The Sky Army's Defeat

Ch.24: He's Really Dead?

"Attention, Sky Army! Your leader, Sky, was found dead outside Dead Army lines, I repeat. The General is dead!" An announcer boomed over the intercom at Sky Army base.

Hystra gasped, hearing the announcement, and turned to Arella, with tears in her eyes.

She was offered a small embrace, to which she sobbed into as Arella tried her best to comfort her 'friend'.

"Shhh. It's okay. It'll be okay." She cooed softly into Hystra's ear, rubbing circles into her back.

"H-How c-could he be d-dead? W-Who would b-be so cruel to d-do this?" Hystra sobbed.

Sky was the cruel one, Arella thought bitterly, he killed thousands of squids with no mercy.

"I don't know, Hystra, I don't know." She lied convincingly.

Hystra pulled away and wiped her tears away. "W-We should meet with the others."

Arella nodded and wrapped an arm around the crying girl, internally smirking.

A few hours later, a group of five girls sat together, some sobbing, others trying to cope with the news.

"He's actually dead... The strongest and most powerful General out of all of them... Gone." Hystra muttered, her tears nonexistent.

"I wouldn't say he was the best out of all the generals, but I do agree that he was the strongest." Tinarris murmured, her hands folded in her lap.

"We need to find the murderer. To avenge him." Alexandra offered, her brown eyes hardening.

The group murmured their agreements, well, excluding two.

"I don't think we should do that." Arella stated, pride lacing her voice.

"Why not, Arella? He is your general." Bella asked, narrowing her eyes at her.

"Was. He's dead now." Arella muttered bitterly, "I'm just saying it's not a smart idea."

"And why is that?" Hystra challenged.

Arella looked to Hydrangea for help, but didn't receive any.

"Oh! You know what? My bad, my mind is in another place. Sorry, I do think it's a good idea! Yeah, let's go!" She sputtered quickly.

All of the girls raised an eyebrow at her, knowing something was up.

"Okay... Well, since everyone's on board now, should we go?" Hydrangea asked, standing quickly and pulling out her sword.

The others nodded and followed her lead.

"Should we investigate the scene of the crime?" Bella asked.

"I went to investigate earlier. It looked like there were some squid tracks around his body. We should probably get a few more people to go with us before we go check anything out." Hydrangea offered.

Hystra narrowed her eyes in suspicion. "Alright. Let's go guys. Meet back here in an hour." she instructed before walking off without another word.

The other girls did the same until it was just Hydrangea and Arella left.

"I saw another recruit after you left." Hydra spoke up, eyes trained on Bella as she left.

Arella raised an eyebrow, watching Hystra. "Oh?"

"Her name was May. Know her?"

Arella nodded slowly. "Yeah. She's from the Dead Army. A skilled fighter too. Did you take her to the king?"

Hydrangea returned her nod. "Of course, she knew too much. She had seen our whole conversation."

Arella smirked slightly. "What a shame. Oh well, more to our cause."

Hydra chuckled. "Indeed."

"So, Hydra, you have a plan for the search?"

Hydrangea nodded, smirking evilly. "Yup. These girls won't know what hit them."