Nightingale's POV
All of the Ethereals are ready and the troops from the different houses are marching with us now through the Ancient Gate. All the preparations needed are on set. We are now at the foot of the Perdit, surrounding the giant before us. My most valiant comrades are divided into groups having different purposes on this attack together with the other troops. A war that all of us is hoping for any chances to win against those monsters standing up at the mountain before us.
Once again, I ask myself why. Why do I need to do this? Is it for the hominids, for peace, or merely for our own intentions? My own intentions. Why would I need to risk the lives of my brothers and sisters for my selfish desire? Selfish desire? Is it only I who wanted this revolution? Is it only I who wants to end the tyranny of the Elysians? But I took them with me because I can't do this alone. A lone revolutionary cannot do a revolution. It's a futile waste of life, of time, of effort, and of will and heart.
Do my desires resonate with everyone else? Do we make a beautiful and powerful harmony like music that can transcend through anything even to the hardest hearts? Are our wills and desire come as one? Why do we need to shed blood and lose the lives of our family? Can't we do this peacefully? A peaceful revolution? I can't envision one. Our ancestors had tried to deal with them peacefully, but those Elysians became worse than worst. They have their eyes looking down on us, belittling us like we're just mere insects that can be pounded to death in one smash of their foot.
There, at the edge of the cliff giving an ugly face to a majestic creation, those Elysians stood above, their gaze of blood lust boring through us. They have their own warriors assembling at the foot of the mountain. They seemed stronger, more powerful than us, but we Ethereals are no cowards. There's no going back now. I can no longer turn back after everything we have done.
We have stationed ourselves before a valley, where their forces and ours will meet, where everything will be decided. And that will be tomorrow, by dawn. Standing here before my tent, I'm quietly watching all the soldiers interacting with each other happily as if they won't be going to war by daylight. Around the huge bonfire at the middle of our camp, a cluster of soldiers wearing different armours and crests, are singing a very lovely song that dates back to our very first ancestors. Some are dancing to the music around the bonfire too including some of the Paladins wearing their smiles and laughing heartily. Tyra, Sophie, Andre, Breal, my boys, even Dylan, Acre, and Roy are there too.
They were at the part of the song wherein the dancers will invite others and dance with them. Tyra went to fetch Cougar from a group of drunken men. Andre grabbed Apollo by the collar of his shirt from a cluster of young men, probably telling them his missions and making himself look gallant. Sophie went to get Ethan who's enjoying watching them from his seat. Dale and Gale, on their fused form, went to Hale and pulled him out of his tent where he went to hide, probably to avoid joining the dance. I was about to hide too when Rumple and Harley, on their fused form, grabbed me by my waist and carried me off towards the bonfire where everyone else is dancing not caring if they're doing it right or not.
"Just because the two of you are taller and stronger than me on that form doesn't mean you'll carry me like a hunted game on your shoulder" I snapped but they... he just smiled widely at me and broke away from each other. Both held either of my hands and pulled and pushed me going along with the crowd.
"Come on mother, what's the hold back?" Harley asked but I didn't answer.
"I don't want to dance, because every time I do, I will get carried away and embarrass myself"
"Then that would mean you're good at it!" Rumple said and send me spinning. They're both smiling at me. Oh this would be the last. I let myself dance, go with the music, and fill my heart with boundless happiness.
Hale's POV
I momentarily stopped when I caught a glance of Angel dancing. She's doing great! And she looks so happy with it.
"Such a rare sight is it not?" Ethan asked who pulled me back into the line then eyed my beautiful Angel.
"It surely is" I agreed as we both go with the dance.
"She's catching a lot of audience" Apollo said who suddenly slid in front of me. I saw the soldiers coming towards us in hordes like ants and bees being summoned by their queen. The singers sung louder and better and the main dancers improved too.
"Ahh, milady is so beautiful" Acre sighed who came and inserted himself between Ethan and me.
"We can all but dream of her. Those boys caught her heart in a net while we use hooked strings" Ethan said hopelessly.
"And I am such a fool on cheating on such a wonderful lady" Apollo sighed sounding more hopeless.
"Oh I am but satisfied being able to serve her" Acre said that made Apollo sniff.
"Says you, who can't be stilled until the General told you that he won't give you his permission to marry her? I can still remember how your efforts fail in front of you and how you look dumb after she obliviously turned you down" Apollo snickered.
"And besides, I don't think she'll give some time to take a look at us. She's totally giving all her attention for what's about to come soon" Ethan said then we all sighed. I don't even feel hopeful that she'll answer my love for her. She's busy taking care of those boys. Or is she into kids? Impossible. I shook the thought out of my head and just danced while I keep my eyes on her.
"All sighing for a love unanswered?" Sophie asked who suddenly came dancing beside us inside the circle wearing an irritating smile.
"Oh, but do not be disheartened. She will choose someone soon" she said that made us feel hopeful.
"But sadly, it would be neither of you. You do know that we can only marry those from our OWN kind, don't you?" She took all that hope back as quick as she has given them.
"Then how about Cougar and Tyra? Would their love be in vain?" Ethan asked.
"Oh, do not worry about those two. They have long been promised to each other, given the permission of both sides of course" she answered that got me puzzled.
"But they're not of the same kind" I argued.
"Fool, I was just joking. Of course, she can be married into another kind if and only if her father will grant that lucky man his permission. That is, if that man can..." she trailed off hesitantly and strutted away from us.
"I don't like how that sounded" Ethan said and I nodded in agreement.
"What did?" Acre asked.
"Get out of here" I grunted.
My Angel danced gracefully, beautifully, and fiercelyuntil the music ended and we all gave an applause to everyone, to ourselves,and to her. Everyone got tired after being influenced by Angel. It seemed likeher overflowing energy came to us and dragged us into the adrenaline. Men andwomen hooted, whistled, and shouted, and we all ended up in laughter. EvenAngel is laughing. But our noise got sucked into the void when we had anunexpected visitor.
