The Collision (Sequel to The Division)

Chapter 24 (River)

War is not something you can easily prepare for. Sure you can do some training, build up an amazing arsenal, and do some other great stuff, but in the end it's about the stuff that you can't prepare for that shape wars.

And guess who is in charge of preparing for this war? That's right me.

And believe me, I was more than happy to hand over the reigns to someone else, but since I was a captain at their base, I'm somehow an expert.

So let's back up a little bit.

Autumn and I decided to prepare our kingdoms separately and then meet closer to the start. I arrived on the steps of the Ruby palace with Adriana at my side. We decided that Adriana would come with me while Joshua would go with Autumn.

I immediately notify the other generals of my return and set up a room for Adriana near mine.

The next day, the generals call together a meeting to decide what to do. I walk into the room, my cape flowing violently behind a mad version of me.

The meeting room, or as we like to call it the Ruby Room, was a little too flamboyant for my taste. It was marble and circular with a huge domed ceiling and red windows that cast a red glow in the room. A red, ruby chandelier hung in the center, high above the round marble table with a chair for each of the eight generals spaced out evenly around it.

I realize that I have barely seen this room and this may or may not be the last time I do. I sigh through my nose, this will be fun.

I take my seat beside General Lichen of Province Seven. He looks to be in his late forties, his brown head littered with white hairs. His forehead creased, stormy blues eyes looking about seeming to know all the secrets of everyone in the room. He wears the red uniform, just like all the generals, but his has golden medals jingling off of it. He has been to combat three times and has won nearly every single battle he has come across.

In short, he's a legend.

However, he is the sassiest person I have ever met.

The meeting comes to order, Head General Martinez from Province One stands and we all bow simultaneously.

"Alright then, let's get this thing going," he begins, "We have a lot to talk about so this may take a while."

"Yeah 'cause we got nothing better to do," General Lichen grumbles next to me.

"The first order of business is the budget for this year," General Martinez begins.

The meeting continued with the discussion focusing on trivial things, in which my only entertainment was the middle aged man's remarks next to me.

Finally General Martinez says, "I think it is time we address the elephant in the room. As you may have noticed, General Asoura has returned from her trip and has much to explain to us." He nods to me, giving me the floor.

I stand and move to the middle of the circle of generals. I take in a shaky breath then start, "My fellow generals, we have sat on our little island fortunate to be secluded from the outside world for many years. However, that grace period is about to come to an end. A terrible disease has been ravaging the world around us and because of our seclusion and barrier, we seem to be the only ones immune to it. All the people who have gone missing have been tested on and sucked of all their blood, the cure for this disease. However this amount of blood is not enough, therefore a man named Icas is able and willing to take over our island."