Preparation For The End V

Snow drifted lazily across the courtyard as Morrin approached the northern training grounds, eyes wide with awe. Branek moved through his drills with calm precision, every swing of his spear deliberate and powerful. Lysandra’s staff traced arcs of energy, her movements fluid, controlled, yet tempered by the frost in the air. Morrin’s breath caught, both cold and admiration.

“Sir Branek,” Morrin said, voice bright and tinged with awe, “it’s… incredible! Fighting under an experienced veteran, being under a spirit user captain, with such skill and control… it’s an honor!”

Branek paused mid-motion, lowering his spear slightly. “We do what must be done to protect the fortress. Skill, talent, and spirits are nothing without purpose.”

Morrin’s gaze darted between Branek and Lysandra. “In the South, we revere the gods and spirits heavily. To train under someone like this military… it feels sacred, like the fight itself carries meaning beyond the battlefield.”

Akari padded along quietly, tail flicking, watching Morrin’s enthusiasm. Funnily enough, the new mercenary turned soldier just treated her like any other fox after a few days.

…

After some time, Branek called a pause. “Break,” he said, voice low but firm. Morrin practically bounced in place, glancing toward Lysandra, who continued her training with steady focus. Lysandra groaned but helped the southern mercenary to learn how to fight and protect a mage at the same time.

Akari, Noel, and Branek moved to a shaded area, away from the clanging of weapons and snow-dusted dirt.

Branek leaned against a wall, arms crossed, eyes narrowing thoughtfully at Noel. “I see her in you,” he said quietly. “Your mother. The way you carry yourself, your instinct to protect. It’s… recognizable.”

Noel’s eye twitched, a flicker of discomfort crossing his face. “You mean my mother? She’s… not exactly someone I try to emulate. She drove me hard, expecting more than I could give. She never really saw me as her son. I’m sorry Sir Branek, but I wish you would stop.”

Branek nodded slowly after a few moments of silence. “I know you may not want to hear this, but despite your struggles with her, I see a man worthy of protection. I see that you are similar in some ways you do not know. If you wish, I will stop. However, I will stand with you, Noel, under her name, if only to ensure what she fought for does not vanish here.”

Noel swallowed, shoulders tightening. “I… I don’t mind dying, not anymore. But now… I have to survive, for Akari, for as many people as I can. There are too many lives at stake to waste on regrets.”

Branek’s eyes softened. “Then I will protect you. Past, present, or future - your choices will be yours. Even if my loyalty is to your mother, you are a good man, Noel. I would have followed you even if she was not your mother.”

The moment passed, leaving Noel with a quiet determination, and Branek with the steady assurance of a guardian.

…

Evening fell as the group moved into the fortress pub, the familiar smell of roasted meats and ale warming the frigid stone. Noel, Akari, and Lysandra settled into a corner, the fire casting flickering shadows across their faces. Morrin had left to prepare for his next drill, leaving the trio to a rare moment of quiet since he appeared in the north.

The barkeep approached cautiously. “Last day,” he said with a shrug, “after today, all alcohol will be stored for the siege. No more drinks for a while.”

Lysandra froze, eyes widening.

“Wait.. what?!”

The mage’s voice cracked, small and fragile. The confident mask she usually wore seemed to shiver at the edges. “That… that means…”

She sank into the chair, hands covering her face. Akari’s ears flattened nervously, startled at the sight of someone she knew - someone who acted without a care in the world - so vulnerable.

Noel’s jaw tightened, and he leaned forward. “Lysandra… hey. Look at me.”

The mage slowly raised her head, tears glimmering. “Drinking helps to keep me going everyday. Haven’t missed a day. I… I’m scared. What if… what if I die? What if-”

“No. Not today,” Noel interrupted firmly, his hand brushing against hers. “You’ve fought too hard, survived too much. We take it one moment at a time. Right now, you’re here. Breathing and alive. That’s what matters. We’ll face whatever comes together.”

Akari tapped closer, placing a paw on Lysandra’s shoulder. “It’s okay to be afraid,” she said softly. “We all are. But you’re not alone. We’ll face it together.”

Lysandra let out a shaky laugh, wiping at her cheeks. “I… I didn’t mean to… I’ve always acted like I didn’t care, but today… today it’s too real. Just knowing I’m going to miss one small little joy… man. My nerves must have really gotten to me. I was so drunk during your first battle, Akari… you thought I was cool and laidback. Like nothing really fazed me. But really…” She paused, voice trembling, “…I’m just like Ansel, timid and nervous when it matters most.”

Akari tilted her head, surprised. “I never knew… but it’s okay. Being real doesn’t make you weak.”

Noel exhaled, placing a steady hand on her back. “We all have masks, Lysandra. But here, at this moment, you don’t need one. Not with us.”

The three of them sat in silence for a moment, letting the warmth of the fire and the comfort of shared presence wash over them. Lysandra’s shoulders loosened, and she leaned slightly against Noel and her head on Akari, allowing herself a brief reprieve from the weight of the impending siege.

Finally, Lysandra raised her glass - a small, trembling hand - but a glass nonetheless. “To survive… today. To survive together!”

Noel and Akari clinked their drinks lightly. “To survive!” they echoed.

Laughter bubbled softly from Lysandra, less constrained by fear, more by the shared comfort of friendship and loyalty. The pub, though dimly lit and sparse, felt alive with an unspoken promise: they would face the siege, not alone, but together.