Chapter Fourteen: Betrayal & Vice (Felix)

How could he become so corrupt?

Felix quietly continues driving, surprised the boy to his left hasn't said a word since he and Leon exchanged vehicles. He was so excited to meet Felix, and now it was as if he was the boy's worst enemy. He continues to keep his eyes focused on the road before him, but instead of the hues of yellow, green, and blue of earlier, the colors are more varied and vibrant, marking the stores, houses, and other buildings of the country he was born in.

It was slightly nostalgic, seeing as how everything changed from what Felix knew it to be before and during the war all those years ago. But he was glad the people and the nation were able to recover and didn't have to face a situation like the current one Finnland and Russland were experiencing.

Felix, ever since he was told the reason for Finnland "allying" with Russland (based on the intelligence unit's tone, Finnland was planning to turn against Russland shortly), wanted to know what Reko would think, being born in Finnland.

What if he were the country's current Army General? Surely, he would not allow Finnland to succumb to Russland's strength, even if he was positive Russland was stronger than Finnland in terms of raw military power.

Felix thought so. He assumed the others, like Leon and Nicholas, would be completely baffled and disagree, but they didn't know Reko like Felix did. Not even close.

"We'll be arriving at the outskirts of Berlin in thirty minutes," Kal's voice brings Felix back to focusing on the road.

The buildings have changed from simple houses to more complex architectural mansions, and a collection of skyscrapers dot the horizon before the pair.

"You're certainly quiet. Anything on your mind? Or am I not a pleasant driver?" Felix decides it is harmless to ask if something troubles Kal, making him suddenly go silent.

"Oh, it's an honor being with you, General Adelric-"

"Please, just call me Felix."

"If you insist. You're not what's bothering me, Felix. I'm just thinking if my letter to Reko got to him safety or not," Kal reminds Felix of the recruit's unfortunate situation.

To be honest with himself, Felix wasn't confident Reko was doing just fine. He worried every night, hence why he was awake when Nicholas comforted him.

He remembered the letter he was writing before he left the tent. Did he take it with him? Felix feels the left pocket of his outfit and hears the slight crackle of paper, breathing a sigh of relief. The map was gone, but Felix always carried an extra one. But that letter...

"Maybe I'm just overthinking things. Ace seems trustworthy, so I'm sure my letter reached him without interference," Kal continues his statement, and Felix shakes his head, trying to clear it of all the doubts he is having and focus on the present time and what he was certain about.

"What does the letter contain?"

"It's a formal letter that I transcribed from Ms. Eelin appointing Reko as Finnland's Army General. I also decided to add my own personal thoughts, which are just explanations of how I've been and wondering how he has been fairing. Hearing that he's alive is quite a joy, so I assume up until his capture that he was doing well," Kal summarizes, and Felix nods along.

Now that Kal mentioned it, Felix never told Reko that he would be Finnland's next Army General if Eelin were to die. Felix hoped Reko would be at least two years older before he told him Eelin's plan, but he guessed it was best Reko knew ahead of time and from someone whom he knew more personally than Felix.

Did Reko know Kal more than he did Felix? It was a long while since the orphanage in Finnland burned down, and with it, the memories and connections Reko had with his peers. Of course, Felix didn't think the boy forgot about the friendships he made, but they couldn't have been as strong as the bond Reko and himself made over the past four years, right?

"Hm? Oh, look over there, Felix. Do those appear like high-ranking military officials from Saksa?" Kal points ahead of the vehicle, and sure enough, there are two men in black uniforms with the flag of Deutschland on their left sleeves.

"This could go one of two ways. What flag is on this vehicle?" Felix lowers his voice and pulls over a good distance away from the men, who watch the two like hawks.

"The flag of Venäjä, the last time I checked."

"Great. No wonder they're marching over here with their rifles drawn. Hands on the dashboard, Kal," Felix groans, and puts his own hands atop the steering wheel.

The two men cautiously but swiftly approach the vehicle and demand the two occupants exit slowly with their hands atop their heads. They both do as asked, and Kal mutters something before they end up too far apart to hear each other.

"Älä anna heidän viedä minua pois."

Felix glances over at Kal before he is pulled away from the vehicle's open door. He feels his back hit the burning-hot exterior of the car, and looks the official who stands before him right in the eyes.

It takes several seconds, but the official's eyes widen once he looks over Felix's uniform, then once more at his face.

"Adelric? When they said you were coming over to visit, I didn't believe them, but it seems I was wrong! Welcome back to Deutschland! Hey, Brynner, come over here and look who it is!" The official's expression brightens as he recognizes who is in front of him.

He takes a step back and extends a hand to help Felix back into a comfortable upright position. The young man accepts the assistance and looks over his shoulder.

The second official comes around to the other side of the vehicle, Kal in front of him. The young boy looks down at the ground, his hands behind his back, presumably in handcuffs. Was he arrested? For what?

"Coen, you're not going to like this." The second official, without even a glance in Felix's direction, shoves Kal forward.

The boy stumbles and falls against Coen's chest. The official grabs the boy's shoulders and pushes him up, then stares at him carefully. His eyes narrow and his mouth curves downward into a frown.

"Finnlands Intelligenz? Hinrichten Sie ihn."

Felix's eyes glaze over for a moment. He is able to push the vision away, knowing he would have little time to act if he were to allow it to play before his eyes.

He stands in front of Kal as Brynner points his rifle at Kal's face when the boy spins around to face him.

"Wenn du ihn töten willst, musst du zuerst mich töten."

Felix's voice is stern and clear, aware he can die but knows he needs to protect Kal for Reko's sake.

Brynner meets Felix's eyes, then hastily puts his rifle away and bows.

"Adelric, I apologize. I didn't know he was traveling with you, Please, forgive me."

Brynner walks behind the two, and Felix can hear the jingle of keys, notifying him that Brynner is unlocking the handcuffs that bind Kal's wrists together.

Felix feels Kal grip his right hand and come up to stand by his corresponding side.

"Thank you," Kal whispers, keeping his eyes trained on Brynner, who quietly converses with Coen several feet away from the pair.

"It's the least I can do. I can't bear to lose anyone again," Felix replies and watches as the two officials approach the young men again.

"General Adelric-"

At this point, Felix was tired of correcting people. If they wished to call him a general, so be it. Reko promised to put him back in his position after this war anyway.

"-we wish to formally apologize to you for hurting the young boy beside you. We are very weary of species like himself, but if he is with you, we will assume he is not a threat. Again, Coen and I extend our deepest apologies.

"If you do not mind, we would be honored to escort you both into Berlin with a more proper vehicle. Of course, if that's where you are headed," Brynner offers, and Felix glances down at Kal, who just shrugs.

"We are, in fact, on our way to Berlin. We wish to ask for assistance from General Everich to help Schweiz against their war with Russland. Though Russland is seemingly fighting alongside Finnland, it appears as though Finnland plans to turn on Russland. When, it is unclear, but I am near certain it will happen," Felix summarizes the situation, and both Coen and Brynner nod.

"If you're certain of it, I have no reason to argue. Please, let us drive you to General Everich's office," Coen gestures to a vehicle parked several feet behind where the two officials were originally standing, and the small group makes their way to and inside the car.

It doesn't take much longer until Felix recognizes the skyscrapers and advanced architecture of the surrounding buildings of Berlin. He spares a glance over at Kal, whose head is lowered and gaze focused on his lap. Felix softly lets his hand rest on the boy's right shoulder.

"Hey, it's alright. I'm going to protect you as long as you're with me."

Felix offers words of reassurance to the boy, who lets his eyes flicker over to the speaker before returning to staring downward. The general allows his hand to slip from Kal's shoulder before looking out the window.

Coen mentioned Kal was a part of Finnland's intelligence, and that he should be executed. Felix watched as Kal died in his head, then was quick to intervene to prevent him from actually meeting his otherwise inevitable end.

Just like Reko.

Felix closes his eyes and turns his head towards the window at the thought that jumps into his head. He prays and hopes every minute of his life that Reko is alive and healthy. That he is not in any danger or being tortured for information. He knew very well how Reko felt while spending his time in the barracks and the conversations (or rather words) he would exchange with his fellow soldiers if he was ever caught outside of his quarters or close enough to the base while outside.

He can barely remember the first few years he and Reko spent together, which were the years when Reko was cold too and distant from everyone, regardless of rank, age, or other factors. He liked to recall later memories, the ones where Reko would periodically join Felix in his office and speak with him about anything that was on his mind, or just sit silently beside him when the general would sit atop a nearby hill and stare at the rushing river below.

The opening of the vehicle's door brings Felix's mind back into the present, and with a nod of gratitude to Coen who returns his gesture with a smile, hops out of the car.

Kal appears beside him quickly, remaining as close to his side as possible. Felix places a hand on his upper back as a sign of both comfort and protection to Kal, and a reminder to Coen and Brynner that he would unhesitatingly jump into the path of a bullet headed for the boy.

"We'll let you two enter General Everich's office while we contact Kaarina, Artturi, and Leon on their whereabouts and what their plan of action is. When you return, we will relay any information of value they tell us back to you. Good luck, and welcome back to Deutschland, Adelric," Brynner informs the two, before sending them off with a wave.

Felix and Kal enter the large building that marks where the high-ranking officials of Deutschland's military reside when occupied with casual paperwork and other situations that don't involve actively moving about the nation or attending meetings in another country.

As the general walks through the halls that appear faintly familiar to him, people emerge from their offices and greet the young man with smiles, cheers, quick greetings, questions, and even a few hugs. Felix returns every gesture and word with smiles, waves, hellos, thanks, and anything else relatively quick, his main focus being meeting with Everich as soon as possible.

Kal stays beside him, glancing at the people who are too busy looking at Felix to notice him.

The two eventually arrive in front of grand double doors. Felix's eyes travel to Kal, who inhales slowly and nods. Felix raises his fist and knocks and can hear the celebration of his return from both his peers and other citizens of Deutschland quietly as they wait for a reply from within the office.

After several seconds, Felix sighs and turns back around. Kal stays still for a moment before turning around as well, sharing the general's glum expression.

"Come in."

The expressions of everyone brighten, and cheers erupt from behind Felix and Kal as the former opens the leftmost door. He lets Kal inside first before entering and shutting the door behind himself, hearing the continuous joyful noises become muffled before facing the middle-aged man sitting at the desk near the back of the large circular room.

"Well, if it isn't Adelric! I had guessed from the noise outside that someone important was coming to speak with me. I will be honest though; you were the last person I was expecting. Nonetheless, how is Schweiz treating you? Please, pull up a chair for you and your friend and spare some time to chat with your former captain," General Everich gestures towards the chairs lined against the left side of the room, but Felix shakes his head and waves his hand dismissively.

"It certainly has been a long time since we have last talked, General Everich. I have come here with Kal, head of foreign intelligence for Finnland to request something important of you and Deutschland's military," Felix waits for a nod from Everich before continuing.

"Schweiz is currently facing both a civil war and attacks from Russland. I believe the civil war was planned by Russland to throw the country into disarray so it would be an easier target to attack and therefore sweep through and capture key cities. While the war has just begun, it is becoming quite aggressive surprisingly fast, and I wish to ask for troops from Deutschland to assist Schweiz as I do my best to put this war to an end with a group of others I have allied with.

"You see, I am currently the former Army General of Schweiz. A mysterious man confronted me and told me I should step down from my position, or else I die. I did not wish to die, so I stepped down. But a loyal recruit of mine promised I would get my position back as soon as this war is over, so I assume that is the least of my worries, but I wanted to clarify any misunderstandings you may have over why I will have no control over my soldiers and troops during this war," Felix takes a quick breath after speaking and glances at Kal, who meets his gaze.

"Finnland allied with Russland just so we do not see our nation be destroyed again, and I do believe a betrayal is in order shortly. So Saksa will not be alone in offering assistance to Sveitsi, you have my word," Kal forces himself to meet General Everich's gaze.

"Kal Reimo, it is quite an honor to see you today. I do hope Coen and Brynner did not give you too much trouble, though I can assume from your expression that they did quite the opposite. Some of my soldiers are still uneasy about Finnland after what happened, so I apologize on their behalf. Adelric, I will do what I can, but..." the general's voice trails off as he opens a drawer of his desk and pulls out a single file folder. He sets it on the middle of his desk and pushes it in Felix's direction.

Both Felix and Kal approach the desk, and the former general glances at the file, before taking it in his hands, opening it, and looking through it.

His eyes grow wide. The portrait is strikingly familiar. He looks down at the name and other important information while the folder slightly shakes as Felix's hands begin to tremble.

Name: Thilo Haegel

Age: 20

Height: 6' 1"

Weight: 58.97 kg. (130 lbs.)

Sex: Male

Hair Color: Blond

Eye Color: Green

Country of Birth: Deutschland

Rank: Lieutenant General (Former)

Current Nation of Service: None

Previous Nation of Service: Schweiz

Superior(s): Felix Adelric, GOA (Previous)

Reason for Discharge: Espionage (Dishonorable)

Felix stares in both awe and horror at the picture of his peer. The person he worked for so long beside and trusted with his life on more occasions than he could count...

Was the same young man who was going to kill him if he didn't give up his position.

Felix looks back up at Everich, who sorrowfully nods his head in acknowledgment of Felix's shock and disbelief as he returns to file to his desk drawer once Felix hands it back to him.

"You're kidding, right? Thilo Haegel? Th-there's no way that's the man I saw. I-"

"Adelric, my lieutenant general attended the peace conference yesterday and was able to confirm with me that the new Army General of Schweiz is Thilo. When asked what happened to you, he said you died honorably, in action against Russland's advances. Both he and I knew that was not true; we would have received a formal letter confirming your death, and your body would have come back to Deutschland so you would have received a proper burial. I'm sorry to have had to deliver this news at such a troubling time.

"But, if any good can come out of his meeting, I will be more than willing to offer my assistance and any troops you may require to help Schweiz in their war against both itself and Russland. I am afraid there will be a small delay in sending forces to Schweiz, as a group of knights is due to arrive at any moment for a meeting on the relationship between the two countries.

"If the situation in Schweiz is not brought up by someone there, which I highly doubt, I will bring it to the attention of those at the meeting myself. Is there anything else quite serious that you wish to speak to me about? If not, I would delight in hearing about your time in Schweiz as well as Kal's experiences."

Felix, with a glance at where the file once laid on the desk, absently nods and pulls over two chairs so both he and Kal can sit before General Everich. Felix only has time to think of a single thought before distracting himself with Everich's questions.

Please show some compassion to my soldiers, Thilo. Just like I did with you.

Words and phrases used in this chapter:

Finnland- Finland

Russland/Venäjä- Russia

Älä anna heidän viedä minua pois.- Don't let them take me away.

Deutschland/Saksa- Germany

Finnlands Intelligenz? Hinrichten Sie ihn.- Finland's intelligence? Execute him.

Wenn du ihn töten willst, musst du zuerst mich töten.- If you want to kill him, you're going to have to kill me first.

Schweiz/Sveitsi- Switzerland