Finding

(17) Aftermath

The death of millions were what the rest of the world woke up to.

Right now, France was currently covered in flames and the scattered bodies of its citizens.

France had now officially fallen and no soul remained alive to live in it.

The news of their rebellion was made known along with the announcement of the death of sir Thomas Rodgewell, the Red Leader's bodyguard, right hand man and fiancé. The man was being held as a hero who served his Emperor and the Empire well until his death.

That being said, as brutal and horrific events may have had happened, the Red Empire and its army still went on its way. Administration was still being held and the Red Leader was still surprisingly functioning well.

However, there had been some gossip that not all as it seems.

The Red Leader is not okay and is still grieving for his loss.

France may have already fallen and yet it wouldn't be able to bring back the man that the Red Leader cared about.

______________________________

How many days had it been since that accursed day?

How many days had it been since Tom died?

Tord Athanasia Obelia was quietly ruminating this sordid fact as he burrowed himself farther into his bed's blankets. With him placing himself on the side which the Brit usually slept on and realized how the said side still had Tom's comforting scent.

"Tom..." the quiet silvernette unconsciously called out as he closed his eyes and tried to bury himself on the brunet's memory and presence.

That being said, the familiar ringing of an alarm clock had Tord sighing at the very fact he had to get ready and prepare himself for all the work he had on that day. That, as much as he wanted to stay where he was and mourn as he cries his heart out for the loss of Tom, he still had his duties as an Emperor. He still had his duties to make the resistance and former world governments understand that what he was doing was for the world's own need and safety.

After all, as much as Tom had referred to him as a Commie whenever he could, he didn't take over the world just to spread communism. What's more, he wasn't even a communist to begin with.

He only took over because the ones who were in position were actually more sinister than what they made themselves look. Human experimentations for the Human Immortality Project. Neglect to the people. Wastage of resources. The unadulterated and uncontrolled increase of pollution. The huge monsters and undead that were popping out due to the government's sloppy disposal and containment of their experiments.

Everything about those just spelled the Earth's disaster and it was close to looking like the world wouldn't last any longer if it continued for a couple more years before he started to gather his own men and create the Red Army.

True, he may not be a Saint and conquered the world out of pure intentions. Nonetheless, his contributions to it were aiding the world to be rebuilt and have a better future for its people and succeeding generations.

He wasn't doing things for pure evil.

He only did things for what he thought was right and whether that something was worth it.

And now....

Was he doing something that's still worth it?

Tom's gone.

Paul and Patryck may be, in a certain sense, close to him but it wasn't anything near to what he had to Tom. It wasn't that even close to how he felt familial with his own father.

Then, there's Edd and Matt. The two idiots which he also cared for didn't want to do anything with him. If anything, both of them were keen in fighting him. Both of them were fighting for a misconstrued and twisted cause that did nothing else but manipulate people.

Therein, what's the point of creating and ruling an Empire when the people you would want to rule it with were now gone and, if not, didn't want to do anything with him?

What's the point?

____________________________

Days had turned into weeks and then into months.

The world had become more mindful at what happened after the incident of Red Christmas. After all, a whole nation had just been decimated at the orders of its rightful ruler, Red Leader.

Any form of rebellion was being culled from its own insides since a number of members feared for the outcome of their nation and its citizens. That being said, for those who were innocent, its citizens were well taken care of and prospered at the blessings of their Lord Master.

"Give it up, Edd," Tord intoned as he watched his former friend squirm in the hold of his own resistance members.

"I won't!" The cola addict screamed.

Sighing at the other's stubbornness, Tord merely came forward and gently patted Edd's head. "You know, I never had the interest of hurting either of you or Matt. Even back then when I was about to take my robot."

"Lies!" The green hoodie spat and struggled to get away from the silvernette's touch.

Ignoring Edd's struggles, Tord then turned to the other captive of the room and watched as Matt stood stock still. Doing nothing else but stare him in an unreadable expression.

Frowning, the Norwegian placed his human hand on the ginger's forehead and found that Matt didn't have a fever. That said, with the way the other was acting was a bit worrying so he asked, "Matt, are you okay?"

"How the fuck is he okay when you have us here captured!?" Edd screeched.

Again, ignoring Edd's bullshit, Tord now took Matt's face with both of his hands and peered up at the taller man's eyes. Those baby blues were now watching him with such focus that the Norski wondered whether the other was high on something when Matt suddenly spoke, "You have Tom's scent all over you."

Tord stilled at those words and abruptly pulled back his hands as if he were burnt.

"Matt, what the fuck are you talking about!? What do you mean by Tom has his scent all over this fucking bastard?"

"It means what it means," Matt monotoned as he stared at Tord before shaking his head and looking away.

"But—"

The silverenette finally had enough of the duo's current nonsense and turned his back at the two as he walked out of the room. "Make sure our guests are properly taken care of," Tord ordered the soldiers following him as he gave the two one last glance and left.

"Yes, sir," a soldier saluted and Tord frowned as he wondered on what he would now do with his former friends.