I scanned the empty field, the brisk morning breeze peppered with drizzle stinging my face. It didn't seem any different than any other field. A swath of trees not too far off in the distance parallel to the ones we were hiding in, awaiting for the final moment where the entirety of the war would end in hopefully, a matter of seconds. And yet, as bloody and ridden with death as the field would soon become, my eyes locked on the naturally growing wildflowers, reminiscent of little white stars, scattered through the grass. My fingers clutched around my sword, relying on it to steady my shaking body.

I looked for him, but besides our troops, hidden amongst the trees, I detected no signs of life. No hidden encampment, no distant voices whispering plans they didn't know we were privy to. Just the scurrying of little field mice every now and again, still moving about in the dark morning. The sun hadn't even shown its face, yet.

I could feel the tension in Ira's shoulders from where I stood, peering out from behind a tree. Her tail disturbed the calm grass as she paced back and forth, body poised to strike. The whispered worrying of the soldiers left in my command rose from behind me. I had never seen them before, nor had I realized we had so many numbers. Even the others seemed surprised when they joined us. Just how much had Washington kept hidden?

A snap in the bushes.

I raised my sword, ready to strike, but Lafayette emerged, hands raised defensively. "I do not think it would do you much good to kill me before the battle started, no?"

"Sorry," I said, sheathing the weapon and crossing my arms. "I guess I'm just on edge."

He nodded in understanding, a sympathetic smile touching his face. His eyes skimmed over the soldiers behind me before glancing out at the field I had been watching, waiting for any flicker of movement.

"Has Hercules brought back any news?" I asked, forcing my voice to remain neutral despite how much I yearned to ask the question forever bothering me. "Seen anything?"

"He says that he was able to detect readings of a large amount of energy being used just ahead where Thomas said the encampment would be." I couldn't help perking up at the mention of the name, but Lafayette digressed with no more mention of him. "He says their camp is hidden."

I nodded. "So he didn't see anybody."

Lafayette shook his head and softened. "Do not worry, Alexander. Thomas is going to be just fine. He is like...a roach. A cockroach, right? They keep coming back long after you are sure they are dead?"

I curled my nose. "Please don't compare my partner to a cockroach."

He laughed. "Sorry. Perhaps a chicken would have been more appropriate. Or at least, Thomas said they could live for a while even with their heads cut off, but he is so full of bullshit I would not be surprised if he lied. Anyway, how is everything going here?"

"Fine. We're nervous."

"I think we all are." A long pause. "Well, I should go check in on the others. Good luck. Do not die, please. That would be very sad."

"Oh? Would you cry?"

He shrugged. "I would have to make another statue, I think. I am sick of making statues of my friends." Lafayette slipped past, leaving the words to sink in. I shuddered at the thought and busied myself in correcting my sleeves.

I don't know how long we waited in the darkness, but at one point, a bird landed on my shoulder. She was small, and I don't think I had ever seen her before. She tweeted softly and nudged her head against my shoulder. I ran my fingers across her head as gently as I could, her feathers matted against her lean body. She took to the sky a moment later, leaving me staring at where she had disappeared.

Finally, Washington appeared out of the inky blackness, looking as solemn as I had ever seen him. And that's saying something, because there are days where I swear that man is a robot.

"Hello, Alexander. How are you?"

"Have you heard from Thomas?"

"Not since he alerted me with the plans of the ambush. But it shouldn't be long now. The second the sun hits the sky, they'll begin marching, and they'll fall right into our trap." He touched my shoulder, gently. "There's nothing to worry about. Thomas is going to be fine. You of all people should know that."

I nodded. "Yeah. Right. Sorry."

"Don't apologize. You can handle this, okay?" He stepped backwards, eyes trailing off as if he was lost in thought. "Thomas will undoubtedly try and take the King on himself, but once that's finished, why don't you make sure he gets home? I don't want him to overexert himself."

I couldn't find the words to express the relief and gratitude that exploded through me at that offer, but somehow I managed to choke out a sentence that made Washington smile. "Wait for the signal. I'll see you after this is over."

I readied myself as dawn sprung upon the unsuspecting valley, rippling over the grass and highlighting the world in a soft, pale orange hue. And sure enough, the first signs of life twitched through the opposing tree line as figures slowly stepped out. I readied myself, biting down on my tongue. They marched forwards, and I scanned the sky for the silhouette of a hawk to flit in front of the sun.

And there, the front line of the battalion stepped into the center of the field, completely exposed to the Rebellion surrounding them. I peered through the forest until my eyes landed on two familiar shapes. The long, elegant form of Thomas with his hands behind his back. He was dressed in black,  dark scales crawling up the side of his raised chin, but even despite this, he still managed to capture the definition of precision and grace. Besides him stood the slightly shorter, yet far more menacing figure of George Fredericks almost paralleling him in his blindingly white clothing. Even from here, I could see the victorious grin plastered to his lips, though a slash down the side of his face marred his appearance slightly.

I didn't have time to think about that though, for Hercules arced across the sky in the slim form of a hawk, right on time. I clasped my fingers tightly around my sword and nodded.

And I lost myself in the charge.

Ira bounded past me, sliding through the grass and finding her teeth embedded into the throat of whatever poor, unsuspecting Kingsmen would be the first victim of the ambush. Yells of terror rose up as our soldiers streamed forward from all different places. I didn't know much about the other regions and how to identify their people, but I know I saw some Avion swoop down from the sky, and it set a firework of hope exploding through my chest.

I weaved through the battlefield, eyes locked on Thomas and the King. Washington had been very clear about our jobs later the night before. Don't let either of them out of your sight. But even without those orders, I doubt I would have left the King alone to do what he wanted with my Thomas.

No matter what it took, I would not let him get hurt.

I shoved my sword into the chest of one of the Kingsmen, ripping it out with the sickening sound of bones crunching. I kept my energy suspended around me, sending it flying at whoever dared to get in my way. 

Thomas stepped forwards, his scythe raised towards the sky. His mouth moved, but I couldn't hear what he said over the clamor of the battle, as much as I wanted to. I searched for his mind for a long moment, reaching out to him.

"Don't worry," came his steady reply, distant but undoubtedly there. It lasted a moment, but his sweet voice dragging out the three syllables was perhaps the most melodic thing I had heard since I had seen him last. I watched him carefully, but I could hardly make out the finer details of his face from where I stood among the clashing swords and delirious screams.

Dark clouds swirled above our heads, crafted from nothing. They blocked out the light of the rising sun, lightning lurking in their midst. The threat they posed was clear. Thunder exploded through the sky, but before Thomas could do anything with the electricity gathering around him, the King grabbed him by the arm and they both disappeared. 

I let out a soft hiss underneath my breath and dodged a blow aimed for my neck. 

It's a game of chess. Capture the King, and the pawns surrender.

I had to find him, and fast. Once he realized that Thomas had betrayed him, there's no telling what he would do. My stomach churned as I tightened my raised fist. Tendrils of vines exploded upwards from the ground, wrapping around the limbs of the solider I was fighting and...ripping him apart. 

Delightful.

I weaved my way through the battle, avoiding attacks wherever I could. Rain began to fall from the threatening clouds. I wiped the droplets from my face, slipping past the ranks of the Kingsmen as unnoticed as I could. Ira ran alongside me dutifully, leaping and clawing at whoever tried to stop me. I tried to track Thomas's mind, but he seemed to be blocking it off from even me.

I broke through the opposite side of the forest and continued running, casting a spell to make the falls of my boots against the dry, fallen leaves as quiet as possible. I ran until the sound of the battle quieted, leaving the chattering of squirrels and small mammals undisturbed by the fighting. But strangely, the birds had gone silent, almost as if they had completely disappeared.

Except for the one that fluttered next to my face. 

I started the instant I realized she was there. Belletra landed on a branch a little ways off and fluffed up her feathers, as if warning me to stay silent. Her head tilted as she searched through the forest. Satisfied, she took to the sky and darted to my left. Seeing no other choice but to follow her, I started in that direction. My fingers clenched tightly around my swinging sword. I tried to conserve my energy, but the taste of sweat coated my mouth and my heart pounded relentlessly against my rib cage. Despite my aching legs, I pressed onward, only stopping when the sound of two very familiar voices filled my ears. 

"What are we doing out here? We should be back at the fight."

"I don't understand!" the King hissed. I slid behind a tree, peering out just enough to see him pacing back and forth. "This was supposed to work! You said this would work!"

"It's purely bad luck."

"There's a rat, isn't there?" the King demanded, running his fingers through his hair. "A Divinity-damned traitor!"

"You're being irrational," Thomas snapped, his fingers firmly wrapped around his scythe. The blade gleamed as a flash of lightning filled the sky, swiftly followed by a deafening boom. Even with the rain pouring down, he was undisturbed. Pristine. "And your soldiers are dying while you sit here like a coward."

"We have to retreat!"

"And show that you're afraid of them?"

"We must find this traitor at once. This isn't a battle we can afford to lose." The King made the deadly mistake of turning his back to Thomas. I watched the Avion stiffen, then slowly, raising his scythe. Once more, he raked his fingers through his hair. "At least I know I can trust you." 

The King turned back to face Thomas, his smile dropping the second he did so.

"And that's where you made your first mistake," Thomas said, the curved blade pressing against the King's throat. Even from where I stood, view partially obscured by the leaves, it would have been impossible to miss the hope drain from Frederick's eyes, followed by the startling realization of betrayal.

"Thomas," he said breathlessly. "What have you done?"

Thomas lifted his chin. "I'm doing what I have to in order to save my friends," he hissed, drawing each syllable out. 

And to that, the King laughed. A long, harsh, humorless laugh. Thomas shoved the scythe against his neck even harder than he had before, careful not to draw blood, but I wasn't sure how much longer that desire would last. 

"Oh, Thomas," Fredericks said finally. "Don't be so stupid." He gently pressed his fingers against the blade, lowering it away from his neck. "Do you really think your friends are going to want you back after all that you've done?" he asked, tilting his head. Though his voice was sweet as sugar, I could practically taste the poison lurking underneath. He leaned forwards, sliding his fingers under Thomas's jaw. "Whatever lies they've told, I can assure you, they're false. You really think that you can just erase everything you've taken from them?"

"Enough."

"Do you really think Alexander is still going to want you after this? I should have realized that's why you coveted his memories, but honestly? I thought you had taken them for yourself. Never would I have guessed that you gave them to him." The King shook his head, smiling knowingly. "And you think that he'll ever forgive you for what you did to that precious little whore of his?"

I gritted my teeth, tightening my grip on my sword. Ira stiffened besides me, but Thomas spoke before I had the chance to move.

"This isn't about Alexander. This isn't about me. This is about doing what's right, no matter the cost."

Once more, the King laughed the kind of laugh a hyena gives before sinking its teeth into whatever carcass it was feeding off of. "Oh, don't fool yourself. Everything you've done before has always been in your own self-interest, for your own selfish desires. Why should this be any different? Do you really expect me to believe that you've changed?"

"I said, enough."

"It's not too late, you know. You can still join me, and we can still crush the Rebellion here and now."

"Surrender or—"

"What? You'll kill me?"

"If that's what it takes, then yes."

"Then you're a fool."

A stray bolt of lightning ripped down from the sky, and the King danced away just in time to avoid being hit. The two of them stood there, facing each other, and I grabbed a hold of my energy. I didn't care if this was Thomas's fight to win or whatever. I wouldn't watch the last thing I love being ripped from my arms.

The King shot forwards, and the true battle had begun.