Chapter Twenty Three: A spark that ingnites the flames

"My King! My King!" "Pardon my rudeness, my King, but I have an urgent message." "What is it?" The King asked." "The Bluerose house has rebelled and claimed to be a new kingdom. "So what? Send an army to destroy them?" "That's not all, my King. They... they killed an elf with magic!" The King's face switched from confidence to fear. "Who's the noble in charge of their house?" "Lenka, my King." The King's face drained of color. "Summon... summon all our generals and nobles at once!" "Yes, my King."

"Emperor." "What is it, divine strategist?" "We have word from traders that there was a clash between the Human nobles and the elves." "And what of it?" "Well, if the elves start a war with the Humans, then we could sweep up what's left." "I see, good thinking. Let's keep a close eye on them. After all, we owe them one for taking our kin of the sovereign mother."

"General, we have finished the autopsy of your son." "Like I give a damn. He's dead, and those Humans aren't going to be punished for it. If you want to help, then get our counsel to declare war on them." "But, ma'am." "You think I care about the sickness. We'll starve to death if we don't get those supplies, and the head of that noble."

"Like, did you hear the latest gossip?" "Oh, yeah, the one about the Human killing an elf." "That's so interesting. It makes me want to go down there and check it out, but unfortunately, our motherly saint says we can't." "I know, right. What was that human's name again?" "Lenka, I think." One of the other sirens stood up, knocking her chair over, and then stomped her way out of the room. "What's her deal?"

"War chief." "Yes?" "Word from our spies says that a Human killed an elf with some type of magic item." "I see, so she's finally made her move. Continue to observe them, but refrain from interfering with their activities. After all, that girl is going to dive headfirst into hell, just like she's always done."

It's been a few days since I killed that elf. The city was very tense. "You ready, Lenka?" Kate asked, "Yes." I walked out of the manor and onto the small platform that was built. Below the platform were everyone from the city, as well as several dwarves. I took a deep breath.

"I know many of you are scared of the consequences of my actions, but I swear to all of you that we will face whatever enemy comes our way. Just look around you. Take a look at what we have already accomplished together. We built a great city, we forged an alliance with the dwarves, and I have already proven to all of you that we can even stand against the all-mighty elves."

"That's why I disavowed my nobility to the Kingdom of Humanity, because we can forge a new path to a better kingdom. A kingdom that's free from the corrupt nobles and their appeasement of the other races. A kingdom where everyone has the freedom to not only survive but live, and a kingdom where anyone can obtain happiness and live their lives to the greatest."

"That's why today I officially name this new Kingdom The Phoenix Kingdom. For we burn this rotten world to the ground and from its ashes WE WILL RISE!" "RISE, RISE, RISE!" As the crowd cheered, our new flag was raised, showing a black flag with a fiery phoenix on it.

"Great speech, Lenka. If only you could speak that well to others," Mary said while slightly giggling. "Oh, don't be like that, Mary. Lenka can be charming when she wants to be." Kate interjected. "Yeah, she can also hit harder than a horse," Leon stated. Miss Evergreen started to laugh and said. "You've grown quite a lot, Lenka." "Says, the person who was once too shy to speak to me." Miss Evergreen started to pout, while everyone started to laugh.

"As touching as this is, we still have work to do," I said. "As serious as ever," Leon stated. "Well, one of us has to be," I claimed. I turned around and looked at the crowd again. I could tell the tension had faded, and they were all filled with determination. A determination to build a future.

After the speech, I went to the graves of Godfrey, my Father, and the empty grave of Annabelle. I won't forget their sacrifices they made to get me here. No prayers or apologies will bring them back. However, they live on in those who knew them. If only I weren't so broken, then I would have realized their importance to me.

I can't change the past, but I can forge a new future. However, I worry about the sacrifices that I will have to make in the future. I fear that I will only add to these graves; after all, war is on the horizon, and war is the embodiment of hell. A hell that I know all too well. I just hope that I, no, we all don't get swept away by it.

I saluted their graves, then looked out into the city outskirts to see the trenches being dug and the dwarves moving cannons into position. I don't know how much time we have, but this time I will be prepared for them. "Ready, Lenka," Leon asked. "Yes, let's go." We walked back to the platform in front of the manor, where many were lined up to become soldiers to defend this city.

With the new flag waving behind me and the hundreds of troops standing in front of me, and Kate, Leon, Mary, Miss Evergreen, and Rodger beside me, I began. "We're all here for a reason. If you all have the will to live, the will to continue, then fight with us..."

This was the calm before the storm. We had much to build and do. We couldn't sit idly by while our numerous enemies started to plan. This world was about to be engulfed in a war like they had never seen before. I'm aware that I will have to become that monster once more. However, this time I'm not alone. I'm not fighting for survival or my brother. I'm fighting for the promises I made, and more importantly, the new family I have.

My past will always haunt me, but from the ashes of my past, I can rise above and atone for everything I have done, and everything I will do. For I am the Angel of Death, a monster that takes lives and destroys everything, but at the same time, a monster that saves the ones closest to me. I will stand together with them into whatever hell awaits us.