid."
"It's okay..." he holds Gray close as Soma starts to come up with a new plan.
"Okay, Zeta idunn you know pim's tactics would they send reinforcements?"
"They most likely already sent some now what's your plan?"
"It's a risky one but that tunnel you mentioned we should send a small team through while the rest of us hold off the enemy." The group all look at each other nervously as Zeta stands.
"Im in I have to rescue my husband no matter the cost." Soma nods and waits for anyone else before Sasha stands up proudly.
"I will go too! I have to be the one to kill him and Sabrina to avenge everyone he has taken from you all!" Sasha says proudly as Astrid stands as well.
"I will too to keep Sasha and Zeta safe me and my paths will bring him down I swear it!"
"Good now Yuri"
"?"
"I'll need your help."

"What are those rats planning?"
"It doesn't matter what they do we will crush them." Suddenly they see the barrier lift grimdark gets blasted by an energy bolt and Ruda gets blasted back by a flaming arrow Zeta's group rushes for the bunker they dive inside the entrance as Sasha looks at the fight before slamming the door shut.

"Okay, we made it now we just have to get to the capital." They travel through a sewer system as Astrid turns to Sasha to check on her she sees Sasha blanking out.
"Sash?"
"...." Sasha blinks and looks up at a red sky as she floats on a sea of blood before getting up confused.

"Where am I?"
"You are in my house." Sasha looks over and sees a pink-haired woman sharpening her dagger.
"You I remember you, you took over my body when I fought Sabrina."
"Yep it was amazing too!~"
"Why can't I use any of my other magic?"
"Oh, that's because I accidentally sealed it unfortunately I don't know how to unseal it at the moment."
"Dammit!"
"Hey hey calm down im sure you have some magic trick to fix it."
"No, I don't! Because of you, I can't use any other magic!"
"Woah there im not the pissy baby who cried when her dad died!" Sasha punches the pink-haired woman.
"Ow...not bad..not bat at all!" She pounces on Sasha as the two fight Sasha kicks her off grabbing her sword.
"Why are you even here?
"I didn't ask to come here...I don't need your power I will win without it."
"Like I care." Sasha snaps back to reality.
"You okay?"
"Of could Astrid just spaced out for a second."
Suddenly zeta stops them as she opens the door as they enter the city streets of the capital.
"You girls ready?" Sasha holds Astrid's hand as they both nod.
"Always!"

End of Chapter 17
(A/n the picture above is how I believe Ruda looks)