So sorry this took ages to get out everyone, this merits an explanation. A lame excuse I know but, I simply lost any interest in writing literally losing the will to continue; I've just been working and playing with friends so this story kind've took a backseat. I really do hope to get back to updating more often but I'll make no promises since my other story is far overdue as well. Lastly, I'm looking for a Beta reader to make sure I'm not making tons of grammatical/lore mistakes so feel free to ask…or sign up… or whatever (I have no idea how the system works). While not required, being motivational would be nice to keep me writing as I do love writing these stories, it just becomes tiresome at times. With that out of the way enjoy the story!

Yasuo prepared himself for another long journey, once again he had no real clue where he was going or what he was going to do once he got there. He decided to simply follow the wind as he always had, seeing as that had yet to fail him. While moving to exit the base, he noticed lines of refugees entering the city through the now liberated bridge. While it was good to see innocents being protected from the war, he noticed some obviously weren't treated the same as others. His curiosity getting the better of him, he decided to investigate; upon gaining a closer look all those in the "less fortunate" lines all shared similar looks and traits. This revelation sent alarm bells off in his head, he'd hoped racial discrimination didn't exist here like it did back in Valoran, so he decided to head to the closest line to hm. Before he could ask someone what was going on he noticed something had latched onto his leg, with a quick look below him he found the little girl he'd seen not so long ago during the incident with the firing squad.

"Thanks for saving us mister! Mommy and Daddy are really grateful for your help!" Her smile radiated innocence and childlike joy, her warmth was contagious as he found his own smile crossing his face.

"Of course little one, people like me have to help people like you so the bad people don't hurt you" he ruffled her hair as she ran back to the line to her parents, both of whom immediately greeted him.

"We can't say how thankful we are for your heroics, without you we would've-"

"Enough Lollygagging Darcsen! Get back in line before we throw you out to the Empire!" a nearby guard interrupted. While the family passively returned to the line, the swordsman wasn't so easily dismissed.

"You have a problem soldier?" telling by his uniform this man was most likely a grunt, Yasuo wasn't going to allow his prejudice to go unchecked.

'Who the hell are you and why should I care? They're just some dirty Darcsens, the world would be a lot better if-"the man never finished his sentence as a fist collided with his face, sending him flat to the earth below him.

"You people disgust me," utter contempt filled his voice as his foot rested on the back of the man's skull keeping him in place. "You act so high and moral, yet you're the same as the invaders of your country, you just fly a different flag" With the last of his venom spat, he delivered a swift kick to the man's jaw and continued his trek northward. So it seems this isn't as similar to the Ionian campaign as I believed, while militarily the empire is the aggressor, it seems Gallia is just as racist and ignorant; it seems this isn't as black and white as the Ionian conflict as I'd believed." He saw firsthand how Ionians were treated during the occupation, he'd been forced to find a port in the southern province since the north was even less safe. Yasuo saw how his countrymen were abused and mistreated by their new masters, and he was damned sure never to let that happen to anyone else ever again.

Imperial War Meeting, forward HQ

Prince Maximilian had called his generals together to discuss the next stage of the Gallian campaign, seeing as the assault on the capital had failed, the option for a full out blitz victory had practically evaporated. None questioned the ability to win the war, especially with their military and resource superiority, it would simply take longer than anticipated due to the loss of the bridge. Selvaria was as always the first to arrive, followed shortly by the famed tank commander Jaeger and General Gregor. Maximilian as always sat at the head of the table with Gregor to his right and Jaeger to his left, while Selvaria stood at his side.

"I assume you know why you all were called here, our initial assault on the capital has failed yet our position remains exceedingly superior to the Gallians'. With our blitz slowing to a halt we should devise a new plan to ensure victory." Maximilian's voice remained calm, yet ruthlessly calculating as it always had, he couldn't afford to make mistakes here. He planned on using this invasion as a cover up for the superweapons he'd been designing to then turn against his wretched father and step family to claim his rightful throne. The conquest of Gallia was simply a means to an end, allowing him the authority and military resources he required to build an army worthy of his soon to be empire.

Gregor was the first to speak "Well sir, in the Conquest of Fouzen, we now have access to a large portion of the nation's industry, as well as locals we have.. "Persuaded" to work to further our glorious cause. With these new mines and resources, we can more easily deploy manpower and machines to the frontline when needed." His voice resonated confidence, Gregor was born of high birth and had a prestigious career in the military. His tactics and strategies had won the losing war against Firhald, bringing them into the Empire, it was Ironic that Jaeger was the one who had crippled his leg with a precise shot during the war, only now they both served the same master.

"The Southern front is quiet for now, most of their forces fell back as we pushed towards the capital, what little resistance was left we easily overran. Given enough time to rebuild our supply chains, our southern forces could try an encircling maneuver to get behind them and attack from the rear, further dividing their forces." Jaeger followed up nonchalantly, he had no love for the empire and cared little personally about this campaign. He defend his homeland Firhald when the empire invaded, initially crushing everything the empire threw at them, he was an expert Tank commander with potentially no equal, yet even he couldn't stop the inevitable defeat his country suffered. He only joined Maximilian because he was promised that once the throne was taken, his home would be granted independence.

"Lord Maximilian, my forces have a strong grip on the frontlines, maybe if our combined fronts push together we could-"Selvaria was cut off before she could finish

"No, this is the wrong mindset, we can no longer simply rush at them with heavy tanks and large numbers expecting to win. We had the element of surprise before but that has long vanished, they will be entrenched and waiting for us, no longer the shocked prey they had been. We cannot stretch our supply and military lines too thinly lest they strike at critical areas and cripple our invasion. Now we must be patient. Jaeger, head to our southern outpost in the forests and ensure its' security, it is vital to keep our presence in the region strong and equipped. Gregor, you will fortify Fouzen with any and all means necessary; you will have all the resources you require at your disposal. Selvaria will head to one of our forward camps to make sure our grip on the central region doesn't loosen while we secure our foothold in the country. You have your orders, now move out." His voice displayed his royal upbringing, as well as unshakeable confidence and the personality to lead, he cared little for the tools that were his soldiers, even his generals were simply instruments in his plan, yet he radiated such charisma that many followed him with unwavering conviction.

The Triumvirate all replied with a "Yes Sir!" and a swift salute before exiting the room, but before Selvaria could leave he called to her.

"A moment Selvaria" His eyes continuing to reading tactical maps, paying little attention to the woman standing at attention mere feet away from him. "You are still under strict orders to not reveal your Valkyria lineage, under no circumstance are you to use your power without my permission, I hope I am understood?" his eyes raised slowly to meet her gaze. She remained stoic, revealing nothing.

"Of course Lord Maximilian, by your command" Internally she was once again disappointed, she harbored feelings for her prince yet he showed no signs of returning said affection. She began to lose faith that he cared even the slightest about her and would easily discard her if she didn't have her powerful blood running through her veins. Maybe it was only a reactionary effect, he did save her from that damned facility all that time ago, and brought her up to the woman she was today; yet now he was so cold and distant. Perhaps her trust in him was misplaced, but where else could she really go? The world was a heartless and cold place, she lived her life on the battlefield."

"and one more thing" she raised an eyebrow slowly as she expected that to be all of this discussion "survivors from our armored column at Randgriz bridge tell of a man wearing strange armor, who single handedly destroyed the entire regiment, with a sword. These tales seem to correlate with rumors from Darcsen prisoners who speak of a man who defends their people from oppression, a hero, an icon for them, they call him "the Blade". Do these stories mean anything to you?" His glare never faltering, his inquisitive nature trying to pick apart any deceit from who should be his most loyal general, it was paranoid of course but one could never be too sure.

Selvaria was immediately conflicted, for the first time in her life she wasn't sure if she should tell Maximilian the truth. Yasuo seemed honorable enough, and seeing that he knew little to nothing about Europa, it could be assumed he ran into the armored column by accident and hostilities ensued. Maximilian was known for recruiting anyone to his cause despite their birth or class, but only if they proved useful enough to him; the ones whose use ran out were… discarded. Should he find out she knew the man somewhat personally, he would most likely have her bring the swordsman the prince to either convince, or coerce him into joining the cause. Selvaria highly doubted Yasuo wanted to embroil himself in some foreign conflict, and trying to force him would most likely end in a bloodbath; and so for the first time in her life, she lied.

"No my lord, I have heard similar rumors but thought them to be nothing more than that." To her credit, her posture nor her face gave away anything to even the most trained eyes.

"Very well, you are dismissed," The prince returned to his planning and General Bles exited the room.

An internal conflict broiled ferociously within her psyche, why had she lied to him of all people? She was convinced for years she deeply loved him, never before had her loyalty ever been shaken. Sure she disagreed with some things the Empire did, but never once had she ever questioned him on any action or lied to him about anything ever. Why had she defended some man she hardly knew instead of loyally being honest with the one person she'd served and protected her entire life? She knew not the answers to these questions, but decided to ignore them for now and headed to her new command post to await further orders.

Randgriz City, Gallian Militia barracks

Since there were no major operations planned for some time, things remained very quiet in the capital. Marina took this chance to clean and check her rifle as to make sure it was always in top shape, due to her precise and lethal occupation a malfunction or failure in the field could prove highly lethal. While she began reassembling her rifle she'd been overhearing conversations of other soldiers, much to her annoyance yet there was nowhere else she could go and there was little private space in the barracks. During her routine, she found herself stopping at someone mentioning an "asshole with a sword". While outwardly she continued her task at hand, her ears had perked up to listen in. It seemed her new acquaintance had gotten into a small scuffle with a guard over treatment of Darcsens, the man made his feelings towards them obviously clear; from which he was rewarded with a swift beating. Marina also noted many were still wondering if the man was even human, since he'd performed the mythical feat of sitting at Marina's table and coming out unscathed.

Seeing the conversations go nowhere productive, she refocused herself on cleaning her scope while thinking about this new information. She held no particular resentment against Darcsens, she cared little either way; yet Yasuo had gained what many would fail to do in a thousand lifetimes, her respect. The fact he had no qualms about putting someone in their place, yet also doing it in a swift and not overly brutal fashion showed strength and control. He was obviously firm in his beliefs and wasn't afraid to defend them, something she could appreciate; while it was far-fetched to call him a friend, she would willingly tolerate him over many in her corps and that was a start.