Vile Exile

Chapter Twenty-Five

Authors PoV

"Amen!" A vicious shout echoes through the hallway of the frontlines headquarters, a gunshot following the shout, sage practically fell out of the office as he ran towards where the gunshot was fired, a group of soldiers and frontlines staff running in the same direction of him. As he reached the location of the gunshot, he stares at the person holding the gun, a deceased body of an unknown Male sprawled out on the ground "You don't deserve to pray to god." The man holding the gun growls, soldiers squeezing past Sage and running to grab the man "And you do?" Sage asks suddenly, the soldiers pausing in their tracks as the man turns to face Sage "Excuse me?" He asks the swordsman in some form of anger and shock "you deserve to pray to god after killing someone? Isn't one of the laws not to kill." Sage continues on sternly, no stuttering or stammering present in his voice "I am a vessel for god. I do the work he isn't capable of doing." The man retaliates causing Sage to curl over with laughter "you know taking someone's word for something so insane is very brave. I could just agree with you and walk away. But you know what... there's a thin line between insane and insecure." Sage says as he wipes the corners of his eyes with the back of his hand "I'm not sure I understand" the man responds.

As Sage enters the room properly now, Levi and Hugo stood in the crowd watching in interest, Sage's bodyguards practically cling to him like wet paper to a surface "You say your a vessel for god. But we don't even know if god is real, it's a term thrown around by people. People who believe that a set of laws will make the world a better place. But it's those set of laws and the concept of god that cause wars." He explains, the man starting to become angry as he clenches his fists "you just killed someone because you wanted to. Not because god wanted to." Sage says as he points to the man who's gripping his gun tightly, within a second, he lifts his hand, pulling the trigger and causing a bullet to zip through the air, sage raises his right arm and shields himself from the bullet which hits the metal of his prosthetic and falls to the ground "see now that I've told you your wrong your losing your cool. get this man thrown away." Sage says as he turns and walks out of the room.

As he walked on through the hallways of the frontlines headquarters, the sound of metal clanking as he clenches his right hand, his bodyguards trying to ignore the frustration radiating off of him. Everything with Juanita was starting to bother him, not because they couldn't catch her but because how many people are going to die trying. He has the constant worry that Levi may die during this small war prodding his mind, that was the main issue. Juanita knows Sage has someone he cares deeply for... she doesn't know it's Levi though. That gives him a little reassurance.

Sage's PoV

Leaning on the railing of the training grounds for the sixth division. The assault squad donating their excellent skills. My eyes mainly stick to Levi who's showing a group of soldiers how to shoot expertly, despite his usual deadpan expression he looked happy whilst mentoring soldiers how to shoot. After all, Guns are the physics embodiment of his joy. Resting my jaw in the palm of my hand I exhale "Are you okay, sir?" One of my bodyguards, Benjamin Faith, asks as I sigh "As okay as I'll ever be." I respond bluntly, my eyes still focused on Levi whilst the other members of the assault squad show off their specialities "General Kageyama!" standing upright as a smallish soldier runs towards me attracting the attention of a majority of the soldiers training and the assault squad.

Reading over the letter written in red ink, the handwriting familiar, especially the signature at the bottom of the page 'J.R' sighing I tilt my head back, leaning on my knee as I rest my foot on the railing.

'Dearest Sage.
What an honour it is to have you so desperately looking for me... it sends chills down my spine. But you know I can't hurt you sweetheart... I need you. And sooner or later you'll realise you need me too... I got your gift by the way, the cute beat-soldier... Ethan I think his name is? I've left a gift for you too...'

Staring at the letter, my eyes widen and my jaw clenches, my entire body going up in flames within seconds attracting the attention of everyone in the training grounds, Tommy bodyguards jumping back they raise their hands in defence from the heat radiating off of my scarlet flames "You said a box came with this letter." I say sternly to the small soldier who's staring at me with concern he holds the box out for me. Grabbing the cardboard I hold it in my hands, the weight of it fuelling my rage "What is it, Sir...?" My other bodyguard, Oscar asks, retracting my hidden blade I open it, hesitantly opening the cardboard box I stare at the decapitated head of Ethan. Dropping the box I step back, my flames following me and becoming bigger than they usually are, Natalia and Dior run out of the building staring at me, my hands shaking and my breath ridged I stare at the head of my friend... "No..." I whisper, my small pupils shaking ever so slightly "No!" I shout, leaning over I grip my trousers angrily "Sage!" Natalia shouts as she runs towards me I fall to my knees "He was a good man..." I growl, my hands going to my hair.

Staring at the ground as his family stand there crying, his brothers trying to hold their tears back despite always bullying Ethan. His mother sobbing into his fathers shoulder whilst his sister covers her eyes with her hands. Soldiers shoot their rifles into the sky as a final goodbye to him. Looking up now at the casket which is being lowered into the ground, the sight of his decapitated head flashing through my mind consistently. the assault squad and the governors stood tall, saluting like the rest of the military do.

As every disappears from the grave, I stand there, my hands shaking slightly "You were a good man, Ethan Edgeworth. I'll avenge your death. And when my time comes - we can have dinner again." I say loudly, tears streaming down my cheeks as I clench my fists "I'll be back tomorrow... I promise" I whisper, crouching I place my hand on his gravestone "I promise..." I repeat.