The Burden of Destiny | Sequel to The Aura Within

30 | Something to Fight For

Over two weeks ago, General Hayes and Elliot had agreed to send out two spies into the region once again. Both would've been opposed to sending more than one spy, but they were running out of options. It was their only means of learning about the current state of the region. They were also becoming so desperate that they were willing to make this one risk, and that risk paid off tremendously when both spies returned to the estate safe and sound.

After the spies reported their urgent findings, General Hayes and Elliot had called everyone into the common room immediately. They waited for everyone to gather. They all needed to know what was going on. Queen Rin's life depended on it, after all. After about ten minutes, everyone had settled in remaining unaware of the inexorable news that awaited them. The last person to enter the common room was Nicholas. Elliot noticed the way he kept his eyes downcast as he made his way toward his seat. As the duke expected, the only one missing among them was Hope.

"Thank you all for gathering here at such short notice," Elliot began. "Although, I am afraid there is nothing but bad news awaiting you."

"What do you mean?" Axel asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Our spies have reported back some... disturbing information regarding our region," General Hayes informed them. "Claudius van Dyne seems to have disappeared for the time being. For what, we have no clue. All we are certain of is that he has left General Darnic as his reagent for the throne."

Nobody knew what to make of this piece of news. It should have been a good sign that Claudius was out of the way for now. They could use his absence to their advantage and fight the Obsidian Knights. No matter the size of the army, they couldn't succeed without a competent leader guiding them. Their chances of success should have started to seem fair, right?

"The region under General Darnic's control is in a totalitarian state. Innocent civilians are being killed left and right for the smallest of crimes by his order," Elliot continued. "While our objective to dethrone Claudius still remains, we cannot simply allow his reagent to do as he pleases. His reign of terror will not be tolerated, for the lives of our people are at stake."

"I agree." Nicholas nodded. "Without Claudius to properly command the Obsidian Knights, we now have a fighting chance against them."

"What about Darnic though?" Blake questioned. "He's still a threat regardless of how... uh, insane he may be. Plus, they still outnumber our current troops."

Elliot smirked triumphantly as he procured a letter from his coat. Soleil, from the other side of the room, recognized the broken wax stamp. It was molded with her family's crest. When that letter arrived the other day, she had been skeptical if her father had actually read the situation she laid out for him. He had every right to still be hurt and angry with her for abandoning her responsibilities as the crowned princess. She wouldn't have been surprised if the letter was passive-aggressive, especially when she asked for aid on behalf of Elliot and the entire Kanto region.

Imagine her relief upon hearing that her father has agreed to send over support for the fight against the Obsidian Knights. Elliot was ecstatic upon hearing the news. Finally, after seemingly endless days of constant letdowns, there was a light at the end of the tunnel.

"There is no doubt that our current troops will be defeated if we go against the Obsidian Knights as it is. We are going to need help, which is why we have reached out to another region that can lend us the aid we need," Elliot announced proudly. "Luckily for us, the King of Kalos has agreed to lend us additional troops and supplies."

"What?" General Hayes looked at him with wide eyes. "How in the world were you able to secure help from another region?"

Elliot opened his mouth to answer until Soleil stood up from her seat, causing all eyes to turn to her. This day was bound to come and she was ready to finally reveal her true identity. Her father always reminded her that a member of the royal family should never let their head hang-- to always walk with their head held high. That was exactly what she was doing at this moment.