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Chapter 7

The Night It Changed

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The I.A.S. DominionDreadnought Flagship of the 3rd Fleet
The I.A.S. Dominion - Main Bridge
General… we’ve narrowed the relic’s signal to a village in southern Aeloria.
The signal is unstable, but… if we close the distance, I believe we can isolate it.
Which village?
Umm...
Sylvarra Village.
Set a course.
And push the engines until they scream.
I want to arrive by nightfall.
General… Sylvarra falls under Aelorian jurisdiction.
If we move openly, they will respond.
I know.
Bring us in from the southern approach.
Keep us over open water until the final turn inland.
We enter Aelorian airspace only once. By the time they realize we were there… we’ll already be gone.
Inform the Ashwalker. The relic is priority above all else.
At once, General.
Sylvarra, how quaint...
Later that evening...
What a day...
Huh... wonder what's in there...
Papa, what’s with this sword?
BWAH hah hah!
That blade belonged to your father.
You made this one too?
No, my boy.
He made it himself.
He even enchanted the steel.
Said they helped the blade remember the wind.
Remember the wind?
That is a longer tale than tonight deserves.
We’ll speak of it tomorrow, if you’re still willing to help out again.
Expecting any more charcoal?
BWAH hah hah!
Not to worry.
I only get a delivery once a month.
Go on home.
Take the blade with you.
I’ve kept it long enough.
I don’t want his sword.
Tell you what.
Bring it by tomorrow morning, and I’ll tell you the story behind that blade.
Your father’s story too… if you’re ready to hear it.
I’ll see you in the morning, Papa.
Later that night...
Sylvarra slept beneath a silver moon…
What in the six hells is that?
…until the sky itself went dark.
Captain! Imperial troops are in the streets!
The Empire…?
Here?
By the Divine...
Sound the alarm.
Rally every guard still standing.
We hold at the tower gate.
If there was ever a night to answer…
There’s too many of them!
Captain’s here!
Listen to me.
The villagers come first.
We’re their only line of defense.
I don’t know why the Empire came here.
But right now, that doesn't matter.
We swore an oath.
To stand between them and the dark.
Then we protect them. Every last soul.
This is our home.
Our families are counting on us.
So we do not run.
Divine… let it be enough.
The guard met the Empire with steel, oath, and courage.
It wasn’t enough.
The line still holds.
Father!
I trained for this... So why won’t my hands move?
Damn... How many are there?
Darius… drop your sword.
There are too many.
Dammit...
I swear it… The Empire will answer for this.
Kaze's House
...What was that!?!
I don’t know who you are...
but you broke into the wrong house.
Boy. Put the blade down.
I'm not here for you.
Worry about yourself.
Wrong house. Remember?
Ghh… you little brat!
KAZE!
Mom?!
Enough!
You will not touch my son.
Mom—!
AAAGH—!
Mom... why?
I had to... make sure you were safe.
No... no, no...
I was supposed to protect you.
You'll always be my little boy…
I love you...
...
Mom!
Be grateful you’re still breathing.
Well... this became messy.
I almost thought the boy had you.
Lucky hit.
Do you have the relic’s signal?
It’s deeper inside, Ashwalker.
I'm sure...
Hmm...
All this commotion... for something so small.
Buried in a child’s room, in a village no one will remember.
At last... the relic is secured.
Send word to the General.
At once Ashwalker.
Hmm... how curious...
That presence... why does it feel familiar?
No... that can’t be right.
Ashwalker.
Alas... this will have to wait.
Curious things should not be broken too soon.
The General has ordered an immediate withdrawal.
She wants the relic brought to her at once.