Tears of a Dove

XIV: North vs. South (Part 3)

"This is unbelievable!" Kazu shouted in fear. "Can't we send more troops? We must keep pushing!"

"Sir, we are running low on numbers. This is the end," a soldier replied to Kazu.

"Whatever do you mean? It is not the end unless I say it's the end!"

"Say what you want, sir. Our downfall was caused by your arrogance."

Kazu stomped toward the soldier and grabbed him by the collar. "You will NOT address me that way! You're just a little--"

Kobe and Ingrid stormed into what used to be called Castle Valé, where the heated conversation was occurring between Kazu and the South Division soldier. Kazu let him go.

"What's the meaning of this?" Kazu asked.

"I came to ask one question, and I want the true answer," Kobe demanded. "Where is Princess Miku? Where is Arwel?"

Kazu paused and laughed. "You think I know where they are?" I could care less! They could be dead."

"Wait... Where's Queen Yukina?"

"Uh..." Kazu froze. "I locked her up a year ago... Probably dead, too."

Kobe was shocked. "I can't believe it. What have you done?"

"I did what I wanted to do! That isn't of your concern!"

Ingrid looked sad. "But why?"

"Oh, the girl talks?"

"Tochinokori was a safe place," Kobe explained. "It could have stayed that way and you know it."

"I thought you would know by now that I despise the idea of peace. I know everything I'm doing, and I'm doing it right. I don't need children telling me what to do!"

Kobe and Ingrid were genuinely disappointed in their leader and felt no sympathy for him. How could someone go from a generous person to someone who no longer cared about anybody or anything around them? Especially their own family, and in Kazu's case, his country. Everything was being destroyed piece by piece, and it has gotten to the point where it is completely irreversible. 

"I will say this only once," Kazu demanded. "Get out of my castle before I kill both of you!"

Without hesitation, Kobe took Ingrid by the hand and proceeded to leave the castle. Kazu stood still while feeling rage build up inside of him. He clenched his fists and focused on a burning torch that was hung up on the wall that he had previously lit. He grabbed it and stormed toward the back of the castle. Kicking the back door open, he looked around Miku's Haven Valé. The plants were still green, the roses still red, and the marble dove statue still glistened in the moonlight. For a moment, the peace that was lost in his life recollected, Haven Valé gave off an aura of peace, but not for long. Kazu immediately rejected the feeling and hurled the torch at the beautiful garden. He stood triumphantly while he watched Haven Valé go up in flames.

"Come at me!" Kazu screamed. "Come at me with all you have! I will go out in victory! I stand before these flames with a smile on my face!" He stared at the flames, feeling the extreme heat, and laughed maniacally.

~~~~~~~~~~

"Fall back!" Arwel screamed. "Fall back now! There's too many of them!" He was under the threat of three times the soldiers that were fighting on the South side. He was shaking with worry as he ran back to safety, knowing that it was over. The war was already lost. Many men have died in front of him, and that rate was quickly multiplying by the minute. "I can't believe it..." he thought as he was running away. "I'm gonna die here... It's over. It's over!" Continuing to run forward, he saw a large number of his men being killed by a soldier who was running wild and was dressed in darker colors than any of the other North Division troops. He quickly looked back and forth for a place to run, but he was already spotted. He cursed under his breath but did not run, as he prepared to be knocked down. The dark figure ran toward him, wielding a silver blade. Their movement was quick and intimidating, but Arwel was not scared.