The commanders were silent as they lead their remaining forces away from Crosshares. Hours passed as they marched, keeping a steady pace as they moved further and further from the site of their most recent defeat. Eventually, when they had put sufficient distance between themselves and Celtic's forces, the army came to a halt. Gwydion broke the silence with an announcement.

"We'll set up camp here and stay for the night. Raise some tents, get some fires going, and get some rest. If you have any injuries, see a medic. Good work today." With that, the soldiers dispersed, preparing to settle down for the evening.

Austin tapped Gwydion's shoulder to get his attention. "I'm going to go take care of something. I'll be back in a little while." With that, he walked off into the woods, leaving his co-commanders to oversee the camp.

Time passed. Camp was set up, and soldiers relaxed after a difficult and emotionally trying day. Gwydion and Nitesco waited near the command tent, but Austin had yet to return.

"I'm starting to get worried," Nitesco said. "Where is he?"

"I'll go look for him," Gwydion said. "You stay here and oversee things. He probably hasn't gone far."

With that, Gwydion left the way Austin had gone and began his search. After ten minutes, he found the person he was looking for. However, he was surprised by the state he was in.

Austin was leaning up against a tree, with one hand on the trunk and another on his forehead. Gwydion could hear him breathing heavily, and he saw that his legs were shaking as he stood. Concerned for his friend's health, Gwydion called out.

"Austin! You okay?"

Austin jumped and turned toward the sudden sound of Gwydion's voice, his face turning pale with shock. After a second, he sighed.

"Oh, Gwydion, it's just you. Yes, I'm fine. I'm fine." Austin sat with his back against the tree and looked up at the starry night sky. Gwydion approached and took a seat next to him.

"What are you doing out here? You've been gone for over an hour."

Austin hesitated. "I'm… I was just…" He sighed and shook his head. "I had to get away from everyone. A commanding officer can't let his subordinates see him as vulnerable." Austin raised his hands to wipe his eyes, and Gwydion realized he had been crying. "I can't let them see me showing weakness, and certainly not panicking. But I had to get these things out of my system. Gwydion, I'm overcome with guilt. Guns N' Roses and Crosshares have fallen while under my command. It was my job to protect them; my job to lead them to victory, as I've done many times in the past. But I failed them." He clenched a shaking fist. "Two realms now are subjugated and two good kings now lie dead because I couldn't keep them safe from Celtic. It's killing me." Gwydion listened in silence as Austin continued ranting, his voice gradually increasing in volume.

"Even worse, our war effort is in a worse position now than it's ever been. Now that we've lost Crosshares, we have nowhere to retreat. Our supplies will run scarce, and our numbers will continue to dwindle until there's nothing left. If I can't come up with some plan to save this army, we'll all be doomed and Celtic will have his—"

Austin was interrupted by Gwydion firmly placing his hands on his shoulders. Startled, Austin stared at Gwydion wide-eyed, as if he'd just realized he was there.

"Get a hold of yourself!" Gwydion said, forcefully. "First of all, none of us blame you for what happened at either Guns N' Roses or Crosshares. Those battles were lost from the moment they began, but your efforts helped us get as many people out alive as we could. And if blame does need to be assigned," he added, pointing at his own chest, "myself and Nitesco surely share some responsibility for those defeats. We're commanders too, you know. Don't act like you're the only one making decisions."

Austin looked down, his expression showing a mix of shame and thoughtfulness.

"And second," Gwydion continued, "This war isn't over yet. We're still alive, and we still have a fighting force. We can still take the fight to Celtic if we play our cards right. But it will only be possible if all three of us are at our best physically and mentally as we plan our next moves. So," Gwydion stood, and extended a hand down to Austin. "Come back to camp with me, and let's get to work figuring out how to salvage this situation."

Austin grabbed Gwydion's hand and pulled himself up. He gave his co-commander an appreciative smile. "Thanks, Gwydion. I think I really needed that."

"Hey, that's what friends are for."

Austin chuckled. "By the way, don't tell Nitesco you saw me crying. I can't have him starting to think I'm not as cool as I act."

Gwydion smiled, appreciating that Austin's sense of humor had returned. "Of course."

"Now, let's get going. We have work to do."

With that, they walked back together.

As the two entered the command tent, Nitesco stood to greet them.

"About time you guys got back, I was starting to get worried. You okay, Austin?"

Austin waved a hand dismissively. "I'm fine. We need to talk about where we're going. First, we can't finish the fight with Celtic with only the soldiers we have here. We need to find more allies."

"Jaded and Thermometer were Emberald's main rivals in Villainia. With Yukon dead and Emberald essentially dismantled, they will be rising powers in the region. They would be a great boon in our fight against Celtic."

"Arkos and Nuts and Dolts are still problems. However, controlling territory on both sides of the Heretical Inlet leaves them open to attack. If we get Renora on our side, they can draw troops to the north while we march through the south."

Nitesco raised his hand. "And what of Rubia and Heroa? Surely we need allies there too?"

"Monochrome, Freezerburn and Ladybug are solidifying their power bases, and the only remaining power that could be of use to us in Heroa is Goodwood. I'm not too sure how much they'll do for us, but everything counts."

"If we can gather enough soldiers, we can launch an attack on Night's Watch. But there's still the problem of getting there. It's nigh unassailable. It's surrounded by mountains, which prevents a direct attack from the east or north, and the flatlands in the south have to be heavily reinforced. We must find a way to pierce their defenses, or we can never prevail."

"That's all fine and good," Gwydion said. "But we have a more pressing concern: the Crosshares soldiers. Inferno's gone. When they find out, they might abandon us."

Nitesco stroked his chin as the commanders fell into thought. "What about Samurai?"

Gwydion and Austin nodded in assent. Nitesco walked into camp and found Samurai's tent.

He was kneeling, head down, helmet off. His breathing was heavy and irregular.

"Samurai." Samurai raised his head, sniffed and turned to Nitesco.

"Hello, Nitesco. I'm sorry you have to see me like this."

"It's fine. I just wanted to talk."

Samurai took a seat and beckoned for Nitesco to continue.

"I know it's hard. He was my friend too. We didn't start on the best of terms, but in the end, he was one of the truest friends I've ever had. Now he's gone, but we must move forward. We must make Celtic pay. Samurai, those soldiers out there, they need a leader. Someone who is strong. Someone who is just. Someone who will keep Inferno's legacy alive, someone who will carry on the fight. They need someone like you."

Samurai sat in silence, absorbing Nitesco's proposition. After a moment of thinking he nodded.

"Very well. I'll do it."

He stood and exited the tent, finding his way to a large mound conveniently placed in the center of the camp. He raised his fist in the air, beckoning for silence. Almost immediately, all the troops complied.

He exhaled, heart pounding.

"My friends. We have suffered a most grievous loss today. Our capital is in flames. Our lands have been pillaged."

He paused. Tears were held back.

"Our king is dead."

Gasps. The soldiers had been in denial, afraid of admitting that their liege, their king, who had led them through so much, had died.

"But we are a strong people. We are a fierce people. We are a vengeful people. Inferno may be gone, but he will never die. Celtic, that tyrant, sits in his castle and laughs. We must not let him triumph again! We must wipe that bastard off the face of the earth! We must destroy every trace of that man and his wretched, scheming Council! Together, we must avenge Inferno, and we will rain fire down upon Celtic. We must be as strong and unremitting as winter itself. I understand if you want to leave. Go right ahead, nobody will stop you. But if you want to stay and fight, if you want to redeem our nation, if you want to avenge your king, then stand with me. I may not be a king. I'm just a poor farmer's boy from Nuclea. But if you would have me, I will lead you all to victory or death!"

The soldiers cried and howled, bloodlust and righteous fury coursing through their veins. Off to the side, Nitesco and Gwydion beamed while Austin clapped softly.

Somehow, somewhere, they all knew Inferno was proud.

Celtic paced impatiently in his throne room, listening to his officers debrief him on how his empire's administration was crumbling and how everything was going to shit.

"The situation in Rubia is dire," Duke Munkee 'the Outcast' spoke up. "The region is stabilizing, and the governors we appointed are being ousted. Certain powers, Freezerburn in particular, are regaining their power bases, and they could potentially strike at my nation or your other allies in the region."

Greatness' report was also dire. "Villainia fares no better. Since Yukon died, rebel cells have sprung up and made surgical strikes in the region. The Governor of Tauradonna died suspiciously after a banquet, and her replacement ruled for exactly two weeks before his carriage went over a cliff. Overall, our allies are holding strong, but opposition is growing rapidly."

At last, it was Vulpix's turn to speak. "Zentics, we believe, is growing disloyal. Not as many of his troops are going to our levies, and not as many of our coins are going to our coffers. Aside from this, our hold on the region is relatively strong, if weaker than before."

Celtic sighed and rubbed his temples. "Damnation. At least we no longer have to deal with Inferno and those three terrorists." Munkee and Vulpix exchanged glances. Greatness cleared his throat and spoke.

"Actually, we believe that they may have survived the sack of Crosshares—"

Celtic growled and grabbed his axe, embedding it in the throne to the right of his. Splinters of wood flew out and hit him in the side; he seemed not to notice.

"I want them dead. Wherever they go, they sow dissidence, cause trouble, and undermine everything I tried so hard to create. Do we have any news on their activities?"

It was Munkee's turn to speak. "My scouts intercepted correspondence between Austin Rufus and King Redwing of Ladybug—"

Celtic wrenched the axe out of the throne to his right and smashed it into the one on the left. He paused and exhaled in an effort to calm himself.

"I assume there's more."

"We suspect they may be contacting Freezerburn and Monochrome as well."

Celtic sighed and sat down, tired of embedding his axe into things. "Do you know their current location?"

"They are on the move, my liege," Vulpix reported. "We believe they are marching to Polendia City."

"Then they must be eliminated. Greatness, take what spare men we have and go to the city. We cannot let them take Nuts and Dolts. They must die there."

"Are you sure, my liege? We risk leaving the castle underdefended—"

Celtic leaned over and grabbed Greatness by the collar, dragging him to his knees. The mercenary, surprised and fearful, let out a gasp.

"I am the commander here. You will do as I say. If I want something done, it gets done. You obey me unquestioningly. Do you understand?"

"Yes, my liege," he growled. Celtic let him go.

"Go on about your business. I have matters of the state to attend to." Celtic took a seat. Greatness and Munkee bowed and exited into the foyer while Vulpix went to find Jokey and Maker in the Council room.

He found them poring over blueprints and discussing things of which he had no knowledge. Jokey was pacing and waving his hands in a slightly theatrical fashion while Maker ran her hands through her hair as she sat in her chair.

"Well, if we put it near the lung, turning it could theoretically restrict the air flow. The resulting fight response would make you fight harder for sure, but it would be immensely painful and possibly—" Maker stopped.

"Vulpix. I did not expect the meeting to end so early. Where's Greatness?"

Vulpix pulled up a seat for himself. "Celtic got a little snippy and lashed out at him. I worry for his mental health."

"He's under a lot of stress." Jokey defended his master. "Can you say you wouldn't do the same?"

The general sighed. "No, I cannot." He paused. "So, what were you discussing before I arrived?"

"A potential modification to my armor," Jokey explained. "I need some way to press myself harder. My injury at Guns N' Roses was severe, and we're trying to find a way to restore my strength. Artificial methods have failed us, so we turned to taking advantage of the fight or flight response."

"Most interesting." Vulpix feigned understanding. "How long have you two been planning this?"

"Since I was nearly defeated by Samurai at Crosshares. Luckily, Nachbar lent me a firework, and that alerted some nearby troops."

"Ah, Nachbar." Maker grimaced. "A most distasteful person. Unfortunately, we need him, now more than ever."

"Hold on," Vulpix said. "Jokey, you said he lent you a firework?"

"Um, yes. He gave one to me right before the battle, just in case."

"Weren't the Rowj forces alerted at Pollination by a firework?"

A grim silence took hold of the room.

"Holy shit," Maker said.

Jokey clenched his fists. "It was him all along."

"Jokey." Vulpix attempted to calm him. "I know that you're angry, but don't do anything…"

He slammed his hands down on the table. "That man is a traitor. He was a traitor from the beginning. He manipulated Inferno against us, he's why this war has lasted for so long! For all we know, he could be behind Yukon's death too!"

"Jokey!" Maker stood up and yelled at him, silencing him instantly.

"You mustn't let emotion get a hold of you. If Nachbar is truly a traitor, we must have concrete proof before eliminating him." Jokey nodded, still fuming, and took a seat.

"Where is he now?" Jokey asked.

"Somewhere in the Kingdom of Eclipse, probably Black Sun," Vulpix answered. "There was reasonable suspicion that the lords in the area were plotting against Celtic, and he went to investigate." "Very good. I'll set out at once." Jokey stood. "I know his meeting place in the city. He and I were there some years ago to assassinate the regent."

"I'll inform Celtic," Maker said. "Be careful."

He bowed his head, said his farewells to Maker and Vulpix and left the room.

"To think it's been Nachbar this whole time…" Vulpix trailed off. "I guess I shouldn't be surprised."

"Don't worry, my friend. We'll deal with him in time. This war has been difficult for all of us, but we mustn't let it disillusion us. We must remain true to our cause."

"You're right, Maker. But we've lost so much. So many of our people have been killed. Nachbar is a traitor, Yukon's dead, In—" He paused.

"Is it worth it?"

They sat in silence, not knowing the answer.

Quixotic walked through the streets of Eclipse, making an effort to keep his face hidden. He dodged another patrol and ducked down an alley, eventually finding a small door marked with chalk in one corner. He knocked on the door, twice, once then twice again. He heard several latches unlock and the door opened.

The spy closed the door behind him, latching all four latches before sitting down at the table. Nachbar took a swig from a bottle of beer and set it aside.

"Have you learned anything?" Nachbar asked.

"The assassinations went off without a hitch. Governor Lieur was found dead in her bedroom, allegedly from food poisoning. Her replacement Count Skycress was also dealt with."

"Good. Very good. Without Tauradonna, Villainia will begin slipping from Celtic's grasp." Nachbar took another swig. "Would you like any?"

Quixotic waved him off. "No thanks."

"Suit yourself." Nachbar reached into his pouch and pulled out a wad of papers. He set them on the table and pushed them over to Quixotic, who picked them up and began looking over them.

"I am aware of your former friends' plans to attack Celtic; I happen to have a friend in their camp."

A look from Quixotic put him on the defensive.

"Rest assured that no information is going to Celtic. Now, there is a secret pass through the mountains located near Nuts and Dolts that leads directly to Night's Watch. Celtic is too arrogant to think that they'll discover it and too pressed for extra men to spare any to defend it. If you can get those maps to Austin, Nitesco and the other one, you can give them an advantage that will win this war." Quixotic nodded as his colleague spoke. "I understand. Where are they now?"

"They'll be near Nuts and Dolts by the time you catch up with them," Nachbar informed him. "ANGQ plans to support some rebels in the region, and that timing has worked out well for us." Quixotic winced slightly at the sound of his old team name. ANGQ. How long had it been since he had heard that?

"Are you alright, Quixotic?" Nachbar asked, a tad concerned.

"Yes," Quixotic responded unconvincingly. He stared at the wall for a few seconds before turning to Nachbar.

"You know, I still remember the day we first met."

Nachbar laughed. "As do I. You had stolen the documents I needed from the Eclipse captain, killed the man they sent after you and successfully talked yourself out of trouble when the Bumblebeeans captured you. That commanded my respect."

Quixotic nodded, reminiscing. "What was his name again?"

"Silva, if I remember correctly."

"Hmm." They became silent again.

"Well, I'd best get going. Stay safe, Nachbar.

His colleague nodded. "You too, Quixotic."

Quixotic unlatched the door and walked off into the busy streets of the city. As he did so, a figure watched him from the rooftops above.

"Quixotic Quail. How long has it been since I've seen you?" Jokey chuckled.

He laughed and descended into the alleyway below.