It rained all day until it stopped at night. Behind the eastern wall of the city, under a single tree, by the river, leaders of the revolution met in the light of white moon. Three men and one woman. They were all dressed in black cloaks, their faces covered with scarves and hoods, still waiting for the Gusmans. If it weren't for the moonlight, they would have been unnoticeable on this dark night. One of them was Mark Themstein who sat down by the river, took a nearby smaller stick and started soaking it in water. On the other side of the river there was a forest that seemed mysterious because in this light it was impossible to see anything there. Suddenly Tamara approached Mark.
- What are you doing, handsome? - She asked seductively, grabbing his neck.
- Wondering - Mark replied in a quiet voice, looking into the water which seemed deep in the darkness
- Over what? - Tamara was intrigued.
- The past - Themstein replied without details, as if he was not focused on the conversation.
- Are you worried about something? - Lotta asked, concerned about her interlocutor's condition.
- No, not anymore - Mark replied without changing his tone.
- You know that if something is wrong, you can trust me - the girl said, moving her hand from Mark's neck to his shoulder.
- Don't act like we are friends - Themstein replied firmly.
Tamara removed her hand from Mark's shoulder after these words.
- What do you mean? - the girl asked worriedly.
- Don't treat our relationship as something special - Mark threw the stick into the water, stood up and watched as it floated on its surface.
Tamara had black and short hair, green eyes, she was also a very brave and skillful soldier. She often asked Mark for his opinions or practiced swordsmanship skills with him. She was a member of the revolution herself from childhood, just like her deceased parents. Lotta was younger than Themstein and they were complete opposites, Mark never spoke first or rarely showed any emotion and Tamara was always happy, often for no reason, which made her think that the people in the revolution didn't like her, just like Mark. Even though Themstein himself didn't pay attention to others, he was a good listener and didn't bother anyone. He was indifferent to the presence of anyone in his environment, and that was good enough for Lotta. Tamara just needed someone like Mark, but at the same time it was hard for her to get close to him because he didn't let anyone near him, no one knew why and no one cared except herself so their relationship was limited but the girl did not give up, hoping that she could fix it.
Tamara wanted to continue the conversation but she couldn't say a word so she slowly walked away towards Majewski and Marx, the other two revolutionaries. Marx was an older man and Majewski had only recently reached adulthood. They were arguing at that moment, which was normal for them because Majewski was in favor of an immediate and open war with Hakachi and against any cooperation with the consulate, and Marx wanted Shizuroba to regain independence through negotiations and cooperation with the current rulers, because the uprising is a very risky solution for now. Tamara decided to sit on the stone nearby and listen to their debate.
- How can you show willingness to cooperate with barbarians who ruined our beautiful country less than two decades ago! Answer me Marx! - Majewski gestured determinedly.
- I don't want our people to die in an uprising that makes no sense at the moment. We can regain freedom in other ways than war - Marx replied equally determined, looking around at the nature that surrounded them.
- If you collaborate with a traitor, you are one yourself! - Majewski couldn't stand it and screamed, stamping his foot firmly on the hard ground.
Mark, who had been staring into the depths of the forest, suddenly looked at the commotion with curiosity. Tamara got up and approached Majewski.
- What do you think you are doing? Calm down, we are secretly doing this! - She tried to calm him down. - No one can know we are here! - she finished lecturing him.
Both the patriotic redhead and the bearded old man ignored Tamara.
- Life requires sacrifices, young man - Marx responded to the charge of treason.
- I'm not going to fraternize with criminals - Majewski continued to preach his views.
- In the eyes of the law, we are criminals as revolutionaries - Marx replied.
- We fight for the right thing! - Majewski said loudly, raising his hand up.
- Everyone fights for something and thinks it's right, that's what faith is all about - Marx explained calmly with his head down.
- So I fight for what I love! NATION! - The patriotic spirit awakened in Majewski.
- There are many other choices than fighting - the old man repeated the same thing.
Suddenly, three figures dressed the same as the revolutionaries by the river emerged from behind the bushes.
- Who's there? - Marx looked sharply at the figures and asked.
The man in front came closer.
- Relax, it's just us - the man removed the scarf covering his mouth and it turned out to be Harold Gusman.
- Fortunately - Majewski replied confidently.
- I took my daughter, Atta, with me - he pointed at the girl. - I know she's not one of the leaders of the revolution, but she won't cause any trouble, she wanted to come here - the wizard explained.
Atta, uninterested in revolution, went to the river to sit down knowing that no one would understand her and take seriously her thoughts if she said what she really thinks about the war and the divisions of society, Mark was standing right next to her. Themstein looked at the girl, seeing that she was also looking into the depths of the forest, he smiled under his scarf. Then he joined the rest of the revolutionaries. Mark and Atta only knew each other by sight and never had a real conversation with each other.
- I understand that Jake announced to everyone the news of what will happen next week - Old Gusman said looking at his companions.
Everyone gathered nodded.
- There was enough time to think, so we will vote in a moment, but first tradition! - Harold took out a medium but full bottle of white wine from under his coat, took a solid sip, then passed the bottle to Marx, who was standing nearby, he did the same and passed it on, and so on, until the alcohol returned to the man who started it. After retrieving the bottle, old Gusman drank what was left and set the bottle at his feet on the golden short grass.
- Long live knowledge! - Harold clutched his heart and said loudly.
The revolutionaries repeated.
- Long live freedom!
The revolutionaries repeated.
- Long live people!
The revolutionaries repeated.
- Long live Shizuroba!
The revolutionaries repeated again.
- Those who support the uprising next week, stand by the tree on the side of the river! - Harold pointed to the dark roaring river. - Those who do not support the uprising next week, stand by the tree on the side of the city walls! - he pointed to the city and its red brick walls.
Tamara, Mark and Marx stood on the side of the city wall and the Gusmans and Majewski on the side of the river. It was a draw.
- Intriguing - Old Gusman said, scratching his chin. - Then we will check the correct output otherwise! - he smiled excitedly.
The revolutionaries didn't know what was going on so they felt uncomfortable.
- We are going to fight! Let each side choose its warriors! - Harold ordered his companions.
From the side of the city wall, Marx approached Mark and Tamara to confer.
- My best years are behind me, one of you must fight for peace! - Marx said with seriousness in his voice.
- Mark, it must be you - Tamara said, knowing that she had no chance against any of the Gusmans who were the strongest, and she wanted to show Mark that he could trust her.
- I have no interest in fighting any of them - Themstein responded completely unconcerned with the situation.
- How so?! Mark! It's for the good of the country! - Marx replied irritably.
- I'm not from here, I only fight to return the favor, but if I have to fight one of us, I'm out - Themstein explained, looking at Atta who was still sitting by the river and looking at the moon.
- I don't give a damn why you're here! You have to help me! Help us! - the old man turned red in the face.
Mark looked into Tamara's green eyes.
- We believe in you, Mark. Don't abandon our idea! - Lotta grabbed the young swordsman's hands while saying these words.
Mark froze for a moment, feeling that his decision really mattered. He took a deep breath and brought his lips to Tamara's face and finally he said:
- I agree.
Meanwhile, the supporters of the uprising quickly chose their candidate, it was none other than Harold Gusman. Despite his age, he is still considered the most powerful wizard on Azuma Island. Mark was aware that it would be incredibly difficult. They stood before each other, Gusman drawing his magic staff and Themstein drawing his shining sword.
- Remember three rules, Mark. We don't fight each other to death, we do our best and it's nothing personal - the old man symbolically showed the swordsman three fingers.
- You don't have to teach me about such things, master - Mark said, smiling as if he was preparing something.
- Show me what I taught you! - excited Harold Gusman struck a ready pose.
Suddenly, Mark quickly tried to attack his opponent with his sword from the left side, but he blocked it with his staff. He then tried to correct himself by striking him in the stomach, but Gusman jumped back.
- Magic Recoil! - the wizard turned his weapon towards the young man.
Mark was thrown towards the tree by the force of the magic spell. He quickly got up and started running towards Gusman, leaning forward, to injure his legs. The old wizard once again blocked the swordsman's attack. Themstein wanted to strike his left arm again, but Harold grabbed him by the coat and knocked him down.
- It's the second time he's knocked him out, Dad! What else is this about? - Jake asked nervously.
- This isn't about knocking someone down, son. He still wants to fight! - the father replied firmly, looking at the lying Mark.
Tamara was concerned about Mark and Marx was concerned about what was happening.
Themstein stood up and was already pointing his sword towards his left arm again, Gusman was ready to block it when suddenly the fist of Mark's other hand hit his jaw. Everyone was shocked. The swordsman wanted to continue and directed his next blow at Gusman's left leg, which he managed to injure.
The old man groaned, Jake wanted to go help him but Majewski stopped him and Atta was no longer interested in the moon and ran closer to the battlefield.
Still standing, Harold stamped his cane on the hard ground.
- Lower Strike! - he shouted another spell.
Lightning came out of the ground and hit Mark from below. Distracted and electrocuted, he did not notice Gusman approaching, who pushed him with his cane and knocked him down. He was unable to get up. Jake was proud of his father, Majewski was happy because his idea won, Tamara and Marx were shocked and Atta was concerned about the whole situation. The old wizard stood looking at Mark with a smile.
- You did well. I will need soldiers like you in a week - Gusman praised his opponent.
Tamara and Atta leaned over the lying Mark to quickly check if anything serious happened to him exchanging worried glances with Tamara whom she also didn't know quite well. His eyes were wide and it was hard for him to breathe but everything got better after a few moments. At the time Marx slowly approached Majewski.
- Stronger is not always right - the old man said sarcastically through his teeth to his demonstrative rival.
- The one who is able to dominate the one who is not right, is right - young conservative replied to Marx, then stepped back, turned and walked away, disappearing into the darkness in the meadow.
- A terrible future awaits us - Majewski's rival said quietly to himself, lowering his head.
After that, Harold Gusman, seeing that everything was decided, turned towards the other revolutionaries.
- It's over, we can go home - he patted his son on the shoulder and called his daughter, "Atta!" then he started heading towards the dark meadow.
Gusman's daughter heard this and got up from the ground.
- I'm sorry this happened to you, you fought very well! - she put her hands behind her back and leaned over Mark. - No one will listen to people like us, so don't torment yourself, it's not your fault - after congratulating Themstein, she ran towards her father and brother who were eagerly waiting for her.
The defeated swordsman watched her leave, thinking about her words. It made defeat easier to bear.
Marx looked at Tamara watching over Mark, he even thought about saying something, but he didn't feel the need and just like the rest, he left. The man and the girl were alone surrounded by darkness, next to a tree, hearing the sound of the river reflecting on the reeds and rocks.
- Do you need help to get up? - Tamara asked Mark politely.
- No, I can do it on my own, thanks - he replied with a dejected voice as he looked at the stars
- Do you want me to stay here? - the girl asked another question concerned about him.
- No, you can go - Mark finally got up from the ground and sat down tiredly.
Tamara was collecting her thoughts.
- You can really trust me, I'm not like other revolutionaries - she told him after a while and didn't know what to say next.
- This is neither about revolutionaries nor about trust. I will fulfill my task here and continue to decide my own fate regardless of whether we lose or win - he clenched his fist and looked at it. Tamara didn't know how to react to Themstein's words, so she sat listening, trying to understand it.
- I appreciate you supporting me today - Mark got up from the ground and shook the sand from his coat. - I hope you will do the same next week - he quickly turned around and walked away towards the city walls, leaving the girl alone by the tree.
Tamara wasn't thinking about what would happen next week, but about what Mark Themstein was hiding. She wanted to know what drove him away from trusting others and what attracted him to loneliness. Kneeling among the golden grass, she began to observe a lonely tree surrounded only by boulders and single plants.
YOU ARE READING
Journey to Freedom: Hell Rising
FantasyOn Azuma Island, the Prime Empire, commanded by emperor Gustav Prime, is preparing to conquer the kingdom of Taksa, but it does not intend to go into battle itself due to the enemy's potential, so it draws help from the country of Shizuroba, which i...