CHAPTER SIX: A FITTING PARALLEL
The Free City of Dociara, The Utopian Kingdom of the Union of Roendavarian States
The crisp Dociarastai morning sun lay high in the sky, the bright rays powerless to stem the cold mountain winds that rushed forth to the ancient city of Dociara. The district of Felamoren, which stood on the banks of the Lake of Olemas. Its streets were filled with tourists and locals alike, desperate to taste the city’s venom. A place of depravity, to some, and to those who are born in the Eternal City, a place of respite. Valeris kept his pace calm as he tried to make sense of the situation. It was supposed to be an uneventful day, a reprieve before the storm as the nation of Roendavar purges itself inside and out. A day of peace, he thought. Never did he expect that he would be followed, which was quite obvious as no one in Roendavar, let alone Dociara, would be driving around SUVs unless they were HEI or police, the two keen on not caring about him in the first place. As they inched closer and closer, their speed slowly picking up, Valeris saw a small cafe to his right, an alleyway jutting forth from its side. It was just the right opportunity he needed. He immediately turned right and entered the cafe, making sure that his actions weren’t too hurried.
“Good morning! Welcome to Neliethrin Cafe! Would you like a seat?” A bubbly waitress immediately greeted him at the door. The sweet smell of vanilla in the air was strong, but something more potent cut through it, no doubt
ienthieari1, or Marijuana.
“Not really, no.” Valeris replied, a most charming smile plastered on his face. “Where is your backdoor?”
“Excuse me,
felius2? Our backdoor?”
“You see, I am being followed right now. Those SUVs outside. Now, I need you to cooperate because this is a matter of national security. HEI and all that, you understand.”
“I- I see. Come, it is right this way.” The waitress beckoned for him to follow. She led Valeris straight to the kitchen, the two chefs immediately stopping their work and throwing Valeris a confused look. “Do you need the police or…?” She asked.
“It is fine. The police cannot do much with those outside.” Valeris shook his head as the waitress stopped in front of a grey door.
“Here you go. Out here and it leads towards the inner alleys.” The waitress explained. As soon as the waitress unlocked the door, they heard the chimes of the front door opening. His pursuers must have entered the store.
“Thank you. I’ll be sure to put in a good word with the HEI with this establishment.” He grinned as he hurriedly pushed the door hard, his feet ready to bolt.
“Do be careful! The trash is a bit full back there-!”
The warning came too late as the door collided with the metal dumpster. While it would not cause any noise in the first place, it was particularly overflowing, rattling so loudly that Valeris was sure it could be heard by his pursuers. He wasted no time as he sprinted forth, and just in time, he could hear motion chasing after him, with two coming into view as they ran deeper and deeper into the alleyways of Felamoren. If there was anywhere that Valeris could escape anyone, it was within the bowels of Felamoren, where winding and tight alleyways were bordered with loud clubs, dubious stores, and red doors that Roendavarians called
Fielanthal3, the underground dungeons. Only those who are familiar with the chaos of Dociara could not get lost in its grasp, and that proved useful for Valeris as he kept evading his pursuers. However, he could not run forever, and he hurriedly dialed a number on his phone.
“Hello. You have reached the HEI-”
“
Avaavichain4 Sylvanus! I’m being chased!” Valeris screamed into his phone as he picked up speed. The rough cobblestone alleyways of Felamoren weren't exactly fit for running.
“Oh…? Tell us more.” Sylvanus' teasing tone slid off his phone’s speakers, annoying Valeris even more. “Maybe it’s just the usual rabble in Felamoren. You know what they’re like.”
“The
‘rabble’ in Felamoren do not wear suits, have weapons, and are well-trained in coordinating attacks and pursuits! Do you take me for an idiot?!” Valeris protested.
“Okay, okay. Calm down. We knew this would happen and we’re right by Calmeren. Just lead them on towards the Cherry Gate and we’ll pick them all off behind you.” Sylvanus explained. The sound of activity and rustling could be heard in the background, most likely from other HEI agents. “The team is coming with me by the way. They need to experience this first-hand.”
“Hold on! You’re bringing Theremiel and the two-” Valeris was cut off as he heard his pursuers command in French. Dormill and Stiura. “You know what. I don’t care. Just get here!”
Valeris hurried, ended the call, and slid his phone into his pocket. Behind him, he could hear his pursuers gaining up. However, their speed could not last long as they delved deeper and deeper into Felamoren alleyways, overgrown potted plants spewing forth and bridging from building to building, tall, twisting buildings that seemed to cast a dim shadow across the alleyways, and the twisting directions proved advantageous to Valeris, turning left and right in a maddened order. He was a native of Felamoren, and he will remain one step ahead as long as they stay within the district’s walls. Valeris hoped that Sylvanus would get there on time.
-=-
In Calmeren District, Sylvanus, Saltharia, Ioraelin, Theosarion, Galaeren, and Theremiel, rushed down the stairs of the Amanthiar Building, one of the properties owned by the Agents of the Rose. It was a lavishly furnished building, definitely a higher standard in the already expensive city. This is where the four: Theremiel, Theosarion, Galaeren, and Valeris, were given spaces to live by the HEI, free of charge. Sylvanus, Ioraelin, and Saltharia were visiting for a standard living briefing, that was, until Valeris called about being chased. As they reached the ground floor, Sylvanus started giving orders.
“Ioraelin. Get the
Haathranien (Dociarastai Police) on the phone and tell them to stand down. If this is the Balniki or some group we don’t know yet about, we can’t risk having them know about it. Tell them it’s a priority. Saltharia, are the weapons ready? Bring the non-lethal ones, please. I want to capture them alive as much as possible. After you’re done, get to the streets and neutralize the pursuers.” Sylvanus ordered as the two swung into a flurry of action. Saltharia took a hard right into the basement door and Ioraelin pulled out his phone.
Theremiel, Galaeren, and Theosarion followed Sylvanus as he unlocked a red door. Beyond it, the garage of the building and parked in the center, an expensive looking car. Concord State 65, one of the top cars in the Western Isles, imported from Belantica. The three stood in awe, speechless as Sylvanus pushed a button to open the garage doors. Saltharia followed inside holding two heavy duffel bags, though she did not look like she needed any help. Ioraelin came in soon after.
“We’re riding that?! That looks expensive. What if we scratch it or damage it?” Theremiel worried.
“We need speed right now. You three and Saltharia, you come with me. Ioraelin, take Team Thielas and provide support.” Sylvanus explained plainly. Ioraelin immediately bolted towards the outside and Saltharia opened the car doors, letting herself in. The rest of the agents followed suit.
“So, what are we dealing with? All I heard was Valeris was being chased.” Theosarion said. Sylvanus started the car and immediately took off towards the streets of Calmeren.
“No time for briefing so I’ll just tell you all quickly. Valeris is currently in pursuit by an unknown group. The
Haathranien should have already responded by now. Our job is to deal with them since we don’t know how dangerous they will be. Saltharia, if you please.” Sylvanus explained as Saltharia began opening the bags, revealing a cache of weapons. Saltharia began sifting through them and handed out an assortment of weapons, from knives to tranquilizer guns. Beneath those were heavier weaponry, but Saltharia seemed to not be touching them.
“Is that the whole arsenal of Roendavar inside that bag?” Galaeren joked. Instead of a laugh, he got a grunt from the silver haired woman.
“Sylvanus.” The radio inside the car crackled to life, with Ioraelin’s voice on the other side. “You are looking for a pair of black SUVs in and around the boundary of Calmeren and Felamoren. The police are pulling back due to a priority call. Some issues in the Grand Dociara Station.”
“Issues at the Grand Dociara Station?” Theremiel asked, unaware of any events in the Grand Dociara Station.
“Something to do with an arrest. The police gave us no information and said that they could handle it. Considering our situation right now, it’s best that we focus here first.” Sylvanus explained. They continued driving and emerged at Oelevis Street, turning a right towards the district of Felamoren.
“Visual on two SUVs currently on chase. One SUV has pulled away due to police intervention. One is near the intersection and is currently chasing Valeris. We’ll deal with the other one.” Ioraelin’s voice crackled through the radio.
“Well, what do you know, there it is!” Sylvanus motioned to a black SUV driving recklessly through the road, narrowly hitting bicyclists, pedestrians, and even the monorail pillars. “Wear your seatbelts. We’re going in!”
Sylvanus floored on the gas as the car lurched forward, slowly gaining speed as they barreled through near Arlesii. They continued down the street and took a left at the intersection, tailing the mad SUV that rampaged through the streets of Roendavar. They came into view of the Cherry Gate. An apt name, a massive open stone gate cut between the Long Walls of Dociara. Around it, cherry trees blossomed in the spring climate of Roendavar, blanketing the district of Calmeren and Old Dociara in the color pink. A few meters from the Gate, the SUV finally corralled Valeris into an alley. Juxtaposed to this beauty, Sylvanus noticed down the alleyway past the gate that a familiar looking agent rushed through the alleyway of Dociara tailing another familiar person, their curly dark hair and tall stature making it clear that it was his brother. The SUV was parked near the entrance, with three men positioned around it.
The SUV began getting closer and closer, and it looked as if they were going to collide, until Sylvanus pulled the brakes and the car drifted violently towards the front of it, almost hitting a tree in the middle of the road. The foreign agents perked up instantly, caught off guard by their sudden entrance. Around them, pedestrians began to flee in all directions. Without hesitation, Sylvanus immediately stepped out of the car, with Saltharia doing the same on her side.
“Agents of the Rose? HEI?” A suited man spoke in a foreign language, though Sylvanus could clearly understand what was said. Doraltic, no doubt, from their features, to their language, to the clothes that they wore, and even to how they presented themselves.
“No. We are the Royal Family.” Sylvanus rolled his eyes, taking paced steps forward . “We are going to have so much fun. You four, take down that other two. This one is all mine.”
Sylvanus opened his palms, a sign that he was not holding any firearms. For a moment, he could feel the foreign man debate whether or not he wanted to use a gun, but perhaps the Doraltics understood fully well that any firefight, let alone any casualties in the city of Dociara, would be a detriment. This seemed to be the mental consensus among all of them as the two other agents along with Saltharia, Theosarion, Galaeren, and Theremiel, were fighting without any weapons.
Perfect. Hand to hand combat it is.The foreign man Sylvanus has challenged rushed forward with well-trained certainty and, for a moment, Sylvanus knew that this would not be easy. They were precise, quick, and emotions did not betray their movements, a stark difference from what Sylvanus was used to fighting. An outward fist forward, and Sylvanus’ instincts kicked in. He spun and shifted as his arms moved in a fluid motion. The art of
Thientharvalis5. Improvisation and cunning. That was the way HEI always has been, and the art of their warfare did not deviate from these. Sylvanus was quick, every move against him he simply curled away. A dance, that was what every fight was for Roendavarians. To give them the sense of hope and to take it away. A brief glance to his comrades and Sylvanus could tell that they were keeping to their fighting style, more so Saltharia, a long time agent of the HEI and, surprisingly, Theosarion, who’s tall and solid stature proved intimidating for anyone. Galaeren was tricky, often employing dirty tactics to his gain and, while seen as disloyal, was welcome for the Agents of the Rose. Theremiel, perhaps the most pacifist of them, was quick, a student of the Pilonas-Lacsandarieth would not have been like this except if they had a knack for sports. For almost half a minute, the two kept fighting until the foreign agent overextended, a kick going too far. An opening, and Sylvanus slid his leg to the standing one, tripping his opponent and delivering a sharp kick to his head that knocked him unconscious .
“We’ve got the other two, Sylvanus.” Saltharia said, motioning to the two bruised up agents lined up against a truck. “Hardly a fair fight. Two against one, each.”
“Believe me. You needed two to take one down considering our three friends over there. These are no ordinary agents.” Sylvanus wiped the dust from his coat. “These are the famed Joker’s Deck teams from Dormill and Stiura, one of the few that could match us really.”
“Then why are they after Valeris? Has Dormill and Stiura acted against us?” Saltharia pondered.
“Perhaps.” Sylvanus bent down to the tied up Doraltic. “Now, let’s go and pick up Valeris.”
The five of them dragged the tied agents as they entered the alleyway. Inside, Valeris was already backed up to the wall, with Faelian Pitt, a Dormill-Stiuraian agent, pointing a taser at him.
“You should care less about who I work for, and more about what I’m going to do with you.” Pitt coldly declares, drawing a taser gun from his coat and aiming it at Valeris’ chest, “I’ll give you one chance to come quietly.”
“I can say the same for you,
eolivii6. Drop the gun and turn around slowly.” Sylvanus ordered Pitt.
“Cops? Oh please, my partners will deal with you soon enough anyway.” Pitt replied, sneaking in a chuckle. Perhaps the Doraltic agent thought of him as Dociara police
“Oh, you mean these partners? The ones already cuffed?” The man replied, causing Pitt to spin around on his heels only to see every last Joker’s Deck agent he had brought with him in various states of injury and all handcuffed. Sylvanus slowly waked up before hitting the Doraltic agent in the head, the latter collapsing to the stone alley of Dociara.
“What took you so damn long?! You think it’s fun… running around Dociara…?!” Valeris heaved as he dusted himself off, his body running out on adrenaline.
“You know, I’ve always doubted you but you would make a great runner.” Sylvanus joked as Saltharia began to handcuff the fallen Pitt.
“Fuck off. They had SUVs and he had a taser! This is hardly a fair fight.” Valeris complained. “Even Valcrios would say this was unfair.”
“Valcrios, if he was here, would just start blasting and take down the city with him.” Sylvanus rolled his eyes. “At least you are safe. Now, come. We have foreigners to interrogate.”
“Oh- I’m in.” Valeris’ energy seemed to return at the sound of the last word.
The six loaded up the defeated agents to the back of the SUV, with Theosarion and Saltharia sitting beside them to make sure they don’t try anything risky. Valeris was ordered to drive the Concord State 65, a command he accepted with full enthusiasm. Sylvanus took control of the SUV and drove, tuning in to the radio where Ioraelin’s voice came through once more.
“Sylvanus, we have managed to take down the other team.” Ioraelin spoke through the radio, his breath ragged. “They proved very difficult to handle. Two of our agents are severely injured and one has been sent to the
Ataaleia7.”
“Good job. Tie the agents up and haul them to the Golden House. We will meet you there.” Sylvanus responded.
The drive back to the Golden House was one with silence. They proceeded down Neveri Avenue, past the Lotus Gate, and emerged at the Dociara Circle, with the Hall of the Tree standing at a hill in the middle of the wide roundabout. They passed by the Thelcian Avenue, which was suddenly closed by a group of Dociara Police. Sylvanus paid no attention, after all, the police assured them that everything would be okay, however, he made a mental note to contact them as soon as this operation was done. They, instead, went down the Roenar Avenue, passed by Fort Niles, and arrived at the Golden House. The grandiose mansion, the headquarters of the HEI, remained imposing in the middle of a forest. As soon as they got there, the agents unloaded their catch and transferred them to individual cells within the many underground chambers beneath the Golden House. All of them, except for Pitt, who was taken to the office of Sylvanus and laid down on the sofa. While Saltharia remained on guard, Valeris and Sylvanus changed their clothes to something more professional, a formal suit contrasted by flowing fabrics and jewelry, a mix between the style of Gael and Roendavar itself. When they returned, Pitt was already awake, smoking a cigarette that Saltharia must have given to him. The silver haired woman was dismissed and the interrogation began.
“Faelian Pitt. Oh, how I am surprised you would go after the Agents of the Rose.” Sylvanus sighed, a tinge of disappointment seeping in. “I thought we were friends.”
“Agents of the Rose?! We would never go against you!” Pitt clarified. “It was our knowledge that we are after a terrorist responsible for attacks all around Gael. The leader of the Valcriosi. Isn’t that him?”
“Yes, yes, that was me but that is not me. The attacks were not my doing. Ask Sylvanus here and he will clear this all up.” Valeris corrected.
“Valeris is the leader of the Valcriosi, yes, but he was not responsible for the attacks. He has been pardoned and cleared of any involvement directly from i Florin Celion himself.”
“How do you know?”
“Because Valeris is now part of the HEI and works for us.”
“And you did not inform us? If you told us any of HEI's plans, then none of this would have happened. Better yet, we would have probably helped you out in the first place!”
“His Majesty needed time to figure out who to trust, this goes way deeper than you imagine, Faelian,” Sylvanus responded calmly, his hands resting on his knees.
“Trust? Mon Dieu, of course, you can trust us!” Pitt barked back, turning towards Sylvanus. “Gallo-Batavia has been on your side for decades! And you can’t trust us to at least give us a heads up that you are now hosting this snake-” making a wide gesture to Valeris, who was sitting on the left of Sylvanus. “... in your midst.”
“I had no other choice
eolivii, Balnik has made this a problem for all of us, all I wanted was what’s best for Roendavar.” Valeris replied, keeping his tone subdued so as to not further anger the Doraltic.
“You! Stay out of this! I’d have you shot right here if we were in Chery!” Pitt snapped back.
“What’s done is done, Faelian.” Sylvanus began. “And you have no place to threaten to take his life after the stunt you pulled today!”
“Do you have any idea what this monster has done to Roendavar and Dormill and Stiura?! And you just let him back in the HEI like it was no big deal?!” Pitt angrily asked Sylvanus.
“As he said, Balnik has made this a problem for us all, and Valeris has valuable intelligence on the Arrangement.”
“The Arrangement?”
“The merry band of wanton criminals and terrorists that he used to work for. After the Balniki got involved, he came straight to us.”
Valeris stepped into the conversation once again, now more confident that Pitt was not going to lash out at him. “And we all hate Balnik equally enough to set aside this difference. You’ll be rid of me soon enough,
feilestharici8.”
Pitt shot a dirty look at Valeris before looking away from the pair for a moment to contemplate, and managed to only get out an approving nod before the door behind them burst open, a young Roendavarian hastily walked through. “Sirs, there’s been an attack at Grand Central Station!”
“A what?! I thought the
Haathranien were on it?” Sylvanus was utterly bewildered. “A routine call is what we were told and they assured us that they could handle it!”
“It seems they have underestimated the gravity of the situation. Hostile elements pretended to be Dociara SWAT and proceeded to open fire inside the station. Casualties are still being counted and we do not know the motive yet.”
“Fuck…” Valeris whispered, a pit sinking in his stomach.
“Raise the Castor Alarm. All agents must report to the Grand Dociara Station and contain this. I do not want this blowing over Dociara, more so after the multiple attacks we have seen.” Sylvanus detailed. “Has the King been informed yet?”
“He has, Sir. The
Iralianthari9 are preparing a message to respond to this tragedy. The King personally wanted to go to the Station but the Queen Mother and the Thronai of Andavar has struck him down.”
“Understood. Let us go then. Especially you.” Sylvanus pointed to Pitt. “I feel like your kind has something to do with this as well.”
The Grand Station of Dociara was not far from the Golden House, both residing in the Iralanen District. A few minutes of driving, and the three finally came into view of the Grand Station. In the city, it was called the Cathedral, a summary of three centuries of work. Its tall spires, ornate exterior, and a massive stained glass dome stood atop one of the hills that rose in the city, giving it an accentuated majesty. After all, all who enter and exit Dociara from the Rose Train Line, the Dociara Monorail, the trams, the buses, and to every public transport, converge in this great crossroads. However, its once beauty was marred as police swarmed every road leading to the station. As they approached the Station, one of the police was about to flag them down before, perhaps, noticing the plate in front. They drove to the main entrance of the Station, three massive pine doors, cordoned off by yellow police tape. In front of it, the media flurried with activity, asking questions to the otherwise quiet police. Sylvanus parked the car on the side and immediately stepped out. The media began to act in a frenzy as they noticed the leader of the HEI arrive, throwing him random questions from a distance. Sylvanus ignored them as he walked towards Ioraelin and Saltharia, who were already there, alongside the
Araclan10 of the Dociara Police, Alveira Therenast Othrenaci.
“Sylvanus… I apologize for this mess. I should have involved every aspect of Dociara’s defense when this came up.” The brown haired Alveira bowed down, a standard act of apology in Roendavar. “We did not anticipate this entire situation.”
“It is alright, Alveira. We would not have responded with enough force anyway as we were out dealing with something else entirely.” Sylvanus assured the chief of police, motioning to the Doraltic agent who was striking a conversation up with Valeris.
“I was informed about that, yes.” Alveira nodded. “We do not yet know the full details of what happened here. One moment, we were all waiting for an arrest, then, a Dociara SWAT team, along with some Doraltics, I assume from their language, started firing at the Station.”
“That makes no sense. Why would one of us start firing into the Dociara Grand Station? That would only happen if we were either infiltrated or they were posing as one of us.” Saltharia questioned. Suddenly, Valeris approached them, a grim look on his face.
“I just spoke with Pitt and he acknowledged their involvement in this situation. They were here to capture a Balniki defector but failed due to intervention by Balniki forces, who I assume are the ones who also attacked me back at the Oreis.” Valeris explained.
“Then this seems larger than we had anticipated.” Sylvanus said. “Contact our Doraltic counterparts and cooperate with them. The HEI needs to re-evaluate its plans moving forward. As for the Dociara Police, contain this as best you can.”
The orders have been given, and they all split up towards different destinations. Sylvanus stood for a moment at the entrance of the Dociara Grand Station, a towering pine door with a fresco carved above its doors. For a brief moment, a small laugh of disbelief escaped his lips, struck by the imagery before him. A cruel trick of fate that the Amanthian War would mirror their situation. The god of Life stood at the center, Death beside him and the other Arveim behind him, their hands thrust towards formless and shapeless beings. Beneath it, the words:
UNITED IN KNOWLEDGE, THAT NO INCOMPREHENSIBLE SHADOW WHAT IS GOOD11. A fitting parallel.
1: A local term for Weed or Marijuana in Roendavar. Named after the God of Recreational Drugs, Ienthialus, whose depictions show him holding wine, marijuana, and incense.
2: Literally translated as Human. Roendavarian does not have gendered titles, rather, most common forms of titles for the citizenry are felius and droithasi meaning citizen.
3: The Fielanthal are underground dungeons that host sexual activities more lucrative and dangerous. While legal, they operate mostly underground to evade the authorities.
4: A Roendavarian insult.
5: A form of martial art in Roendavar that is known for its fluid moves and how users often put themselves in a trance to pretend that they are dancing.
6: Translated as "friend to the conversation".
7: Located in Silumeren District, it is the largest public hospital in Roendavar.
8: Loosely translated as fascist, it is a Roendavareil insult or slur against people from Dormill and Stiura. It recalls the Doraltic-Roendavarian War that outraged Roendavarians.
9: Literally translated as "the cult of Iralia" but is also used to refer to the Royal Family.
10: A military head.
11: Uttered by the God of Poetry, Thioenali, as the deities faced off against the Cairathvaris, formless beings of sheer incomprehensibility that they tore reality apart. It was through the unity of the deities that they managed to defeat a single Cairathvaris and drove the others back.