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“Nicte Batan will die for her crimes, one hundred strikes, delivered by my hand” Alder stated coldly, her voice carrying through the large hanger that was huge but still overflowing with witches and news outlets where they were holding Nicte’s trial. She walked towards the pyre that Nicte was tied to, her scourge held readily in her hands.
“I wouldn't do that if I were you” Nicte smirked as Alder stopped a few feet away.
“You will pay for the lives you’ve taken” her grip tightened on her scourge.
“If I have to pay for mine, then you should have to pay for yours,” Nicte growled.
“This is not about me, this is about you”
“Oh, I know. That's why you shouldn't do that” she added as Alder raised her arm, and with a twist of her wrist her scourge sliced through Nicte’s abdomen.
a gasp filled the room.
But it hadn't come from Nicte Batan.
Alder paid it little mind.
“I warned you” she smiled as Alder readied for another strike.
This time, the scourge cut through the air before striking Nicte’s thigh, a figure in the crowd dropped to their knees with another, louder gasp.
“Alder!” Anacostia shouted, when Alder turned she was surprised to see Anacostia next to the fallen figure.
She was further surprised when she discovered that the figure was none other than Tally Craven.
“I tried to tell you,” Nicte smirked.
“What is happening?” Alder tried to ask but before Anacostia could answer. Vice president Sliver stepped forward from his place behind president Wade with a measured look.
“It does not matter, continue carrying out Batan’s sentencing. 98 more to go” he ordered with an almost undetected look of disgust directed at the witches. Alder wordlessly turned back to Nicte.
“98 more to go” she repeated before she swung.
This time there was no denying that the sounds of pain were coming from tally Craven.
“What is wrong with your soldier, Alder?” Vice president Sliver asked as everyone's attention shifted from Nicte to Tally.
“Anacostia, what is wrong?” Alder asked, though she did not move from her spot.
“Tally’s bleeding” she said, her voice carried confusion.
“How?”
“I-I don't know”
“Carry out the rest of her sentencing!” Sliver shouted.
“General, I’ll take her to the Infirmary” Anacostia informed as she gently took Tally from her sister's grasp and lifted her into her arms.
“I wouldn't do that if I were you,” Nicte repeated.
“Oh would someone put a muzzle on her!”
As Anacostia stepped out into the sun, outside of the hanger. Pain coursed through her arms. It was so powerful that she almost dropped Tally.
“Ah!” Anacostia grunted as her knees locked due to the pain.
“I would tell her to come back inside, if I were you” Nicte warned.
“Why? What are you doing to her?”
“Tell her to come back inside and I will explain” Nicte smirked as she turned her head as far as she could to look at Anacostia who was still trying to hold up Tally.
“Somone help them back here” Alder ordered. Tally’s sisters were the first to jump to follow the order, they rushed to their sisters side and helped Anacostia carry her back into the hanger.
The second Anacostia stepped over the threshold, the pain disappeared.
“Anacostia are you alright?”
“I'm fine, the pain wasn't coming from me” she said, her hold on Tally tightened a fraction. “It was somehow coming from Craven,” she added.
“Craven are you alright?”
“I-I don't know General” Tally answered honestly. She had no clue how she was bleeding. Or why pain had shot through her body. She tiredly laid her head on Anacostia's shoulder.
“If you do not carry out her sentencing right now, you will be court-martialed!” Sliver shouted as he marched toward the pyre.
“I would like to understand what is happening to my soldier first, Madam president” she addressed, completely overlooking Sliver. “It is highly concerning that my soldier starts bleeding assumingly out of nowhere” she added.
“I could not agree more, Alder,” Wade said as she joined the group. She turned to look at Tally. “Soldier, where are you bleeding from?”
“Why does that matter!? She’s probably doing this as some sort of distraction to get Nicte out of her sentencing!”
“Are you accusing my Soldier of being spree?” Alder demanded. They both took a threatening step towards each other.
“Quiet now, both of you,” Wade ordered. “Now, Soldier please answer the question” all eyes were on Tally.
“I-I don't know, Madam president” again she answered honestly.
“In that case please strip down to a comfortable amount of layers, that way we may see what the problem is”
Her sisters and Anacostia assisted her with peeling off the layers of her military uniform. Down to her grey military bra and shorts. She was now on her feet but with three sets of arms supporting her.
“Your abdomen and thigh” Wade observed.
“Collar, heal her” Alder ordered.
“Yes, General” Raelle answered as hands dashed to the wound on Tally’s abdomen. In seconds both were healed.
“Thanks for that” Nicte commented, drawing everyone's eyes and surprise.
Her wounds.
They were gone.
Alder’s eyes snapped back to the pyre. “Explain”
“It’s simple Sarah, anything you do to me, you do to Tally Craven and vice versa.”
“How?”
“It doesn't matter,” Sliver interrupted again.
“It doesn't matter,” Alder repeated as she turned to him with a dangerous look.
“Yes, it doesn't. Nicte Batan will die for her crimes, one hundred strikes, delivered by your hand. You said it yourself, just because she is connected to one of your soldiers doesn't change anything. It's one soldier”
The hanger erupted into overlapping voices, shock, outrage and fear shook the walls.
Alder did not move. Her eyes stayed fixed on Nicte.
“You will not derail a lawful execution over one soldier, over whatever trick this is” he added.
“You want me to continue with the strikes,” she said, her voice low and edged with restrained fury, “even when those strikes will kill the soldier she’s bound to?” Her grip tightened around the scourge when Sliver nodded.
“You’re asking me,” Alder said slowly, “to execute a sentence that will kill one of my soldiers”
Sliver didn’t flinch. “I’m ordering you to carry out a lawful judgment”
Alder’s gaze flicked, just once to Tally.
She was surrounded by her sisters, Raelle and Abigail had a hold of each arm. Anacostia behind her, hands at her waist. She looked fine, other than the drying blood that covered her abdomen and thigh, that was the only indication that she was ever even hurt.
“How are you doing this?” she demanded as she turned back to the pyre.
Sliver scoffed. “This is absurd. We are not delaying a national sentencing because of a—”
“Enough,” Wade said sharply.
The single word cracked through the hanger like a gavel.
Wade stepped forward, eyes moving between Nicte, Tally, and Alder.
“At the current time, the death of Nicte Batan is postponed”
Sliver’s eyes widened. “You can't be serious, she’s the leader of the spree! She has killed tons of people, witches and civilians and now you are letting her live” he shouted.
“For now”
“I have never killed any witch,” Nicte stated.
“Lies!”
“I think you will find that I am many things, but a liar is not one of them”
“Back to the matter at hand, how are you connected to Tally Craven!?” Alder questioned angrily.
“I’m not telling,” Nicte said in a sing-song tone.
“What was with the pain when I stepped outside?” Anacostia asked, she knew she was out of line but she was concerned for one of her Cadets.
“Oh, that” Nicte started, her gaze fell upon Tally who was being fretted over by her sisters. “It's a proximity alarm of sorts, pain shots through her if she steps out of a certain range of me” she explained.
“So it's a leash?”
“Yeah,” Nicte smirked.
“Out of everyone in this hanger, why that Soldier?” Wade asked. “You could have had me, or Sliver. Hell you could have used Alder. Why did you bond, or whatever it is that you did, with that Soldier?” she asked.
Nicte didn't answer at first, she let the question buzz around the room, why that soldier? What made Tally Craven so special?
“It’s because when Alder strikes me, she strikes Tally and I don't think Alder could live with herself if she killed Tally Craven”
The hanger went still.
“Alder, what is she talking about?” Sliver demanded.
“I have no clue” she answered without taking her eyes off the pyre, her scourge that rested loosely in her hands cut through the air but sailed right next to Nicte’s head, barely missing her. “Stop with the bullshit, answer the questions without the riddle’s”
“Don't you get it Sarah? For the first time in 300 years there is someone you care about” she explained.
All eyes turned to Tally. Her cheeks tined pink in a heart beat.
“I’ve cared about a lot of people,” she replied.
“Maybe so but not like this, you know the other day when I wore her face. I was also in her mind. I saw the memories she’d seen of yours. I also know you better than most and you care about her in a way that you’ve never cared about anyone before” Nicte continued. “Just days she was a biddy, someone who is connected to you on very deep levels, You said it yourself there will always be a part of that connection that remains. You care about Tally Craven so yes I am now bonded to her because I know that you won't let anything happen to her” she finished.
“So let me get this straight, because you imagined some kind of relationship going on between me and Tally Craven you bonded yourself to her?” Alder asked.
“You're not denying it,” Nicte commented with a smile.
“I’m not validating your Illusions”
“How do we undo whatever it is that you’ve done?” Wade Interrupted.
“Why would I tell you?”
“I don't think you actually want to hurt anyone” she started, she slowly stepped closer. “I think you were wronged and decided to start the Spree as a way to get back at Alder”
“You think this is about Alder?”
“If it’s not, then who is it about?” Wade asked gently.
“Who cares!” Sliver shouted as he sprang forward. “Who cares what plans she may or may not have, who cares that she connected herself to one soldier. The people deserve to see Justice carried out for the lives that she has taken” he shouted.
“It's about the information that I have, The information that you want” Nicte spoke evenly, ignoring Sliver's outburst.
“And what Information is that?” Wade asked.
“That the Camarilla is back”
“It's impossible!” Alder declared. “I saw to it that they were destroyed, all of them”
“For the most part, they have hidden in the shadows. Building, buying time and now they are pitting the Spree against the Army, the Session against the Dodgers. All witch kind is at odds with each other and they are using it as a way to the civilians that we can't be trusted”
“Lies!”
“How do you know all of this?” Wade questioned.
“She’s made all of this up as a way to delay the inevitable” Sliver reasoned.
“I saw it all in the knower’s head”
Once again all eyes snapped back to Tally.
“Craven, what is she talking about?”
“I don't know Madam president”
“Hey, red come here”
“She’s not going anywhere near you,” Alder growled.
“It’s the only way she can remember, did I forget to mention that when I took her face, I also took her memories of all of this juicy information”
“If she doesn't remember what you're talking about, then how do we know you're telling the truth?” Wade wondered.
“She’s not! Obviously!” Sliver shouted.
“Quiet Sliver, she could be lying, she could be telling the truth. Either way her claim will be Investigated until proven false or true”
There was a subtle look that passed over Sliver’s face. It looked like… fear? Worry? nobody noticed as everyone's attention was split between President Wade, General Alder and Cadet Craven.
“I can show her, her memories”
“If you are going to show her, then I would like to see as well” ordered Wade.
Alder’s head snapped toward her. “Madam President—”
“If this is true,” Wade said, her voice low but absolute, “we need to see it. If it’s not, then we expose her lie. Either way, we end this now”
Alder’s jaw tightened, but she gave a single, sharp nod.
“Craven,” Wade continued, “please join us”
Tally swallowed, then stepped out of her sister's hold and moved toward the pyre.
Every step was taken very slowly, she was tired.
“Careful,” Nicte murmured, watching her approach with quiet amusement. “Wouldn’t want you to fall before we get to the good part”
“Don’t speak,” Alder snapped.
Nicte only smiled.
Tally stopped just out of reach.
“We will see if any of this is true,” Wade said before taking Tally’s hand. They both took a step closer to Nicte.
They ground a hold of her shoulders, they only place they could, her arms aware tied behind her back, tied to the pyre.
The world around them slipped away.
The silence of the hanger was replaced by fast playing Images.
The first scene followed a man into a dark lit room. More men sitting around a table.
“They will fall,” one voice called out.
“We will burn the witches, like we should have done all those years ago” another voice said.
The man that the scene seemed to follow continued to make his way through the room, walking into another room.
This room had fewer people but seemed fuller, not with men plotting the downfall of witches but with the walls covered in pictures and plans. The tables were covered in files, maps, and devices in various stages of assembly.
“These will stop them from using their magic,” the other man said, pointing to the devices.
“Good”
The scene changed completely, still following the man but this time he was standing the broad of day, gone were the shadows of secrecy and planning. Now in the light day, they were training, preparing.
The devices were now operational, and they were learning to use them… use them against witches.
There was a boom and once again the scene shifted, once again Tally and Wade were right behind the man as he walked.
They both gasped as they watched the scene, a scene they were a part of.
It was the hanger. The man stood behind Wade.
“This is now” Wade said, though the man did not react to her voice, only Tally could hear her in the place.
“They are already here”
“Or at least one of them is” Wade said as she walked in front of the man. “Vice President Sliver,” she revealed.
The hanger slammed back into place like a door thrown shut. Tally and Wade were pulled from the scenes.
Tally stumbled, nearly collapsing before a pair of arms wrapped around her waist. She turned expecting to see one or both of her sisters. She gasped when she discovered it was neither.
“General,” she mumbled.
“What did you see?” Alder asked.
“General, Cadet Craven. Please join me back at the podium” Wade spoke before Tally could answer her question. “Sliver, please stay here and continue to question her” she added when he moved to follow them.
Alder didn't drop her hold on her waist as the three of them walked to the other side of the hanger, Wade walked a step ahead. When they got closer to the podium, pain shot through Alder's arms, the pain coming from Tally.
“We’ve gone too far,” Wade commented as she gently pushed them back a step towards the pyre.
A step,
then two,
Then the pain was gone.
“This is far enough for us to talk”
“What did you see?” Alder repeated, she finally dropped her arms.
Tally missed the hold immediately.
“What she said was true, they are back” Wade answered strongly.
“Thats Impossible”
“We saw it, and there's another thing” she paused as she chanced a glance back at the pyre. Sliver was questioning Nicte about spree operations but every few seconds he would glance towards the three of them. “Vice president Sliver, he is Camarilla”
“Are we really going to believe what Nicte has shown you? She could have made it up” Alder remained.
“Maybe so but I’ve known the man for years and his never like witches”
“Many people don't like us, does that make them Camarilla?” Alder asked.
“No, it does not make them Camarilla” Wade trailed off. She searched for the right words to convince Alder that what she’d seen was in fact true.
“The hatred in his eyes, in his words” she paused.
“Madam President, many people…”
“Alder, would you just listen?” Tally demanded.
“Excuse me, Cadet”
“I… I mean, um”
“Sarah” Wade spoke, silencing the other two. “Nicte’s words ring true, all witch kind are fighting with each other. I believe the reason that Sliver is so adamant about you carrying out Nicte’s sentencing is because. If the world sees you kill one of your own, what would stop you from killing them” she reasoned. “The Camarilla has planted the seed of fear, now you are watering it”
Alder opened her mouth to argue… or agree, she wasn't sure which one would come out of her mouth but she didn't get the chance to say anything.
Tally gasped. She swayed and then clutched her arm.
“Craven?”
“I’m bleeding…again” the three wiped around to see Sliver holding a blade, covered in Nicte’s blood.
Nicte was sporting a new cut on her forearm. The same place Tally was bleeding from.
Wade’s voice sharpened. “Sliver”
“General Sarah Alder, carry out the rest of her sentencing or I will” he ordered.
“Then you wouldn't get what you wanted” Tally said, she’d had enough of this. She was in pain, she was connected to someone she didn't want to be and she was starting to get a head ache.
“What are you on about soldier?”
“The destruction of witches, It's what you want isn't it? If anyone but Alder were to carry out Nicte’s death it wouldn't get the response you want”
“What on earth are you talking about?” he demanded.
“You want the downfall of witches”
There was no sound or movement in the hanger so everyone saw the way Sliver’s eyes widened just a fraction.
“You don’t know what you’re saying,” he said sharply, but his voice had changed. Less command. More defense. “She is an enemy of the state and you are believing what she is saying!”
“What kind I say, I speak the truth” Nicte smirked.
“I’ve heard enough" he remarked before he turned to glare at her, sprung forward and jammed the blade into her stomach.
Two cries filled the hanger.
Nicte grunted, it was all she could do.
Tally doubled over as blood began to pour out from the wound.
“Tally!” Alder’s voice snapped through the hanger, all command stripped away for the first time.
Sliver didn’t stop. He twisted the blade.
Tally’s knees hit the ground fully now. Pain radiated through her abdomen in violent waves, matching every shift of the knife in Nicte’s body. Her breath came in broken pieces.
“Stop him—” she pleaded, but it wasn’t clear who she was speaking to. Alder was by her side in a second.
“It’s gonna be alright” she promised.
“Stop him”
Two witches surged forward. Grabbing Sliver and pulling him away.
“You’ve just proven my point” Nicte grunted through the pain.
“I haven't proven anything! I’ve carried out justice” he shouted as he struggled in the soldier's grasps. “She is a terrorist. The founder of the Spree. You’re all losing sight of that!”
“Collar get over here!” Alder ordered.
Raelle was already moving.
“I’ve got you. I’ve got you” Alder whispered in Tally’s ear as Raelle healed her.
“S-so Nicte was right?” Tally asked.
“Right about what?”
“You caring?” she asked, Raelle glued her eyes to the wound she was healing. She didn't want to invade on their private moment.
“Yes, she was right,” Alder whispered. At this point she didn't care who saw or heard. “I care for you and it has nothing to do with the biddy bond”
“Got you” Nicte announced.
“What?” Wade asked.
“you should be saying, your welcome”
“And why is that?” Wade asked.
“Not you,” she said lightly, nodding toward Alder. “Her”
Alder’s grip tightened instinctively around Tally before she even registered why.
Wade’s eyes narrowed. “Explain”
“For 300 years she’s been the General, I think it's high time you let her be happy”
“So all of this was just a trap to get me to confess that I have feelings for Craven… Tally” Alder asked.
“What about Sliver?”
“He’s fine, he should be waking up in the bathroom anytime now”
“What you are talking about, he’s right here” Wade said, turning to look at Sliver, who was still being restrained. Or she thought he was, when she turned to look at the soldiers who were supposed to be holding him, had empty hands.
“W-where did he go!?” she demanded.
“Dont worry, that wasn't really him”
“What is happening!”
“It was a trick” Alder started as she stared at Nicte in surprise. “It was all a trick”
“Now she gets it,” Nicte smiled. “That person that had Sliver’s face was a friend of mine. Sliver is currently asleep in the bathroom, with the confession of Alders feelings so goes the connection between me and Tally Craven” she finished.
“Why?” Wade started. “Why do all of this?”
“Like I said, Alder deserves to allow herself to heal, to care for someone… that way one day I can have the pleasure of ripping her from your arms” Nicte started laughing. Hysterically.
Alder tightened her arms around Tally. Hearing the truth behind Nicte’s motives spooked something within her. Something she’d locked away many years ago, something she thought was dead.
Something Tally Craven had awoken.
“You will not touch her,” Alder growled.
“She said the connection was severed,” Raelle noted.
“Oh right that” Nicte smirked before she started singing, something that should have been impossible thanks to the suppression collar.
It was soft at first.
Then it slowly started to build, layer upon layer of sound stacking.
The ground beneath them trembled.
And then.
Poof…
Nicte Batan was gone.