Light spilled through the single window, cutting across the dark meeting room and washing over the table where they sat.
Dust drifted in the beam.
For a moment, no one spoke.
Then Sabo exhaled.
Sabo: we managed to accomplish all of our missions, there were three general objectives
Kaito leaned back slightly, arms folded.
Kaito: We declared war on the celestial dragons by destroying their symbol, then we set as man of their slaves free as we could including kuma of course and then we destroyed the food reserves in Marie jois, what results have you seen
Dragon didn't change expression. His arms were crossed, his eyes unreadable.
Dragon: well we've caught the world's attention which was the point, the navy's voices were busy chasing you two so things worked out Conveniently, in short 12 different countries revolted against the government, with our encouragement that is, it wasn't flawless of course, but eight of the revolts were successful
Ivankov's eyes widened slightly.
Ivankov: the newspapers called it the eight nation revolution, though, I suppose seven would be more accurate, now that Lulusia has vanished, you two were there that day, perhaps you can tell us more about what happened
The room shifted.
The air felt heavier.
Sabo and Kaito looked at each other.
Neither spoke.
Whether they didn't know...
or didn't want to...
was impossible to tell.
Ivankov waved it off, forcing cheer back into their voice.
Ivankov: never mind that, we should be focusing on all the good you did for the world that day
Dragon continued calmly.
Dragon: one detail wasn't reported, our forces have been starving out the enemy, seven nations have declined to pay their heavenly tributes and have stopped exporting resources to the government
Ivankov's mood flipped instantly.
Ivankov: Yes! Not to mention we've been attacking government shipments all over the world! Completely cutting off Marie Jois supplies,
They rose dramatically, climbing onto their chair.
Ivankov: we were warned the capital would be impenetrable because it's so high above sea level, but who cares about position when we've got attrition! Let them hide! They won't last a week without money or food!
They struck a flamboyant pose, balanced on one leg.
Ivankov:,Heehaw!
The others didn't react.
Kaito tilted his head slightly.
Kaito: So think we'll see a response soon
Dragon's eyes sharpened.
Dragon: given our enemy yes, the nobles are used to getting what they want when they want it, so for those who have known nothing but luxury this'll be pure torment
Even Ivankov stilled.
Dragon: they're not the sort of people who will sit back and endure an insult like this, they're going to dispatch the holy knights, that's when the real battle begins
Sabo straightened.
Sabo (serious): the holy knights
Kaito's lips twitched faintly.
Kaito: How interesting
Ivankov suddenly pointed at them both.
Ivankov: Sabo, Kaito, no! Flame emperor boy! And Demon Prince boy! You are both at the top of the government's hit list now!
They both scowled.
Sabo: can we please drop those nicknames
Kaito: Yeah, they're ridiculous
Ivankov: Like it or not, they're the names that made you an icon
Dragon reached for a bottle, pouring wine into their cups.
Dragon: I know you two didn't kill him but being framed for cobra's murder, has made you both heroes to rebels world wide
He slid the cups across.
Dragon: and many of those rebels, hold a common view, that anyone who is involved with the world government must be evil, of course the truth isn't black and white, even if this system is rotten, there are good kings alongside all the tyrants, king cobra of Alabasta was well liked and had a reputation as a kind and wise ruler, but reputations can be deceiving sometimes
Kaito nodded slightly.
Kaito: Yeah, that's the absolute truth
Sabo's jaw tightened.
Sabo: I agree, cobra was a victim and his death was a tragedy, but if it fuelled the rebellion, then it was necessary
Kaito closed his eyes briefly.
Kaito: I can't speak for him, I never even really met him, but I want to say if he knew that his death brought about a change in the world that sparked a revolution against the nobles that he hated, he'd of said the same thing as sabo
They drank.
The room was silent except for the faint clink of glass.
Dragon watched them carefully.
Dragon: you've both got conviction
Ivankov leaned forward, expression softening.
Ivankov: in that case..tell us everything! I want the truth! Every last morsel! What happened here! We all cried together! Trying to make sense of what we heard! But we never lost our faith in you two
Sabo and Kaito looked down.
Their shoulders tensed.
Their hands clenched.
Not fear.
Not guilt.
Something closer to disbelief.
Like even now...
they weren't sure it had been real.
Kaito finally spoke.
Kaito: that day
Sabo followed.
Sabo: What we saw was
The light from the window stretched across the table.
Across their hands.
Across their faces.
And for the first time since they returned...
They were about to say it out loud.
What truly happened.
A month ago.
At the Reverie.
And that's a wrap
