The Other Side: A Second Chance

In the end, the decision was left up to me. Isa and I left the farmhouse shortly after the discussion. On our way out, I stopped to speak with the soldiers who witnessed my mother's bravery and were sitting on the benches out front. Aside from a few extra details, they told me pretty much what Colonel Hass had already mentioned.

Mother had assisted the soldiers in fleeing the town to another evacuation point in the west. Along the way, fighting machines swarmed their positions and bombarded them with rockets. A few men mentioned that she had specifically been helping a few refugees—a man and maybe a child.

Which sounds a lot like my father and Varis.

While running through the woods, machines came from the water and north in a pincer attack, and as a final act, my mother unleashed a fiery spell and flew at the machines to slow them before taking serious fire. One man said he saw her cut down two of them with a flaming sword before being shot. Then, finally, a man said she was taken.

I hope that's the case. Please don't be a dead mother.

I asked them about the two refugees she was protecting, though the group I spoke to said they hadn't seen where they went. However, if they weren't taken, they probably fled across the river with the last remaining motorboats or continued further west.

If they weren't taken with Mom, they may have crossed the river with the soldiers, and they may be at this camp. I thought as I glanced around as if I hoped to see them.

Instead, all I saw was Isa behind me, her arms crossed and frustrated as her tail flicked back and forth behind her.

She's not happy at all. I sighed as my stomach sank partially.

"If you do not mind." The Master spoke in my mind. "I would like to add my opinion and say that this is a foolish idea."

I rolled my eyes as I turned away from the soldiers and began to walk towards Isa.

I know it's not the smartest. Yet, if it works out, I can save my mother.

"And if you die, everything—"

Gets thrown into jeopardy I know, but what if your family were the ones trapped and being processed? You can't expect me to go to some city, cross my fingers, and wait. Sure, I'm a kid. Though mentally, I'm not. I can think clearly; I know this is stupid, but sometimes we just have to take the risk.

"Some risks just aren't worth taking," the Master mumbled.

Thanks for the input. But I'm not changing my stance; I need to help her. I need to help them. They saved me once, and well, now I feel like I have a chance to return the favor.

"Is that really what this is about?" He asked me.

I stopped beside Isa and bit my lower lip.

I don't know. All I know is that I don't want to lose my family.

"I think you're making a mistake," Isa said, and I sighed.

Oh boy, it's like I'm playing this on repeat.

"I know," I told her. "Say what you want, but I hope you understand me."

"I do." Isa sighed. "And that's what pisses me off." She looked down at me. "If I were your age and, in this position, I'd do the same thing."

"You still can," I said to her. "You can help me, Isa." I offered. "We can both go and save my mother."

Isa glanced down at me and said, "Luna, you're asking me to fight in a war. I'm not a mercenary, not anymore. Besides, I made a promise—a promise I will uphold."

"So, you're going to stop me." I said it in a low voice as I stared up at her.

Isa stared back down at me. "I always uphold my promises, Luna. And I won't let you throw your life away. We have an idea of where they're at, and the Colonel and the soldiers are planning on saving those people; let us let the professionals handle this."

I balled my fists and shook my head. "No! I want to help!"

"Stop acting stubborn!" Isa barked at me, and my eyes widened. "Think about it, Luna! You have seen what those things can do. You are young and small; yes, you can do magic, but not enough. Gusts of wind and healing spells can only get you so far. Right now, you are weak."

I gasped as if I had been stabbed through the heart, and I stammered for a second, yet no words came out. Around us, soldiers and officers turned to look in our direction.

Isa continued to stare down at me. "It is harsh, but it's true, Luna. Your spells cannot save you if those things get you. You have great potential; some day you can be as strong, maybe stronger than Cailynn, but right now. You are a small, weak, and angry child."

I gritted my teeth and scowled. "I'm not a kid! I know what I'm—"

"You do not!" She snapped at me, her voice rising. "There is no more discussion to be had! I refuse to let you go; no matter what the colonel says, she has no control over you or me."

I scowled. "Why don't you want to do what's right?" I asked her. "You used to travel with momma and papa, you used to be a hero with them! Why do you want to not help them and do what's right?!" I shouted back at her, and Isa's eyes widened briefly before she stepped forward.

"Because I'm scared, Luna!" She admitted it as she glared at me. "I'm scared for my own life, yours, and everyone else's. I almost died; we almost died; yes, I was an adventurer once. Adventurers aren't fearless heroes, Luna. We have fears, we get scared, and we cry. Do you think I enjoyed running into danger with your mother and father? Do you know why Cailynn and Slyran stopped? Not only because they had Varis and you, but because their friend died. They saw what true horror can do, and so did I. It stopped being fun and games."

I clenched my fists tightly as my teeth ground together, and I turned away and kicked the dirt in front of me. "Dammit!" I cried out as my temper flared. I won't lie, I threw a temper tantrum. As embarrassing as it was in hindsight, I couldn't help but feel utterly useless.

Isa was right. I am a child—an angry, little, weak kid. My family was taken from me, and I have no idea how to save them. All I could do was rely on the hope that some soldiers would find them, or maybe they'd escape. Yet I knew where they were, or at least, I had a lead. They're right there. Yet I couldn't save them.

I dropped to my knees as Isa came over to me and knelt. She hesitantly reached out and gripped me by the shoulders. "Luna," she said in a hushed tone. "I'm sorry for yelling at you."

I stared at the dirt in front of me, my expression defeated. "I'm useless," I said softly. "I had so many years to try learning, to get stronger, yet I never bothered." I sniffed. I could've asked my mother to start teaching me magic sooner; I could've tried reading up on it myself. I could've practiced shooting more with Father and Varis; I could've done so much to prepare more if only I knew what was coming.

Yet instead, I focused on trying to have fun. To have a childhood again.

I could've done so much, yet I squandered it all. Just like in my old life.

"Luna," Isa cooed softly, "you're not useless. Like I said, you have talent; you have potential. You just need to cultivate it."

"I don't have time, though," I said softly as Isa helped me up. She took my hand gently and began to lead me away from the audience that was watching us.

"You have plenty of time," Isa said gently. "Your Mother, Father, and Varis, they'll be okay."

"We don't know that," I said as I sniffed and gripped Isa's hand as she looked down at me sadly.

She took a deep breath as we continued our walk in silence. Along the road towards the refugee camp, we came across Dr. Kegan, who seemed to be quite cheerful. Upon seeing us, he waved happily before adjusting his suit and jogging towards us.

I saw as he smiled at Isa and fixed his glasses before bowing to her and saying, "Salutations, Madam Soza, and Luna, fine morning we're having." He grinned.

Isa took a deep breath and smiled gently at the good doctor. "Hello, Kegan, why are you coming this way?"

He adjusted his glasses once again and said, "I was actually looking for the two of you." His smile widened. "You see, I have a shop in Johanneson, and well, seeing as we're nearing the city, I was wondering if either two of you would be interested in working with me." He turned to me. "More specifically, Dr. Reynolds, Oscar as you know him, was telling me how you cured his niece, and well, I feel that having someone with your talents could benefit my clinic." He straightened up.

Isa blinked. "Uh, Doctor, now isn't the time for making job offers. Though, perhaps when we're on our way out?" Isa glanced down at me.

I took a deep breath and said, "I'll think about it."

Isa nodded as Kegan rubbed the back of his head and blushed faintly. "Ah well, it was worth a shot. Please let me know when you're going to be heading out. I'd be more than happy to tag along."

Isa nodded. "I plan on heading out with Luna here shortly. Possibly within the day."

I scowled and looked up at her. I can't believe it… We're so close to getting to Mother.

I sighed as Kegan nodded. "Sounds good to me…" he glanced at me. "Is she okay—"

"Luna is alright." Isa cut him off. "Now if you'll let us be, Doctor, I need to take Luna back to our tent."

Kegan nodded and said, "Certainly. Apologies for intruding. If you need me, I'll be volunteering at the hospital today."

Isa nodded, placed her hand on my back, and gently pushed me forward as we made our way back to our tent.

 

---

 

There's no way I'm going to let my family suffer out there while I just run away. I thought as I grabbed what little gear I had and quietly stepped out of my tent in the cover of the night.

"Why not?" The voice disapproved of my actions. "You've done so once already. Do you have any idea how much peril you're going to be putting yourself in, and what about those who care? Weren't you so concerned about that in the past? What has changed?"

What's changed is that it's my family; Isa might be right; I am small; I am weak. But I'll think of something! Maybe I can't do it directly, but I have healing magic thanks to you. I can keep the soldiers alive long enough to help them!

"Perhaps," the voice said, "but the odds of victory only increase by a minuscule amount."

I quietly made sure Isa was still asleep as I closed the flap and began to move through the camp toward the military headquarters.

Well, then, what are our odds of winning this? I asked the voice.

"I would need to get an accurate look at this army's forces. Yet, judging by the amount of essence I feel coming from the location Oscar alluded to on the map, the force there is higher than even what I felt at Kassel."

So what? We're talking about a couple dozen?

"Possibly a couple dozen linked to the central magrite pillar."

Magi-what? I asked, straightened up, and began to walk quickly once I was away from our tent.

"The cylinder you saw fell from the sky. Not only was it a transportation pod, but it also contained a large pillar of magrite that is now acting as a siphon."

My eyes widened, and I frowned. Out loud, I said, "Now you're telling me this?"

"Yes, because it's becoming relevant. The magrite is acting as a power source and a containment of souls; its essence is immense. If you wish to stop the fighting machines, destroying them will eliminate their source of power. It won't stop them outright, but in theory, it should stop them from refueling."

"I never really intended on stopping them; I just wanted to save those people and my family." I gulped as I passed by a few adults who eyed me as I went by.

"Saving the people without destroying this facility will only make things harder." He explained.

Well, I don't think I have the capability, I thought, and the colonel said she wouldn't put me on the front. Should I tell them?

"No. While it would be logical to explain this, it would bring into question how you got this information. Which will only draw suspicion on you and me. This is for you, and you only."

I hate it, but you're right. I sighed. If the military learns about you, they may take me away to some secret facility or something like ET.

"Possibly."

 

---

 

"Halt!" Two soldiers standing guard shouted to me as I approached the farmhouse.

"What're you doing out here, little one?" One of the soldiers asked me curiously as he approached me. "Are you lost?" He asked in a calm voice.

I simply stared up at him. "I'm here to speak to Colonel Hass."

The man squatted down in front of me, his eyebrows raised. "Oh? You want to speak to the big lady inside?" He jutted his thumb back and shook his head. "Unfortunately, she isn't taking visitors right now, especially not from any children."

I narrowed my gaze and said bluntly, "It has to do with the counterattack she's planning and my involvement in it."

The soldier blinked, glanced over at his buddy, who looked confused, and shrugged before the man snorted and said, "Sure thing, kid. Come back in the morning."

I shook my head. "I can't wait that long. Please let me speak to her; tell her I'm Luna Ashflow, daughter of Cailynn Ashflow, the Moonweaver."

The soldiers both blinked and shared another glance. "Moonweaver?"

"Yes." I patted my wand. "The Moonweaver; famous wizard. She taught me spells, one of which was rejuvenation. Which the Colonel has taken an interest in. So please, let her know I'm here."

The guards crossed their arms as the door to the farmhouse opened behind them. As the blue light cut through the shadows, a silhouette of a feline figure stepped out onto the porch with a tray in one hand while the other patted her skirt. Taking the tray in both hands, she then came out over to the guards, and I could see her auburn hair and ears flicking gently in the breeze.

Shilia, I think, is her name. I thought as she came over with two teacups.

"This is to warm you two up." She purred softly as the two soldiers smiled happily.

"Oh, thank you, Miss Shilia." They both said this as they took their warm cups.

The feline then glanced at me and tilted her head, confused. "If I had known Madam Asfhlow was coming, I would have prepared you a cup as well."

"You know her?" The guard, who had been questioning me, asked.

The serelli nodded. "Yes. Madam Hass has taken an interest in her last time they spoke this morning."

The guard looked dumbfounded for a second as I gave him a shit-eating grin.

I told you, dumbass. I giggled.

Shilia then looked back at me. "Do you wish for me to pass on a message to her?" She asked me.

"Well, uh…" I shifted my weight from foot to foot. "I was hoping to speak to her directly."

Shilia nodded. "Well, I'll go see if she has the time to spare." She promptly turned and made her way back inside, her tail flicking pleasantly back and forth in tandem with her swagger, and I noticed both guards watching from behind as she went in.

Both of them took big gulps of their tea and glanced at me. "So, you really know magic, huh?"

 

---

 

The wait didn't take long. After a couple of minutes of shooting the shit with the soldiers, I was invited inside by Shilia. The farmhouse was mostly empty this evening, save for the other two maids cleaning up the place as I was guided to the living room, where Hass was relaxing. I gulped upon seeing her dressed in only a buttoned-up polo, save for the top two buttons being undone, and a pair of form-fitting cotton pants. Her short red hair was a little unkempt, and her bright blue eyes flicked up to look at me from the book she was reading, which I saw was titled "The Articles of War, Strategies Employed in the Twilight Years."

I think my mother owned that book, I thought.

Hass closed the book and set it down on the table. "Have you considered my offer to join my medical corps?" She asked me.

She gestured for me to sit across from her on the sofa. "Sort of," I said as I moved over to the couch and sat down, my hands nervously fidgeting with each other.

"What do you mean?" Hass asked me calmly, though her fierce eyes gave me the impression I was interrupting something.

"I only want to join if my family is found," I said. "If my mother is really being held captive, I want to help free her and find the others. Then that's it."

"We have a deal," Hass said as she reached for her teacup on the coffee table and sipped from it.

My eyes widened. Oi, what? That's it?

"You look surprised." Hass smirked at me as she took another sip.

"I-I thought you would push harder for me to stick around…" I laughed nervously.

She shook her head. "No. My advisors make a point that you are merely a child, and I mean no offense by that; having you under my wing in an active war zone is, well… immoral. However, I'm willing to look past morality if it involves helping you get what you want, and you help me get what I want."

"What do you want?" I asked her.

She smirked. "Power and status." She placed the cup back down. "General Hossler, the one running this theater, is old. His tactics, way of thinking, and reactions are not capable of competing with the Rusivite's. Yet the brass has been too stubborn to have him step down. I wish to change that. I like to think I'm young and more reliable than the old geezer. Yet for me to make this happen, I need to have a big win."

"How am I able to help with that?" I asked softly.

"Well, you need to help keep my boys alive. Secondly, we need to have you brush up on some spells. I have a few magisters who might be willing to teach you a thing or two; if you can cast rejuvenate, I'm sure the next spells won't be too hard." I gulped. "Thirdly, I also want to know how you and your friend Isa avoided the machines so easily."

"What do you mean?" I asked her.

Hass smirked and leaned forward in her seat. "I was going over the story you told me the other day, and something didn't seem right with me." She hummed. "I have men and women in recon balloons all across the river, and my forward scouts patrolling the lands. The land is rife with those monsters, many of which require magical camouflage and invisibility for my men to remain unseen. Yet, you and your band of refugees mostly came out unscathed. How have you been able to avoid them for days on end? Because, judging by your story, you always left right before things got bad."

"Do not tell her a thing about me." The voice hissed.

But if I do tell her, this could prove to be an advantage. I thought.

"Yes, but remember what you thought earlier? Being taken away."

Fuck, you're right.

"Is everything alright?" Hass brought me back to reality. "Should I have one of my maids get you some tea or water?"

"Tea would be nice." I answered with a nod and took a deep breath. "We just got lucky, really lucky," I partially lied. Luck was involved much of the time.

Yet immediately, I could tell by Hass's gaze that she did not buy what I was selling. Yet, strangely enough, she didn't press it. "Right." She nodded. "Luck." She sipped her tea and waved Shilia over to us. "Please refill my cup and get Madam Ashflow here one as well, Love." She smiled pleasantly as Shilia, who purred happily, returned the smile as she took her teacup.

Yet as quickly as Hass's warm expression came, it faded as she looked back at me. "Luck is quite fickle, isn't it? It comes and goes, like the waves on the shore. For over a week now, we've been having poor luck, and well, let's hope that the luck you possess will allow us to turn this around." She smiled at me. "If we can save Moonweaver and shut down this factory that Oscar calls it, then perhaps all of Heinmarr will stand a chance. You will get what you want, and I will get what I want. I see this as a win-win."

I don't know why this thought came to mind, but as Shilia returned moments later with our tea, I looked to Hass and asked, "And if we fail?"

"Then Heinmarr doesn't stand a chance, and it'll be up to the rest of the world."