Chapter 031

Another Day

Their hurdles were cleared, and yet there was no end to the massive flood of reports.

James sat atop a wooden box allowing for a moment to breathe, a moment to reflect. All things considered, their emergency mission was received rather well given the circumstances. However, this meant not that there was still work to be done. Some of the Gyrakian terrorists had yet to be apprehended. After their simultaneous ambush, most of them fled into the city, more than likely striving to rendezvous with their leader. None of the soldiers guarding Savannis notified him of any suspicious individuals getting past the capital’s perimeter. He deduced this was because a good sum of them lingered still within Savannis’ confines.

James acted accordingly.

He dispatched multiple combat mage and soldier patrol squads. Additionally, he ordered for Savannis’ perimeter to be fortified. The good news was, now that the mage terrorist known as Trevor Thatch exposed his plans for a revolution, the rest of the world was quick to respond. Combat mages from other cities were urgently instructed to report to Savannis to assist with the “clean-up” operation that was now underway. Word had even reached Lieutenant General Cole on his endeavor in Dianthion City. Better late than never, James thought to himself.

What was most surprising was the reaction they were apparently garnering from realms past their country’s borders. The president of Gyrak had already issued a public apology on behalf of his nation, claiming that he had no involvement with Trevor Thatch and his “gang of delinquents” and was willing to do anything they can to help. Maintaining the delicate peace between Esteras and Gyrak was something he allegedly valued to a great extent. Of course, this could all be a facade, a simple display of kindness to brush aside any criticisms or skepticism this ordeal might have brought him. As it stood, nobody had a solid grasp of if Trevor had gained support from other forces or if his, for lack of a better word, bold plan was entirely his creation. Regardless, James counted his fortunes. The Day of Zero perished and the capital, at least for the time being, was safe. That was what mattered most.

Speaking of the aforementioned terrorist, James eyed him as he was escorted by a pair of soldiers inside of a military-prison van along with a handful of his followers. Settling on the bench inside the vehicle, Trevor took notice of James’ distant stares. He purchased an unhinged scowl. “You think this will change anything?! Is that it, Griffin?! You’re a fool, all of you are misguided fools! In time, the world will see who the true monsters are! You can make me out to be your scapegoat all you want. But don’t ever forget it was you Esterans that shot first!”. James waved at his men, and they shut the van's doors in Trevor's golden face.

“Don’t pay him any mind, sir. He’s clearly got a couple of screws loose," Striker muttered. He marched to James and smiled. “So lose that watery expression already, will ya? You look as if you’re about to cry.”

“Forgive me if I can’t quite match your optimism, Dolton." James offered a glance at the van as it carried the ensemble of terrorists off to prison. “We stopped Thatch and his plans though, can we really consider this a victory? The staggering amount of deaths and collateral...it's hard for me to ignore.”

“Oh, do lighten up, sir! The city was saved because of you! Stop being so hard on yourself.”

“He’s right, you know.” James started. That voice belonged to Sabine. To his left, he spotted Grimdark approach, soldiers clearing a path and saluting one after the other. A gentle smile complimented her refined beauty. A rare sight to behold, especially when she was on the job. “It’d be ignorant to completely discount the casualties of this mission. Although, the same could be said about our victories. Let’s not lose sight of what’s most important, sir.”

“Most important?”

Sabine motioned to a squadron of soldiers helping a group of shaken and hollow civilians. Some were defiled by blood, and one man, in particular, had a frozen right leg. It was a sorry sight, indeed. “If you hadn’t done anything, they might not be alive right now. The military has its long list of criticisms about you, and they aren't eager to dispose of it. Not even after your accomplishments today. But to these people, you’re their hero. That should be a reward in and of itself, don't you think?”

She was right. Sometimes, he forgot why he had chosen to follow in his father’s footsteps. Even so, that terrible, storming night haunted him to this day. James was a man longing for change, and wanted to do right by his country and her people. If he should grieve, then he'd save it for later. For now, he'd indulge this feeling of eminence. James erased his sadness, his doubt, beneath an expertly constructed smile. “I suppose you’re right, First Lieutenant Zenobio." He shot to his feet, meeting her gray gaze. "And of course, my mission was only a success because I can count on capable soldiers like you and Dolton.”

Sabine flushed. "Flattery makes for a poor weapon, sir."

James rested his hand he on her shoulder. He feigned ignorance of her small, astonished gasp. “Perhaps with you guys around, my dream might not remain a fantasy for long.”

“We’re your guardians,” she replied. “It is our job to aid you on your ventures, no matter how idiotic they might appear to us.”

“She’s right, man! We’ve got your back!” Striker added, forcefully smacking James at the base of his nape.

“Much appreciated, Dolton...” James groaned.

“Major Griffin, sir!” To the beckoning of his name, James turned around to find Corporal Ashborn providing him with a salute. He was relieved. She was a fine asset. One that shouldn’t be lost. Alongside her, there was...Rune Ransford? What a welcomed surprise. Their last exchange hadn’t ended nicely. Still, James had faith that he'd come to his senses. It was why he posted Ebony in Nautia City. Rune could deny it as much as he wished. In the end, nobody could escape who they truly were. And he was by no means a monster or a villain. Dwelling within him was the soul of a hero.

“There you are, you bastard!” Striker lunged at the unsuspecting mage, trapping him in a headlock. James imagined he’d depleted all of his magical energy as all Rune did to defend himself was weakly thrash and windmill his arms. A strategy, he'd come to find, did little to ward Striker off. “I still haven’t forgiven you for what you did to me in Star Bell! Nobody attacks me and gets away with it, ya little punk!”

“Oh, cut him some slack, Dolton. After all, Ransford made up for his mistake by coming to help us, hasn’t he?” added James.

Striker pouted. “Speak for yourself!”

“So, Ransford, it would seem as if you aren’t as hopelessly self-centered as you were letting on. Some of my men reported seeing a fire spell vaporize an ice pillar. I assume this was your doing?”

Released from Striker’s death lock, Rune grabbed his throat and gagged. “Hey, it’s my job, isn’t it?" he barked, defensively. James chuckled. The front he was putting on had lost its initial effect. Now, that sodden, annoyed glare of his was more so amusing than it was intimidating. "From the looks of it, one of your crazy plans actually worked for a change.”

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“Yes, well, there remains much to be done. We can’t afford to hit the sack quite yet.”

“Nope,” Rune admitted with a smirk. “I feel like I could faint at any second, and they still have us working like slaves. Jeez, military dogs sure do have it rough, huh?”

“All in the line of duty, I’m afraid,” James scoffed. Then, he'd set his sights on the sinking sun of dusk. It was severed in half by the horizon's oily blade. “For soldiers of the state like us, this is just another day.”

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Four days had passed since the Day of Zero Crisis—as most were insistent on dubbing it—had come to an end. However, the country possessed a strong memory. I wasn't so eager to forget. As such, the military and sovereign saw fit to meet the criticisms and accusations mercilessly hurdled at them by their more vocal skeptics. Their inability to foresee and appropriately avoid a large-scale terrorist attack was a fatal blunder, one that nearly spelled the end of Esteras. Many wondered just what had the military to say for itself. What excuses would they bolster? What lies would they spread? Military High Command couldn't afford to ignore the discord forever.

And so they conducted a press conference in the town square. Countless high-ranking officers were in attendance, although most favored to remain anonymous. Understandably, they didn’t want to say or do anything that might serve to contradict the narrative the general and sovereign had already prepared for themselves. On top of that, a good handful of these men and women weren’t present during the attack, to begin with. Having no sizeable contribution to the aforementioned crisis' resolution carried with it its own set of embarrassments and assertions. Was the military really so incompetent that not even its strongest and most notable members could do anything to help? It was an awkward position to be in, to say the least.

Sabine felt this amplifying, lucid tension as she was forced to greet the ever-growing crowd of cynical stares expanding in front of her. Joining her on the wooden podium was a group of soldiers that played crucial roles in combatting the terrorist threat. This, of course, included the combat mages James had summoned to help him before their original plan was exposed.

Rikter Leones—who was promoted back to his former rank as Brigadier General—was accompanied by a selection of his own soldiers. Each of them were as burly and intimidating in appearance as their fearless leader. Then there was Philips Leland leaning on the crutch shoved underneath his right armpit. Sabine was told the injury he bore should have been fatal. It was because of the quick actions taken by a plant mage that he hadn't yet met Ryas. Next to him was Hazel Nightingale. She sported an indifferent gaze whom Sabine had grown accustomed to. And of course, there was the rookie combat mage Ebony Ashborn, proficient in the arts of shadow magic. Sabine imagined she’d have a promising career now that she was getting more publicity. Although, her social skills needed improving. She was as red as an apple.

Then there was a combat mage she wasn’t very familiar with. A young fellow who apparently specialized in wind magic. General Leones spoke well of his abilities so she assumed he must be a capable magic user. Though, when she observed the unkempt presentation of his uniform—shirt untucked and halfway unbuttoned—and also the loud, disinterested yawn he expelled, she had trouble believing this to be the case.

Standing next to her, however, was Striker Dolton. He never maintained an aptitude for formal events like these. You'd be hard-pressed to convince him to admit this. Much like Ebony, he too hated the idea of facing the masses. That uncomfortable grimace and the repetitive tapping of his finger to his waist solely functioned to emphasize this pestering fact.

“Something the matter?” Sabine whispered.

Striker’s grimace grew. “Why would there be, I’m A-Okay!”

“Well, it’s just that I know how timid you tend to get during public conferences.”

“Please!” he grunted, as if the notion were, to him, entirely nonsensical. “I’m a veteran soldier, hardened in the mayhem of war! If you think...I’d waver...to something as stupid...as this...then you’ve lost...your mind, Grimdark...” With every other word to follow his sentences and voice proveeded to involuntarily disintegrate. “...I’m a...br...brave warrior...Not a coward...”

“Are you now?” she sneered.

Striker grimaced. “Shut up!”

Up until this point, General Lightborne had been addressing the crowd. Most of his words, bless his heart, fell on deaf ears. He stood behind a pulpit issuing a formal apology and an official explanation of what happened. When Striker looked away to conceal his damp and red cheeks, Sovereign Raize had joined them on the stage.

Their esteemed ruler exuded regality, even in his latter years. Clearing his throat, he spoke, “I extend my gratitude to all of you who took the time to attend our assembly today, as well as my remorse. The military, as well as myself, gave you our promise that we would protect you from whatever malcontent forces. Four days ago, that promise was broken. We failed, failed to keep the peace and order, and allowed our enemies to deal a deadly blow to our great capital of Savannis. A mistake brought about by my own short-sightedness and ignorance."

Raize fixed his posture, fortifying a layer of professionalism. “I have no right to ask anyone for their forgiveness, nor do I have any intentions of doing so. Instead, I can only present you with the facts. Discounting our juvenile actions and decisions, the plots of our enemies never met their desired conclusions. The sizable Gyrakian militia led by a mage named Trevor Thatch has been taken into custody. They will no longer be a threat to us, and will spend the foreseeable future repenting for the crimes they have committed in the light of the law. We delivered to them the judgment of our military might.”

Sabine frowned. She noticed that the sovereign, as well as the general, hadn’t mentioned a word about Colonel Jacob Andrew’s betrayal. This was more than likely because they didn’t want the people to learn how easily it was for a traitor to weasel their way into the military’s upper ranks.Their much coveted sense of control would be placed under question. Although, it wasn't in her place to draw attention to it. Perhaps their reluctance to spread the truth might come to serve her later down the line.

“Now then,” said the sovereign, extending a hand to his right. “I’d be remiss not to mention the soldier responsible for foiling the plots of the Gyrakian terrorists. We doubted him, and brushed aside his efforts and concerns. Nevertheless, he persevered. Led a small strike team to retaliate against the Gyrakians in the midst of that chaos. I bring before you today a man with a vision of an eagle, and the resolve of a noble lion. Come forth, Major James Griffin, and address the people you’ve sacrificed so much to save.”

Sabine smiled. With sharp fangs, James climbed the steps of the stage and fell into place besides their nation’s leader. A sense of tension rippled behind a mask of gratitude and tranquility. He tapped the pulpit’s microphone twice. A sound of static pulsated briefly. “Now, I’m aware of how I’m not the most favorable or respectable soldier in the Esteran military. Even so, I believe I should play my part in keeping the peace the legends of our country have fought and died for. I’ll tell you the truth, my good citizens of Esteras—" He paused for a moment, and Sabine noticed the sheet of paper he used as a reference. “—The real truth is, I’m dishonest, rude, and abrasive. Some might even call me insane. Still, I will never stop doing what I think is right, even if some choose to shun and rebuke me. With my ideals, and comrades who believe and place their trust in me,” he proceeded, motioning a gloved hand towards Sabine and the other combat mages, “I’ll do my very best to transform Esteras into a safer and better place. This, my brothers, my sisters, I swear to you.”

Contrasting the proud and satisfied looks of the general and sovereign, Sabine detected the growing amount of frustration brandished by Lieutenant General Cole who was sitting in the front row closest to the stage. And he didn’t do a good job at hiding it. Compared to the curious or inspired glances of the rest of the crowd, he was the only person present who seemed to be taking umbrage with everything James was saying. Then again, Sabine suspected he wasn't the biggest fan of being made a puppet in James' plan. More than likely, he longed for nothing more than to strike James down where he stood.

“You see, my people, the vision I have for our country, as well as our neighboring countries is—” The words caught in his throat. Beside her, Sabine discenred that Striker had spottered ittoo, the storm of hesitation starting to cloud over their major. After a short and abrupt interlude, James found his confidence again. Although, he failed to deliver the message harboring his heart. That much, Sabine could tell with a single stare. “The vision I have...” he continued with a stutter. “...is for there to be no more pointless wars. No more violence. I want...to liberate our homeland from the horrid memories of the past, and to guide it down a road of peace towards...a new world.”

Upon the completion of his last words, hands clapped. Cameras flashed. Voices cheered. Persons rose to their feet. And the major James bowed to those that he lived to serve. He couldn’t fool Sabine, however. But she wouldn’t pester him on the topic further. There would be a time and a place to reveal to the country his grand ambitions of Utopia. For now, she let him revel in his victory.

Truly had he earned the right.