I’d really prefer she didn’t expect too much of me... he thought. My mana reserves are the lowest of the three of us, and all my spells burn through it like crazy. He let out a mental sigh, then his eyes met Sofitia’s. She was smiling. Not that it was anything new, but she had apparently easily read his thoughts. Being her subject might just be a curse as well as a blessing. All Johann could do was smile apologetically back at his great ruler.
“We rose in challenge to the empire,” Sofitia announced. “Now, to my horror, they have chosen to retaliate with methods that blaspheme against the Goddess Strecia. I will not tolerate the loss of any more of my people.” Sofitia’s face was hard as she glared down at them from atop her throne. All her subjects felt themselves bound by an overwhelming force of will that filled the whole of the Cloudy Chamber.
Lara took up where Sofitia left off, pointing to a spot on the map. “In accordance with what the seraph has told you, we, the Winged Crusaders, will meet the dead at the Ceirass Plateau and decide this once and for all.”
The Ceirass Plateau lay to the east of the holy city. It had singular geography within Mekia, with small hills laid out like the web of a net. By positioning their forces on the various hills, they would have an unquestionable advantage in both offense and defense. As far as Johann was aware, there was no better region that lay in the path of the oncoming dead better suited to an engagement. Everyone in the Cloudy Chamber must have known that. As such, not one raised any objection.
“We are to march three days hence. There is little time. Each of you is to make ready with all haste.”
“Yes, ser!” the others answered as one, their brave voices echoing in the Cloudy Chamber. Sofitia returned her staff to the care of her attendant, then rose from the throne. Here, she closed her eyes and crossed her hands over her chest.
“May the blessings of Strecia go with you.”
At daybreak three days later, atop a six-wheeled chariot that shone with a dim gleam, Sofitia stood clad in magnificent light armor. In front of Johann, a force of forty-five thousand stood in perfect formation.
“In the name of the Goddess Strecia, we shall see our evil foe consumed by holy fire.” The sight of Sofitia standing there, her voice pure as a clear stream, moved many of the guardians to tears. With her dignity of bearing that revealed not a trace of fear, she looked every inch a warrior.
“Well, then, Johann. I leave the holy city in your hands.”
“You may count on me, My Seraph.”
Sofitia gave Lara, who rode with her in the chariot, a smile, the signal for Lara to call in a ringing voice to move out.
I will be awaiting your safe return. Johann and the six guardians who were staying behind with him to defend the city held their salute until the chariot was out of sight.
The Winged Crusaders rode forth from the Holy City of Elsphere to meet the army of the dead. They arrived at the Ceirass Plateau just on schedule. On Lara’s orders, they spread out into formation atop one hill in the net after another. From atop her own steed, Amelia observed the formations alongside Sofitia up in the chariot.
Blessed Wing Lara never disappoints. This should be over in less than half a day. Amelia was genuinely impressed. Then, from her left, someone called over to her with a laid-back air totally unbefitting the charioteer.
“Heeey, Amelia.”
Amelia ignored this.
“Ameeelia.”
“This is a battlefield,” she finally snapped back harshly. “You will address me by my rank.” But she knew all too well that with Angelica, any reproach was a wasted effort. Angelica, indeed, showed no contrition. Instead, she puffed out her cheeks.
“If you heard me the first time, you shouldn’t have ignored me. It’s not a good quality, you know.”
Finding herself on the receiving end of a lecture, Amelia lost herself in a heavy, drawn-out sigh, then groaned. “Fine. What is it?”
“Did you see these walking dead everyone’s talking about?”
“No. I’m afraid that they did not appear where I was.”
“You didn’t, huh...?” Angelica said idly. “But like, walking corpses? Super gross, right? I’ve been wondering, do you think they bleed when you cut them?”
“I couldn’t say,” Amelia said icily, in the hopes of ending the interaction, but of course it had no effect on Angelica. The woman was always the same, and it was this that drove Amelia so utterly up the wall. She heard a quiet chuckle and turned to find Sofitia gazing down at her from the top of the chariot with amusement. In a panic, Amelia bowed her head.
“My Seraph, this was an indecent conversation to have in your presence. I cannot apologize enough.”
“You have nothing to apologize for. On the contrary, I was glad for the chance to see a different side of you, Amelia.”
“My Seraph, I...” Amelia was overwhelmed by shame.
But beside her, Angelica, not at all in the tone of a subject addressing her liege, said, “My Seraph, did you know Amelia actually loves pretty clothes?”
“Oh my! Does she really?”
“Angelica!” Amelia said angrily. The guardians around them all glanced over dubiously, but Amelia glared at each of them, and they quickly looked away. Clicking her tongue, Amelia then turned her glare on Angelica.
“You are not to trouble the seraph with such frivolous matters.”
“Oh, come on, it’s fine. Besides, I don’t think it’s frivolous,” Angelica added, pouting unhappily.
“The pair of you are such good friends. I am beside myself with envy.”
“Yes, My Seraph! Amelia and I are the very best of pals!”
As Amelia clenched her teeth, Sofitia said, “Thank you, Angelica, for teaching me something about Amelia I never knew. I hope you will teach me many more things.”
“Of course, My Seraph! I have loads more to say about Amelia, looooads! Oh, just you wait!”
“I am looking forward to it.”
Amelia’s ears were unpleasantly hot, but she couldn’t bring herself to complain as the other two chatted away happily. Just then, she caught sight of a guardian galloping toward them. They brought their horse up in front of Amelia, then slipped lightly to the ground before dropping gracefully to one knee.
“Senior Thousand-Wing Amelia, I come with a message from Blessed Wing Lara. You are instructed to move into position.”
“Tell Blessed Wing Lara her message is understood.”
“Yes, ser!”
Amelia dismounted, then faced Sofitia. “My Seraph, it appears we are ready. I will take my leave of you here.”
“I look forward to the news of your success.”
“As you will it, My Seraph.” Amelia saluted, then mounted back up. She pulled up alongside Angelica, then brought her lips to the other woman’s ear. “The dead will never reach here; indeed, I will give my life before I ever allow such a thing. Still, if worst comes to worst...” She paused. “You understand, don’t you?”
Angelica’s face turned serious. “Don’t worry. I’ll see the seraph safely through this, even if it kills me.”
“You,” Amelia said slowly, “do not have my leave to die. You are to protect the seraph and yourself.”
“What, you’re allowed to risk your life but not me? Isn’t that unfair?”
“Not in the slightest.” Amelia stared directly into Angelica’s eyes. They widened in surprise, but then Angelica beamed like the sun.
“Always so demanding, aren’t you, Amelia? But I hear you.” She tapped her chest confidently. Amelia said nothing more, only nodded. Between the two of them, that was enough.
Amelia’s pale blue hair danced to the gentle music of the wind as she galloped along.
“Now, then,” she murmured to herself. “Will the music I play be pleasing to the dead, I wonder?” Her lips curved in a cold but lovely smile.