The Shadow of Eudaimonia

Chapter 34: Sic Semper Tyrannis

Calvin and Lazzi's faces were unpaintable at the sight of what had become of the city of Manila. The masses were obviously distraught as they were all preparing to evacuate the city in the middle of the night. Calvin hesitantly turned on the radio. "And this might be our final broadcast, ladies and gentlemen." the broadcaster on the radio announced. "The US is launching a direct attack here on Manila, bombing random areas of the city for the sake of the lives of a few people, a big fuck you to all us commoners. Hold on to your loved ones tonight folks. Say you love them. And let's pray that we all make it."

Even from the truck, the boys could hear planes flying overhead, gunshot nearby, and murmurs of anxiety. Outside, they saw a long line of terrified people, gripping for the last sliver of hope.

"Please remain calm and stay on the line. The train will be coming soon!" a soldier announced using a megaphone.

"We're about to die and you're asking us to remain calm?" one of the people in the crowd shouted.

"Where's the train! Don't let us die!"

"Don't go out Lazzi, please." he begged as if he had read Lazzi's mind.

"This is breaking my heart Cal." Lazzi said without looking at him. "These will soon be the victims of a war that shouldn't have happened. I want to help them."

"We will. We just have to stick with our plan. We will save all of them"

Lazzi absentmindedly nodded.

The two continued to drive forward in the guise of the soldiers who had caught Shijian and Veross. As per Veross's plan, they need to bring themselves closest to Ortus without encountering more of her puppets. In a moment's time, the US will ambush the Palace in a desperate attempt to force Ortus to release her hostages. Lazzi and Calvin will use the chaos to take down Ortus and take her Obelisks forcibly.

As the convoy of trucks were slowing down, Calvin knew they were near the drop-off area, so he gave Lazzi a nod. Lazzi handed him the gun they took from their captors. "Ready?"

"I am." Lazzi answered.

"Wait, I have something to tell you." Calvin began. But before he could speak his mind, Lazzi had already stolen it.

"I love you too Caly."

Calvin broke into a smile. He had certainly seen this moment before when he peered into the future but he still got the ecstatic feeling of hearing it for the first time. "Tsk! Let me say it first!" he chided.

Lazzi kissed Cal. "Say it now then."

"I love you Laz. I love you so much." Cal held Lazzi's hand tightly.

"I know this is not the perfect time to profess one's love but—" Lazzi grinned. "I always thought I have a sole purpose in life—that I'm destined to do one thing alone, and that is to be the Obelisk. But I've never thought I'll discover another purpose just as important as keeping the Universe at peace. And that is loving you Calvin. Now that I found you, I couldn't imagine my life without you. So thank you for loving me."

"I'm grateful too. I'm so lucky to be loved by you Lazzi. Please, be safe, okay? Don't do anything rash. You have to live, promise me."

"I will. We can do this, alright?"

Just before when a group of men signalled them to stop, they saw one of Calvin's classmates waiting, another of Ortus's drone. The inevitable had come. They knew that when they stepped out of the truck they would be entering the war zone.

"Close your eyes." Lazzi ordered as soon as Calvin stopped the vehicle. His muscles tensed as he gripped his bolo tightly with a single thing on his mind like a machine built for war. After all, his training in Kepler made him to be one. He stepped out of the car. Before the men could react, Lazzi's eyes had already turned into brilliant gold. In an instant, the men including Calvin's classmates were beheaded. Lazzi flicked off the blood from his bolo and returned to Calvin whose eyes were still closed.