Arc 5: The heart within.
Road to a Hero:
Three chances in another world
Chapter 30. The country that never falls
Two weeks after the raid on Walgonia, all the soldiers who were in the battle and thousands of civilians helped rebuild the city. Fixing destroyed houses, building new homes, putting families back together, and making new families. For about eight hours, Walgonia’s capital was hell. But due to the efforts of every single person there that day, Walgonia was saved from the clutches of the Sect, going down in history as one more victory for the country that never falls. Gray’s group gets a lot of time to rest during the short two weeks, even celebrating Rosemary’s nineteenth birthday. Now, thousands of citizens have centered in and around Walgonia’s castle, awaiting Gordon and the other's statements about the events that had transpired. Past the castle's main hall, in the inside area where the Knight exams were held, sits a newly built stage just for this occasion. In the back room, Gray, Rosemary, Soku, Edward, Julius, Peter, Leo, Lincoln, and Ryo all get ready for the event
Currently dressed in a similar style to Julius, sporting the white and purple colors representing unity. But with a light blue cape, that has a nice large Walgonian W on the back. And even if Gray’s friends are all wearing the same outfit, they’re all stressing out in their way. Leo’s nervous, Gray, Peter, and Rosemary are all freaking out, Soku’s stomach is hurting, and Edward has a headache. The only ones not that nervous are Lincoln, Ryo, and Julius.
Rosemary: “You all feeling nervous too huh?”
Gray: “Nahh…yeah this is super stressful. Hell, my OD feels like it’s burning.”
Peter: “Your OD’s been like that since you woke up after your fight with Arthur, and that was like two weeks ago. You okay?”
Gray nods his head, then tries to change the subject to stop talking about himself.
Gray: “Those speakers are set up all around the outside of the castle right?”
Peter: “Yep! Had to make sure the people outside could hear.”
Soku chimes in, trying to force her stomach ache down.
Soku: You guys came up with them pretty fast.”
Peter: “They’re just bigger versions of our communicators, and the idea was all Grays. How did you come up with that anyway?”
They both stare at Gray, causing Gray to play dumb.
Gray: “Uhhhh, I dunno.”
Edward stands away from everyone, in some sort of trance, only being snapped out of it when Julius taps him on his forehead.
Julius: “Focus up Edward. Today you will be Knighted, and I will be officially a part of the Walgonian government. Have you prepared your speech?”
Edward: “Oh, yeah…I’ve been thinking about it a lot. So what are you gonna do after this? Leave and go back to Valatrositce, or are you gonna stay in Walgonia with us?”
Julius stares longingly at the door while he responds.
Julius: “Although I would really like to stay here with you, and as good as that sounds I need to go back to my home. I have been sending letters to my father and younger brother and they are awaiting my return.”
Edward: “You have a little brother?”
Julius: “Well, not officially, but we can keep that a secret between us okay?”
Julius winks at Edward, causing Edward to look at him with a face of confusion. Gordon claps his hands, causing somebody else to walk into the room. Jong, still injured, comes in pushing a wheelchair with an unconscious Arthur in it, and Leo follows close behind.
Gray: “You sure you should be walking around? And what if he wakes up!?”
Jong: “Don’t be a loser! I’m fine and even if he did wake up he has a mana-dampening crystal on.”
Leo: “Yeah, have faith in the man!”
Soku: “He needs to be back in that jail cell. Not out here.”
Gordon walks up to the door, calling everyone over.
Gordon: “He’ll go to a prison cell alright, the biggest and most well-guarded one in the world.”
Gray: “Mh.”
They walk out of the room, surrounded by hundreds of people, all watching from the stands. They go up to the stage, getting in a certain order. Gordon is in the very front so he can speak through the communicator as a makeshift microphone. Then behind Gordon, Gray stands in the front, then Edward stands on his left, and Rosemary stands on his right. Then behind Rosemary are Soku, Peter, and Julius standing in the same order. They all look around, when they see that the stands are being self-segregated, it causes them to feel stuck. Gordon picks up the communicator, holding it close to his mouth so he can talk to the people of the Capital he hopes to rule for the time being.
Gordon: “Good morning people of Walgonia. I am Gordon Hill, the current leader of the Leviathan army, and I was one of the many people responsible for Walgonia’s recovery. As you know Arthur Willams was secretly a part of the Sect of Anarchy.”
The people that didn’t know, all gasped, sending a loud surprise through the castle. “HOW DID YOU LET THIS HAPPEN!” “WHAT KIND OF RULERS ARE YOU!” All things screamed, mumbled, and thought by more than half of the capital.
Gordon: “I know you’re angry, scared, that you have no faith…and I can’t do much to help other than just asking for you to trust us. For that, we have been growing, learning, and planning to change so much of how we do things. A lot of the ideas have been from the people you see behind me!”
Gordon points at Gray and his friends, getting everyone's attention.
Gordon: “Conner Gray Kyojin, Edward Van Helsing, Rosemary Goldenwind, Sokudo, Julius Cromwell, and Peter Day. These are the heroes who led the charge against Arthur. And Gray Kyojin here is the man that stopped him. They have done so much in such a short amount of time and lost a lot in that time as well. Also, Musashi Van Helsing and Kioshi Van Helsing are dead.”
The crowd is stunned, surprised, and for a few, in denial about his claim. Though it was suspected that they were not heard of for some time, nobody wanted to accept it.
Gordon: “I know it’s hard to accept, but yes, they’re gone. And I assure you that their death will be held with great respect, and their strength hasn’t completely fallen either. But I do want to say something very important.”
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The crowd listens closely, awaiting whatever could be his statement.
Gordon: “With knowledge, we have learned, that our calendar has finally been recovered. The years eight hundred and one thousand, the time in between was lost. The missing two hundred years, how we reset as a continent has been learned. We will not reveal what happened until we get the facts straight, but the Sect of Anarchy has been in the shadows for hundreds of years, and that’s a fact. Another fact is Walgonia needs to change its order of doing things. So we will change how the kings and queens will exist, by not having them. After we get everything straight, you all will be able to vote on your next ruler, and the ruler after that."
Higher up in the stadium, in a room separating the normal people and the aristocrats. Old human men scoff at the idea that the Sect has been working right under their nose
Aristocrat one: “Should we step in?”
Aristocrat two: “No…we must wait until there aren't all these people watching, we might cause another fall in morale.”
Aristocrat three: “You make a good point, now let’s continue watching.”
Gordon waits for the crowd to quiet down before continuing. He turns around to look at the others' faces, smiling at the surprised look on all of them.
Gordon: “And now, even if it’s to the dismay of the council of elders, we’ll be looking into and replacing all of them. They are biased, hateful, and old, and need to be replaced.”
The elders' faces turn into a grand face of shock. Mouth and eyes wide open, the wrinkles heightening their sudden wave of emotion. Gray looks up at them, repulsed by their “nasty” faces, then he chuckles.
Gordon: “I will run this country until all of this is set in stone, then we will open up the possibilities for new elders and a new king to the people. Giving people schools, affordable homes, and the ability to make it in this world without having to be born rich!”
The crowd roars in happiness, causing echoes in the castle, echoes of hope, and the chance at a better life for them and their children. Gordon turns to Gray and the others, nodding his head to prepare them for their part in this.
Gordon: "Thanks to the help of the Red Arrows, the Soldiers of the fallen Athens, the old knights of Walgonia, Lincoln the unstoppable, and Ryo the spirit knight, we were able to secure the victory. But even more so, the help of the Heros behind me was an even bigger part of this.”
They all take in a deep breath, trying to force the anxiety of the situation away.
Gordon: “They are all special. Gray Kyojin has a massive supply of mana and a supreme connection to the spirits. Edward Helsing, son of Gotsu, is a shining figure, with strength and morality. Sokudo has risen from the shackles of the poor life that was placed on her and become grand. Rosemary Goldenwind has driven past the ideals of the Golden Knights and becomes a greater force. Julius Cromwell used his genius to lead the political charge in all of this, and Peter Day is responsible for all the new technology we’ve been using so far.”
The crowd is in awe of their accomplishments. The idea of new faces of the world, no longer just the gods of war, but something different, something young and possibly stronger, a new flame.
Gordon: “But going past their strengths, they are all good people, accomplished people, but people that have also gone through great hardship. Julius was the third adopted son of King Cornelius and the last living of his brothers. Edward is the only Helsing left, having to shoulder that burden, you can even see the pain he’s been through by looking at his missing, branded eye. Rosemary has to do something similar, holding the only knowledge of the true Golden Knights. Sokudo has lived in the slums most of her life, lost her family, and she’s the one that’s been giving the most ideas of what to do with that broken area. Peter is only a boy, a boy that helped the Red Arrows in the four-year civil war of Athens.”
Gordon waves his hand at the door they had exited out of, calling Jong and Leo out of the room. Still pushing Arthur in the wheelchair. The citizens gasp at the sight, looking at the injured and unconscious Arthur Williams.
Gordon: “Jong Long, leader of the Walgonian knights, he’s been leading it for the past thirty years, and led them once more in the battle for Walgonia. And Leo Valentine had tried to save his country from Beauregard Valentine, though due to the Volcano, the efforts were squandered…but he’s here now, and was a driving force to beat Arthur.”
The crowd begins talking all together again. “What will be done with him!” “KILL HIM!” “He needs to be executed!” every single comment, negative and murderous.
Gordon: “He will be sent to Tartarus! The grand prison in the center of the warrior's sea! In the middle of the grand whirlpool! Inescapable! And He will spend the last years of his life there, living in an eternal hell!”
Gordon walks past Gray, handing the communicator to Ryo...
Gordon: “Now I would like to give these heroes time to speak. Now will you go ahead? Tell them what you’ll do now that you have the opportunity to.”
Ryo: “I am a god of war, and I know you know this. But I am not an unbeatable person. I’m not invincible, I am not a real god. I am a man blessed by the spirits, a man given this grand opportunity. I have seen the horrors of this world, I have been trained and lived all over the world. I was born and trained in Oni-mas, then in Ravoria, but then I met Musashi, and when I met that grand man…I knew that this country, these people are worth my life because I truly love you all.”
Ryo smiles at everyone, causing everyone that hears his soft and kind voice to feel just that much happier. Ryo then hands the communicator to Jong, letting him state his values.
Jong: “Hey everyone! Names Jong, but you knew that already. I’ve been doin this for a long time now…and this was just terrible. We lost a lot of people…I led people to their deaths…but those deaths WERE NOT IN VAIN! THEY HELP US GET TO WHERE WE ARE RIGHT NOW! I don’t have much to say, but keep in mind we are people. Knights may be dick-heads, you may hate them. But understand even if there are a few bad apples, you don't wanna cut down the tree, 'cause it’s meant to feed you after all.”
Jong's speech is met with mixed emotions, but they just have to accept it, because, without the knights' system, they’d be dead.
Jong tosses the communicator over his shoulder, allowing Leo to catch it.
Leo: “Hello everyone, I’m not good with speeches so I’ll make this quick. I hate war, just like everyone else. My brother and I were in a war that felt like a lifetime…and in the end, Athens was taken off the map, so much history was lost, so many people were lost…and I want to make sure that it won’t happen again, not to any of you.”
Leo locks eyes with his father, pushing past his mountain of pride, and hands him the communicator, so they both give each other a look of respect.
Lincoln: “I’m strong. But I’m old. I’m getting weaker. I won’t be able to stand up for you all forever. Get stronger! Get smarter! Be better! Better than me, hell better than everyone on here!”
The world itself is hurting. With each passing day, their protectors are dying, and nobody wants to pick up the slack, and Lincoln’s speech sets the mindset of needing to grow within them, so even if his speech isn't reacted to with a roar of applause, it is still useful.
Edward takes the communicator from Lincoln and looks around at all the people awaiting the message from the last living Helsing.
Edward: “I don't have much to say. I am not as strong as Kioshi, not as skilled as Musashi, and not as monstrous as my father Gotsu. But what I do have is conviction, a will to hold up my name. I pledge to you all that I will be an example set above all others, I will continue to provide for the family that has always helped this great nation.”
Edward is met with a round of applause for his speech, causing him to smile at the floor. He turns his head to Gray, not wanting to make him talk so suddenly. So he gives it to Julius.”
Julius: “My name is Julius Cromwell. I do not have much to say, due to this not being the country I belong to. But I will say that I have no hate towards Walgonia or the people living here. I want stability, I want the world to be a safe and fair place. And I promise that I will do anything to achieve this, no matter the cost.”
The citizens were clapping for him as well, but not as loud as they do for Edward of course. Julius tosses Peter the communicator, which was so sudden it almost causes him to drop it. Peter panics, waves to everyone, and then runs over to Soku, handing it to her.
Soku: “Dammit Peter!”
Soku looks at all the beading eyes watching her, causing her stomach ache to get worse, though she powers through.
Soku: “My name is Sokudo, and I am an elf with an absolute wind affinity. I’m a kid, a kid who grew up in the slums, who stole, broke, and sold to get by. I’m not a role model, hell I’m not a good person. But I know how the system works, and now that I’m in it, I will make sure nobody has to live as I did…I promise.
Rosemary pats Soku on the head and grabs the communicator, ready for her moment in the sun.
Rosemary: “I am the last Golden Knight. I abandoned my family, and now they’re dead. But the world thinks of them as this group of people who defied all evil! And that’s far from the truth, propaganda at its best. They were bad people, who enforced child soldiers, who killed and hunted for money. And I have witnessed these atrocities, the first person I saw die was when I was two years old and it’s stuck with me ever since, and the first person I ever killed was a young woman when I was seven. Just like the people before me, I’ll make sure nobody has to do or see what I’ve seen.”
Rosemary walks up to Gray, and whispers into his ear “You can do this”. She kisses his cheek and hands him the communicator
Gray: “Um…hi…”
Gray’s quiet voice is picked up terribly by the mic, causing it to squeak and ring in the ears of all listening. He falls into an instinctual panic, sweating everywhere. He’s about to seep into a horrible panic attack but is stopped when he feels Rosemary touching his back. He looks at her soft, warm face, granting him confidence.
Gray: “I am Gray Kyojin! Students of both Musashi Van Helsing and Ryo Hollis! The man who killed Caesar the Immortal, and defeated Arthur the Red Dragon!... The Phantom Knight!...and I’m scared…”
The crowd goes quiet, not knowing how to react.
Gray: “And I know you’re scared,...but man, I’m probably more scared than any of you. Because some of you aren’t strong, but I am, so I need to use that strength. I have to protect all of you! And I know you’re mad as well! You feel like your government failed you, like we’re gonna lose now as we lost! And I feel the same way! Walgonia was taken advantage of, and the higher-ups are wrong, misled, and haven’t grown. And that is an issue in the heart of every country, but they went after us! Because they know we’re strong, that we combat their ideals! Walgonia built off of the idea of interconnectivity, which shows the failures of the Sect! And we need everyone's help! Walgonia hasn’t stayed alive just due to hope, but due to how we use it!”
The crowd's morale begins rising, causing kids in the castle to even start cheering for him, leading to the adults following. But once the Demi-humans kids start, the humans start trying to get their kids to stop as well, then the Demi-human adults start doing the same thing, staring down at each other.
Gray: “I HAVE MET A LOT OF PEOPLE! PEOPLE THAT THE WORLD HAS SHOVED TO THE GROUND! CHILD SOLDIERS, PEOPLE CRUSHED BY SOCIETY, DESTROYED BY EXPECTATIONS AND THE FAULTS OF THEIR ELDERS! BUT IF ANY OF THAT IS AFFECTING YOU, DON’T LET IT GET TO YOU!”
The angered people lose attention and are fully involved with what Gray’s saying, trusting him.
Gray: “And I hope to help all of you with everything I can muster."
And in one last deep breath, he points his finger into the air, pulls it back down, and points is thumb to his heart. So with a smile on his face, and a strange pose, he makes his declaration.
Gray: "SO STOP ARGUING AND WORK TOGETHER TO FIX IT! FIGHT FOR WHAT YOU WANT NOW, COMPLAIN LATER, AND WIN NOW!”
Gray strains his voice, and hands Gordon the microphone back. Gordon motions for Ryo to walk over, and when he does he hands Gordon his blade. Gray and the others get on one knee, bow their head, and wait.
Gordon: “These six heroes! These six unwavering, unyielding, victorious heroes will be made into history! Knights, warriors, leaders! No more gods of war! NO MORE WAR! THESE ARE FIGURES, BUT NOT ONES SEEN AS EMOTIONLESS, THESE AREN'T STATUES! THEY’RE PEOPLE! GRAY, EDWARD, ROSEMARY, SOKUDO, PETER, JULIUS! YOU ARE ALL STRONG, SMART, RELIABLE, TRUSTWORTHY, and will formally be known as THE HEROS’ OF WALGONIA!”
With that, Gray is knighted, and they are all knighted. The group of people comes from completely different places, having completely different goals and personalities, even if they aren’t all good, even if they would argue and possibly abandon them. They came together, ate together, lived together, fought together, and won together. Even further down Gray’s story, if he fails, falls, or dies, right now, even if he sees himself as a false one, he is a true hero.
End of Chapter Thirty