When All Else Fails (ON HIATUS)

An Alliance and Our Feelings

Thank you for lending me Angel WildChildMary

The next few days were spent in rest. The fight against the queen of the east had taken a toll on them. Both physically, spiritually, and emotionally. Maria missed Zeke so much. He was always there to give her a kind word, but most of all, a word of wisdom. She could not deny that Ville had been great at his job. He was taking on the mantle left behind by Zeke but had never claimed to replace him. He was an amazing man. 

She could not focus on that, though. In her mind, all that mattered were Anima and Animus. If those two infrastructures that controlled the world were not brought down, humanity stood no chance. Still, Angel had not yet called a meeting to discuss the matter. Maria understood her hesitance, but she was feeling uneasy. 

Getting her people to get back to training and stay in shape was also hard. They had to get used to the harsh conditions of this new place. The cold was unbearable at times, and most of them refused to scout or practice outside. Still, Maria felt this was important. So at times, she would sit in silent meditation near the lake. 

It took weeks for Angel's people to come to peace with sharing resources and space with the newcomers. Angel's people were used to peace and would only fight those that threatened their kin or borders. Maria and her people would actively seek out enemies and try to infiltrate the camps near Opal City. Ideals and Tactics were often a matter of deep and heated discussion. It was only Angel and Maria that kept order.   

Maria just hoped that Angel would come to a decision soon. This was driving her crazy.

" I have come to a decision," Angel said, startling her. Maria had been meditating so long that icicles were forming on her head. Startled, she stood up. "I am listening," she added. "Let us go inside before you die out here, I admire your dedication, but I don't want to have to defrost you," Angel added. Maria smiled sheepishly, following her, which was weird for her. She never smiled. 

"I have discussed your plans with my council members. The only way we can even attempt to reach Opal City is not only through sneaking and infiltration. We have to become, as you said, a new Zion. We cannot afford another tragedy," Angel said. 

Maria's heart hurt, it still felt so unreal, but it also lifted, so she was willing to fight. "A rebellion cannot be founded on simple tactics. We will need support, diplomats, spies, warriors, and healers. We will need technicians and scavengers, scouts and hunters," Angel continued. "An army fit for war," Maria replied.  "Indeed and leaders to run each faction," Angel replied. 

"I have my council as do you, Angel," Maria said, as of lately, they were on first-name terms. "Each of them has different abilities," Maria added. "So, we will assess them along with the abilities of my council and ensure each of them is overseeing the ones they need to, " Angel said. Maria was so happy she wanted to jump. Which, of course, she would not. That was childish. "Can I inform my council?" she said. 

"Of course, and then we can set up a meeting, assign roles, and ensure we begin to build the founding stones of what can be the only way to take the planet back," Angel replied. 

It took some time to arrange the parties and to convince them it was for the best. Still, most people on Maria's team wanted blood and revenge, and Angel's team wanted their livelihood back. They were also grateful to Maria's team for rescuing their leader's siblings. "We are gathered here today to ally, to establish the foundations of a movement, to end this and bring back peace," Angel said as an opening statement.

"We cannot allow Anima and Animus, the regulators, and the system to keep us locked in fear. We have to take those Jung towers down and regain our free will," Maria said. "We know it will not be easy, but we have the stronghold. We have more manpower now than we did before, and we can begin to reach out and form alliances," Angel replied. "Sitting here will get us nowhere. We have the tools. We must move forward," Maria said. 

"It sounds doable when you say it like that," Tanny said, "But will it suffice? and how exactly are we going to reach out without alerting the regulators or the drones?" she added. "We cannot afford to lose more people," Noe added. "It is for that reason that amongst our numbers we will need scouts and spies, "Angel said, "They will need to act as our eyes out there and messengers to get to other settlements and deliver negotiation treaties," Alexi said; he couldn't see why all the arguing, get to it. 

"Zeke wanted us to finish this," Maria said, fire in her eyes, "We are honor-bound to do it, but if you feel that you cannot undertake this, then leave the council now. I cannot afford weakness," she added coldly. "We do care!" Adda cried, "But we cannot throw ourselves into the fire relentlessly, if we are to have roles, then let's not waste time giving them to us!" she said. 

"Fine, then we'll proceed as requested," Maria said, "Adda, you have always been good at rationing and keeping our troops healthy. You will be in charge of that role as our quartermaster," she said. Adda nodded eagerly. She wanted this to get going. 

"Noe, you are our spymaster. You will be our eyes out there and use your scouts to find information and ways to weaken the Opal City," Maria added. Noe nodded noncommittally.  "Finally, you will be in charge of combat Ville. Zeke would approve, you have done well,  and you, Tanny, have always had a way with words. Diplomacy will be your trade," she stated. Turning to Angel, she allowed her to assign her troops roles. Alexi was in charge of combat on Angel's side as well. 

"Setting up and dispersing the titles is easy, but we have to get moving, so come on to speak to our individual factions," Angel said as they all headed out. There was a problem, of course, still lingering. The destruction of the east's queen and her camp was still in the air, and other camps might retaliate. Maria could only hope they would side with them instead.

Ville felt a warmness in his heart. She had trusted him enough to let him lead a team. Not that he was yearning for power, but he was happy that now maybe he would be able to help her and everyone else, and that maybe the ice in her heart was melting. 

So naturally, after everyone had spoken and met their troops that night, he visited her and found that she was not there but outside near the lake meditating. He approached her slowly, not wanting to startle or upset her. 

Sitting close to her, he said, "Thank you for the vote of confidence boss," he understood that perhaps the only way not to upset her was to have boundaries. Maria opened her eyes, staring up at the moon above them. Even in this chaos, it still lived. "You have earned it soi- I mean Ville," she said. "I know you don't want to hear it, but if you ever need me, I am here for you," Ville said. Maria looked at him. The moon on his skin left her aghast. He was angelic. Not that it mattered. This world was dead unless they took it back. 

"Look at me," he said, reaching out and holding her close. She wanted to protest, but right now, she was under her spell, "We will make it through, all of us, you will honor Zeke, and after all this is over, you will have a chance, and If I make it through, I want there to be..a chance for us..." he's said leaning into her. 

She was breathless. Could not push him back or react. Only watch his lips as they met hers. Maybe it was the moon, the fact that though it had been dark, they had a chance to win, maybe it was his words, but for the first time in a while, she gave in at least to return his kiss, making him sigh deeply "Don't push me away" he whispered, "I am afraid" she said her voice low and trembling "To fall" she added. "Better to fall together than to die alone," he said, and for now, she let him hold her, crying all of her pent-up sorrows into his chest, yet she could not let this be. So much lay ahead.

"I'm sorry," she said, running back inside, letting go of him. Her heart was breaking. She could not allow her heart to open again, so much relied on her. Ville stared at the moon. Why was she so far away and clouded when her hue so clearly shined in the sun's presence?