Memories Abound.

You hear the footsteps getting closer and closer but you didn't care, your body was telling you to focus on Rixx, your mind telling you to ignore all else, to ignore all other distractions.

It wasn't until the prisoner they were marching in, steps in front of Rixx that you suddenly regain control. Your eyes for the first time since entering this room dropped from Rixx's gaze and trailed to the person now stopped in front of him. That muscular body, those piercing brown eyes, that brown hair tied back in a pony tail behind her back. "Huh..." your mouth drops open "Lexie!!"

"Hah!!!" Edmin laughs out loud, turning his body in a circle "Halle-fucking-lujah!" he shouts "He speaks!!" he acts surprised, his hands going in the air before clapping together loudly a few times "The dog learned how to speak! Bravo my good sir, bravo!" his taunting continued.

"Don't you dare hurt her." you growl out, looking at Lord Edmin for the first time now.

"Hmm..." he smirks at you "I guess our little bird was right...this one does mean more to you." he paces around a few more steps "It can all be over, it's just that simple..." his voice perks up "As I said, drop to your knees, announce your allegiance with us and...she's free to go."

"Edmin..." you snarl back at him "Don't you..."

"Rixx!" Edmin shouts which causes your head to shoot back towards the Commander and Lexie. His hand is now placed on her shoulder, he's forcing her to the ground.

Even if Lexie wanted to, Rixx was too strong, she kneels down, her back towards Rixx, her eyes just looking back at yours, the cute little sparkle in them looking absolutely perfect in this otherwise dreadful moment.

"Don't you dare hurt her! What are you doing?!?" you snap your head back to Edmin "Let her go!"

"Drop. To. Your. Knees." Edmin pauses after each word, clearly getting angry with you "and announce your allegiance with us!" he orders.

Then you hear it, the sound of a sword clinking against armor. Once more, your head snaps back in the direction towards Rixx and Lexie. He is pulling his greatsword out from behind his back, it carefully maneuvering through out the air before the tip of the blade gets positioned in the middle of the back of Lexie. You can see Lexie tense up as she feels the tip of his blade poking into her back, her eyes continue to look at yours, she's shaking her head side to side, as if telling you no.

The nightmares come back at that point. The last time you saw this monster he was in the same exact position, standing over your sister, her loving eyes looking back at you, the tip of his greatsword at Claire's back. You remember looking down her fragile body, sensing the pain she must have been in. You remember looking at the ground briefly, being confused by that red liquid forming under her. You didn't believe it until your eyes shot back up, seeing that blade pierced through her back and extending out her stomach.

It was happening all over again, the love of your life, on her knees, waiting to die...

You clench your eyes shut as your body begins to shake uncontrollably, the fear getting replaced with sadness and remorse. Your mouth drops open and you let out a slight whimper as your breathing becomes sporadic. "Not like this...not like this..." you keep your eyes closed as you think to yourself "No, no no no..." you mumble to yourself. History is repeating itself, the love of your life is about to get taken from you in the same exact way. Your body continued to shake, your breath going short and then finally...your legs give out.

You kneel down, bowing your head towards Lord Edmin, your body falling forward as you catch yourself with your two hands, bowing your entire body at him.

Lord Edmin can only cackle to himself as he continues to pace around the room slightly "Hah hah hah, well well well." he shakes his head "The dog finally learned his place."

"Please...Please don't..." you plead.

"Are you with us, Darien?" his renewed cockiness leaks from his voice, "Will you form an alliance with us?" he asks. "With the Empire?"

You hesitate briefly, not wanting to tell him anything but as your eyes drift over to Lexie one more time, you know you can't lose her so you'll say anything at this point "Yes...yes I will, just...just let her go. Don't do this, don't hurt her..." you push yourself back up, still down on your knees but not bowing forward now. "I'll form an alliance with you, just let her go." you look at Edmin, the pain in your eyes.

"Good." is all Edmin says, staying quiet for a brief moment "Just so we're clear, the next time I ask for you to do something, I expect you to do it without question." he brings his hand up to rub his chin "I don't want you to question my orders again." he huffs out "Understand?!"

"Edmin..." you grumble out.

"And just so you realize how serious I am..." he glares at you "Every time you look at this woman..." he nods his head towards Lexie "you will remember that it was your fault." his voice goes deep" Yes, Darien, YOU did this to her..." he smirks.

You look up at Edmin, your eyes going even wider as you're unsure what he meant by that.

"Rixx..." Edmin orders "Take off her hand, make sure she can never wield a blade again."