The War Ends

A loud strong laugh filled Scarlet's tent. The one laughing was Ridrick. He pats her hard on shoulder, "As expected of my sworn sister! Your father would be proud of you!"

Scarlet cups her hand with a smile, "You flatter me brother."

"Nonsense!" said Ridrick with bright eyes, "It's true that I was mad and scared when I heard you went to capture the board town of the Huns, but now I am at ease. It was I who had underestimated you sister. Forgive me. You are the daughter of the great General Ashegrey of Ashegrey Household. No one can defeat you in battle once you send your mind to it!"

Scarlet chuckles at him. When Ridrick heard the news that she defeated the twin flames of Huns, instead of questioning how she did it, he was happy and glad for her. He thought that she was holding back this whole time for the sake of her fiance's reputation. But this is a war, and war is cruel. If one holds back, they will die.

But the truth was, she was not his sworn sister but someone else who was occupying her body because she was dead. A sense of guilt ran over Scarlet. Ridrick is a good man, and a good brother to the owner's body. As per her wish, Scarlet will follow through them, because she too likes people like him.

"And?" He suddenly said as he looked towards Ian, "What did you do while your sworn sister was fighting such a battle, oh soon to be brother in law?"

His eyes were menacing towards Ian. Ridrick never liked him, and felt that he could not be trusted. But the owner of this body was too much of a nice person, she didn't doubt him, and fell for him instead. Why couldn't she be more like Ridrick?

Ian cups his hand together, "Forgive me for my uselessness Lord General."

"Hmph!"

Ridrick turns back to Scarlet, "I took a short break to see how you were doing and now I must head back before my vice general comes nagging at me. I am so glad to see you safe sworn sister."

"Scarlet."

"Hmm?"

"We've been sworn sister and brother for so long and yet we don't call each other by name. We are in a war, and who knows if we will survive," said Scarlet as she smiles at him warmly, "So, as a good luck charm. Call me by my name, brother."

Ridrick was deeply moved. His hand shook with great happiness. Of course, he wanted to call her by her name, but he felt that he wasn't worthy of it. She was always left alone in the city and he was never there to support her when she needed it. How could he bear to say her name at all when he wasn't there for her.

Scarlet grabs his hand and smiles, "Okay, Ridrick?"

Tears streamed down his face. He covered half of his face with his other hand as he nodded.

Scarlet walks out of the tent with him. He hugs her deeply, "Stay safe, Scarlet. The war will be over soon."

She pats his back with a nod, "You too, Ridrick."

As they bid farewell until next time, Ian was looking at her back with suspicious eyes. He could not believe that she was holding back this whole time, and if she was, he would have noticed. Something about her was off, just like when he went into her tent after she came back from the trap he had sent up.

Scarlet turns around and notices that Ian was still standing before her tent. That emptiness he felt earlier returned but disappeared in a split second. She was smiling at him with the same smile she always had for him. Perhaps, he was thinking too much.

"Do you need something?" She suddenly asked.

Ian turns away, wanting to leave as soon as possible. He didn't want to see her face any longer.

"No, I just wanted to bid General Dawstorm farewell is all."

"Is that so."

As Ian walks away, he was hoping that she would come after him after putting up some air of irritation, because that's what she always did. Instead, Scarlet just went straight into her tent. Ian tightly grips his fist as he leaves in disappointment.

Scarlet lays flat down on her bed. The shoulder that Ridrick pat earlier was hurting. She smirks to herself, "Damn... He hits hard... Well, he is an Upper 4."

Just as Ridrick said, the war soon ended. Both sides ended with heavy casualties but the Huns surrendered as their Emperor died from an illness. The Huns were taken in as prisoners of war and of a new land for the country. The country of Wei.

Everyone who was at the war was welcomed back as heros. In the very front was Ridrick, to the left was Scarlet, and the right was Ridrick's vice-general Christ Swordcross. Flowers were thrown everywhere on the streets. Families were being reunited, and so were lovers.

The parade continues to the palace of the Wei country. The Wei palace. Only three people were allowed into the throne room. The general, his right hand man, and the person who had contributed the most in the war. The king sat at the tallest most glamorous golden throne that Scarlet had ever seen. Beside the throne was the queen and the crown prince. Along with the crown princess and the other many children of the king.

Scarlet, Ridrick, and Christ bows to the king and queen with their hand cupped together and head low. The king smiles at them and asks them to rise. They follow. The king let out a gentle laugh, "My brave soldiers, I thank you for your service you have done for your country

Without you, we would have never won the war."

"We thank you for your kind words your majesty!" Ridrick said in a strong voice.

The king waves his hand, "It's all but the truth. For your hardwork and service I bestow you three, ten trunks of treasure each."

Servants from both sides came out with trunks of treasure for them. They set the treasure before them. Ridrick thanks the king.

"I am most grateful, but your majesty, I would like to share my portion with all of my soldiers who went to war with me."

"Oh?" said the king with a gentle smile, "As always, General Dawstorm always thinks about his men. I shall grant your wish."

"Thank you, your majesty."

Christ also spoke out, "I too, would like to share mine as well, your majesty."

Scarlet also said the same thing. The king laughs out wholeheartedly. He smiles at all three of them, "My generals are wise and kind. It is no wonder we won the war. Very well. Beside the treasure, I will also grant each of you a wish."

Ridrick looks at the king, "If I may be so bold your majesty."

"You may."

"Just serving your majesty is already a wish fulfilled. I have no more."

The king nods, "I know. And I also know the other two, Vice-General Swordcross and Captain Ashegrey will say the same. You three always have when we are in great need of your service. But, amuse this old man, and hold on to this request of mine."

They wanted to reject it again, but the way the king stated it made it for them to be unable to reject it. The reason why the three of them didn't want any reward because it attracts unwanted attention to them, Scarlet though, was just following their lead to not look suspicious.

They bow with their head low, "As our king commands."

When the welcome ceremony is over, Ridrick drags Christ and Scarlet around with him in a drunk state. Christ being a nag, was also drunk. It was a big victory and celebrating it once in a while wouldn't hurt. Scarlet though, kept herself sober to keep them out of trouble. When she was with Andy, he was a terrible drunk. Always crying and yelling about life and how he loves her. Hanging out with the two, was like being back with Andy.

The owner of this body had a great relationship with Ridrick, but Christ. She wasn't sure. When looking through the memories, he was always in the corner mumbling about something while glaring at her. The owner of the body thought that he hated her, but that wasn't it. He just wasn't good at dealing with women. Scarlet found out about this just now.

Christ points at her, "Your.... I whanna shay shomehing..."

Because she was with Andy whenever he was drunk, she could decode what a drunk person said.

"Yes?"

Christ grabs her hand while hiccuping. Suddenly, he started crying as he looked at her, "I zarry... zarry... I zarry..."

Scarlet was a bit confused, "For what sir Christ?"

"Hic... I... I ghet vhery hi arhound women... they... schaired meh... "

She blinks at him, "...oh?"

"I no hate yah... You good... hehehehe."

His drunken laugh seems so much like Andy's laugh as well. She smiles at him and pat his head like a child. The owner of this body didn't hate him as well. In fact, she wanted to get to know him and be friends, but never had a chance to do so.

Ridrick comes back and joins in the laughing and crying party. After a good hour, Scarlet managed to finally get them to a good inn for a good long rest.

Scarlet walks down the bridge on top of the lake as she stares up at the night sky. The war ended... And now, Scarlet remembers Andy's last words to her. To live freely.