Chapter 788: The Great Collapse [2]

“Practically speaking, and from what many past experiences have concurred, the way to win a war is to have the other surrender or take out the opposition’s base. And for centuries, the method hasn’t changed, well, until now. Theoretically speaking, to win a battle, one needs but to surround the opposition. Won’t matter no matter the number or opponent, a caged bird can only do so much.”

“Detective, what’s with the boring talk,” said a lady behind her hand fan, “-I heard the news, what have you done?”

“Here a question.”

“I’m not much interested to answer, fine, go on.”

“How does one defeat an invincible foe?”

“No clue.”

“Didn’t bother thinking,” he exhaled.

.....

“What’s the solution?”

“You don’t,” he laughed, “-the answer is simple, destroy what’s around the invincible foe, take out those they care about, trample over what they’ve built, and lead them to self-destruction. In our case,” he sipped upon a porcelain cup, “-coordinated attacks.”

“It was a lovely idea to separate the operation and call on everyone who held a grudge against Phantom and what they stood for, Arda, Haggard – the long month planning’s culminated into our complete victory.”

“They can’t recover, there’s no way. No matter the method of the scheme they counterattack with, fighting us means facing a new alliance of nations, Alphia will fall the same as Hidros. Queen Ela sure was easily swayed into leaving the federation, I must bid my thanks to the emperor.”

“He’s a charismatic fellow,” added she, “-the four greats are officially allied to the Empire – part of Alphia’s collapse depends on them. I can’t wait to see the drama unfold. Good job, detective, I knew you had the intellect to rival the whole world.”

“Far too much credit,” he exhaled, “-I should get going, my duty has been accomplished. The rest is in thy hands.”

“Right, awesome work,” returned distantly.

‘Discarded after I’ve served my use,’ the restaurant strayed from vision, ‘-I wonder why no one had ever tried to coordinate... I know the answer, they’re scared of the retribution. Well, I’ve made sure to clear the path for a relatively easy conquest. A game of chess that spans the size of the planet, I loved every moment. Tis how it goes, all is fair in war, and I suppose, the Haggard dynasty was dealt the last blow, it’s over, adieu.’

‘The manor feels ominous,’ upon the midday sun, Igna arrived at a very desolate scape. There was a hint of anguish oozing from the castle over yonder, ‘-something doesn’t feel right,’ he entered with a push, the gates unbuckled, the short climb led to a few parked cars, ‘-sports mobiles?’ he continued the walk and arrived at the porch, glancing inside didn’t give much information.’

“Where’s Igna?” yelled across, “-how can the man be so irresponsible at a time like this?”

“Pardon, my master hasn’t returned home since yesterday.”

‘An argument?’ he made for the living room, the television played heavy news, many figures laid in weight, tension was at an all-time high. éclair helplessly nodded before the onslaught.

“Is something the matter?”

“Master Igna,” éclair’s eyebrows flashed, “-welcome home,” he smiled.

“The man’s finally here,” said an unknown face, “-allow me to introduce myself, the name’s Els, I’m an executive for Phantom’s forces. I wish to speak to lady Elvira.”

“Pardon the intrusion,” added another random face, “-my name’s Ian, I work directly under Queen Gallienne, her majesty has ordered for I to contact lady Courtney.”

“About time,” side-glanced Loftha.

“The situation is dire,” said Els vested in a gently colored striped suit, clean-shaven jaw, a little stuffy around the eyes and stiff at the lips and mouth, “-I require a private audience.”

“Hold on a moment,”

“There’s no time to waste,” fired the second figure, a small man with a child face and innocent smile, a disarming mien, “-we need to speak to the leaders.”

Overwhelmed at the constant inquiry, a questioning gaze shot at éclair’s general direction, “-an urgent phone call,” he said, the demeanor sank, “-master, it would be wise to review the situation,” he handed a tablet and left to the silence of the upstairs.

‘An executive of Phantom and an envoy from the queen,’ he scanned the guests and focused onto the tablet, “-can’t be possible,” the expression froze, ‘-what happened when I was away?’

“We need lady Elvira to return.”

“Same to lady Courtney. Her majesty the queen has ordered for the Federation to join for an urgent meeting. Representatives of the other factions have departed and will arrive at the latest tomorrow.”

“Excuse me, gentlemen,” he turned on himself and made for the door, a breeze slapped across his sweat-riddle forehead, the mild cold sent pins and needles, ‘-I can’t believe it...’ just as he thought nothing could get worse, a helicopter burst into the field of vision, the small dot grew in size. They landed, the first outran senselessly to Igna who had taken a seat onto the grassy slope leading into the massive yard, “-IGNA, IGNA, IGNA!”

“Kion?” he stood, “-why are you here?”

“I hurried to Hidros after I heard the news,” he panted, “-Alta, how’s Alta doing?”

“I don’t know, she should be at Glenda...”

“NO,” he clenched, “-it’s our link...”

The thought crossed and forced him to stand, “-is she’s dead?”

“We don’t know,” the face clenched, “-what’s happening...”

“What of the others?”

“In Alphia to aid the troubling situation. Odgar was recommended as an advisor by his wife, the daughter of the acting general. The rest of my party are at their side supporting the whole situation.”

‘Glenda is under attack?’

“Master,” footsteps stormed, “-Glenda is at risk of total destruction.”

“How?”

“A PMC has invaded Arda from the northern sea...”

“Noctis’s hallow is there, ask help from the nightwalkers.”

“Can’t do, the clan leaders are on good faith travels abroad.”

“Again, bad timing,” a flash clicked, the picture suddenly broadened, ‘-not bad timing, it’s an orchestrated attack. I severely underestimated the mastermind. Fact is, I don’t know who’s responsible. We were defeated... it was about time for the king of the hill to be dethroned,” he fell silent as did the surroundings, Kion had but a single thought, ‘-how is Alta?’ the guests soon made their way outside of the manor, they lined at the peak of the slope and overlooked Igna; a man held in high esteem by influential people. Everyone looked to him for answers and he, himself, looked inside for the plausible solution, the bicolored pupils washed in a bloody crimson, ‘-the time’s come to fully awaken,’ the lowered gaze rose to the manor’s roof and flew to the sky.

“What will you do, Igna?” asked an internal voice.

“What is there to do?”

“Take back what was taken.”

“And, can we accomplish it?”

“No, what is lost can’t be regained, we can only satisfy the greed by taking more of what was stolen from us.”

“A nasty thought, however, I digress. I’ve tried my best to live a peaceful life, avoiding the truth and completing whimsical endeavors for my own satisfaction... if the world wants to wage war against what I built from the ground up, then I swear on my life as Staxius Haggard, they will pay with the blood,” a dark aura washed his presence, the crimson red hair bleached into a silvery-white, ‘-what say you, me, shall we give the world a taste of the curse which is us?’

‘Stop being so dramatic,’ it laughed internally, ‘-what’s with swearing upon a dead man’s name. Show them what the reincarnation of the Death’s Heir can do.’

“Master, is something the matter?”

“No,” he exhaled, emotions harshened, the expression followed into an expressionless frown, “-éclair,” he took a step with hands in pockets, “-no matter the odds against us, I will make sure we win,” he climbed the slope, past the duo, “-Executive of Phantom, have it known lady Elvira will return when she deems it. Messenger, take this to her majesty, I, Igna Haggard, will represent Arda and Queen Courtney, in the next council of the Federation.”

“Understood,” they said, “-I’ll relay the information,” they left in their transport. Loftha kept a solemn expression under the porch, “-Igna...”

“Loftha,” he stopped and stared, “-you’re worried about Alphia. Take the helicopter and fly home, it would be better to stay at their side.”

‘His face,’ her body reflectively grabbed his arms, “-what about you...”

“What about it?” he placed his hands upon hers, “-I will take back what is rightfully mine. I strongly advise for thee to head home, don’t dilly-dally.” At that moment, the words from Igna hammered into her ear, there was a tremendous power behind the monotonous voice, ‘-if I leave him...’

“Take a message to my big sister. Tell her the Devil of Glenda is at her disposal,” the pupils had nothing, they were blank and empty, “-I will be made for Alphia after I’ve handled the situation in Hidros.” Before realizing what was happening, Loftha was put on a plane for Alphia.

‘I’ve failed...’ the gates opened; ‘-how can I ever show my face to lady Elvira again...’

“Prince Julius,” said éclair.

“éclair, my friend,” he pushed the ajar door and ran for the butler’s arms, “-it’s done and gone, Apexi’s lost everything. The media’s ruthless, everyone’s turned sides, I can’t do anything. The next meeting will decide where the company moves forward... I’m going to be dismissed as the CEO.”

“I’ve asked the idols to cancel their contracts,” said éclair, “-the paperwork’s been handled, before Apexi is taken over, I’ve made sure the properties and assets to be transferred to us.”

“Really?”

“Yes, really,” he smiled, “-actually, it was master who proposed the idea. He knew to have an exit if matters worsened.”

“Where is he?”

“In the study, I prefer not to disturb him.”

*Clop, clop, clop,* “-talking in the entrance hall isn’t a great look,” said Igna.

“Cousin,” target swapped for Igna, “-I’m glad to see you again.’

“Likewise, my dear cousin,” they exchanged a firm short embrace, “-now, I have business to attend to,” another figure followed behind, “-wait up for me!” said Raphael now in his complete form.

“Pray tell, who is the new companion?”

“A fallen angel, Raphael,” a portal summoned, “-make sure not to cause the others trouble,” he said.

“Right,” and off he leaped to the Shadow Realm.

“Cousin, have you changed?”

“Perhaps,” they exchanged glances, “-lady Elvira’s present. Julius, I want you to handle matters pertaining to Phantom. Check the status of the Godfathers, I doubt them going into hiding will do good.”

“Understood, what about you?”

“Me?” he arrived at the door, “-they’ve dared mess with the Devil of Glenda’s domain, I’ll show the true meaning of the nickname.”

.....

“Hold on, Igna!” scurried from the kitchen, “-I’m coming with,” cried the hero, the main door shut.

“éclair?”

“Prince Julius,” said an enigmatic tone, “-we’ve already lost everything.”

“Pardon?”

“Here, take a look,” a tablet handed over, ‘-what does he mean, lost everything?’

“Shocking, isn’t it,” said éclair, “-Elendor has sided with the Empire and our forces were betrayed. I had spies look into a lead, Phantom was played a fool from the start. Elendor and king Juvey have signed a pact. Our force’s exhausted – I gave the order to retreat and naught. I fear the worse.”

historical

“You don’t mean an attack on Rotherham?”

“Precisely, our military is exhausted; an attack now will spell disaster. Master understands the situation. Heir to Creation, Julius Haggard, as the servant to the Watcher of the Shadow Realm, I ask you of this, will you use thy powers and protect Rotherham.”

“Yes,” no reservations nor worries, “-I will use my powers.”

“Perfect.”

The day carried onto the next, the messengers arrived at their respective destination, “-those are his exact words, majesty,” said the boyish faced gentleman.

“Understood, you may leave,” the entrance locked, ‘-Igna will represent Arda in the next Federation council,’ she waited inside a large and tall hexagonal tower of many windows which served as a link to the castle’s inner sanctum and courtyard.

“Majesty, the king of Easel Run Gard has arrived,” reported a retainer towards the eastward corridor.

“Give the boy a room to rest, we wait on Igna Haggard. Have my generals assembled in the courtyard, I wish to speak to them.”

“Will do, majesty.”