The Peace at the End of Battle

Rell sat up in his bed to the sound of the morning birds. He had the feeling he was just talking to Anto about what dish to make. He thought. Rell groaned as a dull pain echoed through his body. He lifted his shirt, revealing a thick line of bandages wrapped around his stomach. Kana was there too, sleeping under the covers.

“Oh, Rell…” She yawned, rubbing her eyes. “You’re awake.”

“Yeah, I am.” He smiled, ruffling the little Sister’s purple hair. She made a rumbly noise as he did it.

Rell eased himself up, fighting through the pain as he carefully stepped towards the door. He cracked it open, revealing a sleeping Rena. She didn’t even bother to wear her combat gear anymore while guarding him, instead opting for her pajamas.

“How are you supposed to shoot me if you don’t even bring your guns?” He whispered as he tiptoed out.

The morning air was crisp, hitting Rell’s face like a splash of water. He took a step onto the dry grass, letting his bare feet slide across their rough surface.

Elena sat on a stump a short distance away. She wore a plain white sweater with a long brown skirt, with a light green scarf wrapped around her neck.

She turned and they met eyes.

“Rell…” She muttered, getting up and running towards him. “You made it…” She smiled, tears welling in her eyes.

“Yeah.” He nodded. “Guess I am.”

“Good job on making it back, servant!” Tia proclaimed, pointing up at the heavily bandaged Rell.

“Good to see you too, Tia.” Rell sighed, scratching his head.

“He who lives!” Vi raised her arms.

“The living one…” Hope muttered.

“Of course he lives!” Kana hissed. “He’s Rell after all.” She blushed. “My future husband.” She fidgeted.

“Oh! She admitted it!” Tia waved a finger at her. “Now if only Big Sis…”

“Hey! What do you think you’re saying!” Elena screamed, her face flushed red as she chased the Little Sister around.

“Jeez, we’re we ever so loud?” Rin sighed, waving her hand.

“Well, you were.” Rena teased.

“Huh?!” Rin hissed, turning towards Rena. “Did you say something, cute little Sister of mine?”

“Oh nothing. Just that you got us in more trouble with the Major cause of your loud mouth.” Rena replied.

“Why you!” Rin yelled, chasing after Rena as well.

“We devolved into chaos again…” Mira sighed, watching as two different chases carried out before her.

“It’s our style though.” Luna yawned, taking a bite out of a piece of meat she had with her.

“Hey where’d you get that?” Mira questioned.

“The Voice works in mysterious ways…” Luna replied, wiggling her fingers, a deadpan expression on her face.

“You stole it from the feast didn’t you!” Mira yelled.

“Mysterious ways…” She muttered, slowly walking backwards away from Mira.

Rell sighed, sitting quietly as the chaos unfolded around him.

“Hey! Knock it off!” Hina voice echoed, silencing the room.

All the Sisters froze, fear in their eyes as they got into formation. Hina rubbed her brow, fighting back the irritation as she walked in, Mel following closely behind her, a soft smile on her face.

“Ah, everyone is here.” Mel hummed.

“Big Sis?” Elena turned, noting the combat uniform Mel was wearing.

It was light brown and tactical looking, similar to the outfits that both Rin and Rena wore, shorts instead of skirts. The uniform of a gunner. Even her hair was made up, tied into a braid behind her rather than her typical free flowing green locks.

“That’s Major to you a lot. No more addressing the XO as Big Sis.” Hina corrected, hands crossed behind her back.

“I’ve been promoted!” Mel stuck her tongue out, making a peace sign.

“And you! Act your rank!” Hina growled.

“Yes Ma’am!” Mel yelled, snapping to the position of attention.

“Major?” Rell asked.

“Yes. Starting today, I have taken the rank of Commander.” Hina said.

“What happened to Six-Seven?” Rell asked.

Six-Seven lay in her bed, deep in a coma. Hina took a step forward, walking over,  standing next to her.

“She used Miracle Healing to save your life. Luckily, she survived, but she hasn’t woken up since.” Hina noted.

“She…saved me?” Rell shook his head, fingers drifted down to the wound on his stomach. It was still tender to the touch.

“Yes. She did.” Hina sighed. 

Looks like I can’t ask her about what the Reaper told me. Rell thought to himself. And I have a sneaking suspicion Hina doesn’t know.

“I’m sorry.” Rell apologized.

“Don’t be.” Hina shook her head. “You’re still our only chance at defeating the Overlords. I think that may have been why Six-Seven risked her life to save you.” Hina turned and began to walk out the room, heels clicking against the wooden ground, Rell following closely behind her, stopping at the door frame to look one last time at Six-Seven. She really did look like Alicia, especially when she was sleeping.

“Fight! Fight!” Tia screamed as Rin and Rena went at it.

“Uhm… please stop… That’s an order…” Mel muttered, trying in vain to stop the new dispute Rena and Rin had gotten into.

“What i’m saying is we couldn’t have defeated the Overlord without my plan!!” Rena yelled.

“Might I remind you it was my shooting that saved us from the humanoid Shadow!” Rin pointed out.

“Why you!” Rena nearly jumped on Rin, before being caught by the scruff of her collar by an extremely irritated Hina.

“Wow! I didn’t know the Major, I mean the Commander’s face could look like that!” Tia pointed.

“Rell…” Hina smiled, suddenly becoming extremely calm. “Do you mind leaving the room for a bit?” She said, tilting her head. “The rest of you as well, with the exception of Tia.”

“Uh…” A chill ran down his spine. That expression was too frightening. “I’ll be outside.”

“Us too…” The other Sisters said in unison, including Mel.

“Wait!” Rin, Tia and Rena protested. “Don’t leave us!!!” They pleaded as the door slammed behind the rest of the group.

“I guess they’re gonna miss the beginning of the feast…” Mira sighed.

“Kana, as the strongest amongst us, I nominate you as leader.” Vi said, the green haired girl turning towards Kana.

“No objections.” Hope said.

“It’s a heavy burden.” Kana nodded, crossing her arms and looking contemplative. “It will take me a bit to get the organization adjusted to our new goals.”

“Is your goal to marry Rell?” Vi asked.

“Wow, that's a great idea!” Kana beamed, pointing at Vi.

“Happy to support…” Vi sighed.

“Can we go already?” Luna groaned. “I’m hungry!”

“Shall we then?” Elena asked, turning towards Rell with a wink.

“Yeah, let’s go.” He nodded.

The festival was in full swing by the time they arrived. Sisters intermingled, drinking and eating from a wide variety of dishes placed on the center table. They had light bulbs strung up on wires, creating a serene ambience in the early evening light.

“Hey! He’s alive!” Jina laughed, pointing towards Rell. Her cheeks were flushed red, a whole wine bottle in her hand. Rell suspected it was already empty.

“Oh, the secret weapon. Yo.” Yana greeted.

“Big Sis!” Astra leapt passed Rell, ignoring him and embracing Elena. “I missed you!”

“But we just saw each other this morning…” Elena noted.

“But… I missed you…” Astra sobbed. She reeked of alcohol. “Huh? You’re still alive?" Leave. Big Sis is mine and mine alone.” Astra said, shooing Rell away, Elena still wrapped under one arm.

Rell just sighed.

“We could use your help out in the badlands. If we can find that Overlord of Rage…” Yana pointed out.

“I bet you we can kill it!” Jina winked, taking a sip of the empty bottle and looking at it with disappointment.

“Big Sis!” Astra began to sob even more, burying her head in Elena’s shoulder.

“Ah my blouse! It’s new! Stop!” Elena protested.

The sudden sound of instruments interrupted them. Several Sisters had gathered on a little stage, playing various string and drum instruments.

“This is pretty primitive…” Jina sighed.

“That’s because Luna broke the speaker!” Mira protested.

“I tripped over the wire.” Luna admitted. “Food.” She stated, making a straight line towards the table.

“Rell! Rell!” Kana said, tugging at the hem of Rell’s coat. “Dance with me!”

“Yeah, yeah.” he sighed, letting Kana lead him towards the stage.

“Hey! Wait a minute!” Elena protested, still getting smothered under a sobbing Astra.