Republic Of The Shadow Walkers - Naomi's perspective

Rubbing my temples, I was trying to stop images from flowing through my mind. The thing about having a vivid imagination was the fact that you were able to pull scenes from nowhere, it seemed.

That was a blessing… But also a curse. At the moment?

It definitely seemed to be a curse.

I could almost see flames burning down Langdale, and everything in it. I could almost see cities in Pyolangi, Emeraldia, and Deolark being destroyed as well. Along with the images of dead soldiers scattered across an enormous battlefield, dirt stained scarlet from bloodshed, innocents being slain, loved ones dying-

I really need to stop thinking about all that.

Focusing on the fact that both of my siblings were returning soon, I tried to rid myself of the morbid and dark thoughts. Bethany and Tim. Bethany and Tim. Focus on them.

I focused on the way Bethany could intimidate most people by giving just one death glance, on the way that Tim could make anyone smile with one expression of silliness.

The way Tim could goof around one moment and be serious the next if he needed to, the way Bethany could defeat practically anyone she dueled with her katanas and swift reflexes.

My calming thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door.

“Who is it?” I said coolly, all calmed down from when the images of blood and death were flowing through my brain.

“Tis Bethany, you twit.” The voice of my sister answered me.

“Come in, Beth. Long time no see,” I nodded at her, acknowledging her presence before closing my eyes for a moment. “When is Tim coming?”

“Oh, he got back with the rest of the military yesterday. He said he'd go to his place, freshen up, get something to eat, etc. So, he should be here soon, since he told me that over 10 hours ago, and it takes about 2 or 3 to get here from Sonraeria."

“Good, so he’s not dead. That's a plus anytime,” I smiled. “When he gets here, we can start talking about more important stuff. Brownie?” I offered her a treat from a plate on the edge of my desk.

Bethany was an... Interesting person. One could say that she was like me, but also unlike me in a lot of ways.

She shared several traits with me: brave, fluent in sarcasm, introverted, reckless at times, and skilled with a katana. However, she was also very irritable, severely prickly and hostile sometimes, had some anger issues, and didn't show her emotions very often.

Well, except for her anger and irritation. Those were the only emotions of hers that were frequently shown.

She also looked nothing like me: her natural brown hair was almost always dyed black with red streaks, dark brown eyes, and also very tall.

I was the average height for a thirty-year-old, but Bethany was very tall for her age. And it certainly didn't help that she wore high heels a lot.

However, we shared the same skin tone (which was extremely pale... Not sure where that trait came from, but it came from somewhere in our family line), and our eyes looked the same, minus the color.

“Sure, why the heck not?” She took one, and we waited.

And waited. And waited.

Bethany and I started to hum elevator music to ourselves, since it seemed to fit the moment.

Knock knock.

“FINALLY! Just come on in, Tim.” Bethany called over to the door.

“Aaaayyy!” Tim opened the door and greeted us with his usual idiotic grin (except that he actually wasn't much of an idiot. He was actually very smart, in the right circumstances.), instantly brightening my afternoon.

“Ayyyy!” I responded, giving him a smile. “Glad to see that you’re safe.”

Tim was practically the opposite of Bethany: a lot more humourous, a definite extrovert, and had a love for trying to brighten people's days. He could also be a huge goofball.

He had hazel eyes, light brown hair that had a quiff, and an athletic body that was a result of being on a swim team for five years.

However, Bethany wasn't happy that he was an inch taller than her, so that was the reason she always wore high heeled boots.

“It's nice to be back,” Tim looked around a minute. “Things haven't changed much around here, from first glance.”

“Actually, things have changed,” I said, sorry to stop the reunion part of the meeting. “Has Bethany informed you yet on what happened?”

“No… What happened? Tell me everything,” He sat down on the chair that I had provided for him next to Bethany. “Ooh, are these brownies?”

“Sure, I'll tell you everything. And yes, those are brownies. Feel free to have some,” I nudged the plate towards him, and he grabbed one and started munching.

I might as well be prepared to make another batch after this, since he'll probably eat them all.

While I updated him on everything that had happened in the past week, he was surprised to hear that I had confirmed that Ry and Dark didn't trust me any longer.

“Seriously?” He said when I got to that part. “That seems… Unlikely. I thought they'd come around... Ry was, like, one of the people who were closest to you during the war with Radish Land, right? And wasn't Dark one of the peeps who had a crush on you?”

“Yes, and yes,” I sighed. “Can we not go into that conversation again?”

“Which one?”

“The one where you're like 'OMG, how many people have crushed on you?’ and Bethany's like 'Okay, you know what to do if you have a stalker, right?’ and I'm like 'Guys, you need to shut up so we can focus on what we came here for!’. THAT one,” I explained.

“Ohhhh,” Tim nodded. “THAT conversation. Of course, let's not go into that one today,” He laughed. “Anyways, continue.”

Bethany just rolled her eyes and examined her nails, since she had already heard all of what I was telling Tim.

“So,” I said, once I had finished. “Do you understand now?”

He sighed. “Yep. Definitely.”

“Good, because I don't want to explain again.”

Bethany muttered boredly, “Finally, the explanation and cliché sibling reunion is done. Can we get down to business now?”

Tim said, looking at Bethany, “What kind of business?”

“The kind where you HURRY UP AND EXPLAIN WHAT HAPPENED!” Bethany yelled suddenly, making us jump.

“Sheesh, no need to be so loud!” I shushed her. “Who knows? Someone could be listening right now, or even recording, just like last time. Bethany, be QUIET.” I whisper-shouted the last word.

“Fine,” Bethany muttered, clearly annoyed. I hoped she wouldn't throw anything, like what happened last time I made her mad.

Thankfully, she refrained, sparing my furniture.

Tim shrugged. “There's not much to say… Basically, we approached, Pyolangi got mad for some reason, and we had to retaliate. I called you, we went home. End of story.”

Bethany narrowed her eyes slightly, for some reason.

Then, she snapped her fingers, seeming to remember something. “Oh, I found something you two might want to see…” Shoving me aside, she started typing into Google on my computer.

Before I had time to ask why she basically stole my computer, she had pulled up YouTube, and she paused the video that she had clicked on.

“You ready?” She gave me a sideways glance. “I don't think you're going to like it.”

I looked at the video, and I realized it was a conference. I was about to say something like “Ew, conferences,” and close the page, but I saw someone I recognized.

Glitch. Even though I had not seen or heard from him for years, I still recognized his appearance. Realizing that it was a conference from Pyolangi, I nodded at Bethany. “Go ahead.”

Tim pulled his chair beside mine, and sat down to watch as well. Bethany spectated from behind Tim's chair as the video started, and grabbed another brownie.

I made it full screen as one of the people seated said (I assumed they were the Ministers of Pyolangi), "Our armies were about to send a warning signal to the said fleet. But by the time we were about to do so, they had started bombing the former city of Verdenheim."

Wait, what?

"We have to take action to defend Pyolangi's sovereignty. So that our freedom will not be in jeopardy,” One of the others added.

"In fact, we are mobilizing our armies as we speak. The Air Force is now clashing with the enemies. Our armies are on their way to Verdenheim and its surrounding areas,” My gaze went to another.

"And because of the fact that we are now trying to contact the Republic of Shadow Walkers, we are now exploring the possibility of contacting other surviving nations,” Another spoke, making me wonder...

They're trying to contact us... Should I be worried?

"Any more questions?" Glitch asked.

Yes.

Tim snorted as people rushed to the table, knocking over several cameramen. “That’s why we don't go on TV, am I right?”

I rolled my eyes, but smiled at that comment.

“Well, there's also the fact that it's not mandatory to go on TV,” Bethany pointed out.

“True.”

"What's the progress in contacting other possible nations so far?" Someone asked.

I was intrigued, so I listened closer.

"So far, we don't have any luck. We tried sending signals to the coordinates of Navire and Galastaria, but it's not doing so well,” Glitch answered. Does he not know that they were nuked, and that those countries would be completely dead if it wasn't for the Republic?

And I don't think communication would work very well there anyways... At least, for now.

"Do you know who is the leader of the Republic of Shadow Walkers?" That question made me wonder, do the people of Pyolangi not know that it's me who leads the Republic?

Is that a good thing, a bad thing, or in between?

I saw Glitch pause for a long moment, his expression turning into one that I couldn't exactly decipher. But I did know one thing from that pause.

He remembers us… Maybe he misses us.

Maybe he'll stop and try to make peace.

"Based on our findings, we had discovered that Naomi is the current President of the Republic of Shadow Walkers," Someone spoke for Glitch, ending the long pause.

Well, they know. And Glitch certainly remembers me.

"Wait, Naomi is Glitch's old friend before he ran for the Office of the Prime Minister, right? What do you feel about that, after being attacked by your old friend?" Someone said, making me lean towards the screen. I wanted to hear this, perhaps more than anyone else.

"I thought we were friends! But then I asked myself why is she invading the nation that she used to be friends with?" Glitch clenched his fists, and it was almost as if that gesture crushed my hopes of peace.

Staring directly into the camera, he said, "Please explain this agression, Republic of Shadow Walkers,” His expression turned into one of anger. "Or else you're going to regret it."

Wait a minute...

This doesn't make any sense.

I exhaled, confused. If Pyolangi struck first, then why are they speaking as if we attacked them?

Looking up, I saw Bethany point an accusing finger at Tim. “The stories don't line up. I knew you were lying to us."

Tim stared at her, his face unreadable.

Inhaling sharply, I realized that he had certainly lied. That's why the stories don't line up… One of them isn't completely true!

“Tim, why?” I shook my head at him.

Bethany glared a death glare at him, which made him avert his gaze out of fear and sigh. “Okay, okay! I lied.”

Bethany, getting into interrogation mode, grabbed his jaw and turned his face to be right in front of hers. I would have thought that she was about to kiss him if they were not brother and sister.

“Tell me, what exactly happened out there?” She narrowed her eyes intimidatingly, and the look in her eyes would have made anyone flee in fear if she turned her gaze on them.

It was a wonder that Tim was able to be that close to her right now without screaming.

However, he was frozen like a deer in headlights.

“TELL ME!” Bethany growled. I half-expected flames to shoot out of her eyes as she said that.

“SomehowthetroopsgotoutofmycontrolandattackedPyolangiit’snotmyfaultdon'tkillmeIswearitwasn’tmyfault!” Tim blurted out, scared that she was going to go even further into an interrogation.

I blinked, totally confused. “What was that?”

Bethany, also completely perplexed by what Tim had just said in the language of gibberish, asked, “Can you repeat that? … A little slower?”

“I will! Just let go of me, okay?!” Tim pleaded.

Bethany let go, and he fell back into his chair.

He held his hands up in surrender. "The full story. Okay. Yes. Yeppers. Getting to that right now, so don't punch me!"

Bethany crossed her arms, “Tell the whole truth, leave nothing out... Or else you will regret ever stepping foot in my line of sight. Now go.”

He did his explanation with huge hand motions that a three-year-old could understand, and said everything VERY slowly.

“Okay, so we were approaching Pyolangi, right? After they were in sight, I was thinking, 'Okay, that does not look dead to me.’ However, some of our planes decided that they apparently wanted to bomb a city that's along the coastline. Maybe they hold a grudge against Pyolangi, maybe Glitch stole their Doritos a few months ago, who knows?

“Anyways, I was like 'Oh my Lord, why the heck are they doing that?’ Then, for some reason, the land troops marched into Pyolangi and started doing their thing. Then, everyone else joined in, and someone dragged me below deck and locked me in a storage room before I could tell them to stop the fight. I don't know who it was, unfortunately, but I do know that something's amiss. I tried to get out, I couldn't, I called you, you told me to retreat, and we did, after I finally managed to get someone's attention with a lot of noise making.” Tim leaned back in his chair as I processed this.

A long moment went by with no one saying anything, and Tim broke the silence by saying, “Well, that's the truth. All of it.” He crossed his arms and waited for us to say something.

“I-I'll try to find out why and how that happened. But what I'm concerned about now is what Pyolangi as a whole thinks we are thinking,” I muttered, rubbing my amulet and trying to stay calm.

Bethany breathed a sigh. “Just try to stay strong, okay? For now, all we can do is wait, since we've expanded into all the countries that were nuked, and I am assuming you don't want to break your promise to Ry and Dark,” She looked at me, and I nodded.

“Okay, when has she ever not wanted to keep a promise of hers?” Tim pointed out.

“... Truuue.” Bethany laughed.

“I'm keeping my promise, yes.” I nodded, not making eye contact with either of them. “Even though they don't trust me, I am not going to break my promise of not expanding into their countries. If they attack, we will retaliate, but we will not expand. If, in the future, they think they can trust me again, that will give them some assurance that I know how to keep a promise.”

Bethany looked at me curiously. “Even if we go to war?”

I met her eyes, “Bethany, you know how I am about keeping promises.”

Her face darkened slightly as she looked away. “Indeed... But if only Dark and Ry would know the same, then this wouldn't be happening.”

“Stop dwelling on the past,” I told both her and myself at the same time. “For now, we wait.”

We wait… Until someone makes a move. And then we'll make a move.

For now, it's time to focus on the here and now.

I couldn't help but think, Are Dark and Ry waiting too...? For me to cross the line one more time?

Hopefully, because then NO one will make a move.

Bethany nodded. “Very well. So… We wait and ready ourselves for anything until they make a move?”

“Yes.”

“Okay then,” Tim said, “So nobody's mad at me?”

Bethany gave him a warning look. “You're not off the hook that easily, Tim. I'm still wondering why you lied.”

“I didn't want to worry you, okay?” He apologized, looking at me. “I knew you had a lot on your hands, and I didn't want to make your burden worse. I'm sorry, I just wanted the best for you.”

I breathed out through my nose for a long moment. “It's all right. However, don't lie to me again, okay? I don't need one of you to deceive me, so don't worry about making my burden heavier.”

He nodded once, then went silent.

Bethany looked content, which was good, because that meant that she wasn't going to do anything to her younger brother for payback.

Setting aside the thoughts of Pyolangi, I went on to ask Bethany one last question. “Has anything notable happened with the NightWalkers? Also, I still think you're low-key stealing that name from The Shadow Walkers.”

The NightWalkers were a secret group that was led by Bethany, and they basically were ready to do behind-the-scenes work within the Republic if needed. They always wore black and deep purple uniforms, usually did work under the cover of night, and were taught to wield several different weapons.

Bethany had insisted on making a movement like this as soon as I came into power, for reasons that I knew not. That was where she usually was: training the NightWalkers in the city of Sonraeria.

(Pronounced Sewn-rair-ee-uh.)

It used to be named City Of Demolition back in the days of Radish Land, but Bethany had the honor of renaming it, because I despised the previous name. It reminded me of what had happened to all the other countries, and I think I could say the same for the citizens.

Now that war may be on the horizon, I can see several more uses for the NightWalkers now.

“Nothing yet, training has gone well for the new people, and they're ready to do anything that you need them to. It's a good thing you kept them secret from even Ry and Dark back when I first formed them, after the war,” She laughed. “That would be bad if they knew. They're all loyal, so no spies would be in there.”

“Excellent, and true. It'll definitely be a good thing if we go to war.” I nodded, thinking she was finished.

But she wasn't.

“Oh, and by the way, I'll be selecting your bodyguards from there as well. Since they're well trained, they'll do exceptionally well as bodyguards for you,” She smiled, waiting for my reaction.

“You agreed too?!” I looked at Tim.

“Yeah, I voted yes. So three overrules one. Sorry, but I also think you need bodyguards.” Tim shrugged.

I narrowed my eyes. “Should I be offended that you're underestimating my skills?”

“Perhaps,” Tim made a silly face, making me let out a laugh.

“Okay, fine, I'll try out this bodyguard thing. But that doesn't mean that I'm happy.” I rolled my eyes, ignoring Bethany's grin of triumph.

“Yes, yes, that's nice, dear,” Bethany patted me on the head.

Glaring at her, I muttered, “Don't treat me as if I'm a little girl… I'm thirty years old, I have the right to not be treated like I am fifteen years younger!”

“Oh, it's totally not like I'm seven years older than you…” Bethany rolled her eyes.

“Okay, okay, break it up,” Tim pushed her away from me a little.

“NO!” Bethany slapped him in the face, irritating him.

“No, I'm not going to fight you, Beth! I'm not like some people,” He glanced at me.

“Excuse me?” I raised an eyebrow.

Bethany, pointing at Tim, said, “TIM, I DECLARE THAT WE, THE TWO OF US, WILL DUEL. TOMORROW AT SUNRISE-”

Knock knock knock.

We all froze.

Looking at each other, we remembered that we should act sophisticated while in the office with someone outside of the Ashkill family, other than Laurel.

So, with lightning speed, we straightened our clothing and went back to our places, getting into a position that would indicate that we had totally not just been doing sibling stuff.

“Who is it?” I said, pretending to have been looking through a book.

"It's Laurel," A reply came from behind the door.

We all relaxed as the door opened. "False alarm," Bethany smiled in relief. "ANYWAYS! TIMOTHY ASHKILL, I DECLARE THAT THE TWO OF US SHALL DUEL AT SUNRISE. UNDERSTAND?"

"No," Tim laughed. "First of all, I don't fight my sisters. Second, I do believe I would rather chew boot leather."

"... Go away, you're no fun."

"Sorry, I can't go away. I'm here for reasons other than fighting siblings."

"Oh my gosh, you two need to stop blowing steam at each other!" Laurel stepped in between them, and gave them both a slap on the shoulder. "We have other things to do, darnit!"

Suddenly, I heard a clattering sound of metal against a hard wooden floor downstairs. "What is that?" Bethany wondered aloud.

My heart sped up.

I only had several things that were metal: my katanas, kitchen knives and cutlery, and Ransom.

And I didn't think that my katanas or any sort of cutlery could make that sort of sound.

That left only one thing.

Barely even stopping to look at the others, I raced down the stairs to see where I had last left Ransom. Accomplishing the act of getting down the stairs, I bolted into the sitting room.

The corner where I had last left my robot dog was empty, and my phone lay there instead.

How is he GONE? Maybe his programming glitched?

I crouched down and picked up my phone, barely glancing at it before I put it in my pocket. Where is Ransom?

"Naomi, look!" Laurel tapped me on the shoulder and pointed out the window.

Rushing to the window, I looked out into the streets of Langdale. Sure enough, Laurel had spotted Ransom.

However, he was running down the street, and I had no recollection of ever telling him to do anything today that would take him out of the house.

"Ransom?" My eyes widened. "What are you DOING?"

"Maybe there's a glitch in his programming?" Tim echoed my thoughts.

"Whatever happened, I need to go after him!" I turned around and started getting ready to leave the house.

Bethany stared at me as I gathered my necessities, and Tim just headed off to the kitchen. "Call us if you need any help, okay?"

"Kay," I said, not really paying attention.

Laurel was getting ready to leave too, and I silently thanked her for wanting to accompany me in my search.

Pulling on my black combat boots, I stood and grabbed my blue hoodie. Multitasking at its finest, I smiled to myself.

I gathered everything else: my phone, my katanas (you never knew when you might need them), and a flashlight, since it was about to get dark.

I put the flashlight and my phone in my pocket, and sheathed my katanas on my belt. However, I made sure not to cover my face, since having katanas in public with my hood up could cause someone to call the police on me. I knew that I would immediately attract attention, but I didn't exactly care right now. It was more important to not be suspected of going to murder someone.

And, of course, no one would suspect me of doing such a thing.

“Don't do anything stupid, okay? Don't go with anyone who looks suspicious, don't walk into the middle of the street without looking, don't take drinks from strange people-” Bethany cautioned me, as always.

“I know, I know. Don't do anything stupid, don't go with anyone suspicious, don't walk in the middle of streets without looking, don't take drinks from weird people, don't eat anything that looks poisonous, don’t punch anyone, don't go searching for stuff in sketchy places, don't be an idiot, and don't die.” I recited, knowing it by heart. She had done this too many times, so I memorized it.

“Exactly! Okay, now you can go.” Bethany smiled confidently.

I rolled my eyes. “See you guys later.”

“IF YOU FORGET ANYTHING, DO NOT LET IT BE THAT LAST ONE, OKAY?” Bethany yelled after me as I headed out the door.

Rolling my eyes, I said, "See you guys later."

Laurel nodded at me. "You ready?"

"As ready as I'll ever be. So, you take the right, and I'll take the left?" I asked.

"Sure, you got it."

Opening the gate, Laurel ran out in her direction, and I in mine. Even though Ransom was out of sight, I ran in the direction I had seen him go in, since I trusted the skills that I had learned over the years from Bethany's training.

Hopefully I can find him before it gets too dark...

A/N: Another chapter done!

To be honest, I actually wrote a really, REALLY long chapter before, but I decided to split it into two parts, so the next chapter will also be by me.

Anyways...

What will happen next? Will Bethany get so mad that she will end up destroying something? Will Tim lie again? Will Emeraldia or Deolark make a move? And will Ransom be found? Find out next time, in Chasing Chaos!

See you in the next chapter!