Camilla, last night…
It wouldn’t be long before the match that would decide her future would begin, and she would meet her Godmother Moyako in battle.
The only one left to stand in her way would be none other than the Goddess of the Moon, Artemis.
The full extent of her strength was a mystery, but she was undoubtedly very powerful if she could make Raum fearful of her to the point he would surrender.
For now, it was time for her to get some rest.
She could not spend all night worrying about how tomorrow’s fight would play out if it makes her too exhausted or tired to participate.
But just as she was about to go to crawl into bed, she remembered something that Raum had told her about leaving the door unlocked.
She quickly jogged over to the door and locked it to make sure Raum wouldn’t walk in unannounced and reveal some world shattering information to give her a sense of existential dread, again.
When she was confident she had double checked that every window and door was locked, she put on her white night gown, crawled under the sheets and blankets, and went to sleep.
As the world was swept away, she found herself in a blissful dream, running through the lush fields of New Athens as a child with Moyako by her side, as the wind swept through her hair.
This was a dream she had the pleasure of enjoying many many times as it was what she had wanted most for all her life. To win back her kingdom, with Moyako fighting at her side, and to be welcomed back into her homeland.
But just as she and Moyako were about to return to the city walls and make their way to the palace, just as they have many times in the dream before, it suddenly erupted into flames.
W-What?! Th-this has never happened before! Is this even still my dream?
Not only did the city become engulfed in flames, the Valkyries loyal to Hylla Vulcara rose up into the sky in the thousands before diving back into the streets as they began mercilessly slaughtering everyone in their path, both men and women alike.
“Why is this happening? This shouldn’t be happening!” Camilla said, flinching as she realized that her voice was no longer that of a child she had dreamt herself to be, and had reverted back to the adult she was today.
She then looked to her side, hoping that Moyako was still there only to find that she had disappeared and that she stood alone amongst the carnage taking place before her.
“So this is the land you lay claim to…,” said a thunderous, terrifying voice. One that resembled a continuous rumbling of thunder to convey its words.
Camilla spun around and came face to face with a towering and imposing figure of power so absurd that her mind could barely bear the weight of its presence.
With bones made of black stone, muscles made of blood, and veins made of scarlet lightning. Its eyes were like looking at innumerable stars within millions upon millions of galaxies centered around a black gaping pit of darkness. The space that existed within those eyes were so massive that one could believe they contained an entire universe within them. Yet each of those stars glowed red as the same shade of lightning bound the universe within his sockets.
“Are you…the God of Wrath…?” Camilla asked with a trembling voice.
The being turned its head to look at her, and although its power resonated with a sensation of extreme violence and cruelty, its expression was neutral and calm.
He did not open his mouth to speak, but nonetheless, his voice could be heard as he said, “I am the God of Wrath.”
“What are you doing inside my dreams? What do you want from me?” she said as she forced a hint of defiance into her words so as not to appear afraid.
“Calm yourself. I am not here to threaten or harm you. I am only here to offer you an opportunity,” The god said as he started walking towards New Athens and Camilla followed after him.
They both walked in silence while the bloodshed and chaos around them continued. Yet even as the Valkyries continued their wanton murdering, they seemed to pass right through them as they walked. Almost as if they were separated from the dream itself.
“Were you the one who changed the nature of my dream, and if you were, why do so at all?”
“I did indeed change your dream into this hellscape you see before you, and it was to make a point. Your dream is based on your desire to reclaim your kingdom, free of Hylla’s reign and influence, and to have your Godmother at your side, aiding you to realize that dream. I am showing you this to warn you of the consequences that your inaction will bring. As you are already well aware, Hylla is a paranoid and power hungry individual that would sooner exterminate the royal blood of its kingdom’s founders than give up the throne to prolong Brunhildt’s existence. She would rather risk ruling over a kingdom of ashes than leave her seat to another, not even her own child would take the throne if she remains in power.”
“I…I am aware of that, but I fail to see your point. Why tell me what I already know? I know that if I don’t act, this I what will befall my kingdom.”
“You misunderstand. This is what will happen if you remain dependent on your Godmother to help you and do not act on your own. Though Moyako is indeed powerful, she has her eyes set on another goal. One that she cannot be convinced to move on from, nor should it be attempted to move her from it. You should rely on your own strength and the connections you have built to achieve victory. As much as Moyako means to you, you cannot count on her to save you.”
“I…I know that. I know, but-”
“Do not complain! Regardless of what she means to you, would you sacrifice the fate of your land, of your people, if Moyako was not there with you? A leader must not be so selfish as to doom their people to slaughter because something did not turn out the way you wanted it to,” the god said harshly, to which Camilla gritted her teeth in anger but said nothing.
The god was right.
She was being selfish. She wanted Moyako by her side through her struggle to reclaim her kingdom no matter what, but what would it matter?
Fighting for her only served to waste time that she could be using to plan ahead for the future.
“Are you saying that I should abandon the thought of fighting for Moyako to fight by my side through this conflict? Because if that is your intent then…”
“Do not misinterpret my words. I do not think that you should abandon the idea of having her by your side. However, you must accept the outcome regardless of what happens. Whether she joins your cause or not, you must accept the result and fight. You should focus on the future of your kingdom and your people. In all your time of fighting in wars, you are still yet to obtain the qualities needed of a queen to lead your people. If Moyako were to join you in the fight, would you depend on her for answers as to how to rule?”
Camilla’s eyes widened as things finally became clear to her. She had indeed become dependent on Moyako for more than just emotional support, but also to answer many of the questions that she could not answer herself. Her power was not what she wanted as it was unnecessary to win her the war, it was her guidance.
If she were to become queen, then she could not be dependent on others to rule her kingdom for her. If she managed to win Moyako over to her side, then would she just be dependent on her again or would she mature into who she needs to be?
“It seems that you have arrived at an answer, haven’t you?”
“I believe so, but…I must ask you, is this your only motive for appearing before me?”
“No, it is not and neither will my words alone be enough to aid you into accomplishing your goal. It is necessary that you usurp Hylla of her throne and reclaim Brunhildt for yourself, however I have need for you beyond your land and your people.”
“What could you want from me?” Camilla asked nervously.
The God of Wrath turned and stared deep into her eyes as he opened his mouth for the first time to speak and asked, “I want your service. I want you to pledge fealty to me, and in return, I will put you on the path to reclaiming your kingdom and to defend it from all threats. I will give you all the strength and prosperity that you could ask for to ensure your legacy does not die with you.”
Her voice became caught in her throat as she listened to the God of Wrath present her with everything that she could ever want. She need only say a few words of loyalty and-
“I...I will-”
“Hold your tongue. I will not tolerate my servants to submit to me so readily when offered with all that they desire. What good would it do to have servants that submit to my will only if it benefits them? Show me your valor, your strength, your will to fight for your kingdom and to lend your strength to me at my call. Bring Artemis to her knees, and only then can you call out to me that you will serve me. When you have conquered your enemies in my name, I will give all that I can unto you.”
Camilla woke with a gasp and a cold sweat as she sat up straight in her bed, pulling the sheets that clung to her skin off of her.
For some reason, a sense of dread had overwhelmed her dream and caused her to wake up suddenly as if it were a nightmare.
She couldn’t help but get the feeling that she had become witness to something very important, but could not remember the details.
She woke with a new sense of understanding of her goals and what it would really mean if Moyako were to join her or not, but could not remember how she came to that conclusion.
Her palms became clammy with sweat as she wiped it away on her nightgown before rubbing it against her forehead as she tried to force herself to remember what she had dreamt of beyond the sight of New Athens and her Godmother beside her.
The more she tried to remember, the more a headache began to form and she decided to push it aside.
The details did not matter for now.
All she knew was that she needed to win the match against Artemis, regardless of the danger that might come of fighting her.
Now…
She felt nervous for the first time since she stepped onto the arena floor and participated in this contest. Not even Frosk was as significant a threat to make her feel this worried about the outcome of a battle.
Her Almighty was a form of magic that could manipulate all forms of matter, energy, or anything with a vector that she could comprehend. Before having all of that knowledge implanted in her head by that red eyed being that looked like Marcus, she might have laughed off the idea of her losing due to her ignorance.
Yet now, with her greater understanding of everything that she could control, she could comprehend that absurdity of what she was going to fight against.
Even so, she had to win.
She had to defeat Artemis and-
She had to win and…
What else could matter in this situation except for victory? I have to win.
Artemis walked forward with little emotion in her eyes as she said, “The last time that you and I were on the same battlefield was when we were fighting against Nashandra, wasn’t it?”
Camilla nodded and said, “It was.”
Artemis smiled and said, “I wish you luck, and may you give it your all in this fight.”