Imperatrix Fallen: Alith's Cradle

XXIII

"Only through death, there is salvation."
Creation, Chapter III, Verse I of the Ancient Bible

"I think the gate is jammed," said Blanca to Anastasia.

Since they were recruited, the two mercenaries had been assigned to the same battalion. Now, they stood behind the wall, awaiting orders from their superiors. Just a few meters ahead of them, Valz was trying, unsuccessfully, to force open the gate leading outside. He waved his arms, issuing energetic commands, but the engineers couldn't find a solution.

"Climb up and check if something's blocking it from the outside, damn it!" Valz barked at one of the engineers.

Blanca almost let out a laugh upon hearing this. Despite the tense situation, it amused her to see that, with all his authority, Valz couldn't manage to open a door. Anastasia noticed Blanca's amusement and gave her a nudge on the arm, reprimanding her.

"Control yourself, kid. This is serious," Anastasia whispered.

"I know, I know," Blanca replied, barely holding back her laughter.

As Blanca finished speaking, she realized Valz was glaring at her. Anastasia adjusted her hat, trying to hide her face, but Blanca met his gaze, unfazed.

"Boss, take it easy," Norman said to Blanca from behind her. As he approached her, he caught the strong scent of liquor on her breath.

A faint shout from the top of the wall drew Valz's attention away.
"Through the radio! Through the radio!" Valz shouted into his device. "Repeat the message."

"It's Miss Cisa, sir. She's blocking the gate," came the reply through the officers' channel.

The message caused a stir throughout the wall. From below, Blanca could see Valeria push past Quinta to approach the radio operator. She motioned for Valz to come up, but he refused with a shake of his head.

"Ha! Saved by the bell," Blanca muttered, observing the situation.

"Blanca, you shouldn't drink so much. We've talked about this," Norman scolded. "Miss Anastasia, please, say something to her."

"Norman, stop being such a child, and Anastasia's not my mother to tell me what to do," Blanca shot back. Anastasia merely shrugged in response.

Norman glanced worriedly at his comrades, but none shared his concern. Blanca was too strong and stubborn to be contradicted, and the others would rather accompany her in her cycle of self-destruction than worry about her well-being. Agora's death had affected her deeply, as it had everyone, but Blanca blamed herself for abandoning him. Maybe if she had stayed to fight, if she had disobeyed him like so many other times to do insignificant things, he would still be here. The courage she had so often shown in defying him had failed her when she needed it most.

"Maybe one day he'll walk through that gate," she thought. "And he'll say, 'Kid, put down that bottle!'" Maybe...

"Open the damn gate, Cisa!" Valz's shout echoed clearly as he struck the gate with a hammer.

"Shh, Valz. I'm about to begin," Cisa replied calmly.

Her voice was heard, but not from the other side of the gate. It seemed to come from everywhere. The next sound was the soft strumming of a harp. From Valeria, Marchit, and all the Victrix, Sacros, and Aeternos soldiers on and within the walls, to Quinta and the cardinals below, everyone heard the mournful melody Cisa played. Then she began to speak.

"From here on, everything was the truth.
Valeria hid in the wardrobe, while Roth stood before me, holding little Alith in his arms, the bodies of the Counts at his feet.