Two Fates: Divine Storm and War Maiden

Chapter 12: Aftermath of the Fight.

Sieg and Maya had the papers in their hand, they occupied the estate of House Benenza. A mansion that rivaled House Baratos. The Phantoms and Chosen took steps to become servants of the house while at night they would operate as vigilantes and mercenaries for hire. Offering help for the nobles and aristocrats of all factions, including charity works for the people. 

The papers in their hand read how members of House Benenza were caught with selling human beings. Missing commoner children were found in the basement, undergoing a 'breaking in' procedure. Despite the Benenza's being tight lipped, Jester was able to get the information they needed. It was enough to know that a lot of money was poured in by the Empress at  this point. So the Phantoms prepared pamphlets to be thrown out to the world about the underground. It will cause the syndicates to be much much more careful in their future dealings. What is also of concern is how armed the syndicates are. 

"Nodin's armory is a lot more advanced. Repeating weaponry, sub calibers... So it would seem that the syndicate has access to far more dangerous weaponry that we thought. We've seized some of their equipment, including the manuals but only Crossbones can read Nodin's language." Fei Lee said, where they watched how Crossbones fiddled with a weapon with the designation Maschinenpistole  5. 

"So it uses a caliber known as 9x19mm... Parabellum. There's a lot of things we need to adjust."  Crossbones said, as he pulled the bolt of the weapon. 

"Machine Pistol 5? Does this mean it is something like our machine guns? Aren't those supposedly heavy?" Fei Lee asked.

"That is the idea but this is lighter than a sword." Crossbones said as he held it. Showing how light it is as he held it in one hand. 

"We'll figure those things out as we go about. What else do we want to do?" Jester said, looking at Sieg who was cleaning Heavenly Soujourn.

"Do we have a name for the Underground's Location?" Sieg asked as he used the cotton ball, tapping the blade carefully. This was a form of therapy in a way. Perhaps due to all the fatigue his soul had during war, it must have affected his perception.

"A name for the organization, you mean?" Maya corrected Sieg.

"Yes, they are known as Marlin." Asferion said.

"None out in the open. What shall we do?" 

"Have Chosen and Phantoms patrol the area. We act on behalf of the Empress. Any crime is to be punished accordingly, since we are technically the current masters of the estate. We should also focus on developing the farmland. The amount of corruption in these documents is insulting." Maya ordered as she threw the documents aside.

"Understood." The Chosen and Phantoms faded away, leaving Crossbones in the room with Fei Lee.

"It's pretty bold for us to be insulting the Empress like this." Crossbones said.

"I like being bold, being timid does not suit me. Subtlety has never been my strong suit, Crossbones." Maya said. 

"That is something we all know all too well, Master.We will prepare to handle things on our own, so excuse us."Fei Lee said, tapping Crossbone's shoulder. Crossbones understood what that meant, then walking out with Fei Lee.  Sieg sheathed his blade, then he turned to Maya that was lying down on the long chair, with a blanket in hand. 

"A reminder of that time from Chusent? Where we both had to cuddle in the middle of winter?" Sieg asked.

"Something like that." Sieg did not join her as he shouldered his blade, then sitting down instead.

"What is it, Sieg? Shy?"

"Of course, I would be shy. You're the most beautiful woman in the Empire. I'm sure even the Gods know how much I would say that can be said to be blasphemy. Maybe you were made in the shape of the Goddess of War, Harasin's image. Your black hair is just as radiant as when you were Elena." Sieg spoke, the words flowed easily out from his lips. 

"Yet, here you are. The most handsome man in the Empire. No other man could sway me from you. Your white hair reminds me of that silver. You were so handsome back when you were Crow, and even as Sieg. It felt as if I'm looking at a splitting image of your past. White hair that makes the snow jealous.." Maya said, slowly sneaking up to kiss Sieg's cheek.

"Do you ever wonder if our kids will be facing what we face now?" 

"I hope not." Sieg said. A moment of silence took over, the words that had been exchanged were brief but the smiles on their faces were lasting for quite a bit. It was peaceful, but when they both glanced back at the MP5 that Crossbones had left by the table. It served as a reminder.

"The world looks like a lot of military power is rising up. We were a superpower but we've gone far too complacent." Her words shattered the silence while Sieg thought about it.

"I'm sure they would want to attack us when we are at our weakest. Truth be told, I'm not surprised if there were nobles that are trying to destroy the Empire from within." Sieg added on.

"That has always been how wars start hasn't it? It always starts with someone killing someone, then pointing fingers." Maya said as she let out a full sigh.

"Then we have to clean up the mess or involve more people into it." Sieg said as Maya wrapped her left arm over Sieg. She looked like a hermit crab that did not want to come out from its shell.

"Guess even in this life we might be plunged into a war if we're not careful." Maya said, leaning behind Sieg's neck. 

"I'd rather we handle it than the kids who may not know anything." Sieg retorted. 

"I wanna sleep in for a bit. What about you?" 

"Going to go out for a bit. Need to handle something." Sieg got up, kissing Maya's forehead. Then tucked Maya on the sofa.

"Stay safe." She said, as she closed her eyes to sleep.

Sieg headed out, where he was accompanied by Asferion, Crossbones and Jester. The three Phantoms followed Sieg from behind in silence, Sieg went out for a walk. This kind of walk was meant to clear his head. It was something that he definitely needed, something to just empty his mind after so much thinking that he had to do.

Thinking too much can be detrimental to one's mental health. While on his walk, Sieg bumped into Stella Morrows who was out with her knights.  

"Oh, Sieg." 

"Miss Stella. How are you?" Sieg replied with a bow to her.

"I've been well. Though I must say, I did not expect you and Her Highness to fight on a battlefield like that... Even becoming the current Estate manager of Linset." Stella spoke, she kept her distance from Sieg not standing too far or too close. 

"What brings you to Linset?" Sieg's question had Stella in a state of hesitation, her breathing was shallow. He felt the winds change in that moment. An omen of ill will was directed in front of him.

"I'm being targeted by someon-" Sieg caught an arrow that was inches away from her head. 

"Asferion, Crossbones. Jester. Sort that out for me." 

"Yes, Leader." The three Phantoms faded, hunting down whatever that did it. 

"Allow me to escort you for the day." Sieg said as he grabbed Heavenly Soujourn then turning to the crowd behind him. Feeling the blood lust leaking into the air, the ones who were within view. They were seasoned professionals, highly skilled and most likely. People who are used to this line of work. 

"Stay behind me, Miss Stella." Sieg said as he unsheathed the katana briefly, watching the heads fly into the air. It was a single swing, yet able to cut what was chosen by Sieg. Logic had gone out the window.

"Phantoms. Any threats to the Miss Stella Morrows. I want all threats to be neutralized. Torture for information. Confirm the reason behind the attacks. Rules of Engagement is simple. Whatever it takes. Clean up the city while you're at it." Sieg's orders reached to the ears of the Phantoms. 

"As you command!" Whispers of the Phantoms reached back to Sieg, where glimpses of black silhouettes were seen all around the city. The City of Linset, the citizens watched as these black silhouettes brought out the criminals that were in wait. Throwing them out of the buildings, out of their hiding places. 

The criminals were then dragged before Sieg, where they felt the confusion from what had just happened.

"Asferion, prepare the evidences." The Mana Broadcasting Network, prepared to detail all the crimes and evidence of every single criminal's action. 

"Follow me." Stella and her entourage followed Sieg into the City Hall office, where they see a skeleton in a suit residing in the chair. With the name tag 'Mayor Alowan Hollowin'The look by Stella's knights were something Sieg took notice. A look of horror, perhaps due to seeing Mayor Hollowin as a skeleton or simply due to seeing him alive prior to this meeting.

"Mayor Hollowin was a bit... Uncooperative to detail everything. It took me a while to force him to tell me what was going on in House Benenza's estate. Now, what is your situation, Miss Stella?" Sieg said as he pushed the skeleton aside, taking his seat by the chair.

"Okay... This is.."Stella began telling her story. She had discovered that her elder brother, Gullin had been part of the Syndicates. Stella's step sister, Madela was going to be brought in by Gullin to be sold as a slave. Her parents have gone missing, and now Gullin is leading the House Morrows. She found documents that proved that the Empress and was responsible for many cases of corruption.

Sieg took a look at the plans. They were far too complex than what most people think. The Empress may not be suited for assassination, but she has the people to perform character assassinations of officials. Character Assassinations that she has done, will result in an eternal despair that led to many officials fading away from the Social Circles. 

"Mister Sieg, it may be wrong of us... Can you please, protect our mistress?" A knight asked, seeing Sieg raise his hand to stop the man.

"Of course. I will protect her. She has brought valuable information and what this has led is a perversion of the people... Though it is not enough for me to act." Sieg said, he clenched his teeth. Gritting it because of the fact that he still has to maintain the current situation. The Empress was in the situation but there would be no need for a public outcry. Because the people are unaware and there is nothing to spur Sieg to action.

"Asferion." 

"Sir." Asferion appeared by Sieg's side.

"Get two Phantoms of your choosing to stay by Miss Morrow's Side. Prepare a room for Miss Morrows and her people."  Sieg said as he looked through the documents.

"As you command." Asferion said. 

"Miss Morrows, follow Asferion to your lodging. Same goes for the knights." 

"Thank you, Sieg."

"Don't thank me yet. I need to plan what to do next." Sieg said as Stella was escorted out of the room by Asferion.

"I heard everything." Sieg heard Maya's voice, watching feeling her blade by his neck.

"Sorry. I didn't notice you. I was just... Thinking about how to handle this. We can't act unless there is a clear indication of oppression. All this is covered up well and this.." Sieg paused as Maya took the documents from his hands.

"Feels convenient right? We needed a irrefutable evidence and we got it. But it just seems too fishy... Seemingly after our fight. Does it smell like a trap?" Maya asked which Sieg nodded to her.

"Sweetie, you're just a little stressed because?" Maya's questioning Sieg, leaning closer to him with her blades sticking out behind her like wings. 

He did enjoy the sight of Maya acting coy, letting her hair down so easily with him. She was never this coy back when they were both Crow and Elena. The battlefield called to them and at the very least, this moment has proven how much that they both have changed. 

"Maybe you're right. It does smell like a trap. I'll have a Phantom investigate the situation."  Sieg said, where Maya kissed his forehead.

"Sometimes I always wondered how people can be so affectionate with each other." 

"Really? You're a lot more affectionate now than before." Sieg said as he placed his fingers by her cheek.

"We were at war. We couldn't let our emotions stop us, Crow. It's not as if we can stop a war with just our love." Maya said, holding onto Sieg's hands. Closing her eyes, feeling the warmth from the scarred hands of her fiancee before her.

"So I guess our plans for a date are cancelled?" Sieg gave a reluctant nod to Maya who only smiled to him. 

"Well, it's fine. It's not like we can live normally anyway. I mean our first date being on the battlefield is kind of romantic to me." Maya said, now pinching Sieg's cheeks again.

"I guess we should stop trying to live like normal people. So... Want to go rescue the step sister?" Maya smiled as Sieg got up. The two of them headed over to Stella's room, where Maya knocked on the door.

"Yes?" Stella's responded.

"It's Maya and Sieg." 

"Oh, coming!" Footsteps rushed to the door, following with a sound of something falling and breaking.

"Darn it."Stella opened the door, she was gasping heavily.

"Sorry, Your Highness. I must look like a mess..." Stella spoke as she lowered her gaze.

"It's fine, Stella. The two of us will handle the case of your sibling." Stella's eyes watered as she fell to her knees.

"Thank you... Thank you." Her voice stuttered, rubbing her eyes.

"Thank us by serving the Alistair Empire to the best of your abilities. Once all this is over, you will be the head of Morrows family. If your parents are alive, we will discuss this with them. Take heed, Stella Morrows. You will be one that serves for the people." Maya spoke, her regal tone suited her perfectly. Though to Sieg, it was how Elena Strongbow was able to convince people to be by her side. 

"Yes, yes.. I will Your Highness." Stella said, watching Sieg and Maya walk away.