𝐌𝐘 𝐒𝐄𝐑𝐕𝐀𝐍𝐓

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐓𝐘-𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐄

꧁꧂

     "Shit! Can't you be a little gentler, Sofi?" (Y/N) hissed, her knuckles whitening as she gripped the edge of the cot she sat on.

    "Sorry," Sofi gave a sheepish laugh as she paused her actions in threading a needle through (Y/N)'s side. "But... if you would stop flinching every time I try to stitch you up, the process might go a little quicker, and a little easier."

    "That's what I need," she sighed, clicking her tongue against the roof of her mouth as she tried to relax and strain herself at the same time. "I can't stand just sitting here while everyone else is out there risking their lives... it's unnatural for me." Turning her head so that she met Sofi's jewel eyes, she asked, "Don't you ever feel that sometimes? You work here and save people, yes, but... don't you ever feel helpless when all you can do is watch them be brought to you?"

    "Well..." Sofi exhaled, snapping the thread in between her teeth before setting the needle down, using a nearby rag to wipe off any remaining trace amounts of blood. "Sometimes, yes. And no. I love doing what I do because it can heal. And true, I can't do anything about the ones out there, so that's why I focus on the ones brought before me."

    Giving a sharp nod in acknowledgement, (Y/N) winced as she hopped down from the cot.

    "Careful!" Sofi reminded her, placing a hand on (Y/N)'s shoulder to steady her. "It wasn't easy removing that bullet in your arm earlier... and now it wasn't easy to stitch up the wounds. If you don't want them ripping again, I suggest limiting your movements as much as you can."

    "I'll be fine," she tried to reassure Sofi as she shrugged her off, slipping her still bloodied shirt on and buttoning it up. "But I can't stay here and just rest. There are people I need to protect."

    "Fine... just be safe."

    "I always am," she smiled, grabbing her sword and running stiffly out the door, coughing almost instantly as soon as she did.

    Smoke was everywhere.

    After the initial bombing of the palace, Chalar kept at it, stoking fires anywhere they could possibly light, servants and a few miscellaneous of others—including guards—puzzled as to what was happening, only knowing that once again they were being attacked and that once again, they would need to protect themselves or they'd die. Finding that her heart was beating wildly in her chest, (Y/N! tried to slow her breathing and calm her mind.

    This is it.

    This is war.

    If we don't end this here and now, Chalar will just keep coming back with more resources and more ways to try and take us by force.

    We have to stop them.

    No matter what.

    Gritting her teeth so hard she was sure they'd crack, (Y/N) ran across the courtyard and maneuvered around broken rubble that lay piled around, trying to find any source of life, enemy or otherwise. Straining hard to see through the smoke, her eyes widened when spotting a figure leaning against a broken pillar, unsure if they were breathing or not. As she cautiously approached, she found herself exhaling in relief when seeing that it was Basile, crouching down beside him and tugging at his arm to wake him. His glasses were nowhere to be seen, his usual neat suit crumpled and stained with dirt and blood, his face bruised badly and a large blotch of red on his left thigh.

    "Advisor Oman..." she whispered, guilt tearing through her. "What happened?"

    He turned his head in a jerked fashion so he could meet her gaze, coughing weakly as he did so, for the first time pain evident so clearly on his expression as he said, "Hah... you wouldn't believe it if I told you, if you saw it. I'd be more cautious if I were you... they sneak around in the shadows before striking... and then they murder you with no remorse."

    "You're still alive, though."

    "Because I will not let myself die."

    Letting out a breath, she muttered ill curses for Chalar before taking Basile's hand to let his arm sling over her shoulder, using her own arm to support him up, grunting when he leaned most of his weight against her. Stumbling and wobbling down the halls and corridors, she retraced her steps back to Sofi's and Komi's office, leaving him in their care with clear worry after she did. Chewing on her lip, she once again resumed her journey to try and find her comrades, only finding bodies of the dead and rubble in the enemy's wake. Growling in clear frustration and anger, she turned a corner and almost immediately slammed herself back around, plastering herself against the wall as a cold sweat dripped down her temple—the fear alone almost made her shake.

    Peeking out behind the corner ever so subtly, she couldn't believe what she was witnessing: a woman so beautiful she was sure she was seeing things, her dark hair and dark skin complimenting her green eyes and the fluttering dress she wore.

    That's... Queen Jannali.

    I've seen her portraits before... it's unmistakable that that is her.

    "Why are you all imbeciles!" She shrieked in the Chalarian language, slapping one of the men that was near her.

    (Y/N) sucked in a deep breath.

    That's Chalarian...

    I wish I understood what she was saying!

    Dammit.

    Stepping backwards, she froze when the back of her foot hit a piece of rubble that flew into the air before clattering back to the ground. She immediately stilled, but it was too late, as Jannali had already heard the sound and her guard was back up. Yelling at her soldiers to go find whomever had the gall go spy on her, Jannali's screeches were enough for (Y/N) to turn and try to run.

    She didn't get very far.

    A hand reached out from behind a closed door and dragged her within, only a whimper able to escape her before she disappeared.

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