Chapter 4

"One may not be able to control what happens to him/herself, but one can choose not to be reduced by them."

The sky was a muted gray, casting a somber hue over the sprawling gardens of the Celestian palace. The air was thick with the scent of freshly turned earth and the soft murmurs of the gathered crowd. Noble families, military officers, and guild representatives stood in silence, their faces reflecting a shared grief. At the center of the gathering, two intricately carved caskets lay side by side, adorned with white lilies and dark red roses.

Erick and Glory stood together, their hands tightly clasped. Erick's face was a mask of stoic resolve, while Glory's eyes were red-rimmed, tears silently streaming down her cheeks. The weight of the moment pressed down on them both, a crushing reminder of the parents they had lost.

Empress Tatiana stood at the head of the caskets, her regal composure barely concealing the turmoil within. Emperor Julian was by her side, his expression a hardened shell of control. They had seen many deaths, many losses, but this was different. This was their daughter, their son-in-law, and the pain was a living, breathing thing that threatened to overwhelm them.

The priest, clad in deep blue robes, stepped forward. His voice was steady, echoing through the still air. "We gather here to honor the memory of Marcela and Jathen, beloved daughter and son-in-law of the emperor and empress, devoted parents, and protectors of our realm. Their courage and sacrifice will forever be etched in our hearts and in the annals of history."

Erick's grip on his sister's hand tightened as the priest continued. His mind drifted to the vivid memories of his parents—his mother's gentle touch, his father's reassuring words. He felt a pang of guilt for the anger and helplessness that had consumed him since their deaths. Beside him, Glory sobbed quietly, her shoulders shaking with the effort to keep silent.

As the priest finished his eulogy, Empress Tatiana stepped forward, her gaze sweeping over the gathered mourners. "Elenor and Jacob were more than just our children. They were the light of our lives," said the empress, gazing at her grandchildren. "They believed in a future of peace and prosperity for their children. It is our duty to honor their wish by protecting those they loved and avenging their death."

She looked directly at Erick and Glory, her eyes softening. "My grandchildren, your parents' legacy lives on in you. Their strength, their love, their hope—it all resides within your hearts. Remember that always."

The empress's words stirred something deep within Erick. He felt a renewed sense of purpose, a determination to honor his parents' memory. As he looked at his sister, he saw the same resolve mirrored in her tear-streaked face.

Emperor Julian approached the caskets, placing a hand on each. "Elenor , Jacob, your sacrifices will never be forgotten. We will carry your dreams forward, protect your children, and ensure that your legacy endures." The emperor's voice, usually so commanding, now held a note of vulnerability. He bowed his head, and for a moment, the facade of the unbreakable ruler crumbled, revealing a grieving father.

The crowd stood in silent reverence as the caskets were lowered into the ground. Erick and Glory stepped forward, each placing a handful of earth onto the caskets, a final, heartbreaking farewell. The act felt both symbolic and painfully real, the finality of it settling into their hearts.

As the ceremony concluded, Erick and Glory were enveloped in the warm embrace of their grandparents. The empress whispered soothing words, while the emperor's presence offered a silent promise of protection.

The mourners began to disperse, leaving the family to their private grief. Erick and Glory knelt by the graves, their hands still clasped, finding solace in each other's presence. The world around them felt both vast and empty, but together, they knew they could face whatever came next.

In the quiet of the moment, Erick whispered to his sister, "We will make them proud, Glory. We will find justice, and we will honor their memory."

Glory nodded, her tears mingling with the earth. "Together, Erick. Always together."

As they stood, ready to face the future, the weight of their loss felt a little lighter, buoyed by the strength they found in each other and the unbreakable bond of their family.

*Meanwhile in Zelcore...

"Good evening, gentlemen. I'm bringing you some bad news. Marcela's body has been found. She was executed. There were some signs of a fight, and also one unknown person with no identification, no prints. Captain Jathan has been sighted around the 7th district. There was massive damage to property, but he was seen dragging a person out of the building. He disappeared on his way here. Analysts say he's likely to head here to the headquarters," said Andras so fast he couldn't even breathe right.

A boardroom full of important people whose actions could affect the marketplace in Twilight sat there with pensive looks on their faces. "Hhhhh…. So it has come to this point. Make sure nobody gets in his way. Let him up the moment he gets here. I want to see him," said Bernard Zelcore, the 9th generation of the Zelcore family.

"Everything has a season. The tree might shed its leaves to withstand the cold, but when the roots grow deep enough, they hold it together. Even floods and earthquakes couldn't destroy it. The original plan was to use the peace and trade agreements to assert our existence in the eyes of the others. What did they call us? Penniless crooks."

"As if we are penniless. Bernard, do you know what you're saying?"

"Of course I do. If we lose this, we're penniless. There was a reason I suggested a unified front, some sort of government, to respond to the threat the warlords pose. To go to my point, I'm taking executive action as the leader of this board. Military recruitment will begin. All members will contribute to the effort that will be undertaken. I'll not leave my fate or that of my family in the hands of those simpletons. Do I need to say more? At the very least, we need to be able to hold our ground," said Bernard with furious anger.

"Who hired you to smuggle those people?" said Jathan calmly while punching him in the centre mass of the nose. "I don't... why did you break my nose?"

"Every time you don't speak, I break it again and again. It's going to be a constant pain. I know you are a member of Wonderland, a silver star to be precise, so you oversee anything in a big city. Think again. They killed my charge, the woman I loved since only the gods know when. So decide on your answer."

With an open fist, Jathan broke his nose again. After what felt like an eternity, Daniel spilled his guts, telling him that their main purpose was to wipe out the whole family. Luckily, the children were out that night, and the fact that the royal armada got here way faster because of the beacon in her heart. Also, Wonderland elders who sanctioned the death were afraid of something. They just expected their execution at the end, their bodies displayed on Broken Tooth Mountain at the top as an example.

"Recording over," said Jathan with tears. He recorded everything in case he didn't make it to the empire and hid two copies of it in places only the children would know in Twilight.

"My sincere condolences, Jathan. They were good people, friends even. Nevertheless, I've prepared an interceptor that will take you to the coast. The Ninth Legion is 100 km from the northern coast. See you soon, my friend," said Bernard.

Vice Admiral Colthorn of the Ninth Legion was an indifferent man due to his many years of service in His Highness's Black Battalion. He was tasked to find the whereabouts of both Marcela and Jathan. Even after reading the reports, they were nowhere to be found, yet he couldn't help but think of the worst outcome. As he drank his morning tea at the helm of his ship, "…sssss..ff…ddd… can you…hear me... this is Captain Jathan of the Royal Command. Ninth Legion, can you hear me…?"

"Which position is it coming from, sailor?"

"Southeast position, sir. Here is the satellite view."

"Open up a channel… Jathan, where have you both been? You know the punishment for your failure, don't you?"

"Name and rank?"

"Vice Admiral Colthorn."

"None of that matters how are the kids, how are they holding up?"

Annoyed Colthorn," They're safe that's all I can say you have to ask his highness for that."

"Colonel Marcela is dead executed but she left a message on a secure server here, wonderland or a faction of that group had taken the assignment in secret and everyone who had a hand in it is dead, they gone underground, but I've managed to find a mid rank member who has been aware of the plot sir."

"Hmmm ok bring him in I've already contacted his royal highness anything thing else?"

"I'm sending you the report of everything I've found out."

"Acceptable see you in 20 min, can't wait to see your report." As vice admiral Colthorn stood up from his chair to go to the deck.

"Sir enemy attack they destroyed the ship of the captain."

"What…"yelled the admiral," sensory sweep now."

"Nothing sir, sensing Arcan bomb but it's as if it came out of nowhere sir."

"Stealth craft red alert full defensive mode and get us the hell out of here." With tension rising across the ship vice admiral Colthorn realized that someone had been watching them due to this ill equipped vessel if he doesn't get the hell out of there they would all die.

"Found it, sir 30 km southeast fast heading unknown. I got it's engine output signature. We'll be able to know who it is after analysis."

"Com officers listen up ghost mode from here and out until we get in front of his highness."

"Sir we don't understand?"

"You don't need to understand did you get the report file?"

"Yes sir."

"Good. set course for the headquarters at home and keep your eyes on you monitor anything that moves shoot it down."

Vice admiral Colthorn lamented his bad luck with few months left on his command to retire, in his cabin as he sat down a screen pop up.

"Vice admiral Colthorn is it true that Jathan and Marcela have come in from the cold…?"

"Your highness my apologies is your line secured?"

"Yes it is, now why do I have the admiral telling me that you've committed treason I find it highly unlikely but I have to know for myself. Did you kill Jathan and Marcela, but before you answer me think twice,three times and do me the curtesy of telling me the truth?". Vice admiral Colthorn breathed in heavily and submitted his report telling everything in detail about the situation.

"You'll receive full honours and you'll retire as a full admiral if you wish I've read your file and trouble maker yes but honourable. I've an assignment for you, you're not in a position to refuse."

All I wanted was to retire in peace thought to himself Colthorn,"I'm at your service."

"Good admiral your next assignment will be as teacher in the royal academy, teaching Command and strategy course."

" I don't think I could be a good teacher for the next generation, Your Highness. My methods are... unconventional," Vice Admiral Colthorn said, struggling to hide his surprise.

Emperor Julian's image on the screen gave a slight, knowing smile. "That's precisely why you're perfect for the role, Admiral. Our next leaders must be prepared for the harsh realities of command, not just the textbook theories. Your experience and perspective will be invaluable."

Colthorn nodded, resigned yet appreciative of the trust placed in him. "I understand, Your Highness. I will do my best to prepare them."

"Good," Emperor Julian responded, his tone softening. "And Admiral, I want to thank you personally for your loyalty and the efforts you've made in this investigation. I know it wasn't easy."

"It was my duty, Your Highness," Colthorn replied with a respectful bow of his head.

"And it will continue to be, no matter the assignment."

As the communication ended, Vice Admiral Colthorn leaned back in his chair, a mixture of relief and exhaustion washing over him. The prospect of training the next generation was daunting, but it also felt like a fitting final chapter to his long career.

Meanwhile, back in the empire, the emperor convened with his closest advisors, including Empress Tatiana, to discuss the latest developments. The room was filled with tension, yet an undercurrent of determination was palpable.

"We must act swiftly," Empress Tatiana said, her voice resolute. "Wonderland's involvement is a direct insult not only to our family but to the nation, a company of thieves and cutthroat dare to take my family away from me. Will you handle this or should I."

Emperor Julian placed a comforting hand on Empress Tatiana's shoulder, his expression serious. "We will handle this together, my love. Wonderland has made a grave mistake, and they will answer for their crimes."

He turned to the gathered advisors, generals, and intelligence officers, the room falling silent as they awaited his command. "Effective immediately, I am ordering a full-scale operation to dismantle Wonderland's network. General Lavinia, you will lead the military effort. Vice Admiral Colthorn will coordinate with you to leverage his recent findings."

General Lavinia nodded, her face set with determination. "Understood, Your Highness. We will leave no stone unturned."

Emperor Julian continued, "We will also initiate an internal investigation to ensure there are no further infiltrations within our ranks. Any collaborator will be dealt with swiftly and severely."

Empress Tatiana's eyes burned with resolve. "We must also secure the safety of our grandchildren. They are our future, and we cannot allow them to be endangered further."

"Of course," Emperor Julian agreed. "Their protection will be our top priority. We will allocate additional resources to ensure their security, including trusted members of the Royal Guard and advanced surveillance measures."

He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in. "This is not just about revenge. This is about restoring the honor of our family and ensuring the safety and stability of our realm. We will show Wonderland and any who dare to challenge us that the empire will not be threatened."

Empress Tatiana spoke up again, her voice filled with a mix of sorrow and strength. "One may not be able to control what happens to them, but one can choose not to be reduced by them. We will rise above this tragedy, stronger and more united than ever."

The room erupted in a chorus of agreement and determination. Plans were set into motion, orders were given, and the wheels of retribution and justice began to turn. The empire, under the resolute leadership of Emperor Julian and Empress Tatiana, prepared to strike back against Wonderland, ensuring that their fallen loved ones would be avenged and their legacy upheld.