The Burden of Destiny | Sequel to The Aura Within

11 | May the Pieces Fall

Fancover by Cora-chan! Thank you so much! <3

The summer season wasn't always kind to the people of Kanto. However, this particular summer would prove to be the cruelest of all.

The unnatural thick fog blanketed a seemingly abandoned manor deep within Kalbas Forest, known to many as the shortest yet dangerous route connecting Pewter Village and Azure Village. It was a catalyst for some horrific urban legends due to the eerily haunting nature of the area. Many recited their fables around mysterious disappearances that were used to warn people in an attempt to keep them far away from the forest. Some travelers solemnly swore that the forest and the manor were cursed by a witch. What they didn't know was that the manor housed quite an outlandish secret.

Beneath the deceptive estate resided an underground base belonging to the Obsidian Knights for their active campaign. This clever security was conjured by the brilliantly wicked mind of the battalion's own tactician: a woman with a cunning presence of a Seviper. Sometimes she grew amused at the reputation she created within this region. No one knew who she was outside of the Obsidian Knights, yet she already had people afraid of her. After all, there was some truth to those urban legends regarding the disappearances. She had to maintain power somehow.

While she made her way toward the hideout, two men were in an office discussing plans for their next attack. One was younger than the other, yet had the tendency to carry himself in a pompous manner. His position among the ranks spoke for itself, which was why many had no choice but to put up with him, especially when he could be very unpredictable. His mauve hair was slicked back with the exception of a stubborn strand that hung over his muted brown eyes. He remained dressed in his uniform with the reimagined version of the Bird Trio badge over his heart. The golden insignia above his left breast pocket alerted everyone in the room who he was: General Darnic Arundel of the Obsidian Knights.

The other man, older than the general, had retired his war gear for the night. Instead, he dressed in a white collard shirt with the sleeves rolled up and a pair of brown trousers. His sharp blue eyes were constantly calculating everyone and everything within his sight and his disheveled amber hair fell bellow his ears in uneven strands. Realistically, many feared this man the most due to his intimidating presence. The rugged scar across his cheek told one portion of the many battles he emersed himself in, often making them the bloodiest. He had to do it in order to accomplish his goals.

Those goals belonged to Claudius van Dyne, and he was willing to do whatever it took to see them through. His own soldiers wondered if he was even human after witnessing his bloodstained tactics various times before. To Darnic, he was a legend.

On the large table laid many sets of documents and notes scattered everywhere. Underneath the mess was a map of Kanto that had specific locations marked up for tactical purposes. Heiwa Town, the first location they attacked successfully, had been crossed out. Three other locations were marked with question marks, two regional landmarks were marked with a star, and the region's capital was obsessively circled. The way the map was marked up served as a path for the entirety of the campaign.

It had just begun, but Darnic thought it was wise to move forward with another attack. His reason for this was to cause confusion among the Rota Knights with two attacks so close to one another, making it easier to access the capital. Allowing the Rota Knights time for preparation was the last thing he wanted to do.

"King Claudius, isn't it time we put forth our next attack soon?" Darnic suggested. "We are only giving the Rota Knights time to mobilize their defenses against us by waiting, which is why we must move forward and be ahead of them."