The Empyrean | Fourth Wing |

Chapter 25

It has been 2 hours since the beginning of the meeting. 
Since I have never participated in these kinds of things, I just sit here and watch as everyone screams at each other.
The list of things we are supposed to be getting through is the memory wipe, the truth on all 4 leaders of the rebellion, what's happens next since we no longer have access to Basgaith's forge, the supply of weapons to the gryphons, the other existing resistance groups and finally the lack of riders and dragons following the movement. 
They skipped the first two on the list and have been screaming other the 3rd: what's happens next since we no longer have access to Basgaith's forge. We are never getting out of here.

I look around to see Garrick is laughing with Imogen and Bodhi, Syrena looks bored out of her mind, the gryphons riders and council members are blaming each other while Brennan tries to mediate and Xaden... well, I have no idea what he is doing except looking at them with an exaspered look and me with a lustful one

They really are a bunch of children. I should just let them fight outside while I take you right here
I hear going down from the bond.
Nope, nope, not here, I send down
Xaden behave, they are your soldiers and they need order 
Our.. they are our soldiers
Yeah, about that I was meaning to ask you. Can we redo that vote where I am proclaimed General with me here?
If that makes you feel better, sure. But first, you have to take control of this room. I know your wheels have been turning for the past 2 hours. If you had spoken up a long time ago, this meeting would have ended ages ago
Seriously? How is this my fault? 
Never said it was, just that you need to stop pushing yourself down. Plus I want to see their faces when you explain your plan and they realise it is a whole lot better than theirs
But they don't have a plan. They are just screaming at each other
Exactly. You are catching on fast
So basically, you are just here for a show. 
Me? What makes you think that?
Even without looking at him, I can feel him smirking.
I am also guessing that is why Garrick keeps looking at you expendantly between laughs with Imogen and Bodhi
Oh, you saw that? I wish I could say yes but no
Xaden...What else are you hiding from me?
Nothing, I promise.. Well it's not nothing. Later, I promise I will tell you later but not here.
Very well, I am really curious about that and afraid about whatever he kept from me again
Now, do you want to do that vote or sit here and listen to them fight?
Actually, I was thinking about kicking them out for a good hour since we are not getting everywhere
Xaden...
As you wish, General
I look at him to see him mimick a bow. I hold my laughter at the act
Humans have a weird mating ritual I hear Tairn say 

''General Sorrengail'' I hear the same sickning voice from earlier. Corporal Li, wasn't it.
''Yes, Corporal''
''Since you have been digilently listening to our conversations, what do you make of this?''

Great, the only moment I am not listening is the moment I am questionned on the subject. Think, think, think. I need to know what they were just saying. 
I quickly look around the map in hopes I can read their expression, the map. Nothing. Great, she got me. 
We would have to find a different site on material for the material maybe somewhere in Navarre and build another luminary here.
Got it

''Well Corporal, I think the initiative to retrieve other source for the weapons is a good idea. We no longer have access to Basgaith's luminary and we need to construct weapons. However, I think we should search for it in Poromiel and not Navarre. One all the sites are heavily guarded and Two in theory Poromiel have more of the material than Navarre. They shouldn't have used its reserves. Since the extraction process was invented in Navarre, I doubt Navarrian researchers would freely give away such information. Also, we should also build a luminary for independance. We would be able to supply the grypons flyer with more weapons than relie on someone else.

''Nice plan, Violence. Looks like you really can multitask. I would just asked her to summarise her idea 'cause she was talking too much and I was focused on someone else. Not that they need to know that. You managed to focus on me competely and answer without a problem. Impressive''
''What so? You didn't help me
Well, no. I would have helped you but I had no idea what she was talking about. ''
''Right, of course. I was sure I heard someone voice.''
''Violence...''

Now that I think about it. The voice was different. I had never heard it before. 
That's strange. It's the second time. I don't understand. Suddenly, I feel nauseated and dizzy. I feel my throat closing in on me. I have to get out of here quickly. I take a deep breath, stand up and start walking towards the exit. I can feel 15 pair of eyes watching me as I exit. Well 17 now with the 2 guards I pass on my way out

''General? Are you okay?''
''Should we take to the infirmary? She mustn't be fully recovered from her experience. Come on. We have to help her...''
After that, I no longer hear their conversation. I thought it just was because I got far enough away from them. Then I feel a hand on my shoulder. I act on instinct, I need this person to let me go. I pull said person towards me, lean forward hence judo flipping the person. They land flat on their back. 
I have to get out of here. There is so much noise. 
I aimlessly walk in Riorson House incapacitating anyone who gets too close to me. 

I finally find a peaceful place. I am currently sitting an 10 feet marble beam 100 feet in the air. It's the Aretian version of Parapet basically. As I sit on the beam, I feel peaceful. I can feel the whole city from here. I slowly but surely catch my breath. 
I eventually realise I blocked everyone out as I unlock both my dragons.

''Silver One, you okay? I felt you panic. Then nothing, I asked the Wingleader but he couldn't answer all my questions as he was just as confused as me. You showed your intelligence then stormed off and judo flipped 5 guys on your way out of the corridor.''
''Way to go, Violet''
''Golden One'' Tairn warns
''Oh come on, you can not say it was not impressive. You said you heard pride in Xaden's voice. Don't deny it''
''She got you there, Tairn'' I chuckle
''I guess she did. So what happened?''
''That's the thing. It was the strangest thing. I could here someone else in my head, like a fourth person. It's the second time. I am going crazy. I guess I just panicked and I needed to get out of there''
My dragons go very silent
''Andarna...''
''Hey, this isn't my doing. You must know that''
What are those two going on about now?

''Vi... There you are. Figured you would be pick the least crowded place after before''
I hear Xaden. I break my staring with the sky to watch him walk and sit next to me
''Took you long enough''
''Hey, I had a moment of disbelief before running after you. What happened? You managed to talk back to Li, stun her then you panicked, left in a hurry, judo flipped most of my guys and blocked everyone. It was like before you bonded Tairn. I was cut from you competely. If I didn't see moments before, I would have been really afraid. You cut yourself from the world''
I cut myself from everyone. This is surprising
''I thought we fully couldn't block each other''
''Yeah, I though so too until you just did. What happened?''
''I felt dizzy, nauseous and I had to get out of there''
''Let me guess you also had shortness of breath and clouded vision''
I nod at his words. His expression went a little serious
''You had a panic attack. Not surprising after everything you went through. It's okay. Welcome to the club. I have them too.'' He spreads my arms and laughs nervously. 
I chuckle. Guess it makes sense. I am happy he told me though
''He will figure it out together'' I finally say
''We sure will. Now can you tell me how is it you judo flipped 5 of my men and there isn't a bruise of you.'' 
I think back to earlier. I didn't hurt myself at all. Usually I would get a sprained wrist or something. This time nothing, weird
''I don't know'' I answer softly
I can see the wheels in his head turning. After some time, he shrugs
''We will figure it out after. Now, let's continue that meeting.''
''Shouldn't the others join us?''
''Oh, Violence. There are useful and we have the last word so it doesn't really matter. Plus I know you figured everything out. Come on. Tell me what plan you concoted this time.''
I laugh. This man will be the death of me. 

We end staying up there for a few hours before coming back down. After all, we have a meeting to get to.

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Hope you liked this chapter 
Next chapter should come out on the Sunday 21st April 2024