Chapter 657: Eira’s fate

No rest nor sleep; Eira, Igna, and Vanesa made their way to the headquarters. There, Elvira, who had been teeth deep into a succulent virgin’s neck, sloppily wiped the blood and smiled. “Perfect timing,” she added sarcastically.

“You and your love for virgin blood,” sighed Courtney, “-they’ve arrived,” she said as is to imply an impending doom. The last visit didn’t end on a high note, rather, Igna wanted blood of which would have shed if not for certain people’s interruption. On the matter of guests, Amsey’s campaign for support stood at a roadblock. Phantom agreed to the potential expansion on the condition Lum be instated under the Elon’s Dynasty and Phantom. Basically, two sharks wanted to devour the remains of a wounded beast. Head to the ground and ego to the floor, Amsey reluctantly took the jet for Elendor. The ones to speak of his fate were, the younger master Elon and the Queen, believe it or not. Goes to say, Alison, the secretary of Elon’s Empire, didn’t hold her tongue nor her words. Lum shrieked at the ludicrous conditions, still, a good businessman didn’t back out without a fight. Hence, a battle of attrition between the backed Amsey and his potential allies began, let’s say, they wanted to rest his resolve and wit.

Swiftly moving to Igna, a message to Julius garnered a strongly worded response. The three giants prominent overlooked the peasant-like construction of shorter buildings. Three beaming towers, the sight Eira couldn’t help but feel threatened.

“Igna,” they paused shy of the concrete walkway, “-are you sure about this?” she wondered.

“Big sister,” he stopped and turned, “-here, read this,” the phone stopped immediately of her visage. Her brows knitted in concentration.

“Are you dumb?” she yelled.

“Not so loud,” he shushed, bystanders peeped curiously towards the very obvious trio, “-are you trying to draw attention or what?” as if her white hair and pure facial features didn’t sweep men off their feet.

.....

“No, I’m sorry,” an involuntary bit of the lips fed into, “-why send that?”

“I only said I was bringing my big sister home,” he added nonchalantly, “-besides, I never heard anything about Eira abdicating her name as a Haggard. Come on,” he watched intently, “-reply to their questions and say why you did what you did. Hey,” he snuck in close, “-I’m very doubtful about the reasons. Did you purposefully become the enemy to fight the enemy?”

“N-no,” her face remained stern, “-even if I did, what does it matter now. The ends don’t always justify the means, I’ve done more harm to the land of Arda than was necessary.”

“Oh, who cares,” two big steps gave into a loud smack on the back, “-what matters is the present. Shouldn’t the big sister give her siblings comfort and courage?”

“Shut it,” she chuckled, “-give you courage, as if that would ever work.”

“Cynical much...” the exchange bordered the slumped shoulders, in more ways than one, Igna truly wanted Eira to return home. “Shall we?” the promenade up the stairs felt refreshing. From an outside perspective, the three towers were placed for the elite. Even visitors and unassuming guests were scared by the entourage. The guards, the workers, and even the janitors, gave a sense of confidence. Add a flashy car, two handsome individuals in very expensive clothes, and there grows the combination for jealousy.

“I see the melancholic princess lives well and great,” teased Igna, the doors opened to a big open area. Stairs, bridges from one office to the other, sharp simplistic décor, and overbearing attention to architecture and uniqueness. The inside was truly a representation of what the world had to offer technologically-wise. Hardware and software were provided by Elon’s Dynasty, the leading researchers in the digital world. The company motto, model advertised their products and instructions hovered freely as a simple and concrete holographic display.

“This place sure has evolved,” commented she, her glance fell onto a ground of students in uniforms.

“-I’d guess internships?” said Igna before a black and reserved lift. One of the students took notice and hailed his comrade, the latter watched gleefully.

She immediately asked, “-why are they looking at us?”

“The lift is reserved for Phantom’s top dog; must I spell it out?”

“Don’t take the exhausted tone with me,” she scowled.

“Whatever, big sister,” the entrance opened, no lifts, a neatly drawn circle, and two buttons, up and down, on the side. “-I call this the tube,” the metallic guards shut.

“Why?”

“Cause,” a press teleported straight to Elvira’s office, “-it looks like it, one of those plastic tubes at the arcade, you get it?”

“No...”

“Forget it,” further explanation would beget a more perplexed Eira. The rectangular hands parted noiselessly onto a familiar corridor. Two guards scanned and nodded. “Prepare yourself,” said Igna. Every step resounded across her heart and body, the layout stretched onto forever, the more they walked, the farther it got, or so it appeared to be.

Meanwhile, the text message blundered onto Julius’s phone. Around were a rehearsing Vorn and a tired Xius, “-ay, boss-man, you good?” inquired Xius’s manager, an overactive alcoholic who passed out after three shots. The group loved his company – the last world tour successfully ended, save the mess at Alphia. Regardless, Sugar and Dei were strong on the booze and stronger on the teasing. No album until next year, basically, a two-month vacation. Emi Muko was offered the chance for a solo acoustic album, one her fanbase adamantly petitioned over the Arcanum.

“Doesn’t Julius look a bit out of it?” commented Nona, sweat, and locks of hair marred her exhausted visage.

“Sorry girls,” interjected Sheiwai and Yuna, “-we ought to head for the photo shoot.”

“Good job girls,” clapped Enna, “-we’ll take a week break.” Exchange of words led to goodbyes; the band separated. The performance in Alphia brought more deals to Apexi, for example, Sheiwai was approached to model for the famous Shapes’s magazine. Yuna was offered a deal as a radio host, her speaking voice was gentle and inviting.

“Julius,” waved Nona, “-are you ok?” she leaned to block his phone.

Two steps back, “-you startled me, how long did I zone out for?”

“Around two minutes,” she said, “-the girls have left.”

“What about you?”

“No job offers,” she sighed, “-whatever,” the intent reflected mischievous, “-who’s messaged?”

“Igna...” said, “-I can’t believe him...”

“Igna’s here?” her eyes widened, “-where is he?”

“In Rotherham. I’m sorry, I need to leave right away,” leather bag on the shoulder, “-Nona, please wait here for Scott, he’ll be back in half an hour, tell him to leave for Rotherham immediately.”

“Alright,” her cheerful wave faded into solemn woe, ‘-everyone’s left, I’m stuck waiting. Life’s unfair,’ she harshly dropped onto a comfortable couch, ‘-Vorn is filled with talented artists. My heart still shudders from the time we played,’ flashbacks to the concert contoured her face in a very childlike deluge, ‘-I want to do it again.’

Marbled stairs carried Julius’s leathery clops to the ground floor. The receptionist barely got a, ‘-have a nice day, sir’ in. The staff was pretty bemused. ‘-I can’t believe him,’ he glared the watch, ‘-he brought Eira to Rotherham. There’s no telling what she’s going to do,” a press toggled his sports car, ‘-IGNA!’

Accusing stares marked the visitors. Elvira waited behind her empty large desk; Courtney sat to a side on an equally imposing couch. Awards and medals of excellence adorned the wall, a retractable display eased its way into the ceiling. The open landscape backdrop dimmed; the atmosphere tensed.

“Good morning, aunt Courtney, Lady Elvira, it has been quite a while.”

“Quite a while indeed,” said Elvira, “-Igna, mind explaining why she’s here?”

“Is it necessary?” he returned belligerently, “-far as I know, big sister is family.”

“You know what I mean,” her sharp makeup firmly held the conversation, “-give us an earnest explanation.”

“I-”

“Cousin,” said she, “-don’t worry.” Icy cold befell Elvira, “-I’ve come to make amends, not for my sake, but for the people’s. Curtains must be drawn on Arda’s leadership. I, personally, have no interest in said pointless war. Lucifer and the church have abandoned their followers, if nothing is done, the pillars will crumble into anarchy.”

“Do you regret your actions?”

“What is there to regret,” fired she, “-my father always said to do what I felt was right. I but followed his teachings.”

“Make amends for the people?” voiced Courtney, “-did my foolish son stand you up to this?”

“Don’t bring him into this. Igna’s done wonderfully, he single-handedly thwarted the invasion, gave a decisive blow to us, and excellently handled his title as Viscount. I’m proud to have him as my little brother,” they exchanged smiles.

“Besides the point,” argued Elvira, “-is this about Arda or you?”

“It’s about us,” voiced Igna, “-big sister’s to be the Empress of Arda. She’s moved on from her past and is set on the future. However, to open the door to her new life, she must close the old and clear any misunderstanding. Unchecked ambers may result in an inferno later on. I, Igna Haggard, viscount of Glenda, fully stand and approve of Eira Haggard. She’s part of the Haggard dynasty, misunderstanding between family must never grow out of proportion.”

“Igna,” said Courtney, “-for the record, your aunt and I oppose Eira’s presence.”

historical

“Lady mother, with all due respect,” he bowed, “-the duchess of Rotherham has no say in the matter of the Blood-King’s faction. The argument at hand is the future of Arda. Big sister is the direct heir.”

“Igna, mind your tongue while speaking to the lady,” fired Elvira, “-I’m very disappointed in the lack of respect.”

“I sincerely apologize,” he bowed, “-respect is earnt, not granted for being old or of higher status. I would as easily piss on the head of an emperor as I would to a washroom.”

“YOU BRAT!” cried Elvira, her eyes reddened.

“Don’t move,” threatened Eira, “-I’ve attained godhood, the whole office is subject to the land of Nexsolium. Igna and I have come to decide the future of a nation, not some petty family argument.”

“Calm it you three,” said Courtney, “-let’s hear it then.”

“Thank you, auntie. I propose the following, the Blood-King’s faction march into the capital and takes the throne. As immediate heir, I promise to handle the evacuation of any lingering Krestonian forces. The church has outstayed its welcome. Igna, will, of course, accompany me in said endeavor. Secondly, the capital is to be moved to Glenda temporarily for the ancient tree needs to recuperate before any further construction. Thirdly, a new rule is to be established, the Blood-King’s faction will not claim the throne. Fourth and final, I give my word, after I’m crowned empress of Arda, I will do what is needed to remedy the relations between Arda and Alphia.”

“Her majesty, queen Gallienne might have a few words to add,” Elvira’s mind wondered to the prior assassination plot.

“The war is over and done with, the Federation is shakey at the moment. The participants are rather busy with recuperation, Elendor needs sufficient support to stand against Old Cray’s advances. Arda’s new rule will ease morale, Hidros will be united and together, stand strong against the Wracia Empire.”

“You don’t leave me much choice, do you,” said Elvira, “-the council shall meet and discuss the about the offer. For the time being, princess, do make thy way to Arda and clean the trash,” her gaze skipped to Igna, “-you,” she squinted, “-someone’s grown rather confident.”

“Effect of the time,” he remarked. “-Lady mother, I apologize for any rudeness I might have shone.”

“I accept the apologies,” she moved to give a motherly embrace, “-welcome back.”

“Mother,” he whispered, “-as head of the Haggard, please decide the fate of Eira.”

“Eira’s fate,” she said out loud, “-enemy or not, you’re my beloved niece and first child of my late brother. There’s no say in the matter, the Haggard name was bestowed by the founder himself; I haven’t the right to say otherwise,” she patted Eira’s silvery hair, “-I’ve missed you, runaway niece of mine.”

“Thank you, aunt,” they hugged.