To Rathkin.

"Follow me my warriors!" you shout, sitting on top your Albino tiger, it slowly pacing back and forth "We march south to our final destination. We're almost to Rathkin and before long we will reach that pathetic city. Before long our war will begin, we will take out the city, crush their warriors and conquer the entire kingdom!" you shout "In the next twelve hours..." you look to the ground "The next twelve hours we will be victorious." you glance up, beaming your hearty smile at your warriors "For the Syndicate!!!" you shout as you and your tiger begin to walk south, leaving the gate of Murnic.

The ride south, with Ashe by your side the entire time went just about as expected. No issues at all and honestly quite boring, just like the initial march from the Syndicate to Murnic. With the Sun fading behind the horizon and it is now starting to coat the entire land in darkness. Besides the late crescent moon which is turning to a half moon, there is almost no light in the skies at all. The little bit of white starlight echoing below, sparkling in the sky like little jewels above.

You actually remember this part of the journey the most. The last time, you were traveling by yourself in this same direction as you were trying to catch up to the Syndicate. You were able to go faster since you were alone, able to make your own path, but now, marching ahead of the entire Syndicate ****, you took it slow, you held your head high as you know that soon you will finally be back at Rathkin. Finally be able to take out the corruption of the Empire and replace it with someone that has always looked out for you. To have a friend in such a high place, maybe both Rathkin and Syndicate will soon become friends, with you leading the army of the Syndicate and Lady Karisi leading Rathkin.

"Whatcha thinking about, Darien?" Ashe knocks you out of your daydream.

"I just feel...well..." you correct yourself "I hope." you turn your head, smiling at your high commander "I hope that after this war, we can just relax for awhile. Ya know, just enjoy life. No drama. No wars. No kings and queens causing issues. How nice would it be to just...I dunno, have a week where I don't have to worry about anything. A week where I can just..."

"Live?" she says.

You let out a soft chuckle "Yeah, exactly. I mean...my life hasn't had a stop for such a long time. Basically since the day my sister was taken from our village. It's been a daily struggle to constantly search and explore for her. And then..." you shake your head "Well, you know the rest. You were there for pretty much all of it."

"One more obstacle hopefully!" Ashe exclaims "Then maybe we can just relax and enjoy life for some time." she nods at you "That is, until some other Kingdom pisses off the Syndicate and we go back to war again or when you need to lead some Sunrider's to conquer or raid some outer villages." she winks at you.

"Yeah yeah, of course." you grin at her.

She said it best, one final obstacle before you can hopefully just relax and enjoy your life, whether that's just hanging with Lexie, training in the Syndicate or just being unproductive and spending your days being a bum. All of that sounded amazing and you knew it was only a matter of time before that could be reality.

"Hey, just so you know..."

"Hmm? Yeah?" you look at Ashe.

"I know when we..." she hesitates "Well, uhh.."

"Spit it out, Ashe."

With a deep breath "When we find Commander Rixx. I know you'll want to take him on your own, but please, remember we're here for you. I'm here for you. All these warriors are. Don't do anything stupid, okay?" she glares at you "I know you can get a little hot headed sometimes when it comes to issues surrounding your sister."

It felt like there was a lump in your throat as you swallowed hard "I know, Ashe. I know." you didn't want to go any further with this conversation. You tried to push Commander Rixx out of your mind, tried to think about the bigger situation and how Rathkin back stabbed the Syndicate and how you were getting **** for the Syndicate. But it wasn't that simple for you. You loved the Syndicate, you really did, but you didn't care to defeat Rathkin to showcase the power of the Syndicate.

You just wanted one man.

The night went by quick and before you knew it, first light was starting to appear from the horizon, with that, once you reach the top of this final hill, you should be able to see Rathkin down below. One final hill before the war begins, one final battle before you are victorious, one final man, for Claire...