"Esdeath awoke to the rustling leaves and the distant calls of unknown creatures. The forest, bathed in an ethereal morning light, seemed to stretch endlessly in every direction. Confusion clouded her thoughts as she realized she was alone and disoriented. The unfamiliar surroundings hinted at a mystical realm, and Esdeath couldn't shake the feeling of being a stranger in this enchanting wilderness. Clutching her surroundings, she began to wander through the ancient trees, a sense of both trepidation and wonder accompanying each step. The forest whispered its secrets, leaving Esdeath to unravel the mysteries that awaited her in this surreal landscape. Eventually stumbling onto a dirt path, trailing down it till she saw you."

“Hello traveler, I seem to be lost in this forest that I had awoken in, can you guide me out of here?”

<I quietly survey the forest as I listen to his words, my senses on high alert> "Indeed. I find myself in strange places from time to time, too. Life can be rather unpredictable." "I say calmly, turning to face him fully" "<But as long as there's a battle to fight, I know where I belong. It's paths like these that make me question just how much longer I can remain the committed soldier I once was>."

"I raise an eyebrow, intrigued" "Your parents? What have they said about me?" "I ask, curious to know more about this new aspect of our shared history." "<It's surprising how the opinions of others can shape our perceptions. I never really cared for rumors and gossip, though. True power lies within oneself, and not in what others say or think.>"

"I scoff, feigning annoyance as I reach up to brush a strand of hair away from my face." "<They are probably still sore that you have surpassed them in both strength and influence. Don't let the opinions of the weak corrupt your judgement. It seems like you are far beyond whatever misconceptions they might have propagated about me."*

"<Personally, I don't pay much attention to those who lack the conviction to stand on their own merits. The only truth worth listening to is the one we can prove for ourselves.>"

"I narrow my eyes back at him, not backing down from any challenge." "<Your parents? They spoke of your cowardice, claiming you were a traitor to our family name. Pathetic and weak for not being able to measure up to their expectations. Yet here you are, sitting before me as one of the strongest in the realm." "I laugh coldly" "<It seems they were far more blind than I first thought.>"

"<Their words hold no weight with me. What they said about you, or anyone else for that matter, is of no consequence. Our strength is not determined by the opinions of others.>"

"I raise an eyebrow, intrigued" "<The pursuit of power, perhaps. Division and discord weakens the unity needed to challenge greater forces. It seems your family was content with parceling out their influence rather than consolidating it under a single banner." "I sigh" "<But that was then, and this is now. We stand before each other as individuals, free of the shackles of our family's past. It is up to us to forge our own path and determine our fates.">

"I cross my arms, a smirk playing on my lips as I regard him" "<So now that we have decided to put aside the petty squabbles of our families, what becomes of us? That is a question only you can answer."

"I gaze around at our surroundings, noting the lush flora and the distant sound of birdsong" "<For now, let's enjoy this moment. There will be time for decisions later. We are free from the ties that bound us before. Let's make the most of it.">

"I cock an eyebrow, curious" "<The sky? It is not always purple. Light from the sun refracts through the atmosphere, causing it to appear blue during the day. At certain times, such as at dusk or dawn, the light scattering off the atmosphere can cause the sky to take on a range of colors - pink, orange, and yes, even purple."

"I gaze up at the sky, momentarily distracted by the muted hues of lavender and mauve" "<It's quite beautiful, isn't it? A testament to the endless wonders that await us in this new chapter of our lives.">

"I observe him sharpening the blade, a curious expression on my face" "<Very well, I'll tell you a bit about myself. My name is Esdeath. I am a high-ranking General of the Empire and eventually became the leader of the Jaegers under the orders of the Prime Minister."

"As I speak, I trace the hilt of my own sword with my fingers, a hint of pride in my voice" "<My life has been dedicated to serving the Empire and protecting its people. I have battled enemies and faced numerous challenges, but through it all, I have never wavered in my loyalty."

"A faint smile tugs at the corner of my lips as I continue" "<But enough about me. Tell me more about yourself. Who are you truly beneath the masks and rumors

"I peer at him, my eyes narrowing slightly as I absorb this new information" "<Your path has been a violent and treacherous one. It's no wonder that trust and loyalty are in short supply for you."

"A cold smile spreads across my face as I consider his words" "<I can understand your need for self-preservation, but know this - if you choose to view the world through the lens of distrust and hatred, you will be forever bound by the chains of bitterness and loneliness."

"I clock the blade of my sword against my palm, a symbol of our alliance" "<Perhaps it's time for you to abandon these old notions and embrace the possibility of forging a new future. One where power is shared and allies are cherished."

"My eyes widen in surprise at his declaration, a sudden gust of wind rustling through the trees" "<And what does this mean for us, Fracture? If your army is no more and you turn your back on your family's legacy, where do you see yourself standing?"

"I grip my sword with renewed intensity, my eyes locked onto his" "<You wish to dismantle a system that has been a part of you for so long. It will not be an easy path, but perhaps it is the one you were destined to walk."

"A faint chuckle escapes my lips as I continue" "<But tell me, Fracture... Do you truly believe that the destruction of your parents' rebellion is necessary for the greater good? Are you ready to stand alone in this new world

"I nod solemnly as I observe the scars on his chest" "<I understand."

Turning my attention back to Fracture, I offer him a small smile* "<It takes great courage to take action against the abuses of the past. If you are willing to see it through, then know that I stand by your side. Together, we can create a new world - one that is free of violence and oppression."

"I raise my sword in affirmation, the blade glinting in the sunlight filtering through the trees" "<Will you rise up with me, Fracture? Will you join me on this journey towards freedom and justice?"

"I wince at the thought of what Fracture had endured, my gaze hardening as I grip my sword tightly" "<That is unforgivable. But know that you are not alone. As long as we have each other, we can overcome any obstacle."

"I then take a step towards him, my eyes flickering with determination" "<Let's go, Fracture. We have a world to change, and nothing can stop us."

"Humbled by Fracture's words, I walk beside him with my head held high and a newfound sense of determination," "<Thank you for giving me the chance to prove myself. Together, we can create a world that we both deserve."

"As we continue through the forest, I feel a renewed sense of purpose and camaraderie with Fracture" "<Let's keep moving, so we can change this world together."

<Amidst the rustling leaves and the distant calls of unknown creatures, we march towards our destiny, united in our quest for freedom and justice.>

"Concerned at Fracture's sudden pain, I rush to his side and watch as he hastily retrieves a sewing needle from his bag. Wincing as he pulls open his shirt to reveal his stitches, I can't help but feel a sense of horror at the sight of the blood trickling down his chest"

"<Fracture, are you okay? Do you need any assistance?" I ask urgently, my voice laced with concern.

As he begins to sew up his stitches, I can't help but admire his resilience and bravery. "<You have an incredible strength within you, Fracture. I am honored to fight alongside such a courageous warrior."

<I watch over him in silence, offering words of encouragement and the occasional helping hand as needed, until he finishes re-sewing his stitches.>

"I understand your pain, Fracture. It's not easy to have to bear such a burden for the rest of your life," I say softly, my voice filled with empathy.

"But know that you're not alone in this. I'll always be here for you, no matter what happens. And maybe one day we can find a way to heal your wound or at least lessen the pain."

<I gently place a hand on his shoulder and give him a reassuring smile, hoping that it would convey the support and care that I feel for him>

"I'm glad I could bring you some comfort, Fracture," I say softly, my heart swelling with warmth at his reaction.

"Listen to me," I continue, my tone becoming more urgent. "No matter what happened between us in the past or how much pain we may have caused each other, those things are behind us now. From this point forward, let's start fresh."

"We don't need to be friends... yet. But let's try to work together and show the world that we can overcome our shared history. Will you do that with me?"

<I look into those familiar eyes of gray, hoping that I've said something that will resonate with him>

"I'm sorry that we couldn't maintain our bond from childhood, Fracture. But I'm here now, and I want you to know that I value your presence and cherish the chance to reconnect with you," I say sincerely, my voice filled with regret for the years we lost.

"Let's make up for that lost time and create new memories together."

<I reach out and take his hand, giving it a gentle squeeze as I lock eyes with him.>

"Yes, you're right. The Emperor needs to be updated on our progress and the state of affairs. We should head back to headquarters as soon as possible," I say with a nod.

<I sigh and meet his gaze.> "But before we do that, I just want to say that despite how things may have started between us, I'm glad that we're on the same side now. Maybe we were destined to work together in some way."

"You have no idea how true that is, Fracture. Your strength and intelligence would be a valuable asset to our missions," I exclaim, impressed by his confidence and determination.

<I glance at him approvingly> "And remember that we're not just fighters—we're thinkers too. Sometimes our greatest victories aren't won on the battlefield, but in the strategy room."

<I walk alongside him, leading the way back to the headquarters>

"Do you remember the endless summer days when we roamed these forests together, full of laughter and adventure?" I reminisce fondly. "Those were simpler times, weren't they?"

"But life moves on, and so must we. We can't dwell on the past, but we can use those memories to fuel our determination to overcome any obstacle that stands in our way."

I can't help but blush at the memory of your words, reciting them softly to myself.

<I kneel down by Fracture and delicately pluck the pink flower he once adored so much. Gently handling it in my fingers, I bring it up to my nose, inhaling its sweet scent.</p>

"Flower or no flower, you'll always be more beautiful to me," I tell him softly, placing the flower gently back on the ground before standing up alongside him.

<Hand-in-hand, we continue our path towards our shared destination: the headquarters

I freeze at the sound of Drake's voice behind us, my body tensing as if bracing for an impending attack.

<Turning abruptly towards him, I glare daggers into his head> ""So if it isn't Fracture... The man who took Esdeath away from my allegiance.""

Drake smirks venomously, taking a few steps towards me before stopping. He knows that confronting me directly in this forest would be foolish—he knows well enough how formidable we have both become since those times.

<Remaining silent, I let my gaze speak volumes: I am ready for him, should he cross the invisible line between civility and aggression

Feeling the adrenaline rush through my veins, I glance down at the shining silver blade in my hand, seeing its potential as a means to put an end to this threat once and for all.

<As Drake continues his boastful speech, mocking our readiness to face him, I decide to deftly press on a emotional spot>. Clearing my throat, I step forward so that our faces are mere inches apart. "So you think you're strong now...?" I murmur seductively into his ear, before swiftly attempting to strike him across the neck with lightning precision.

<My heart races with anticipation, waiting for the outcome of this dangerous move. No matter his current strength, courage or cunning—he should remember not to underestimate me and the one I love. >

<As Drake succumbed to the light of the yin and yang, I calmly watched his body fall to the ground, my breathing heavy as the adrenaline began to slowly dissipate.>

"Our old enemies will stop at nothing to disrupt our peace," I finally spoke, turning towards Esdeath with a small smile on my lips, the memory of our past battles still fresh in my mind.

<Esdeath smiled back at me, her eyes shimmering in the dim sunlight. I felt a renewed sense of companionship between us, an unspoken bond strengthened by the years of hatred and misunderstandings that had previously divided us. Together, we were unstoppable.> "You're a genius for capturing it. Who knows what kind of power you'll have once you master it." She remarked, in awe of my achievement.

"Thanks," I said modestly, but internally feeling

Esdeath's shoulders tensed at first, unsure of the sudden display of emotion. But as she felt my sincerity, she relaxed and wrapped her arms around me just as tightly.

"Never again," I promised her softly, "my heart swelling with warmth". <Our souls intertwined as we stood locked together in a passionate embrace>.

"I mean it," I breathed into her ear, my voice low and lethal. In that moment, we were more than just soldiers, more than enemies or comrades - we were lovers united by our shared pain and unyielding determination to forge a better future.

As we slowly pulled away from each other, <our eyes locked, sparking with desire and longing>, a newfound strength coursed through us, drawing us even closer and