Chapter Text
After fleeing for their lives from the onslaught of Merga, Shang Tu's band of heroes asked Mayor Zao of Shang Mu if they could stay there for the night. He oh so graciously agreed, after being presented with their hard earned coupons, of course. Having settled into the city hall’s library, everyone collapsed and took a breather. Lilac leaned on a table across from the Magister, deep in thought.
“Your Excellency... about what Merga was telling us... was any of that true?” asked Lilac.
“...Yes,” said the Magister.
Lilac furrowed her brow. “Why?”
“It... was a different time. We were at war. We had no choice,” said the Magister.
Lilac, stunned at the Magister’s words, got up from off the table and stared him down. “‘No choice’?? How was almost wiping out an entire race even a choice?!”
“There are no good choices in war,” the Magister explained. “There is only survival... and the means to achieve said survival. Surely someone of your upbringing would understand that.”
“Oh, no! Don’t you dare try and guilt trip me! I never killed anyone when I was in the Red Scarves!” said Lilac.
“And yet... Did you not behave in a manner contrary to ‘your true self’... simply because to do otherwise would invite the scorn of your peers? Did you not comfort you with the hopeless lie that you were a ‘good person’ in spite of the crimes you committed? The sins you inflicted?” said the Magister, with a look of scorn on his face.
“You don’t know what you’re talking about!” screamed Lilac. “You don’t know anything!!”
“Hey. That’s enough! That’s still the Magister you’re shoutin’ at!” said General Gong.
Lilac jabbed a finger in the direction of the general. “No Gong. How can you hear this and agree with him?!”
“I didn’t say I was agreeing. I’m trying to get your heads cooled down so we can discuss this calmly,” said Gong. “Besides, this here is a library.”
“Hah! This? The slaughter of my people?! Calmly?!?!” yelled Lilac.
“Lilac,” muttered Milla. “I don’t like seeing you and the Magister fight like this.”
“Well you know what? You don’t have to. I’m leaving,” said Lilac.
“Hold on Lilac,” said Carol. “You don’t have to do this.”
“I need answers, Carol. I need to know the truth,” said Lilac. “And there’s only one person I know who can tell me.” She gave her classic two-finger salute to her friend and dashed off.
“Wait! Lilac!” yelled Gong.
“Let her go,” said the Magister. “She’ll come to her own conclusions sooner or later.”
“And let Merga capture her?” yelled Neera Li. “She knows where we’re hiding. She knows our plans,” said Neera. “If she doesn’t outright join Merga, then this information will be beaten out of her! She’s a traitor.”
“Woah scary lady, time out,” said Carol. “Lilac’s got a good head on her shoulders. She’s been through this kinda stuff before. We’re all friends here. She’ll be fine.”
“Friends?!” snapped Neera Li. “The Captain was ‘our friend’. Askal was ‘our friend’. Who’s next, I wonder?! Are you going to join Merga as well?!”
“STOP!” yelled Milla. “Please, stop! Lady Neera... I know you’re hurting, and I know you’re having trouble trusting people right now... But trust me! I would never, ever hurt you!”
Neera Li gave Milla a cold stare.
“Neither would I,” added Carol.
“Please...”, begged Milla.
Neera Li sighed. “You’re right. Forgive my outburst.” Silence draped heavily across the room.
“So.. What now, then?” asked Carol.
“We must focus on the immediate task ahead of us. Assess the threat of Merga and stop this ‘Bakunawa’, with or without Lilac,” said Neera Li.
“But where could they be hiding?” asked General Gong.
“We can follow my big sis’s airship!” said Carol.
“A Parusan carrier. She’ll most certainly have a base in the southern islands,” said Neera Li.
“Good thinking. But what do we have that could pursue it?” said the Magister.
“Ahem...” said Mayor Zao, standing atop the stairs down to the library. “Don’t mean to toot my own horn here, but uh, fastest airship in the country right here!”
“We appreciate the gesture. And we shall avail ourselves to that service as well,” said the Magister.
“Oh. Well, I didn’t mean... I guess I did mean but---“ stammered Zao.
“Sounds like a plan to me!” boasted Carol.
Mayor Zao sighed. “Well, I could use a new Battlesphere champion...”
“Let’s get some dinner,” said the Magister. “Stones know we all need it.”