Planning The Impossible

Aliyah woke up and walked towards the balcony. The warm morning sun rays fell on her face as she smiled and brushed her teeth. She walked downstairs and saw Elgin was feeding Diego crushed bread with milk and Vexana was sipping coffee from her cup. Aliyah looked at them and then went to the bathroom. She finally sat on the table and looked at Vexana and Elgin and gave a weak smile. Elgin asked, "So, what is the big plan?" Aliyah smiled, "You tell me. It is your home after all." Elgin said grimly, "My home is now where my son will be safe. I don't care about Namaria that much now." Aliyah smiled, "No worries. I will also not care much about Namaria that much too, because my plan requires a lot of destruction and chaos."

Vexana asked nervously, "What's on your mind?" Aliyah smiled, "Something that will boost our success rate by more than half. I thought about it all night long and concluded that the demons who are under Kayuba and his stooge's control can help us in the war. The Namarians won't be expecting demons to be fighting alongside us. We can easily subdue a good amount of Namaria by using their tricks. Kayuba is a smart commander and even though it pricks a lot, Kayuba easily defeated most of our army in the previous war. So, Kayuba and his boy can deal serious damage on the front line while we will hit from inside the palace. Prince Jerachi contacted me last night and told me that Elena will reach the hidden factories tomorrow. Then, it is just a matter of time we will be raiding those factories and destroying them." Elgin chuckled, "You don't listen to others, do you? Kayuba clearly stated that day that he betrayed Xao Chang by joining our side and he is now a fugitive and now all the demons and ghosts of the Monastery are against him. He and his boy are all alone. So, this grand plan of yours is futile."

Aliyah said angrily, "Stop being so pessimistic. Don't you want your boy to go to the mortal world? Then, shut up and think of some better plan rather than belittling me." Vexana said, "I think I have a plan. See, Namaria is a four-sided place on a very high mountain which helps the defending army to easily stop any incoming attack without leaving Namaria, so we will not attack from down. We will attack from the air. Elgin and some of my friends can easily shoot arrows from the sky which will give a good cover for me and you to attack the palace without any interference from the guarding army outside. We will slowly capture the palace by killing all the guards and then we will send Licha to a better place along with her minister Halidesus and those three clowns."

Elgin asked, "But, what will Kayuba and his boy do?" Vexana said, "Since Aliyah and I will be in the palace, Kayuba and his boy can attack the hidden factories. There will be an army there too but Kayuba and his boy will be enough to deal with them." Aliyah said, "That plan requires much more planning than you think. First, we have to understand if there are any additional traps that we are not expecting and also Elena's safety is a concern. She doesn't recognize Kayuba or his boy, so she will not go with them or listen to their advice." Elgin said, "We can send Trisha there with them. You only said that day that she needed training and guidance. So, I think sending her there will be a good opportunity for her to see and learn something."

Aliyah said angrily, "We should send Diego there too. He might learn something new too. Don't act so selfish, Elgin. Trisha is too naive to be even present there. I have decided to send her to the Tysogame Mountains where she will learn new and advanced techniques to advance her training. Her hand might be a little advanced now but she still has much to learn about the ways of the fight she will have to use if she is to fight in the upcoming Great War." Elgin asked, "Then, what is the solution?" Aliyah sighed, "There is no alternative option. Vexana and I will go to the hidden factories and do whatever is needed." Elgin rose and said, "Fine. Then, it is clear that you and Vexana will go to the hidden place, I will attack from the air and Kayuba and his boy will attack the palace and do whatever is necessary." Aliyah smiled, "Yes. If everything goes according to our plan then we will soon be in the mortal world." Vexana and Elgin left the room.

Aliyah was sitting in her room, drinking alcohol when Vexana walked inside and smiled, "So, what brought this change of heart?" Aliyah looked at her and asked, "What change of heart?"

Vexana hugged her and said, "That you have allowed me and Elgin to go to the mortal world without any hesitation or argument." Aliyah said grimly, "Why would I hesitate? The Elf Kingdom is now a past glory and keeping you guys entangled is going to do no good." Vexana said, "So, who is going to take care of the palace?" Aliyah said grimly, "Maybe no one. The palace is no longer our palace. It has been corrupted way more times than can be tolerated. Everyone who tried to earn the palace died eventually. Maybe, this palace is cursed."

Vexana hugged her and said, "Don't be so gloomy, Aliyah. We will surely find some way to keep things in balance. After all, we always have won in the end." Aliyah smiled weakly, "Not every time." Vexana smiled, "Xao Chang attacked us to get the Blood Spear but he failed. So, logically we won the last time." Aliyah smiled, "You are counting the result, Vexana. I am counting the lives of our fellow elves that were sacrificed in the war. Countless families lost their houses and livelihood. I don't call such a win a win." Vexana asked, "Are you sure that this time people won't lose their lives, home and livelihood? The people of Namaria are going to suffer from the same fate that our ancestors did."

Aliyah said grimly, "Our war is different. Our war is not based on conquest or greed. It is a revolution. A wheel of change that will crush all the injustice, evil and corruption and pave a way towards a glorious and peaceful tomorrow. Do you think Licha or any other person in Namaria is not seeing the anarchy around them? They are aware of all the cruelty and evil, but they chose to remain silent or join the evil. Namaria is a very wealthy state and if it turns against us, doom is inevitable. So, whatever I am doing is for the good of all of us." Vexana asked, "Can't we show mercy on Licha? She is Elgin's sister after all." Aliyah laughed, "Mercy is a very hollow substance, Vexana. It has no effect on either the giver or the receiver. Licha is an arrogant woman and has immense self-respect. She will never bow down before me and will secretly plot against me. So, it is better that she stays with her mother and husband." Vexana asked, "What about Vera?" Aliyah said grimly, "Vera? Vera is far from these things. But, if in future she wants something here or wants to do any harm like her sister then she will also go to her parents."

Vexana asked grimly, "Are you going to murder everyone like this?" Aliyah said grimly, "I am not a murderer, Vexana. But, some people have to go if you want us to live peacefully. We are marching towards a very big battle and I want everyone's utmost trust and dedication." Vexana smiled, "You are turning into an insane person." Aliyah smiled, "Only an insane person can save the Elf Kingdom now." Vexana sighed, "Do whatever you want, Aliyah. I won't stop you. But, remember one thing. There will always be a bigger fish." Aliyah smiled, "I eat those "bigger fish" everyday." Vexana smiled and walked outside. Aliyah sighed, "I am not afraid of fishes, my dear. I am afraid of those hawks circling above us looking for a perfect time to hunt us." She sighed and walked outside the room.

Kystion and Kavana were discussing some important matters, when Libitina entered the room and looked at them with a smile. Kystion smiled, "So, how far are we ready? Did you think some plan to invade the palace?" Libitina said grimly, "The palace is well-guarded and entering there without any magic protection will be fatal." Kavana said irritated, "Stop reciting problems, Libitina. Tell me the solutions." Libitina said grimly, "Solutions? Well, for that we unfortunately don't have enough time. We have to take the risk of breaking the barrier without much protection." Kavana asked angrily, "Why don't you guys decide things early? I already have many things to consider, many things to add or subtract and you guys only add more problems in the equation." Libitina said grimly, "They are not fools, Kavana. They are also trying to protect their palace like we are trying to capture it." Kystion smiled, "Don't worry, Libitina. Our new friends will be enough to break any barrier those puny bitches put in front of us."

Kavana said grimly, "You are putting too much faith in those liars. I am still sceptical about their promises and I am sure that they will betray us all in the end. They fucking want to destroy the Elf Kingdom and all its surrounding crap and take us to the Monastery to make us their slaves." Kystion asked grimly, "Do we have any other options?" Kavana said, "No. Unfortunately no." Kystion smiled, "But, I have. See, those pesky idiots want the Blood Spear so badly because they need it to eliminate the threat on Xao Chang. So, if we can take the Spear before them and claim it. Who will be their lord? Us." Kavana said, "That's impossible. How can we take the Blood Spear which even those powerful demons couldn't take in so many years?"

Kystion smiled, "I have the Purple Mace and if we can combine both the Purple Mace and the Blood Spear together, we will become invincible. Xao Chang will be nothing in front of us. NOTHING!!" Kavana smiled, "But, my dear old boy. The Blood Spear and the Purple Mace don't combine. They are the polar opposite of each other. But, since you have the Purple Mace, you can destroy the Blood Spear or keep it hidden. Xao Chang will not risk hurting you if he wants the Blood Spear. Then, you can easily subside him." Kystion smiled, "Fine. Then, that's the plan. After the war, we will kidnap the Blood Spear and make Xao Chang beg for it." Kavana and Kystion started laughing, but Libitina remained silent and walked outside the room.

Libitina walked inside her room and saw Kayuba sitting on her bed. Libitina asked, "What the hell are you doing in my bedroom? What if someone sees you here?" Kayuba smiled, "Relax, my dear. I have created a barrier around the room and no one will be able to enter the room without my permission." Libitina asked, "What do you want?" Kayuba smiled, "Nothing special. I just wanted to check if you are trustworthy or not? I have seen many stories ending because of traitors." Libitina asked angrily, "So, what do you think I am? Trustworthy or not?"

Kayuba smiled, "Hmm. Trustworthy or not? Maybe in the middle. I have spent all of my youth between corrupt and vile people and maybe I was like them in the past. But, I found redemption when I saw love. But, I still wonder what your redemption is? Why are you helping the people whose ancestors killed your tribe?" Libitina sat near him and said grimly, "I was in the Great War. I was quite young back then so you might not remember me. I once kicked Kenchi in the stomach when he tried to stab me. You pulled my hair and stabbed me three times near my left lung, but I pushed you and ran away. I managed to hide but lost quite a lot of blood and blanked out. When, I opened my eyes I was in Mount Tysogame where three medics were treating me. It was twelve weeks after the end of the War when I regained consciousness. I learned three types of magic and then when I returned from there, Kystion recruited me in his army. In fact, Kavana first met me when I treated him when he got injured in a civil war. But, I don't have any particular reason to betray them. I just want to stay alive.

Aliyah is a very brutal woman and she will not show mercy on me if I remain on the enemy side when she wins the war. She is not a fair opponent as she showed no hesitation with your association with her. She will somehow manage to win the war and I don't want to die like Hilda." Kayuba smiled, "To be honest, Libitina. I also joined her for the same reason. She might be arrogant and rough sometimes but she is very protective of her friends and will never let any harm come to them." Libitina smiled, "But, she won't even think twice before slaughtering us if she finds us untrustworthy." Kayuba smiled, "Yes. That is a problem on every side." Libitina and Kayuba laughed. Kayuba said, "Fine. I have to go now. We will meet tomorrow morning at Aliyah's palace." Libitina smiled, "Sure." Kayuba smiled and disappeared in red mist....