The Heart of Gaia

The first time I got brought into the prison, I passed through these very same stairs that lead towards down below.

I was traversing these rugged stairs upwards this time, it reminded me of the first time I came here.

"You'll be spending your whole life here... You're lucky enough to be even alive."

That's what Hackmann said when he brought me down to my cell, his eyes had glared at me with contempt as we slowly descended these steps down to my despair.

Imagine waking up after seeing the only person you looked up to, bloodied, ragged, and pale. The only person you ever knew in your whole life, the only person who took care of you, the sole being why you're here right now; dead.

I can only remember those great times we had, the meals we shared, and the arguments that had happened. Now, it's hard to even reminisce every detail of his face, as each time I tried to; It hurts but I still had my memories of him that made it seem less painful.

Then the next thing you know they're dragging you towards isolation as we went down the stone steps. I was scared at that moment but now...

*giggle*

"What's so funny?" Said the Knight.

This Knight was escorting me outside, he saw my sudden chuckle as a result he tugged at my bounded hands with annoyance.

We passed through the entrance and had leisurely walked within the dim hallway that marked the way outside.

If prisoners tried to escape, they would have to pass through here. The jail was cleverly made as the cells are set underground and there was only one way through.

It was this path that led through a guarded hallway that served as home quarters to the jailers. I saw them minding their own business through the slightly opened steel door.

"Nothing..." I replied.

The man just scoffed at me as I felt the huff of his breath through his helmet. He was wearing a full-body armor that seemed heavy with each step.

"What was so funny?" I thought to myself.

Maybe, it was the irony of the very same halls that brought my imprisonment was now leading me to my freedom.

"Hey! hurry up!" He ordered.

As he pushed me towards the light that seeped in-between the metal gate. I hesitated.

I saw the shimmering light that showered the stony, damp floor. The floor glimmered underneath its influence, which made it seem like there was an entirely different world waiting for me outside.

He held his hand towards the lever on the wall, pulling it downwards. The creaking of the mechanical process that could be heard faintly from within the walls indicated the lifting of the gate.

Slowly, it raised as my anxiety rose with it; It was nerve-wracking.

"Move!" Shouted the Knight.

He shoved me towards the blinding light. My eyes remained close as I felt the warmth of sunshine.

"When was the last time I felt the sun?" I muttered to myself.

I opened my eyes as I caught the vision of the green, clear, and peaceful bailey. What met my eyes a few paces from our location was the blacksmith that hammered against the molten steel beside the barracks.

The Barracks was a home that kept the new recruits while the stable beside it was filled with horses, chewing away at the haybales which laid in front of them.

I began to wonder, "What happened to Higime and Ambrose? Will they still talk to me? How are they doing?"

The Knight moved as he pulled me towards him.

"Come on! get a move on! we're going to be late!" He said with a rugged voice.

I didn't mind his rude actions as the view from the courtyard of the Fortress made everything seem very peaceful and scenic. Can't ruin this lovely moment.

Afar, The battlements were manned with every soldier as the barbican to my right had guards standing below the gate, ready for any intrusion.

Beyond them was the drawbridge which was lowered covering the moat. As the guard tugged at me again, my eyes shifted towards the left that caught sight of the keep.

We headed towards it as I saw some of the personnel staring at me with estranged eyes. I felt uncomfortable being the subject of their gaze, I tried ignoring it.

"Halt! state your business!" Said a guard.

"Official business, take a look." Replied my escort.

He passed a document that had been sealed with a red ribbon. The color probably hinted it's importance but I didn't know-how.

"Alright, you're permitted."

The guard then immediately said followed by a nod of agreement.

The grand doors opened slowly that revealed the Great Hall, adorned by war banner, a light-brown banner outlined by a skillfully hand-woven image of a proud bear.

There was something oddly different about it, it's ferocious eye had an added detail, it was a crossed outline that indicated it as a scar.

"Do you like banners?" Said someone familiar.

I turned to look at the owner of this voice, it was Bardel standing in the middle of the large hall.

"It's definitely something..." I replied.

"Glad you think so."

I've realized that this is the first time I got into the main hall, because before I would use the most discreet way towards my room.

The banners had been placed on the stone railings of the overhanging path that took a view of the whole area.

The sun shined through the stained glass-panes, flowing beyond the columns that carried Viscorr lamps facing the hall.

I stood in awe of the place while my escort attended Bardel.

"Good job Knight, I'll take it from here." Said Bardel.

The knight saluted then passed by as he left me to deal with the Seneschal. I stared at him.

"How do you like the place so far? First time seeing it?" He questioned.

The place did not have the kind of grandeur I had hoped for. It had a more functional and minimalist visual, although it was still amazing since it was my first time in an actual castle.

"The place looks great." I gleefully said.

"Glad you like it, this Fortress had been around since the First generation of the Bardel family."

I looked at him quite surprised, so he owned the place?

"This place had been preserved for a long time, carrying the will of the first Bardel."

He wore an earnest expression as he went on rambling about the history of his Fortress.

"Do you see that bear?" He asked.

I nodded as a reply, I didn't know how should I interact with this kind of situation. I couldn't possibly predict was he was thinking.

"That bear represents peace, courage, and authority--The family banner, carrying our principles and that is what I aim to preserve."

He stared at me right after his sentence.

"B-but what does that have to do with me?"

"I want to see that goal fulfilled and Commander Rhys is convinced that you'll see to it. It's one of the reasons why you'll be free from your cage."

He closed the gap between us, his voice gradually became authoritative as if commanding me to do so.

"Just see to it that I won't regret my decision." He said sternly.

He stood towering above me while wearing a calm but serious expression that hinted at the graveness of this matter.

"Y-yes, sir..." I replied meekly.

"I can't hear you!" He shouted.

His thundering voice echoed throughout the Great Hall.

"YES SIR!" I shouted back.

"Good! now, let's go meet the Commander."

He led me towards the staircase that led the way towards the second floor. We made our way through the hallway, it was decorated with armored statues that held lances pointing at the ceiling.

Soon we stopped in front of a double-door, this place was the primary room where they held regular meetings. It was clear in my mind since I was here not too long ago, I stared at the corner where I hid and eavesdropped on their conversation from their previous gathering.

"Hey!" Bardel said.

As I got surprised by his sudden remark.

"What are you staring at?" He questioned.

I began to sweat profusely out of fear, he might probably press me further if I act too weird.

"N-nothing..." I said anxiously.

He examined me further, giving me more anxiety than before. I refused to stare at him back as I might give out.

"Alright! look, just because the old man raised you this doesn't mean I won't go hard on you."

I was quite perplexed by what he meant and which old man was he talking about? Did he mean my father?

"Get inside!" He ordered.

He took the bindings off my hands as we came in at the same time. What we met inside were people of high authority within the Liberators.

They all sat around the round table. The farthest was Commander Rhys, standing beside him was a beautiful woman, her slender and graceful figure was enchanting.

Her eyes sparkled a bright ruby-red while her braided silky hair laid elegantly on her right shoulder. Definitely the type of woman that could make any man kneel for her.

"Would please stop fooling around and start getting serious!" Said the woman begrudgingly.

As she started hitting the Commander with the stacks of paper she was carrying.

"Alright! Ow! stop hitting me already! I'll do the paperwork later! I need to talk to Curio!"

"Promise me you'll do it later!" She demanded.

"Fine! I promise!" Replied Rhys.

I can't believe there was one person that could tame the wild-spirited commander, I wonder who was she.

"Can you guys do your lover's quarrel somewhere else? So Curio can finish reporting his findings?" Said Cordelia.

She sat to the left of Rhys, quite impatient of what's happening.

"So who was this Curio person anyway?" I wondered.

I started scanning the room for another person who could be Curio, and I finally saw another man sitting idly at the farthest right of the Commander.

I didn't notice he was sitting there, as this man had little presence. He had a short and messy hair. He had dark circles underneath his eyes that made him seem lifeless.

His face had a sullen expression, a thin body that lacked any impressive outlook while he arched forward. It was depressing to look at him.

He slowly turned towards me, as I caught sight of his full face. It was horrifying as he smirked ever so slightly as he stared at me then tilted his head.

I turned away out of fear.

"Ehem!" Bardel tried to catch their attention.

"You're here!" Exclaimed Commander Rhys.

As he said that the others finally turned to us taking notice of our presence.

"Finally, we'll make this brief since we have other matters to attend to." He continued.

"What about Curio and his findings?" Asked Cordelia.

I turned towards him to see what his reaction would be, he just sat there murmuring without voicing anything.

"He said that it's fine, he'll just continue the issue next time." Said the woman beside Commander Rhys.

How the heck did she understand that?! It was astonishing as this man didn't really utter a single word yet she could determine what he said.

"Alright then Curio, as you wish." Said Commander Rhys.

Soon this eerie looking man stood and slowly walked out of the room. As Bardel took to one of the seats and sat down while I remained standing before them.

"Who was that?" I asked.

"Oh, that was just the head of the Alchemical Company." Said the voluptuous woman.

"What's that?" I continued.

Her eyes widened with bewilderment as she continued.

"It's one of the specialized factions within the Liberators?! How come you don't know?!"

"I-I..."

"Pardon her rude behavior, her name is Zia Fluderil the most beautiful woman I've ever set eyes upon." Abruptly said by Rhys.

He then followed his sentence with a wink flying towards the woman. Which then she completely rejects by hitting him on the head while locking him in an armbar.

"I'm also his Advisor! and this Commander of ours is a well-known womanizer as much as a slacker!" She said quite annoyed.

"L-let go, please! I'm o-only kidding!" He said while gasping for air.

They look quite the pair, one was too free-spirited while the other was a stickler for strictness. I guess I couldn't blame the Commander for choosing her as his advisor.

As Rhys was freed from the shackles of her robust arm, he breathed out in response and then steadily caught his breath.

*Cough* *Cough*

"Okay, it's now time for business." Continued the Commander.