Persona - Fracture

Herald of the Storm

July, 8 BP – Before Peace

The day had arrived.

All of the major people in his army were gathered in his office. Higokaru, Shun, Finn, Dominic, Rufus, and Kagerou stood in a line, all with varying degrees of grim expressions on their face. They knew the situation, and they were ready for it.

"Alright, guys. Let's check the map." Yasaka gestured to the map pinned on the wall. As several pairs of eyes gazed at that, Yasaka walked over and pointed to a spot on the map.

"Fortunately, our region had only one entrance in and out; a chokepoint if you will. The entrance is through a secret waterfall hidden within a canyon. It'll take them a few days to find it, so we're going to fortify that position quickly and hold them off there." Yasaka paused to catch his breath before continuing.

"We don't know how many troops we're facing, and maybe they have a general in their arsenal. We just have to prepare for the worst, because our chance of winning is very, very slim." Yasaka narrowed his eyes. This was the biggest challenge he'd been faced with. He'd double-checked everyone to make sure they're ready.

From all the people, Kagerou was the one who changed the most. He now wore a grey jacket over his usual attire and his sheath was bigger than before... maybe his sword changed? But more importantly, his golden eyes were more focused, and his stance was tense.

Judging by their serious faces, everyone had trained as hard as they can in the past month. Yasaka himself was the only one who hadn't trained at all, because he was the one to manage all the resource-management and paperwork in his office, and was very busy.

"Are we really ready, Boss?" Higokaru was the one who voiced everybody's concern. The purple-haired mercenary hadn't trained as hard as the other, but he trained a bit. Being a secretary means lighter workload, and he had to manage his guild too.

"I don't know, Higokaru. We just have to pray to the heavens. Dismissed." As everybody went back outside to do their respective businesses, Yasaka went back into his chair and slumped on it. He needed a little rest.

"I'm too young for this." The red-haired man sighed.

~

The Emperor sighed. He had nothing to do today and his servants had been sent home as to reduce casualties in case that no-name Lord wanted to invade his castle. Now it's just him and Hisuke in the castle. At least his throne was still comfy.

"What would you in the war, my liege?" Hisuke questioned. That was another thing that changed about Hisuke. He had become more outspoken and asked questions more often. The Emperor accepted that change with open arms.

"Like I said before, Hisuke-kun, I will wait for the perfect opportunity." The Emperor smirked. This time however, Hisuke spoke out his remark, rather than accepting it without complaint.

"Shouldn't we help fight them off too, my liege? Not to be rude, but if they reach your castle, you may be overthrown, sire." Hisuke voiced his concerns with a worried look in his face. The Emperor's smirk didn't falter in the slightest.

"Then go help them." That short answer took his subordinate by surprise.

"W-what? Are you sure, my liege?" Hisuke wondered if his liege had finally cracked under the depressing atmosphere. It was a logical argument.

"You doubt me? If you want to help them, Hisuke-kun, feel free to do so. I will not hold you against it." The Emperor locked eyes with his subordinate. His smirk didn't give anything away, but then again, that smirk was the most expression he'd seen the Emperor do.