“Two. Two demons managed to punch through our defensive lines. Barricades, shields, swords, smashed right through us. Took a bloody mage and two temple guards alongside our battered squads to put them down. Fucking hells. Is that really what they fought in the Dark Tides? Must be blessed by the Stars to have survived all that.”


    - Guardswoman Josie Elliot, Abenstadtian Ducal Guard, “Account Of Battle For Abenstadt”


    <hr><hr>


    One Hour And A Half Ago, Arteria


    Hanabi, Mila and Sophie made their way into the Krennonian Arena, the Trinite guards on duty warily allowing them access only after they confirmed Sophie’s identity. The arena was filled with those victims of the Braveskulls and the family or loved ones who made the effort to visit them. Guards were scattered about the crowd, their distinctive blue cloaks offering an almost calming aura as they watched over the crowd.


    The arena’s venerable stonework held a silent vigil over them all. Its sturdy walls offered an unspoken comfort for those recovering from their traumas. Medicaes and orderlies were part of those who busily attended to patients back and fro, their kind words and kinder acts ensuring that no matter what happened, those wounded would have the care they needed.


    Sophie’s heart twisted itself into knots. To have seen such care being shown and for the families to be able to freely visit. To then plan to ask those who had already suffered so much to risk their necks out once more for her sake. She couldn’t feel happy about the plan she had concocted with Princess Lucinia.


    Seeing how both Hanabi and Mila’s faces twist with pain at the sight of the people. Sophie’s own guilt only grew. No, I…


    Her doubts coalesced and took form when she watched the former saintess pull out a small snack from her pack, gently handing it to one of the women who seemed to be in some pain.


    “Here, if you get anxious, just chew on it. It’ll help, I promise.” Hanabi lowered her voice, a softer tone than she usually took with Sophie and the others.


    “Thank you.” The woman murmured, her eyes clearly still alarmed by the adventuring gear and weapons found on the party.


    Stars. Sophie clenched her teeth, I can’t do it. I can’t ask anything of these people. No matter the cause. I… I can’t.


    Trying to steel her nerves, she kept the other two moving and pushed on ahead. A gentle incense wafted in the air as the soft clicking of boots echoed down the halls. A few hushed whispers commenting on the new arrivals, a few more recognizing the half elf that had fought for them. An honor that only stabbed at her conscience even more.


    Reaching the end of one of the corridors, she motioned to herself and the doorway before mouthing the words ‘Keely’. A kind younger woman jumped up from her seat in a fright before understanding why they were here. Cautiously, she put her hand over her lip as she gently opened the door. Some raised voices quickly quieted themselves as the rusty iron door hinges squeaked agonizingly, disturbing whatever might’ve been happening.


    Hostile gazes glared at the new arrivals until one face brightened up upon meeting her own.


    “It’s you! You’re… uhhh… I remember you!” Keely gawked at her.


    “Sophie. It’s good to see you again.” Sophie smiled.


    “That’s right! Sophie!” The now visibly pregnant girl smiled back.


    Sophie winced a little. If I had connected the dots faster. If I had been there instead of relying on others at first. Could I have saved any more people?


    “Don’t worry. She’s the one I told you about. Who fought to break us out.” Keely’s face practically lit up.


    Sophie was now more certain of her new resolve than ever. For people to show such strength despite their suffering, she had no right to demand anything from them. No, they deserve whatever peace they can find. Responding to Keely’s praise, Sophie awkwardly dipped her head a little.


    “So what brings you here? And who’s your entourage?” Keely grinned a little, Sophie almost catching a glimpse of something motherly in her behaviour.


    “It’s uhh, good to see you well, Keely.” Sophie mumbled a little before nodding towards her friends, “This is Hanabi and Mila, my party members and umm, fellow adventurers.”


    “Nice to meet all of you.”


    “Likewise ma’am.” Mila stated.


    Hanabi opted for a friendly nod, her gaze searching for Sophie’s. Meeting it, Sophie found the girl seeking instructions, unsure of the purpose or current situation. It was unfortunate then, that for Sophie herself, the feeling was very much the same.


    “So why the visit?” Keely asked once more. Though the joy of their arrival had faded from her eyes, Keely having caught on that perhaps something was amiss with Sophie’s visit.


    The others turned to her, but at the very least, her decision had already been made. Sophie allowed herself a soft smile before sighing. “Things are happening with the Chamber and the city. I… I figured you’d ought to know that. To… prepare the people here if trouble comes this way.”


    Keely and her posse seemed to be less than enthused with the news. Tense smiles and several frowns going around.


    “I suppose I must offer thanks for the warning. But…” Keely pursed her lips, “Why… why do you think we’ll be affected here?”


    A nervous murmur echoed around the room as several of the others supported the same fear. They’ve been through a lot, only right they’re worried.


    “That’s because…” Sophie’s lips dried as she tried to speak, the uncomfortable original plan wracking her with guilt. That’s because I need you to do something for me. I need you to protest and cause trouble. She wanted to admit. Instead, she shot them a tired smile, “The Chamber is thinking about reinstating the Braveskull company because of potential Traxian attacks. They’ve managed to send scouts across the Abenstadtian border.”


    Sophie watched as they visibly paled at her news. Unwelcome memories buoyed by unwelcome news. That had thoroughly ruined the mood, there was no joy left. Only worried looks and grim expressions as the gathered few slowly processed the information.


    “They… reinstated them? As in…” Keely whispered.


    “They’re allowing the orcs to act as Arterian auxiliaries.” Mila spoke up, her voice more steady and neutral than Sophie’s,, “A penance of sorts before the company gets brought back.” She scoffed.


    “Penance, hahahah.” Keely laughed and held her head in her hands, “They’re… stars…”


    “So that’s why you’re telling us… huh.” One of the other women muttered, “What a cruel joke.”


    Sophie dipped her head sympathetically, the air in the room suddenly feeling far heavier. The noises of everyone’s tensed breaths made her feel all the worse.


    “Ah, still.” Keely spoke again after a moment of silence, “Thanks for letting us know. I suppose.”


    “We…” Sophie tried to speak but faltered.


    “We’re letting you know that. But also that we plan to protest it.” Mila announced, casting a stern glance over at Sophie, as if questioning if she would speak up. Sophie just shook her head. She would not challenge whatever it was that Mila would say. Her own plans had already been tossed aside.


    The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.


    “Protesting the Chamber’s decision? Now?” One of the women gasped.


    “Aye. Sophie’s getting cold feet. But she’s meant to tell you that we plan on protesting, and while we don’t expect anything drastic. We wanted you to know because people from higher up come… bothering you, because of us.” Mila continued.


    A few more light hearted sniggers and scoffs came from the room before Keely hushed them. Sophie felt a small tinge of pride.


    “But do you think they will? Retaliate, that is.” Keely asked.


    “On us? Of course. We just hope that they keep it at that.” Mila answered.


    “Huh.” Keely grunted before looking at Sophie.


    In her eyes, Sophie could see the sense of pain. The lingering horrors inflicted upon the girl having never fully left, nor was it likely to ever to. But she also saw Keely’s determination. Or at least her strength and acceptance of things. It was a look of support. One that Sophie didn’t know if she really deserved. Yet within it, she found some comfort nonetheless.


    “We’ll do our best. What they did… even I cannot find any way to forgive them. And that the chamber decided on this course of action… I’m just worried that they’ll end up hurting more than just us. They clearly don’t seem that interested in true redemption.” Sophie voiced her thoughts.


    Keely walked over and rested a gentle hand on her shoulder.


    “You’ve done more than enough back in the mines.”


    “But…”


    “Fight your fight. I appreciate your thoughts. But we’ll be fine here. The lot of us are alive, aren’t we? We’ve been through the hells and back.” Keely snickered, “Nothing that can do to us will shake us.”


    “Yeah. Ain’t nothing they can do.”


    “Let them try.”


    Some of the others grumbled.


    “So don’t worry about us. Protest them, challenge them as you please. But do it well. Win. Make them take it back. That’ll be more than enough for us.” Keely stared into her eyes, a renewed sense of determination entering into her heart.


    “We will. We will.” Sophie whispered back.


    <hr><hr>


    Sophie trembled when the party left the arena and merged back onto the busy city streets once more. Gone were the suffocating walls and the weight of her guilt. Enough that she finally had time to sort through her own emotions. Sorry Lucinia, that’s not an option for me. We’ll just have to think of something else.


    The other two seemed similarly relieved at having left the premises, their own senses of responsibility and mindfulness flaring up within it. Mila however, stared at Sophie. Her look of disappointment stinging all the more.


    “Yes?” Sophie risked the question.


    “So that was your plan.” Mila scowled.


    “I…”


    “I cannot condone it. But I am glad you backed off of it. Even I have my limits, Sophie.” Mila sighed, a tired but wry grin slowly breaking out from the scowl.


    Sophie felt the tension within her finally ease up. She had been judged. She wasn’t worthy, but she hadn’t been pronounced a sinner. That much was enough.


    Letting out a relieved sigh, she took a deep breath. Sophie almost managed a full smile when she noticed Mila’s expression shift from mild emotion to horror. Before she could react, the inquisitor dragged both her and Hanabi behind herself.


    “Besdiore Omuille Heinaotus Helaotux!” Mila shouted.


    The world seemed to still after the inquisitor chanted her spell. Even as the shield of heavenly light took shape, Sophie couldn’t help but be mortified by what she saw above her. The sky seemed to be devoid of all color beyond a ghoulish blue glow that slowly enveloped everything. The air was practically sucked out of her lungs as a dry heat seemed to follow the light. As she agonizingly slowly managed to turn to face where Mila was staring at.


    A pale deathly blue light blossomed into the sky, like a demon reaching for the stars. But as with those who would sin against the Goddess and demand what they cannot be given. It fell back to the earth.


    The deafening roar nearly sent them all to their knees as smoke, dust, fire, and hell surged forth from the impact site and Sophie could only gawk as the wave of death rushed towards them. Windows shattered, houses collapsed, people screamed, people died. Market stalls, boxes, crates, logs, everything was scattered in all directions.


    “Gah!” Mila grunted as the wave crashed against the shield


    Mana intertwined with mana as blue and yellow wispy strands found visual form and tore at each other. A burning heat seeped through the shield as the trio began to sweat. Mila’s veins came to the surface as the inquisitor began exhausting herself to hold the shield in place. Hanabi tried her best to help steady the girl and Sophie almost did, only to realize that she might accidentally sap her already quickly depleting mana.


    “Arrrghhh.” Mila cried out in agony as the wave forced itself against the shield, battering it even as other parts of it simply flowed past them.


    Glass exploded and stonework crumbled beside them. A roof tile dashed itself against the ground next to them as cobbles were ripped right out of the street. Goddess preserve us. Goddess save us. Sophie closed her eyes and put her hands together, doing the only thing she could to support the others. She prayed.


    Whether the Goddess truly heard her prayers or that of other unfortunates throughout Arteria, she did not know. All she knew was that the roar of the blast was no more, that Mila’s shield had held, exhausted as the inquisitor might be. Only the cloud of dust and ash followed, shimmering down as if it were but a gentle snow.


    Her duty done, Mila wobbled for a second before going limp. Sophie and Hanabi hurriedly caught the falling inquisitor even as the shield flickered out of existence, allowing the mana rich air to nearly overwhelm the two of them. Sweat covered Mila’s head and face, droplets even falling from her hair as the exertion had completely wiped the inquisitor out. But reaching over, Hanabi nodded in relief at Sophie. Mila was tired but alive.


    As the two still standing surveyed the damage, they found a city turned upside down. Dozens of houses around them suffered grievous damage. Walls collapsed, doors simply vaporized, and even entire sections having caved in. Most were luckier than that, merely losing windows, balconies, and bits and pieces that allowed the structures to stay mostly intact. Sophie dreaded about the damage closer to the explosion. She only hoped that most of the people there could have survived, however much a vain hope it was.


    Sophie coughed as dust entered her nose, Hanabi doing much the same. Their collective noise could not hide the sound of alarm bells ringing across the city. Nor did it hide the pained cries from alleys and streets nearby. Aftershocks shook the city as a few teetering buildings collapsed.


    Roused once again by the chaos and coughs, Mila weakly groaned.


    “Mila!” Sophie exclaimed.


    “You alright?” Hanabi asked.


    “Ughh. Loud.” Mila groaned some more.


    “Easy, easy now.” Hanabi cradled the inquisitor’s head.


    Sophie checked her body for damages but thankfully found that aside from mana depletion and exhaustion, Mila was relatively unharmed.


    Annoyed and perhaps still disorientated, Mila swatted at the two of them, trying to stop them from fussing over her. A scowl returned to her face, though one powered by internal aches and pains rather than her normal behaviour. Mila beckoned for them and Sophie drew closer.


    “Mana… bomb…” Mila panted as she uttered a few words. A singular finger pointed towards where the explosion had originated from.


    “That was a mana bomb? That’s a thing?” Sophie was unable to hide her curiosity.


    “Uuhnn.” Mila tried to nod before pointing at Hanabi, “Me… church… help…” She grunted.


    “Want me to take you to the church healers?” Hanabi interpreted.


    “Mmm.” Mila feebly smiled before groaning in the general direction of the arena, “Check… survivors… you.” She pointed at Sophie.


    “Of course.” Sophie whispered.


    Only now did the horror of what happened begin to dawn on her. A bomb had gone off in the city that likely flattened city blocks. Those in the arena were likely safe thanks to the arena itself, but they couldn’t tell from here. Stars above, if this blast managed to hit them. Sophie shuddered. I have to help them. No, I have to help whoever I can. She looked down at her hands, finding them far too small for the daunting task ahead. It’s what a heroine would do, like Gunmarr or Aurelia.


    “Sophie.” Hanabi spoke, a questioning look in her eye, "You okay to check up on the people in the arena? You know them better than we do."


    “Huh?” She jumped a little, startled from her thoughts. As she blinked back her surprise and her nostrils once again smell the smoke and ashes. Reality came barreling back and she nodded at the ex-saintess, “O-of course. Of course." She tried to hide the uncertainty in her voice. "Go. I’ll be fine, I’ll make sure everyone’s alright here and if anyone else needs help. You just make sure Mila gets to the cathedral.”


    “I will. Stay safe. We’ll meet back at the cathedral.”


    “Understood. I’ll…” Sophie froze, she didn’t know what would happen. Or when she would be done.


    “Whatever happens, let’s check in after two hours.” Hanabi proposed.


    “Uhn. That works.” Sophie acknowledged, “See you then.”


    “Right. Now then, hup.” Hanabi lifted Mila, the inquisitor’s limbs still mostly at rest.


    Sophie watched as they headed off to the north side of town, towards the cathedral. She watched as their silhouettes eventually disappeared past the dust and panicked townspeople. Watched as she was left alone in the street.


    Taking a moment just to compose herself, Sophie took a few steps forward to a sturdy piece of fallen wall. She leaned against it and slid down, her bum resting against the cobble streets. Someone has… someone attacked the city. Stars above… is this the Imperials? Is… war coming here?


    She shook her head. No time for that. She glanced back towards the direction of the arena. Need to make sure everyone''s alright first. Hells. I just hope Ary and the others are fine too. Mighty Astralis, please watch over them. Please.