…Scye, 30 years ago
6 days before the war
Four days after discussing their plan, the due traveled to the council headquarters to meet with the chief of estate and property management to buy the other half of the mountain wreck. After spending two days on negotiations and meetings and a brief document review, the duo, along with the little girl return back to the city where they were told to wait for feedback from the council.
"It's been four damn days, what the hell's taking so long?"
"The paperwork is probably being reviewed, Basil. Chill out."
"For four days?!"
Lion grabs his friend by his shoulders
"Look here! I'm tensed up too. But I need you to calm down!"
"Fine. I'm only worried they'll come for the girl if things go south."
Lion watches as his friend fidgets and paces around. He knows it was risky buying the land in a little girl's name, but he had no choice. If he exposed his identity, it would've exposed him, his friend and his dear little auburn princess to a grave threat.
He knows he can't hide out for long. The tyrant king already hung up posters of him being a wanted criminal. It's only natural that they want him dead—he exposed the king's corrupt nature and how he succeeded in embezzling both resources and money from the citizens he already taxed heavily. Basil, on the other hand, has not been identified by the king or his governors. Although they know someone is working hand in hand with Lion, they don't know for sure who they're dealing with. So, the king ordered that anyone in cahoots with the offender be punished alongside him.
Lion sat on the ground, looking defeated, drenched in sweat. If the king ever found out, his little friend would also have to die. He couldn't risk failing. He had a quick reminisce of their trip to the palace, disguised as a common driver with the little girl accompanied by two of Lion's close friends who he had pretend to be her parents; Elaine and Basil. They assured him everything went smoothly and he also had gone through the documents three times to check for any mistakes they might've skipped. But there were none and the disguise was foolproof. Don't worry, Auburn. I'll kill anyone who threatens to harm you, he said to himself.
After easing his mind, Lion lay on the grass with his hands folded behind his head and just stared at the sky, his mind wandered back to the times he was much younger and the kingdom was much productive. Now, with the villagers being heavily taxed and their earnings falling short, it felt as if the kingdom was slowly dying. He could no longer stand seeing the villagers helpless and oppressed in the same place he had come to call home. He had too much to lose, not just Kunga, but something much more important.
He turned to look at his friend who was also drowned in his own thoughts.
"Say Basil…"
"Hmm?"
"Do you think things would've been different if I had just listened to her?"
Basil sat up on one arm
"If I had just…stayed there in Scye…"
"Hey, what're you on about?"
"Mabel…our child…"
"You had a duty to fulfill and a city to restore, they would've only gotten in the way."
Basil looked at his friend, worry and regret filled his eyes.
"They were my family…and I'd give anything to have them back."
He laid back down.
Basil looked at the man in front of him. A man who was regarded as a national threat throughout all the cities. A man even the king couldn't bring down so easily. A man who was highly respected by his people. To think that that same man would whine over something so mundane. That's right, he never once had Mabel out of the picture, he thought. Still, it was hard to believe that all those years, he only longed for her and their child to go back to how things were. If only she hadn't left him…if only she had given it some thought…if only. Basil clenched his fist and grinded his teeth. If only those two idiots had settled things and started a family like Mabel wanted, maybe they wouldn't have to hide all the time.
"Oi Basil…why are you just…"
Lion gasped
"You!"
His eyes widened with shock
"You…you're crying!"
That's right, if only you two weren't so immature and fighting all the time. If only you'd taken her and the baby and ran away somewhere safer. If only you hadn't gone through with your plan to restore Ocsic. If only you'd given up on those silly dreams of yours. That girl and her child would've had a better life. You wouldn't be a damn fugitive! Hiding like a common forest animal! You fool, Basil said to himself as he bawled his eyes out, clenching his teeth and his fists still tightly balled.
"You bastard!" Basil yelled.
Lion sat up with fear.
"If anything happens to that girl, I'll kill you myself before the king does!"
"Basil…"
"You damn bastard!"
He fell to his knees, clawing at the floor still crying.
At this point, Lion can feel the aura emanating from him.
"What kind of a monster makes his own daughter live like that?!"
"Oi! Pull yourself together…"
Basil rushed at Lion and punched him in the face, sending him flying.
"Do you have any idea what anyone would do to have such a beautiful girl like that?!"
"Do you?! You reckless bastard!"
Lion stood up and wiped the bloodstain on his face. This was the strength of the only person capable enough to take him down, his own confidant and best friend. His lips curved into a devilish smile as he spat out blood, staggering to his feet.
"You finally decided to let it all out? Huh?"
"You animal!"
Basil rushed forward again, this time attacking him with multiple blows after another, denying Lion a chance to both attack and recover. Another hit to the face sends Lion flying, hitting his head on the glass doors.
Basil lunged forward, preparing to attack again. This time, he aimed for Lion's head. He wasn't going to kill him, he only wanted to teach his friend a lesson, but Lion already knew what his next move would be, and dodging it was not a problem.
"Lion, you reckless fool!"
Basil crouched down, avoiding a direct hit and immediately gave Lion a head butt to the stomach, breaking his bones. The impact was so severe, Lion coughed up blood again. He smiled, he was happy his friend wasn't beating him up out of spite, but rather he was doing it out of the love he had for the little girl. Afterall, they've never been able to have a child, he thought as he fell to the floor with a loud thud. He lay there on the floor, allowing his body to feel the pains from the blows and Basil's harsh words.
Basil was suddenly towering over him, breathing heavily with his fists covered in blood and his face painted with bloodlust.
"I'd die before I ever let you risk that poor girl's life again, get it!?" He asked the already exhausted Lion.
Silence followed, then a weak reply came
"I get it."
"Seriously! How are you even a father and I'm not?!"
He offered his hand to help Lion up. He looked at his friend's battered body and shook his head, forcing out a smile.
"Damn bastard let himself get beat up."
"You got lucky, you cheeky fool!"
"Wanna grab a drink at Mabel's?"
"Nope!"
Lion smiled a devilish smile again as threw his arm around Basil's shoulders and began wincing in pain, pretending to have hurt his leg by limping . He then held the crossed arm with his other hand, making it impossible for Basil to move freely. Suddenly, Lion makes a weird face at his friend and then pouts his lips, leaning in for a kiss.
"And just what do you think you're doing, you old goat?" Basil yelled.
"Oh Mabel, he beat me up badly! Look! My BATTLE SCARS!"
"Huh?"
"Quick, take me to see the fair auburn lady for kisses of healing or I may die!"
"Hey, off of me you weirdo!"
Lion fell face flat on Basil.
Basil froze
"Ahhhh! Pervert!" Basil yelled
"Take me to the princess!" Lion yelled
"Pervert!!"
"Princess auburn!"