Ray Blackwell _ Part 4
Part 4Sirius teaches you a few things.But what's the truth about Cradle?Now there's a fight over the throne!"If you want to do it, then do it.".Chapter 1Kiera: Sirius, will you please tell me something?Kiera: Why is the Black Army fighting with the Red Army?Sirius: You're right, we haven't really explained anything.Sirius: Okay then. Let me tell you a little more about our country.Sirius put away the plate he was drying and turned around, leaning up against the sink.Sirius: How much did Blanc tell you, Kiera?Kiera: Well, let's see. He said that there's been conflict between Black and Red for 500 years.Kiera: And he also said things fell apart the night I arrived-- that you decided to go to war with each other.Sirius: There's definitely been plenty of conflict between our two sides for 500 years.Sirius: But it would be more accurate to say that our country has simply been divided into two parts.Kiera: What do you mean?Sirius: Black and Red have differing opinions on what 'peace' means.Sirius: But because of that, we try not to interfere with each other too much.Sirius: We've abided by this mutual understanding for the last 500 years, with the Central Quarter separating us and acting as neutral ground.Kiera: But if it's lasted 500 years, why are you all suddenly fighting?Sirius: Because rumor has it that the former King of Hearts was killed by someone from the Black Army.Kiera: Oh!Sirius: The Red Army is different from us in that they strongly respect lineage and bloodlines.Kiera: Does that mean the man who was killed was the current King of Hearts's father?Sirius: Yes.I suddenly remembered the cold eyes of the King of Hearts, and I shivered.Kiera: But you said it's a rumor. Does that mean it's not true?Sirius: That's right.Sirius: There's not a single person in the Black Army who would want to kill the King of Hearts.Kiera: But then-- who would do such a thing?Sirius: There's whispers among the Black Army soldiers that the King of Hearts-- Lancelot-- may have planned it himself.Kiera: What?! Are you serious?Sirius: They seem to think Lancelot planned the whole thing-- murdering his father, and blaming it on the Black Army-- so that he can subjugate the Black Army and bring us under his command.Sirius: Not that Lance would ever be likely to do a thing like that..Chapter 2Sirius: Not that Lance would ever be likely to do a thing like that.Kiera: Lance?Sirius: Never mind.Sirius: The point is, nobody in either army seems to know the truth.Kiera: But then-- there's no reason for you to be fighting each other, is there?Sirius: I feel the same way. But Kiera, you have to understand--Sirius: A single misunderstanding, a single misspoken word-- these tiny things are more than enough to cause war.Sirius: The truth is, no war was ever started because of an actual, just cause.Sirius glanced away from me, but not before I saw the sadness trembling in his gaze.Kiera: If the Black Army ended up under the command of the Red Army, what would happen to you all?Sirius: Well, I can imagine all sorts of outcomes.Sirius: But I doubt we'd be able to all laugh and have fun together, the way we do now.Sirius: I think we'd probably lose the normal, everyday life that we all treasure.(I remember the fun you all had over dinner last night.)I wanted to ask him so many more questions, but suddenly something distracted me.Kiera: Hmm?The sound of boisterous, cheerful voices drifted in through the window.Kiera: What's going on?Sirius: Come with me, Kiera.Sirius grinned suddenly, all his seriousness fading away, and gestured to the door with his chin.Sirius: You might get to see something interesting.I followed Sirius as he led me outside to the training grounds.(What in the world is going on here?)A whole crowd of soldiers were gathered there, chattering excitedly amongst themselves.Black Soldier 1: What's all the fuss? Is there a brawl or something?Black Soldier 2: Nah, it's better than that! Someone challenged the king!Black Soldier 2: And he's a low-ranking rookie!Black Soldier 1: Seriously? He's got no idea!As I stared around curiously, I spotted Fenrir, Seth and Luka in the middle of the crowd.Then the crowd parted slightly, and I saw Ray.He was standing calmly, his arms at his sides, a faint smile on his face.Fenrir: So you wanna steal the king' throne, huh? Well, Ray? What say ya?Ray: There's only one answer to that.Ray: If you want to do it, then do it..Chapter 3(What the-- they're fighting over the king's throne?!)Sirius: He's pretty cheerful about this. I'm impressed.(That's all you have to say at a time like this?! This sounds serious!)-Aren't you going to stop them? -Kiera: Sirius, aren't you going to stop them?Sirius: Nope, I'm gonna let them do as they please.Sirius: Just watch, and you'll soon see.(Geez, what kind of second-in-command ARE you, anyway?!)Black Soldier: Are you ready, King Ray?Ray: Anytime.Ray: But remember-- we don't use swords when we fight amongst ourselves. That our rule.Ray tossed his sword off to the side, grinning boldly at the other man.Ray: This is a fist fight.Black Soldier: Very well.The other man's sword clattered to the ground, and the crowd widened into a circle around them as they faced off against each other.(But even if it's just fists-- Ray loses his rank as King if he loses this fight, right?)(Knowing that, how can he look so relaxed, so happy?)Ray was grinning as if he was having the time of his life; as if nothing could bring him down.His opponent scowled, and then kicked the ground, dirt flying into the air around Ray.Black Soldier: Yaaaaar!As the man moved, the dirt spun up around them, clouding my view completely.Kiera: What the--?!I heard the sudden loud thud of a body hitting the ground.I bit my lip as I waited for the dust to settle.Ray stood silent in the middle of the confusion, his expression as calm as ever.The other man was on the ground, curled tightly around himself.Black Soldier: Guh--(I don't believe it! That was so quick!)Sirius: And that's that.Ray crouched down in front of his fallen opponent, holding out his hand.Ray: Hey.Black Soldier: Please, don't pity me.Ray: Okay. I won't.Ray retracted his hand, but his expression turned oddly gentle as he studied the man.Ray: Hey, can I ask you something?Black Soldier: Yes.Ray: Why did you challenge me?Ray: Why did you join the Black Army?The man sat up slowly, his expression puzzled, but only for a moment.Then he looked Ray directly in the eye.Black Soldier: Cradle is my home.Black Soldier: I want to protect it, and the people living in it, with my own two hands.Ray: I see.Black Soldier: Things are getting serious between Black and Red right now, and I couldn't just stand by and do nothing.Black Soldier: I have a wife-- I have a daughter, only just born recently-- so I--Ray: Then it's the same.Black Soldier: What?Ray: The reason you fight is the same reason I fight..Chapter 4The gentle smile that blossomed across Ray's face was a beautiful sight to behold.Ray: I want to protect Cradle, and the people living in Cradle.Ray: And it may be greedy of me, but I'd like to protect the whole of it, if I could.I stared at him in silence, drinking in each word he spoke.Ray: The reason I fight is to protect the freedom we have now-- the freedom to be happy.The fallen soldier was staring up at Ray as well, his eyes wide.Ray nodded once, and then stood up again, gazing down at the man.Ray: Come at me as many times as you like.Black Soldier: Sir?Ray: I'll be ready to face you, anytime.Ray: I don't mind a bit of recklessness.Ray: And also--Ray: That courage you have? Our army needs that.Ray: I won't forgive you if you take this to heart and do something dumb like leave the army again.Black Soldier: Sir--Ray: I'll be relying on you, soldier.I could see the awe and admiration on the fallen man's face as he nodded slowly.Fenrir: Nice work, boss.Ray: Fenrir, stop calling me that.Seth: Great work, boss. Wow, I've got chills!Ray: Are you even listening to me?Luka: ...Ray: Luka, stop staring at me like you want to say something.Luka: Ok-- boss.Ray: Hey.Fenrir: C'mon, boss-- stop scrunching up your face like that! You're gonna ruin your good looks!Ray: Stop poking my forehead.Luka: Hmm.Ray: Not you too, Luka!They were all laughing and chatting happily, surrounded by the other soldiers, and I couldn't tear my eyes away.Sirius: Didn't I tell you you'd see something interesting?Sirius: Did that help you understand why we fight?(And it's not just Ray, is it? That goes for all of you.).Chapter 5(And it's not just Ray, is it? That goes for all of you.)(You're all fighting to protect the people's freedom to be happy.)His words seemed to settle deep in my heart, and they were all the answer I neended.(I know what it means to want to be happy-- that desire to cherish what you have.)Back in London I was working a job I loved, and spending each day happy and fulfilled.It had seemed so normal, and yet I knew it wasn't normal at all. I knew not everyone had the luck I had.But the fact that it was so precarious was why I'd worked so hard to cherish each moment of each day.(You live in a different world from mine, Ray.)(Your actions as king-- and how far you were prepared to go for your army-- well, it scared me.)(I didn't think I'd ever understand.)Ray: Listen then, and remember this well.Ray: Wielding a sword, and fighting in battle-- these are things that involve people's lives. This isn't just some kid's game.Ray: I won't be killed by some half-hearted kids. And I won't kill them, either.(But now I finally understand. You're just like me. You just want to cherish what you have-- what everyone has.)Kiera: Yes, it did.Kiera: Sirius-- thank you so much.Sirius: You're welcome.Sirius laughed softly, looking pleased by my reaction.Sirius: I mean, he isn't always easy to understand.Kiera: Ray, you mean?Sirius: Naturally.Sirius turned his gaze upwards as he went on, as if beseeching the heavens.Sirius: He's not good at saying what he means.Sirius: And he usually doesn't talk that much.Sirius: And he'll never smile unless he really means it.Sirius: I mean, he'd be easier to deal with if he'd just grin more often, don't you think?Ray: Who?(Waaah! Where did you come from?!)Ray's voice was way too close for comfort, and I turned in surprise to find him standing right next to us, his arms folded.Sirius: Oops. Were you eavesdropping?Ray: You're shameless, old man.Sirius: Old man?!Ray: So what was the old man trying to sell you on this time?Kiera: Well--Sirius: Ray.Sirius: This nice YOUNG man here was asking a favor of Kiera.Kiera: A favor?(I'm pretty sure you didn't ask me anything, but okay.)Sirius glanced over at me, and I saw him wink slyly.(Wait, are you expecting me to nod and agree to this? It better be good!)Sirius: And you have perfect timing, Ray. I want you to go out with Kiera.Ray: Wha?!
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