Flenning Kingdom. Flovenguard.

A couple of days have passed since the American troops finally have been able to progress westward from the Flenning capital. The town as of right now is being rebuilt by the remnants of the refugees and survivors of the pillaging Tolerian troops. Since modern cannons or artillery are not produced in the human realm, the town is relatively unscathed. It's the people who received the most harm in this war.

With supply stands for distributing food, blankets, and water placed around the town, the villagers didn’t have to worry about death by starvation. In one particular area of Flovenguard stands a pair of houses with two floors. The ground floor and the second floor. The ground floor would have a store that sold clothes, and in another, sold fresh produce. Keith’s family ran a clothing store in the town while Hellen’s family ran the fresh produce stand next to his family’s house. Right now, Hellen and Keith are standing in front of their houses. Hellen wore a blanket over herself as her only clothes are still terribly ripped apart. Keith still wore his dirty and tattered clothing that he has now worn for more than a couple of days now.

Right now, Hellen’s parents went to an aid stand that was set up by the U.S army to get food, water, and other supplies. Keith’s mother is also currently at an aid stand with Hellen’s parents. Unfortunately for him, the encounter at the barn left Keith fatherless. Keith’s mother is still lucky to still be alive, given what they went through. Now as a 16 year old teenager, Keith must now take over the store to restart his family business, as the only child of the family business now. Hellen is relatively lucky to still have her parents, although she went through something that most 15 year olds don’t go through in the U.S.

As the two stood in front of their houses, Hellen lost her footing from being constantly on edge since the event at the abandoned farm. Keith is fast to notice and quietly catches her, supporting her from her back with his left arm. Keith feels a slight pain from his injuries, however he is still fine enough to support his childhood friend. Keith looked at Hellen that he held in his arms. He remembered how he first met her for the first time. Ten years ago, Keith’s parents brought over Hellen’s parents for dinner and a drink. The mothers and fathers were best friends since they lived in the same neighborhood for many years now.

Keith remembered her brown hair, full of life and color. Her blue eyes that blended with her white skin. A typical body of a young girl. Even today, as Keith looks at Hellen, he still finds her beautiful. Her somewhat tanned skin from helping her uncle from time to time now give contrast to her still blue eyes. And even now, her matted hair still shines full of color and vitality. However, he could feel her slight shivering, even with the grey thick blanket that she is wearing.

Keith gave up hope when the Tolerian soldiers began to tear apart what he knew before his eyes, however the weirdly uniformed soldiers to him, showed a light. Some ray of hope. The fact that he and his childhood friend survived gives some hope. Even now, Keith still gets the feeling of shock that he experienced as the Tolerian soldiers killed his father right in front of him. To show what happens if he were to fight back against them.

It's not uncommon for Tolerian soldiers to get young boys to train and serve. Especially since many are mercenaries for hire. This is especially common in the Tillerian Empire and its varying provinces.This is because of the amount of mercenaries available in such a vast territory, the price of them is lower than in many other neighboring nations. It’s manpower mostly stems from that. However, having higher amounts of mercenaries in an army can lead to more pillaging since that is the main way of living and earning wealth through war. Furthermore, mercenaries operate in groups, so expanding their numbers is ideal. Fortunately, Keith did not fall to that fate. Especially with Hellen.

As Keith held Hellen in his arms, he could hear footsteps from a distance. This area is not very well populated, so he guessed it was his mom and Hellen’s parents. He is right. He nudges Hellen and she looks up at him with her blue eyes. He silently makes a vow to himself, and beckons towards their parents.

***

U.S Command Center. Flovenguard.

Since the capture of Flovenguard, the U.S military has now secured the southern routes to the Flenning capital city. Other companies operating under the division in Flenning are currently making good progress to secure vital routes. Now, the last stretch is securing the Flenning border that crosses into the Tolerian border. With the current progress the U.S is making, the U.S can make some headway from the Flenning Kingdom into the Tolerian Kingdom. Furthermore, the U.S army and marine divisions dispatched to the neighboring Vaskov Kingdom are also getting closer to the borders of the Tolerian and Tasermain Kingdoms. The two kingdoms responsible for this war. Furthermore, there is another division up in the Kleft Kingdom. They are currently making good progress towards the Tasermain border. Although, it won’t even be two weeks before U.S troops marched upon their capitals.

Although , the Command center in Flovenguard is meeting to deal with a new order from the Pentagon in Washington D.C. The command center in Flovenguard is stationed at a large pavilion house that has nearly three floors. It was inhabited by a wealthy merchant company, however the company fled towards the capital to avoid the invading Tolerian army from the west. The U.S took control of the building since it has been classified as abandoned.

In one of the many rooms on the second floor, a group of uniformed captains and officers were prepared to be briefed. An order has been tasked for all available groups in the area.

“Find the American and Japanese passengers that were scheduled to arrive at Narita and Haneda Airport in Japan.” The commanding lieutenant colonel is in charge of the 3,000 military personnel currently stationed in Flovenguard. He is currently briefing his men. He continues. “Right now, we have done a preliminary search of any crashed airplanes near what would have been Narita and Haneda airport. We have found a couple of airplanes crashed near where Narita and Haneda airport would have been. Luckily, they landed near the flatter parts in the Kingdom of Flenning, so we were able to start finding survivors in the surrounding settlements. However, we are still missing some planes. Assuming the numbers are correct, we must assume that there are still 6 planes missing.” He had a grim look appear on his face. “It’s unknown if they landed closer to the border, in the ocean, or landed in the Tolerian Kingdom. We will speed up our advance into the Tolerian Kingdom. Lets get our brothers and sisters home.” Everyone gave out a cheer in response.

***

Tolerian Kingdom. King’s Throne Room.

In the vast room is a long room that led to a golden ornamented throne with the current king sitting in it. His council stood towards the side, closer to his “guests”.

The King eyed his “guests” that are now chained by hand and foot. To the King, they wore unfamiliar and strange clothing. However, he could see some of the intricacies of some of their clothes. One wore the undershirt of a suit, which clearly does not have its jacket anymore. One wore an airlines dress uniform. And another wore a simple T-shirt and shorts. After his council found an “artifact” or plane near a village. The King sent his men to retrieve the survivors from the plane.

“Now, lets see what I can get from you three.” The King smiled, while gripping his throne tightly. The King is still furious about the American intervention in the war. Furthermore, this has led to discontent and a loss of confidence amongst his vassals. He must gain something in order to survive after this war. He must. He turns to one of his councilmen. “Are these the survivors of that artifact found near your village?”

The council man then nods in response. “Yes your majesty. The villagers took them in and had them help around the village for work. Our men took them as soon as we discovered them. However, some of them speak a language we are not familiar with at all. Sounds like something the inner kingdoms would use.” He bows his head.

The King’s hope increases. He has been thinking that the artifact must be similar to those rumored artifacts which destroyed the pirate fleet near the Kingdom of Astra. If that is so, the people in the plane must know how to build one of these artifacts. He speaks to the three survivors. “I shall spare your lives and sins if you cooperate with this righteous Kingdom. Tell me, how do you build your artifact?” He spoke confidently. However, the translator for the three only started to shake his head.

“Your majesty” He said. “They say they don’t know how to build it, your majesty.” He bows.

His majesty speaks. “Is it to mean that their country found the artifact then?” The king waits, but the translator shakes his head.

“They say that those artifacts are difficult to build your majesty. None of them would know how.” The translator then bows again.

The King starts to chuckle. “Haha, do they take me for a fool? Do you know how many times a Mana user refused to tell me their secrets? They also used difficulty as an excuse. Translate this for me. Tell them that if they don’t speak the truth, then we will have to take the less savory route then.” The translator shakes as he asks again, in a more dire tone. The three shake their heads, but the translator insists. The King notices.

“So its the hard way then. Guards, get them to confess their secrets by any means possible. Also.” The King then turns to his councilman. “Get more of them. I will need more if these don’t make it.”

The council man bows. “Understood your majesty.” The guards then dragged the three away as they struggled to walk.

“I must have it, I must have it.” The King kept saying to himself.