748. The Prelude to War

748. The Prelude to War

“Tick, tock. Tick, tock. It’s familiar.” Simonia hummed, pouring Galia a mug of hot coffee. “A Beholder with the same sound of The Voice Beyond the Void.” Simonia said.

“Yes, just as I was thinking. The wonderful ticking that opened my eyes long enough till I could hear the Nexus call for me. But that’s that and this is this. A pleasure to meet you, Beholder Jury. Your Gift has been an excellent addition to our 2nd Branch. Now we can process 10 times the number of infractions… or make the process last 10 times as much.”

“Andra. Silence.” Galia ordered, and the woman sealed her mouth immediately out of respect. “There are policies that the Head obsesses over. Your Branch is much too important, but if you openly boast about your methods, then I will not protest if the Head comes for your throat.”

“The Head… that is the voice we’ve been hearing from the Nexus. The wonderful throes. Hmm. Hmhmhm.” Andra chuckled to herself.

“I don’t think she’s ok.” The Black Moon of all people said, pointing her nail at her.

Suddenly, that one infraction caused the tip of the nail to be sliced off. It occurred in the blink of an eye, and the Black Moon smiled in response as if she had just found a new toy.

“Ah… hahahah… So fast~!”

“It’s rude to point a weapon at a superior. Ancient Moon or not, there are rules you must follow in this day and age… Crude. But you’re not bad either.” Andra acknowledged the Iron Star, whose hands were tightly wrapped around the waist of their Black Moon.

To an onlooker, it looked like Andra had only attempted to teach her a lesson by cutting the nail. But Jury saw clearly that she attempted to lacerate her throat and was just barely pulled away by the Iron Star.

“Doth hardly an illuminous Star, yet thou dare to declare war against a greatly tempered Star like mine?”

“Keep your toys in check next time if you don’t want to lose them.” Andra hummed, wiping her hand with the air.

Simonia grumbled with discontent.

“Let’s not begin something we can’t stop. Andra. Leave them. They haven’t learned much of this new world yet. Ignorance is not a defense according to Justicia Law, but – this is a war.”

“You’re right sister. I’ll happily turn a blind eye this time. Is that fine, O’ Galia?”

“There will be no infractions or punishments due in this war. Therefore, there are no limitations on what can be used. The enemy will employ the same tactic.” Galia responded coldly before looking over at Jury, then, to the Infusion canisters, the CognitO Channels, and various groups of blind-folded men and women who would provide mobile, magical artillery.

She then continued:

“Jury. Ignis will be aiding the Healers too, no?”

“She will… This will be for injuries that Healers can’t normally work on, I’m assuming.” Jury was correct.

“Fragmentation bullets will be allowed, as well as other decidedly banned weapons. We’ve been given Infusion C already. Inflow Direct has a presence in Grandis’ sea as well. Who knows what kind of Infusions they are carrying aboard.”

Galia announced both on her CognitO Transmitter and verbally, adding:

“Beholder Jury and I will take care of any threats that the life of our Ateliers, the Moons and Stars are incompatible with.”

“When do we begin, if we may ask?” Simonia said.

“When the Head is ready. Speaking of the Head, the Memento Mori’s Heart of the City is longer standing. There weren’t many Impuritas within, which…”

Galia observed the sleuth of Memento Mori creatures they’ve captured and continued:

“… may explain why we have encountered so many. There is likely a greater force of them north, more than any of the other Impuritas Groups. Begin heading to your positions. The Head is rapidly approaching the north.”

Finally, Galia concluded with:

“Exercise mobility. Do not linger in one place for too long. If you can meet those two conditions, then your life is guaranteed. Function like a wave. This is why my Atelier sees little casualties on their side, and overwhelming bloodshed on the other.”

“Of course, O’ Galia. Everything will run red with the Red Wing’s blood.” Andra said, bowing deeply before making her departure.

“We will destroy our enemies and reclaim their carcasses for processing.” Simonia mirrored Andra, tapping on an earring that was shaped like an upside down ‘t’. “The Magicalis will be happy with the haul.”

With that said, the Apostles of Galia, the Black Moon and the Iron Star went their separate ways. The Black Moon couldn’t take her eyes of Andra as though she was madly obsessed with her.

“Bye bye, Apostle One and Apostle Two~!”

“Bygones shall only be said when thou draw thy last breath.” The Iron Star quietly scolded.

Jury was confident that they’d win this war, but seeing this caused it to take an unexpected hit. It continued to surprise her just how many people on the ‘good’ side were not only crazy but had values that hardly aligned with the Head and hers.

Being able to talk about violence so openly was disturbing to say the least.

“Jury. We will both be on the front lines when things go awry. Are you ready?” Galia asked.

“… I’m ready, but I’m also a bit…”

“I know that feeling all too well.”  She assured her. “It’s an uncertainty if you are doing the right thing. Change does not occur in a single day. It will be easier to think of this as necessity.”

“I’ve come to terms with that already. It’s more that I’m anxious.” Jury claimed. “I don’t know how many people we’re going to lose in this war.”

“That is something you can’t afford to think about now until it’s over. Without this, more people will continue losing their lives. You also need to understand that people are doing this by choice. They have a reason to fight, as do we. But I went through the same gauntlet… Jury, this is your first war.”

Galia suddenly sat herself down on the grass. She sipped on her two mugs of coffee, placed them down, and patted the surface beside her.

“Sit.”

“Can we afford to right now?”

“See, that anxiousness is going to ruin you. We have time on our side. That is you. If you’re anxious, then our ‘time’ will be in disarray. Relax. Take in the world for what it is.”

Galia offered Jury her cup of warm coffee. She took it in both hands as she deeply contemplated the number of potential lives that would be lost in this war. Despite what Galia said, no one’s life was guaranteed. It was only now during the final hours did Jury feel the weight of this burden.

The warm coffee helped calm her down. She didn’t know how Galia was able to drink something so cold in this situation.

“Jury. Do you remember where you started?”

“… I do. Yes.”

“Do you enjoy that warm coffee?”

“It’s nice… and pleasant.”

“Then you do not need to grind down countless beans to know what it is you want, or to endure the turmoil of learning how to love something you despise.” Galia said, quietly sipping on her coffee.

“Do you… despise cold coffee?”

Galia didn’t answer Jury directly.

“In a perfect world, people of all kinds would not be able to put the lives of others on the line. But this is far from a perfect world, and on Earth, it was far too common. A good conscience is counter intuitive… but I learned that. Jury, I don’t want you to learn it.”

“… then how can I avoid it if people will die because of this?”

“You can try to absolve what you believe is wrong rather than turning into one of us.” Galia hummed, gulping her black coffee now. “We are monsters that have become so accustomed to this that it’s become a form of comfort.”

She paused for what felt like a minute.

“I don’t have the answer for you, but what you are feeling right now is something that I regretfully don’t anymore. I recognize that many may die. I understand that countless innocent people will be caught unintentionally in the aftermath… but all I can do is think of them to be beans of coffee. If you were to take a sip of a coffee made from so many beans, then it would shock you. But if you did it little by little… then you would become accustomed to it. It becomes normal.”

Jury clasped at her heart.

“You need to remember that the people fighting here are willing to give up their lives to protect what is theirs. It’s normal to feel guilty. But it’s abnormal for a Beholder to feel that way. That is why we must do our best. Jury, this is the reality of war. There are no true winners. Both sides will suffer losses. It’s a matter of how much.”

“… I’m not used to thinking about losing people. I’ve always been warning people to stay away from the Black Forest. Seeing people die despite me trying my hardest to help them… reminds me of that. I don’t like it… but what other choice do we have?”

“Indeed. What other choice is there? If not us, then who else?”

“… Yeah…”

It’s been said before, but Jury was not as lenient as Frost when it came to losing lives. It became a necessity to Frost, but to Jury, it was always a sad loss regardless of how and why.

Jury never truly considered the possibility of losing these people, which was why she had second thoughts. Still, she had to do it. Galia was right. It was their responsibility. If they didn’t, then many more lives would be at risk.

“… Galia. Thank you. I always thought the Beholders were evil people. We’re all in the same boat.” Jury smiled, causing Galia to stare up at the newly forming stars in the darkening skies.

“It feels futile sometimes. But futility can sometimes help you find a different answer. I’ll be with you, Jury.”

“That reminds me – do you think we can call each other friends or is that… I dunno, tacky?” Jury didn’t usually speak in a hyper, cheery manner to people outside of Frost and people she was close with. It was the real Jury that was never really shown to Galia herself in private.

This small glimpse of her caused Galia to smile warmly.

“Friends has many connotations associated with it, as well as expectations. But, I think I am willing to open up a hand to you. Will Frost approve?” She jokingly said, causing Jury’s eyes to widen in surprise.

“You… just said a joke!”

“How rude. I’ve always been like this.” Galia sighed.

Friend…

She pondered on the word for a while as Jury’s tail wagged happily.

… It has been so long since I’ve said that word. It’s unfitting for a Beholder, but the simplicity and innocence of this person makes it quite fitting.

Galia didn’t know what to think, but with how much the Nexus had changed thanks to Frost, she knew that of all the people present – Jury was the one she had to look after the most.

A rare smile formed on her face. She thought of everyone that was participating in the war. Eventually, her mind went to Cer in light of the recent developments. Namely, how Raoul intended to resurrect the Blue Dahlia.

Cer. I hope you are ok.

As she thought of it, Frost relayed a confirmation message.

“We’ve found Cer! We’re heading to the last Heart of the City! We are almost ready!”

“My Augurists. Prepare the trumpets.” Galia ordered through her CognitO Transmitters.