Chapter 2: Cassandra Broissco pt. 2

Sandra gathered her armor, the crimson steel glinting faintly in the dim light of the armory. The scent of polished metal and aged leather filled the air, grounding her in the moment. Piece by piece, she fastened the armor with practiced hands, each movement steady and deliberate. The weight of the steel pressed against her frame, a familiar burden, but tonight it felt heavier—laden not just with metal, but with the gravity of her choice.

She ran her fingers along the etched insignia on her gauntlets, the emblem of the Broissco family standing boldly against the scarlet hue. How many battles had she fought wearing this armor? How many times had she faced death, unflinching? And yet, this night felt different. This was not a battle for honor, nor for duty—it was for something far more precious.

As she adjusted the straps of her chestplate, a quiet determination settled over her. Fear had no place in her heart, only resolve. The weight of her decision was crushing, but she refused to waver. She had made up her mind.

With one final breath, she grabbed her sword, the cold steel humming in her grip. Then, without hesitation, she stepped forward into the unknown future.

When she stepped outside, her seven most trusted subordinates—the Scarlet Team—were already assembled in the courtyard.

They stood in a loose formation, their red cloaks rippling slightly in the evening breeze. Each bore a distinct weapon, a testament to their diverse backgrounds and skills. Despite their differences, the bond between them was unmistakable.

"Bring me the teleportation stone," she commanded.

"My Lady… it's only for emergencies," came a hesitant voice. Jeremy, the butler, shifted uneasily.

"Once again, the Broissco family is about to lose its heir. What's more urgent than that? Go. I'll take responsibility," Sandra said, her voice calm yet commanding—the long-buried authority of a lieutenant resurfacing.

Jeremy bowed. "Yes, Ma'am."

A voice echoed in her mind, cool and knowing.

["How do you know she's the heir to the Broissco family? There's still a baby in your mother's womb."]

Before Sandra could react, her second-in-command, known simply as Two, stepped forward. His deep voice was steady, but laced with concern. "Leader, you're not planning to go to Brias alone, are you?"

She met his gaze, unwavering. "I can't ask any of you to join me. This isn't your fight."

A murmur of discontent rippled through the group.

"With all due respect, Leader," said Three, the team's healer, stepping forward. Her short auburn hair framed her determined face. "You don't get to decide that for us. Scarlet Team is a family. Where you go, we go."

"We swore an oath to you," added Four, the team's shield bearer. He crossed his arms, his towering figure imposing even in the dim light. "We don't abandon our own."

Sandra's throat tightened. Their loyalty was both a comfort and a burden. "This mission is personal. It's reckless. I won't force any of you to risk your lives for my choices."

"Reckless is what we do best," quipped Five, the team's sharpshooter, balancing her intricately carved crossbow on her shoulder.

The youngest member, Seven, stepped forward hesitantly, twin daggers gleaming at his sides. "Leader, you saved my life when no one else would. If there's even a chance to save someone who means that much to you, I'm in."

Sandra exhaled, scanning their faces. Even without words, their expressions said everything.

"You all…" She paused, swallowing the lump in her throat. "Thank you." She straightened, her voice firm. "As always—if I die on this mission, the seven of you will decide whether to stay or leave. You are free to make your own choice."

"Yes, Master!" they answered in unison. They understood. This wasn't just a mission—it was a battlefield decision, one that could cost them everything.

"I have only one request," Sandra added. "No matter what happens, do nothing that would endanger my two sons."

"Yes, Master!" they echoed once more.

Two stepped forward, his tone unwavering. "We'll move as one. What's the plan?"

Sandra reached into the pouch at her side and pulled out a map of the Broissco manor and its surrounding areas. She spread it across a nearby table, pointing to the river routes her mother had described.

"This is where Mother fled," she explained. "It's also where she left my sister behind. The demon monsters are likely concentrated near the city, but they could have spread to the outskirts by now." Her finger traced the rugged terrain. "I suspect they're coming from the mountains."

Three frowned. "What about the city? If Brias has no barrier, it'll fall before dawn."

"My husband will handle that. Right now, I'm more concerned about my sister," Sandra replied. "I'll try to avoid combat. My priority is restoring the city's barrier, then securing the manor's. Once my sister is safe, I'll wait for you in the mansion. My husband's forces will handle the city's defense. We're not there to fight a war—we're there to save a life."

The team nodded, understanding the gravity of the mission.

The Scarlet Team moved with practiced efficiency, each member double-checking their equipment and exchanging quiet words of encouragement. Despite the tension, there was an undeniable unity between them.

As Sandra watched them, her resolve hardened. These weren't just subordinates—they were her family, her strength. If anyone could face the unknown with her, it was them.

"Go! I'll meet you in Brias!" she commanded.

"Yes, Master!"

One by one, her subordinates vanished.

Only One remained. He stepped forward, pressing the teleportation stone into her hand. "Master, may the goddess bless your journey." His duty was clear—protecting the young masters.

Sandra donned her red armor. From the nursery, the cries of her twins pierced the air, as if they sensed she was about to leave.

She went to them, lifting each child in turn. "You don't have names yet either… I'll think carefully about them." Her voice softened. "My little ones, thank you for being born. You are my greatest joy. I hope you'll love and protect each other."

They were so small, so innocent. She sighed, a thought creeping into her mind—was the ghost truly her twin brother? They had been together since the womb, inseparable. And yet, when he was taken, she had been powerless to stop it. It was her greatest regret.

If she did nothing now—if she ignored the chance that her little sister might still be alive—how could she ever face her twin sons?

"A hero?" she murmured. "Your grandfather was one, but I never felt proud of it. The cost was losing my sibling. You'll forgive me, won't you?"

The twins quieted, their tiny hands reaching for her.

Sandra smiled, pressing a kiss to their foreheads. "Thank you."

The wet nurse approached cautiously. "My Lady, are you leaving?"

Sandra nodded, her voice soft but firm. "I must. Take care of them. Please."

A small voice piped up behind her. "Lady, where are you going?"

Sandra turned to see a young maid, no older than ten, standing in the doorway. Her twin braids swayed as she approached, bright eyes filled with concern.

"Cleo," Sandra said, a sad smile gracing her lips. "You've grown so much. How old are you now?"

"Ten, Lady! In two more years, I'll be able to serve you properly!" Cleo declared proudly.

Sandra knelt to meet her gaze. "Cleo, are you happy here?"

"Of course! Lady saved me. I promise to work hard and be a good maid!"

Sandra reached out, gently patting the girl's head. "You're still young. Don't rush to grow up. Enjoy your childhood. I have to leave for a while. Take care of the house for me, okay?"

Cleo nodded eagerly. "I'll bake a delicious cake for you when you come back!"

Sandra's smile faltered for just a moment before she nodded. "I'll look forward to it."

With one last glance at her sleeping twins, she turned and left.

Her next stop was her mother's room. The Duchess lay motionless, her breathing even—sedated by the potion the doctor had given her. Sandra stepped forward, eyes narrowing as she spotted the familiar necklace around her mother's neck. Dangling from the chain was the family head ring.

"Mother," Sandra whispered, her fingers curling around the cool metal. "I need this."

She carefully slipped the necklace off.

A rustle.

The Duchess stirred, her eyelids fluttering open. Her gaze sharpened as she saw Sandra standing beside the bed. "What are you doing?"

"I'm going," Sandra said resolutely. "Third Sister is still alive."

The Duchess sat up abruptly. "You're insane! That's a suicide mission!"

Sandra's grip on the ring tightened. "Mother," she said, voice trembling, "I'm a mother now, too. And I've thought about many things since then. If I had given birth to daughters, would I have hated them the way you hate us? Would I have obsessed over a son the way you did?" She exhaled shakily. "I don't know. But what I can't understand—what I never will—is how you could abandon your own child."

Tears welled in her eyes as she slipped the ring onto her finger.

Lifting the teleportation crystal, she whispered, "If I fail to save her, at least she'll know someone in this world cared for her."

With a sharp crack, the crystal shattered.

Light erupted around her, engulfing her in its blinding embrace.

And in the next breath—she was gone.