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Far away, he was seated on his desk, lost in thought as always. He had his eyes on a board game, similar to chess. His stare lingered on a random piece, pondering the moves. He wasn't playing with anyone, but with himself.He wasn't in Silvertide. He was in the North, because there were still matters he had to take care of. He had been searching for Regan since that night they got separated. He couldn't shake her from his mind, not even for a single moment. He didn't know if she was still in the North. She wasn't at the vampire's place, he knew. He had turned their empire upside down looking for her. You would ask, what about the bond he had with her? Couldn't he use the magic bond to locate her? The answer was no. And it terrified him even more. Because he feared what had happened to her.His bond with her had always reached far. So, so far. But now, it was strange and it made him uneasy. Maybe something had happened to her. Or maybe she had gotten the fullest control of her powers and had learnt how to hide her essence.He didn't really know what it was, but whatever it was, he wouldn't rest until he found her. He had sent his best scouts to search every corner of the land, to inquire with every contact he had, but there was no trace of her.He had gotten in big trouble with the royalty of North. He had threatened them with a war and he was operating in their territory without their permission. But he didn't care. It was his fault, he let her go himself, he let her with Artemis and it all turned out to be a mistake. She belonged to him, although they hated each other and were enemies.A knock on the door interrupted his thoughts.It was general Vlad, his expression as hard as steel."My lord, I have some....news," his face and voice were sour and stern, as if he was about to reveal something that would change the course of history.Indifferently, the sorcerer looked up, "What?" He asked, his voice hoarse."Our scouts have reported that there is a situation in the south." Vlad said, his gaze on the floor."Go on."The general took a deep breath, "There was a rebellion. A big one. They had caused havoc and chaos around. They had burnt down several buildings and killed many of our soldiers." The general paused, taking a breath, "They even managed to take down one of our bases."Sirius's expression darkened, fury radiating of him, "What the hell? Where's Igor?" He growled as he stood up from his chair."I don't know where general Igor is, lord. His officer informed me of the situation. It was very abrupt and they were unprepared for the rebels.""And who was the planner of this?" Sirius demanded."That's the worst, my lord. The officer informed that the rebellion was led by a woman. She had red hair and a scar across her face. They called her, Ingrid. She was a witch. She had blown up the base and killed many of our soldiers." The general paused, his voice shaking with frustration, "And she had help from a boy. They said he was her friend. They called him Jack."Sirius's eyes burnt with a fierce rage as he listened to general Vlad's report. His jaw clenched tightly, his fists balling into fists at his sides, the blue fire glowing on his hands. He couldn't believe what he was hearing nevertheless. Could it be her? He couldn't shake the relief of her being Regan."Ingrid, huh? How many names does she have? You know too well who she is, don't you?"The general nodded, his expression solemn, "Seems like she found us first.""Regan," He drawled, "Ah, Regan.... I've searched for you in the whole North. I've turned this damn place upside down looking for you. I should've known you weren't going to just hide. It seems you've found me first....you know who you belong to." His eyes narrowed, "I'm coming for you, Regan. And when I find you, there will be no mercy. No quarter." His voice was cold and unyielding.He paused, taking a deep breath to steady his rage, gazing out of the tall glass window, "Vlad, assemble a strike force. We're going to the South. We're going to crush this rebellion and get her. And we're going to find that bastard Jack and make him pay as well. Is that clear?"The general nodded sharply, "Yes, my lord. The guards have already closed the borders. They don't have where to go."Sirius's eyes burnt with rage, "I'll kill them all. I'll make an example out of them. And when I'm done, I'll find the others who dared to betray me. They will all pay the price." He said, his voice dripping with menace."And as for you, Vlad, make sure this doesn't happen again. See to it that our borders are secure, and that our soldiers are well-trained and well-equipped. We can't afford another incident like this. And make sure to cover up this damn situation. It must not circulate into the other realms. And go find that asshole, Igor. Give him punishment as well. He is a general, where the hell was he when all this was happening?""He must've abandoned the camp. I've sent a search for him as well."Sirius took a deep breath trying to steady his rage. "We're going to the South, immediately. Gather our men.""I've already sent reinforcements, my lord. They informed me they're on the borders. If you order for an immediate attack, they are going to do as soon," Vlad assured.The sorcerer's eyes narrowed, "No, I want her alive. I don't care for other rebels. I want to see her face when she sees me. And find Igor as well. He'll be demoted.""Got it. And....what about Vesper? She insists to meet you." The general said, his expression cold and stern.Sirius's face darkened in annoyance, "Send her away. I don't care.""She says it's important. She says she wants to come with us.""She's nothing but a nuisance, Vlad. She'd start some drama and slow us down," Sirius said, his expression restless, "I don't want her near me, and I don't want her interfering with what I need to do. Make it clear to her that she's not welcomed."But before he could say anything else, Vesper barged in, her blue hair combed into a sleek high ponytail, her clothes weirdly practical, as she was wearing a combat bodysuit."I will not be dismissed like that! I want to go on the mission. She's my enemy as well," she stated, her expression defiant."You're not going to come, Vesper. Now leave." Sirius ordered as he waved his hand dismissely."No, I want to come. My powers can help us. And I won't be a liability. I won't slow you down," Vesper insisted, crossing her arms.Sirius ran a hand on his hair, his expression stern, "Alright. You can come. But if you stir unnecessary drama, or slow us down, I'm leaving you behind. Am I clear?""Perfectly clear," Vesper replied, nodding.The general sighed and rolled his eyes. "Alright, then. We're leaving as soon as possible. Let's get this over with."Meanwhile, the southerns helped as many as they could. Regan made sure that they were all tended and helped. However, she couldn't shake the fear from her soul.She approached Raven, who was inside one of the tents that weren't burnt. Raven was taking care of her own wound, bandaging it. It was near down her clavicle, but she looked strong still."Raven, we have to hide the others. Sirius and his men will arrive and the chaos will begin once more." Regan urged, her expression wary.Raven looked up at her, her expression serious, "You're right. But most are wounded. And I want to fight. I won't rest until I make them pay." She said through gritted teeth."I know," Regan replied. "I know how you feel. But we should not risk anymore lives. He'll punish everyone who he sees and I think it's better if people go and hide. Maybe up in the mountains or somewhere where it's safe."Raven looked at her for a second, then nodded, "Alright. But I'm not leaving. Tell your friend Jack, to gather our people and help each other hide. These who are wounded as well. We'll be here. We'll fight to the death."Regan felt a wave of guilt and dread washing over her, she didn't want them to die. She decided that she would accept that it was her who led the rebellion and it was her who should be punished instead. She nodded and took a deep breath, "Alright."She walked out of the tent, stepping down on the ashes of the fires. The air was still smoky, the moonlights seeming dim in the sky. The other stars weren't really visible, since the smoke was still in the air. She breathed in deeply, feeling like she was going to suffocate.She found Jack, who was tending to the wounded as well. "Jack, I need you to take the locals, wounded and not wounded, and lead them far way to hide. Or if there's someone else who can do it, they have to do it immediately." She said, her voice shaking."I'll take care of it. We're gonna use some big military trucks." He said, and walked away, gathering with others. They moved silently, like shadows, disappearing into the darkness.Some stayed, taking care of the wounded and preparing for the inevitable. As Regan walked around the chaos, she saw children running around. She hadn't even seen them before. Their mothers were dragging them to safety, hoping that Sirius wouldn't find them.Raven was out of her tent, her face tight with anger. She didn't look like someone who had been shot."Alright, you men, listen up." She yelled, her voice carrying easily over the silence. "We don't have much time. The Ruthless and his army are on their way. We need to be prepared. Those of you who can fight, gather your weapons. Those who can't, take your women and children and hide up in the canyons. Make sure they're safe. We'll give them as much time as we can."The rebels nodded, some looking determined, some terrified. They scattered, some running to gather weapons, others leading the children and women to safety. Raven herself moved with determination, her movements efficient and sure. She paused for a moment beside Regan, her eyes narrowing. "What about you, warrior? What are you going to do?Regan swallowed nervously, she didn't know what she was going to do but she was determined to not let them suffer any more than they already had. "I'll be with you, Raven. Together, we'll make them pay." She said, her voice shaking slightly. Deep down she was even more frightened.Raven nodded, a small grateful smile on her lips. "Good. Let's make them regret this," she said, and disappeared after the smoky air.Suddenly, Regan saw Iris running to her. The water was dripping from her hair and face. Her expression was still worried and scared. She must've been washing her face. After all, they all didn't look much better. Regan looked down at her clothes, they were dirty and her shirt was torn on its hem. She noticed that her hair had slipped from the bun as well. She knew she looked terrible."Cornelia," Iris breathed, "we should hide too. We can't just stay here, in open attack. Jack left as well. Everyone is on the trucks, on their way to hide," she urged."What about the wounded that are still here?" Regan asked, her expression wary."They are being taken away as well in the trucks. Everyone's leaving."Regan sighed, she had been hiding for too long. She had been living in fear for too long."You should go and hide. Not me. I'm a problem," she said, looking up at the sky, her expression, sour. "And besides," she added, "it's my fault this happened. They're going to come for me, Iris. It's only right that I should be the one to face the consequences."Iris hesitated for a moment, her eyes darting back and forth between Regan and the horizon, as if she were searching for some sign of hope. "Cornelia, please," she said, her voice trembling. "It's not your fault. You can't just hand yourself over to them like that."But Regan only shook her head. "I can't just run away and leave everyone else to face the consequences of my actions. I have to take responsibility for what I've done. You should go and hide with them as well. And I'm not alone. Raven is brave and strong.She took a deep breath and closed her eyes for a moment, trying to calm herself. "I can't lose you too, Iris. Please, go and hide. I'll be fine." Her voice was firmer now, more decisive.Iris looked at her in reluctance. As she was continuing to convince her, Regan felt a tug in her chest. She shut her eyes tightly. She felt something she was terrified of. Her eyes fluttered open. She felt him. He was close."Damnit! He's here!" She glanced around quickly but all she could see were the ruins and the smoken air. Iris looked at her in uncertainty, before getting grabbed by her."Who's here?" She whispered, her eyes darting around, searching for whatever had spooked Regan. Regan ignored her, she kept dragging her away from the field and focusing on the small tug on her chest. It was growing stronger by the moment, as if something or someone was trying to pull her away from Iris.She felt a surge of adrenaline course through her veins, "Iris," she gasped, "I need you to run. Get as far away from here as you can. Take the others and go. Just leave me here."Before Iris could protest, Regan grabbed her shoulders, forcing her to look into her eyes. "Please, I can't let him take you too. You have to live. You have to fight. You have to survive this.""I'm not going without you." Iris replied. That time it was her who dragged Regan away. They ran, not looking back, not even daring to stop. The wind was howling, and the air was dense with smoke and fear. They darted through the ruins, ducking behind rubble and debris, their hearts pounding in their chests."I can't leave you," Iris panted, her hand still clutching tightly to Regan's. "We'll face this together.""No," Regan insisted, her voice ragged. "You have to get away. He'll take you as well. You wouldn't want to be taken." She tried to sound lighthearted, but it came out as a hoarse whisper."No, we have to hide both. I'm not leaving you." Iris insisted, her voice strong and brave.