A CRAZY PLAN AND A CRAZY WOMAN

Faint sounds of low moans echoed out from the small, one-floor wooden house. People circled it widely, casting strange glances from time to time, as the midday shifted to evening.

Lynne toppled over onto his back, breathing heavily, while Selena remained lying on her back, sweat pouring down her forehead. A faint sheen of candlelight illuminated their features, but Lynne quickly got up and opened a window before sitting back onto the bed.

Two days had passed since his promise to the Major, and outside of returning back to inn for sleep and meals, he spent the rest of his time with Selena.

“What, no cuddling yet again?” Selena chuckled as she sat up onto bed, hugging Lynne from aback.

“I’m more of a thorn like that.” Lynne replied, smiling.

“Sometimes I have trouble believing you aren’t even twenty yet,” Selena said, sighing lowly. “Can you quickly grow up please so that my faint premonitions can disappear before you do?”

“Ha ha,” Lynne laughed lowly as he reached out and grabbed his pants. “Can’t speed up the time.”

“You going already?”

“Hm,” Lynne nodded. “I have a meeting of sorts.”

“… aii, that quickly?”

“… not that type. Besides, you’ve drained me enough for quite some time.”

“Will you be back today?” she asked, leaving the bed and reaching for a closet, taking out a simple robes.

“Probably not,” he said, walking towards the doors. “Have some alone time. Bye.”

“Bye.”

After a short kiss, Lynne departed, walking towards the city’s Headquarters. Yesterday, a messenger came, informing him of a ‘strategic meeting’ with Major and Sir Loras, the oldest man of the six people that interrogated him. Both Parsia and Thalia were invited as well, but Lynne wasn’t certain as to whether they’ll show up.

The city still hadn’t calmed down and the gates have yet to open, causing no small amount of unrest among the people. However, shops were slowly starting to open up, and people were allowed to work in the fields under the army’s supervision.

Taking a secret, backside entrance to the building, Lynne quickly reached the top floor which contained only a single room. To his surprise, both Thalia and Parsia were already there, leaning gently against the wall, in silence.

“Braved ones,” Lynne said, chuckling. “Didn’t think you’d come.”

“Just didn’t feel like letting you make any more decisions.” the Prince said.

“Hai, that hurts…”

“Good,” Thalia said, standing straight up, glaring at him. “While it’s unbecoming to go back on a promise, we have to.”

“…”

“Don’t look at me like that,” she added. “I’m as much for helping them out, but circumstances and timing don’t allow it, without even mentioning who we’re helping them against. When we walk in, simply apologize and leave.”

“Says a woman who stopped to help a single, random girl in the street.” Lynne snickered.

“It’s different,” Thalia said, furrowing her brows. “Forget choosing to help them Lynne, you are in no state to do so. Do you really want to face your crucible so soon?”

“She’s right,” the Prince added. “Don’t think we have no eyes, Lynne. You’re already walking the edge. One more push, and you’re off. Down into the abyss you will never climb out of.”

“… sensible arguments,” Lynne smiled as he spoke. “Alas, I am a human. We’re known quite well for short fits of insanity.”

“… you don’t have to be stubborn here, Lynne,” Thalia said, her voice mellowing. “Neither one of us blames you, you know? We simply want to help you.”

“I’ve already told you that I’ll handle it, Thalia,” Lynne said, walking past her. “Whether I fall apart or not, whatever happens I’ll accept it. The road to madness is not one, after all, and if I must walk it, I’ll walk it of my own accord, not when others put their mountains atop my shoulders and tell me to carry them.”

Sighing, both Thalia and Prince spoke no more and instead followed Lynne inside the round room without any furniture. The floor was tiled, sides made out of one-way glass, with view overlooking the entirety of the city. The Major and Sir Loras were standing next to one, in silence, looking down at the world beneath them.

“Sir Lyorn-”

“Lynne.” Lynne interrupted. “It’s Lynne.”

“Very well, Sir Lynne,” the Major continued, smiling. “And I assume Miss Thalia and Sir Parsia?”

“Yes.” Lynne said.

“Thank you for coming,” the man said. “I’ve called you here today to discuss our battle plans and hear your thoughts on them.”

“A beautiful view,” Thalia said, looking down.

“Yes,” Sir Loras said, smiling. “And, we’d like to keep it as such.”

“Do you know how they’ll attack?” the Prince asked, looking down at the city as well.

“How?” the Major and Sir Loras asked at the same time, confused slightly.

“From inside, outside or dual attack?” the Prince elaborated.

“Probably the last,” Major said. “Which puts us in a disadvantageous position right off the bat.”

“Not necessarily,” the Prince said. “But let’s hear your plans first.”

“Alright,” the Major nodded, reaching out with his hand and flicking his finger, causing a table-sized map of the city to appear. “Our first line of defense will be right at the city gates up North, as that’s the weakest of the gates, and it’s likely they’ll assault directly from the North.”

“The Southern Gate will be covertly guarded by our stealth units,” Sir Loras continued. “While the other two will have only regular guards. We’ve already established a direct communication system, with each one of the gates having one Mind Master staying there. Our forces total in roughly fifteen thousand men,” a myriad of black dots appeared atop the map as the Major took over the explanation.

“We’ve planning on sending a direct strike with two thousand of our forces, ten of which will be Archmages. It will be a simple, probing attack to see their reaction, and we’ll order retreat the moment it appears as if the fight will escalate. Save for a few weak spots, our walls are extremely sturdy and can handle 3-4 direct hits from the siege weapons, but if any of their more powerful Mages decide to directly attack it, it will spell a disaster, which is why we’ll have a city-wide coverage by our own Mages.”

“For the infighting, we’ve already began splitting our population in various group, each one having a trusting Magus directly under my service observing them. However, infantry won’t be what decides this battle; we estimate that the direct battle will be held above the Northern Gates, shifting towards the Western one. In total, we have just over one hundred Archmages, over seventy Dao Mages, Dao Archmages, twelve Master Archmages, five Pius Archmages, two Dominus Archmages, one Heavenly Magus and six Celestial Mages – the ones who interrogated you.”

“Hm, that’s a sizable number.” Thalia said, slightly shocked. “You even rival some of the most important cities.”

“We’ve been fostering our forces ever since the Capital closed its gates,” the Major said, sighing as he shook his head. “Nearly half of our Mages are actually hired mercenaries, so numbers should be skewed slightly. So, what do you think?”

“Not bad,” the Prince said, his eyes narrowing slightly as he inspected the map. “However, I’d take your stealth units guarding the southern gates and use them as a precursor to your probing vanguard forces. Have them stab and poke from sides if possible while your vanguard forces advances. Increase the numbers to five thousand, and send either Lynne or Thalia with them.”

“Eh?! But… their numbers will vastly outstrip ours!” the Major gasped in shock, as did Sir Loras, and even Thalia. Only Lynne remained relatively calm.

“Battle outside the city won’t matter as much,” the Prince explained. “From what Lynne told me, I’m assuming this Awakening Ceremony requires a form of sacrifice – large-scaled one. It’d be best if the sacrifice took the place outside the city, as we can’t be certain of its aftermath. That’s why either Lynne or Thalia should go with the vanguard forces, as to deal with that possibility.”

“Besides, they’ll most-likely send their top Mages circling the battlefield to assault the gates with direct attack, as they’ll probably be confident in their numbers.”

“What about you?” Lynne asked.

“I’ll take direct command from the city walls,” the Prince said, stroking his chin lightly. “I’ll teach the two of you a mini-technique for long-distance communication so we’ll always stay in contact. The one who stays behind with me in the city will be responsible for squashing any attempts of fight from inside the city walls. The six of your Celestial Mages,” he then turned to the Major and Sir Loras whose jaws were still agape. “Will split into groups of two. Take control of Southern, Western and Eastern Gates, and leave the Northern to me. I’ll use your Mind Mages to send direct information about the state, and summon you if necessary.”

“… this…” the Major stuttered.

“Don’t worry,” Lynne said, nodding slightly. “It’s about as sound of a plan as any. If we simply turtled inside of the city, we’d get overrun eventually. Besides, the remaining ten thousand of your men will stay inside the city and guard it. I’ll take the vanguard with the five thousand and lead charge.”

“What if they send a massive Magus force at you?” Sir Loras asked, still uncertain.

“I’ll deal with them,” Lynne said. “As long as they don’t send too many Celestial Mages, I’ll be able to handle them. Besides, if they focus their firepower onto me, it’s a win for us.”

“Are you sure you can do it?” Thalia asked, looking at him strangely.

“Honestly? No,” Lynne shook his head, smiling bitterly. “But, I will. Besides, I have the bird, the lizard and the damned monkey to help me out if things get really complicated. Don’t worry, I’ll hold their main force back.”

“About Young Lord then…” the Major probed.

“If they can’t advance to the city,” the Prince explained, pointing at the vast, flat field North of the city. “They’ll probably assault Lynne’s forces with everything they have in hopes it will be enough to complete the Ceremony. As long as the main focus shifts to Lynne’s group instead of the city, we’ll be able to send reinforcements to him, and either Thalia or I will probably join him before the Ceremony is completed.”

“At worst,” Thalia chipped in. “He’ll be born a Sanguis Child, as every record of Zen’s previous Elder Lords indicate they are Blood Mages. Even if the Ceremony, somehow, allows him to be born as a Sanguis Lord, the three of us will be able to handle him. Oh, right, who’s the deserter you mentioned?”

“Ah, it’s time you met her,” the Major smiled lightly as he looked at the opposite side of the room where a space slightly distorted; through game a young, beautiful woman, her skin pale, stature slender. Lynne immediately recognized her, his jaw falling onto the floor. “What do you think, Lady Fen’er?”

“…”

“…”

“…” Thalia, Parsia, Lynne and Lady Fen’er entered a strange stare-off of sorts, causing the room to elapse into silence, and the Major and Sir Loras to be hit by a wave of confusion.

“Crazy bitch is our inside voice?” Lynne suddenly said, finally recovering. “Are you insane?! How the hell can you trust her?!”

“… I trust you know who Lady Fen’er is…” the Major said, as if expecting Lynne’s reaction.

“Know?! The bitch hunted me down for hours trying to kill me!” Lynne exploded out. “Hai, shoo! Go back to your fancy life as a Lordete of Zen or whatever, what the hell are you doing here?! I’ve mapped out this entire road inside my head where I get my revenge upon you, stop ruining it!”

“Hah, let’s calm down first,” Thalia interrupted him, smiling bitterly. “Why did you choose to trust her? Just off of her words?”

“Of course not,” Sir Loras said, snorting. “She’s led one of our men directly into the heart of Zen territory, and provided us with literally hundreds of important bits of information pertaining to their forces, locations and so on. She’s been with us ever since the fall of Holy Paradise, and has been of so much help I’d be the first one to die defending her!”

“Look, I understand there’s some bad blood between us,” Lady Fen’er suddenly spoke up as she walked up to Lynne. “And after all of this is done, I’ll find a way to apologize properly to you. Trust me, I didn’t expect you’d be the ‘man’ Major found to battle the Young Lord. So we’re in the same boat here.”

“No, definitely not the same boat,” Lynne shook his head. “But, I’m a man bigger than myself. I can hold back from skinning you alive until the current crisis is resolved.”

“… I was thinking a punishment that wouldn’t involve permanent scars or… well, death.”

“… I can always tickle you for half a year straight.” Lynne added, his expression deadpan.

“Skinning alive it is.” Lady Fen’er said, her expression mirroring Lynne’s.

“… anyway,” the Major stepped in again, laughing awkwardly. “What do you think about the plan, Lady Fen’er?”

“It’s probably the best one possible given the circumstances,” she gave an odd glance at the Prince before focusing back onto Lynne. “And, if there’s truly someone nearby who can deal with the Young Lord it’s these three.”

“Eh?” Sir Loras’s eyebrows flickered as he looked oddly at the trio. “You must be truly impressive to gain Lady’s approval…”

“Of course I’m impressive!” Lynne said boastfully. “Look at these peaks,” he suddenly tensed as he took a strange posture, rolling back the sleeves of his robes and showing off his muscles. “And don’t even get me started on my prime feature--”

“Then don’t,” Thalia quickly interrupted. “This meeting quickly went astray. Why don’t the three of us take a stroll with Fen’er and learn about her more? You know, become friends and all.”

“Sounds like a terrible idea.” Lynne said, glancing back. “Let’s do it.”

“… I’d heard rumors,” Lady Fen’er said, sighing, as she walked over to the group of three as they turned towards the doors. “But now I truly see why everyone I asked describes you as ‘one of a kind’.”

“Oh, you asked about me?” Lynne said as they walked out of the top floor, leaving the Major and Sir Loras back, still shaking their heads.

“You’d too inquire about a man responsible for nearly annihilating Elvernheimn’s future all on his own.”

“Probably not,” Lynne said after a brief thought. “If it was a sweet, mature maiden on the other hand, then count me in.”

“… why did you defect?” Thalia asked.

“Why?” Lady Fen’er said, smiling bitterly as she chuckled. “That’s a long story.”

“Does it last less than two weeks? ‘Cause that’s about all the time we have before the certain death comes for us.” Lynne said.

“… let’s find out,” Lady Fen’er said as she took in a deep breath before continuing. “It all began five years ago…”