Kings Of The Midnight Congregations: 8 Kings Arc Volume 2 4 Creating Memories 03: Kazoku No Katachi ? The Search For A Family

Part 1

No one can replace family, but is family determined by blood… or perhaps with something else… if it is indeed determined by something else… one can only wonder what that 'something else' is.

Questions such as these are always imprinted inside Sakuya's head. She has always wondered why she was left alone in this world…

Sakuya is of j.a.panese descent that has never got to know her Filipina mother; she was brought up by her j.a.panese father who would then abandon her at the end.

Sakuya who is half j.a.panese and was taught by her father about j.a.panese culture and tradition begun to use how her name should be brought up:

For one the surname must and always be first spoken before her given name, therefore her surname is Kohouin and her given name Sakuya –should then be addressed as Kohouin Sakuya; and

Secondly in a typical j.a.panese family part of the family's name is usually discarded, whichever is more influential of the couple gets to have her surname used. For Sakuya's case it is her father's… But all that simply did not matter to her, after all, she never knew her mother, so much as to not know her mother's name or surname. All she knew is that must have had one.

Then there is a question about the paternal side, if asked about her father, well her answer would be as ambiguous as she would be asked if she knew her mother… although she does know her father's name, to her the man who had raised her strictly and incorporated all those j.a.panese tradition in her mindset, she hardly knew him. In fact, it might not be an exaggeration to say, that he might have not existed at all, compared to her mother who she has never even met before.

Why, if you may ask. She would simple tell you: 'The man who had raised me, and told me that he is my father, but to me he was more like a j.a.panese instructor or perhaps j.a.panese social worker who has taken care of an orphaned j.a.pino (j.a.panese-Filipino) girl'.

Despite having her childhood to be considered as a bit rough and somewhat shaky, she did (you may not believe it) grew up with a lot of good memories, after all, she was living here in the Philippines which valued children's laughter more than anything else, friends were always at the corner, friendly teachers were always kind an ready to help out.

But… even though she is genuinely happy when she is together with them, a hole is ripped open when she comes to her own house alone which she would never call home.

And every bit of happiness was bliss and at the same time, a distant dream for her.

…and just like all dreams… as always, eventually fades away when she wakes up…

Mitamyajou War Council Room, Yamato 8th January 2013 – 15:40

Although war was looming just around the corner, anxiety was not evidently painted in the face of the sleeping king of YAMATO, her subjects call her KIYOHIME and her real name, whom no one else in her kingdom calls, or perhaps might have already been forgotten is Sakuya.

Many of YAMATOs RETAINERs have tried to rouse the king's awareness of the seriousness of the situation.

"Your highness, we are currently in a meeting…" One of her retainers spoke, although he was polite it was evident that irritation was mixed with that same voice.

"…" Sakuya just made a silent gesture to continue with the meeting.

One of the old retainers made a disgruntled voice.

"Continue with the council." Sakuya voice herself to refute the old retainer's irritation

She may sound relax but that was not the case inside her mind, in fact, it was because the situation had become serious that she was trying to recall happy memories in her dreams… but none came to pa.s.s her. It was as if anomalies and turmoil were stuck to her like glue.

And this time an anomaly has made it to Sakuya, an anomaly which revolves around 8 kingdoms…

"A storm is coming, is it…?" She confirms those words inside her.

The start was 15 hours prior, a congregation of the 8 kings that ruled the night of Cebu was called.

The agendum: WAR.

Fuente Osmeña Park, Cebu 8th January 2013 – 24:45

The venue was where the congregation was first held: Fuente Osmeña Park. For Sakuya who is a Third Generation king and was not around when the famous rebellion (IUDICIUM Rebellion) took place and was also not around when the first congregation was held was in awe as she sees the park for the first time.

"The white flowers here are beautiful." Sakuya calmly says as she admires the white Sampaguita flowers that blossomed in the park.

Because of the many Sampaguita flowers aligned at the circular park, the seemingly dark night became clad in white.

This particular park is circular in form and inside it, composed of three circular areas, the bigger outer rim where the trees have been planted and currently where the retainers are loitering around; the smallest inner most rim where the fountain is lively gushing out water; and at the middle rim, also known as the 'King's Circle' where the 8 kings of the 8 kingdoms congregate.

Upon arriving at the park Sakuya 5 minutes before the meeting starts, two kings were already at the 'King's Circle' of the park:

At the seat of the 1st hour, the one known as Alexandria Ptolemias of the 'Library of Great Knowledge and Kingdom of Wisdom', the kingdom of Alexanderia; and at the seat of the 4th hour is Arthur Pendragon of the 'Land Born by Magic and its Kingdom Built by its Great Swords', the kingdom hailed as the strongest, the king kingdom of Albion.

Just like her, these two are one of the 8 kings who wants a peaceful reign in the world of the Midnight Congregation.

For Sakuya, she could definitely see the ability of Albion to protect that very peace --after all she had investigated and has reason to believe that Albion is not called as the strongest kingdom for nothing. Even with a small number of RETAINERs they are still able to battle against any stronger foes.

…But…

She however had doubts for Alexandria, a kingdom with a library for a castle and have their INHABITANTs who are often called as scribes or people who write. True their king, Alexandria Ptolemias, as one of the '7 Mystic Saints' considered as the strongest spellcaster and summoners in all of the Midnight Congregation. But, her battle tactics and prowess however is still lacking, despite being a second generation, she has no battle experience.

Sakuya continued to eye the battle-inexperienced Alexandrian king under her white fox mask, she did not know why but she could not keep her eyes away from the fragile king. She was only able to avert it when the remaining kings had arrived which marked the start of the meeting.

The discussion was about Albion's encroachment to their adjacent kingdom, the kingdom of the Jade Empire. This so called action of aggression was used by the other kingdoms as a signal to openly wage war…

"To think the one who is promoting peace is now bearing its fangs." The full-body dyed with red armored king said who sit with an air of arrogance in his rightful place, at the five o'clock seat.

She also knows about this, Albion was the one who had proposed the congregation of the newly formed kingdoms after the rebellion, and now it is that very same kingdom which would open the kingdoms war council. This was what all the other kings had in mind.

To Sakuya however, she knows all too well that the strength of Albion had clearly kept the congregation at bay, and it is their very existence that allowed an almost two year peace between the kingdoms.

And now that was also over… According to what she had understood by the other kings' testimonies: Albion clearly and deliberately attacked Jades Territory, but with Sakuya's spy networks, she was able to know that it was in fact Albion's action that saved Jade from Babylonia's internal strife that lead to Albion's encroachment.

While the discussion was at its height, a certain voice from one of the king surfaced.

"This might be good for us…" The voice came from the tall golden haired young man wearing the red full-body armor and a hannya mask who haughtily sneers. "We are after all trying to dye this country with OUR color."

'As to be expected by the king of a kingdom of pure brutes.' Sakuya place her thoughts to herself. She was clearly taken aback and felt a bit sad from the king's comment, but she did not voice her thoughts towards this very king.

But, as if to voice her own sentiments a young maiden spoke with a defiant tone.

"Gilgamesh-ou Waging war will not change anything…" the voice came from the princess of the Alexandria, the very king she had eyed earlier, she was wearing a simple elegant white dress and with her cat mask which covered her face and her forced speech "… didn't you learn anything from the IUDICIUM Rebellion…"

Sakuya sensed a bad premonition from those comments, and she clearly confirmed that premonition as she saw the king in red armor stood and started to emit blood l.u.s.t in the air.

"I don't want someone who was not there to give their comments about the Rebellion!" Sakuya who like the king of Alexandria belong to the second and third generation kings, kings who did not partic.i.p.ated in the JUDICIUM Rebellion, got king Gilgamesh's message to never to talk about the rebellion that she has not partic.i.p.ated, especially to a first generation king who values strength more than anyone.

Sakuya Just like the Alexandrian King also wanted to have a peaceful reign, but this war was going to destroy the home that she has found and about to create.

Even Albion could no longer stop nor postpone l.u.s.t and power hunger of the other kings.

"…It would seem that war is indeed inevitable." Sakuya voiced her dismay, and as if sensing that nothing can be done, she briskly turns away, her white haori and kimono, and red hakama which reminisce a look of a j.a.panese miko or a kannagi sways gustily, She was first to leave. She clearly knows that she needs to prepare for the worst.

Sakuya paved her way towards the outer rim of the Fuente Osmena Park.

"Akagi, call up the reserves. Hattori you know what to do." Her pace was fast but steady, her words… heavy.

"…It is war."

As soon as the news was out, confirming jeers loudly echoed in the park… war was now truly inevitable.

Mitamiyajou War Council Room, Yamato 8th January 2013 – 15:45

A war that would destroy her home was in their midst, although Sakuya herself does not want it to happen, there was little she could do… one… no, two of the three remaining first generation king has supported the war. She wanted to continue her fantasy in her dream… a dream where she had a family of her own… a dream that would erase the nightmare she had experienced…

"…" Silently, Sakuya's thoughts started again to wander, as the distant memories come to visit her, or perhaps to haunt her.

Part 2

Family, many would a.s.sociate this word with many things: Others a.s.sociate this with irreplaceable love; others see it as a shield to protect against harm…

But what if it were not a shield that would protect you, but instead those of wolves that would bare its fangs against you…

To Sakuya this was definitely how she would describe her 'family'.

Kohouin House. Asturias Cebu. August 21, 2011 – 09:35 A.M. Sunday

It was just a normal day for Sakuya, a lazy Sunday with nothing to do. Her stretch-silky cotton tank in black with thin cross straps and across the neck, and Soft woven cotton pull-on shorts in floral with drawstring cramps as she worriedly sits on the couch.

On this lazy Sunday morning she wanted to be with her friends, but for a week now her father has not come home. She is worried that something might have happened with her father.

Her mobile phone had already lost 60% of her credits and there have been not a single positive reply from her father's subordinates.

"Who should I call next?" she asked herself.

She checked her contacts, as she scrolls down she sees a name she does not want to call. Kagamine, of all her father's subordinates, he is the one who she does not like even one bit. He watches her with lecherous eyes.

True they are not in speaking terms… no they haven't talk about anything at all since her birth. But she is really worried about her father. Sakuya does not have any other choice.

"火蛾峰さん,お父さんは…" Sakuya was about to ask for her father when the front door creaked open.

Sakuya hastily went to the front door, and there he was, her father all tattered and seemingly weak.

"Papa!" using her shoulders, she aides her father towards the couch she was resting awhile ago.

"hahahahaha!"

Although she was worried sick, her father just laughed hysterically when he has completely lied on the couch.

"I have found it." Souichiro, Kaguya's father says calmly.

Just when she thought that his sanity is back, her father… no Souichirou looks at her with eyes full of greed�� and pure hatred.

"It's time to meet your mother." He says.

"Wha~" Kaguya is so surprised that she is stunned.

Souichirou drags Kaguya by her left arm.

"Where are we…" Although in pain she tries to remain calm, and asks where she will be taken.

"To meet your mother..." Souichirou just keeps repeating these words.

Juujika 3rd Secret Temple. Somewhere in Asturias Cebu. August 21, 2011 – 11:23 P.M.

Just a few blocks away from their house was an abandoned building, but as soon as she enters it, the building was not as abandoned as what she and other people around their neighbourhood had thought. There are a lot of people moving in and out of the building.

The people there do not even try to stop Souichirou while still dragging a helpless teenage girl inside. She even sees some people bowing to him. 'Just who are these people?' she keeps thinking these while being dragged towards a certain room.

While being dragged towards a certain room, she saw a few cages with animals she could really recognize, but they were in a lot of pain. 'What is my father doing in here?' she continues to ponder. But, those thoughts are not what were really at hand as of the moment.

When she entered the room where Souichirou has led her, she could make out an electric bed, one of those beds you could see on hospitals.

While she was still in a daze from the sudden turn of events, she was undressed by the person she calls father bare. Her white naked skin was illuminated by the flickering lamp placed at the side of the bed.

To stop her from moving too much she was restrained like a lunatic. And as if that that is not enough, Souichirou started to touch her. With her body being touched, it would not be unnatural to scream any moment, but Sakuya did not do so…

"Hmmmm…" Sakuya moaned, it might have been out of pleasure, or perhaps because she did not liked it, she herself did not know. But, since it was her father who had done it, she did not seem to protest.

In the eyes of the man who she had considered her father, she could not see l.u.s.t in it, while he continued to touch her body… well for Sakuya, who had been longing for any familial love; she thought that might have been fine as it is…

But, in this man's eyes were eyes of insanity. He could only see a tool in front of him… a tool for his revenge.

"Hmmmm… hmmmm…" Sakuya continues to moan silently.

But after a while, the pleasure stopped… the longing stopped… only tremendous pain is felt as something hard was pressed on her chest… she felt the silvery white object pierced her frontal rib cage, Sakuya coughed blood as the eerie of the foreign object continued to pulsate within her she could feel it beating as if a second heart was transplanted on her… because of the restrains on her body she could not completely see what her father has painstakingly pushed inside her chest but her body was continuingly rejecting it, and the pain continued…

The pain continued…

Through this utter insanity, what broke Sakuya's mind was not the tremendous pain that she felt, nor was it the cold and eerie feeling of the object that continued to pulsate inside her chest… no, it was the mad laughter she could hear beside her… it was her fathers.

Tears flows on her bluish eyes… as if her mind froze, the pain did not matter anymore, right there and then she wanted the pain to disappear, she wanted everything to end… she wanted to die.

As if to confirm to her will, her eyes were about to take its final sight…

…

…..

...

Explosion!

As if an engine taking in fuel, Sakuya's adrenaline pushes her wake up, with the restraints still riddled on her body, she did not know what was going on, but she could hear voices coming from her father's subordinates… if she could stretch her consciousness… if she could jut strain her ears…

"宗一郎さま侵入者が暴れこみました!" the voice was strained and panic was evidently stressed.

*Souichirou-sama shinnyuusha ga abarekomimas.h.i.ta! [Souchirou-sama Intruders has forced their way in]

"何人入り込んだ."although the voice seemed calm, Sakuya could feel irritation from her father's voice.

*Nannin hairikonda. [How many has entered]

"さ…" The voice was still in disbelief and could not bring himself to say the reports, but sensing the frustration from her father the voice blatantly finished it. "三人です!"

*sannin desu! [there are only three!]

"な…" Sakuya could hear her father's disbelief… even she was sceptical about the number that would try to enter the Juujika Cult's Temple which is heavily guarded. "どことドイツだ…"

*doko to doitsu [From where and who are…]

"それが…" the voice seem hesitant again.

*sore ga… [That is…]

Part 3

Confined Room. Juujika 3rd Secret Temple. Somewhere in Asturias Cebu. August 22, 2011 – 12:34 A.M.

"Release the 'chimaeras'." A resounding panicky voice could be heard just outside the confined room.

"What of the consequences…!?" Another voice of anxiety could be heard.

Shouts of pain can be heard, even with the thick walls that had confined Sakuya… And in those shouts she could tell that the battle outside that very confined room was a one sided and one in which the intruders were definitely at the advantage, even with the heavy security implemented within the 3rd Secret Temple of the cult --Juujika,

"私も出る!" Though firm, Sakuya could discern certain uncertainty within her father's… voice.

*watashi mo deru! [lit. I will also go out!]

"はい!" an abrupt response from Souichirou's subordinate.

'I need to run away from here.' She thought to herself. But, still weak from her father's mental torment, a strange object pierced on her chest and to top it all, her hands and feet were still manacled in the electric bed; she could not escape even if she wanted to.

"Pa… pa… papa…" She tries to plea for her life to the man who had raised her, but it was to no avail. The anxiety of the attack that 3rd temple is currently experiencing has dulled his hearing… well from the start he had lost almost all of his sanity to even understand his actions.

As her father left together with his immediate subordinate, he had completely forgotten about Sakuya and locked her in the room… or perhaps it is because she was an important experiment that he wanted to keep her a secret. She could not know… but all she could think at the moment now is that she needs to leave here for good. The question was how?

♛☀♛☀♛☀♛☀♛☀♛☀♛

Left with no other choice, Sakuya finally prays and hopes as she waits for the intruders to reach the room where she is imprisoned, but…

"What do we have here~?" The voice was full of l.u.s.t… and as the owner of the voice became visible to Sakuya, she prayed more and more that those intruders would soon reach her.

"Kagamine…san!" Sakuya could not hide her disgust as she mentioned his name.

The person in front of Sakuya now who bears those l.u.s.tful eyes is Souichirou's cousin, Sakuya's distant uncle. From the moment she was introduced to him years ago. He was unkind to her…, she never had any good impression towards him. And as she grew up that unkindness became l.u.s.t directed towards her… and now he is right in front of her…

"Looks like we are finally alone… my favourite niece." The same l.u.s.tful voice was greedily leering towards her fully naked body.

"Please no… don't please." She continues to plead. But just like her father, her voice could not reach…

'Family, my friends at school a.s.sociate this word with many things: an irreplaceable love; a shield which would protect me… but in front of me is no shield, no… they are fangs, that of wolves that would devour me whole…' It was an instant thought that crossed Sakuya's current troubled mind. Where was the family that she desired…? Where was the protection she needed…?

'…They don't exist.' This was the conclusion she came up while she cursed her weakness. Sakuya then closes her eyes as she resigns herself to the cruel fate that was about to befall her.

It would have taken only a couple of minutes for Kagamine to indulge in his l.u.s.tful stupor. But, it did not arrive… she was not hopeful… but her impatience made her open her eyes.

Who it was… or perhaps what was in front of her has somehow made Kagamine immobile. He was wearing a black cape, his face covered in shadows… as one who had studied and practice martial arts herself; she knew that the person in front of her was someone who possesses overwhelming strength.

And in another instant all four restraints that had bound Sakuya in the electric bed were easily cut. She immediately removed herself from the bed, stumbling as she clumsily went down on the floor. Because of the cold tiled floors she immediately realised that her body was still exposed. All she could manage however was to cover her private parts with her arms and hands. Her mind was full of embarra.s.sment but more than that it was self pity… self hatred for her lack of power… and the feeling of betrayal.

Her tearful eyes were on the floor, she did not dare look at her benefactor.

She was intent on looking on that floor as if the floor was her till the end… but the next thing she knew, black clothing which was still warm covered her body. Her watery eyes were dispelled by shock. There was no way that she could not look at the person… no she could not stop herself from raising her head to meet the man who has become her benefactor in so many ways.

In front of Sakuya was her benefactor (who had lost his cape) was now looking more and more like a person, he was wearing a black turtle-neck overall, black suede pants visible only at the bottom of the black turtle-neck overall and a pair of black leather shoes. What was eye catching with this man's profile was the white mask which did not have any face written in it, no eye holes to see through or even nose holes to breath into.

Sakuya did not know why, she could not see the man's face under the white faceless mask but she could picture anger on it… and a pint of sadness as well.

She grasped the cape towards her chest as if to treasure it closer to her heart. She wanted to thank the person, but before words would separate from her mouth.

"Leave this place…" The voice also shared that feeling of anger and sadness, but she could also discern kindness and warmth in it. "Go!" It did not felt like it was undermining her or ordering her, but simple wants her to leave the place.

All she could do was follow as the voice tells her and with that she gathered her remaining strength to flee from the scene, and under her breath…

"ありがとう." She did not know if the person heard her words of grat.i.tude, but for her it really did not matter, because she knew from her heart that one day she would be able to say it loudly and proudly next time.

*ありがとう arigatou [lit. Thank you]

With tears full of emotion she runs and left the 3rd Secret Temple of the cult known as JUUJIKA.

As she stretches the distance between the building and herself, she could finally see the building catching fire.

Part 4

Forest near JUUJIKA 3rd Secret Temple. Asturias, Cebu. August 21, 2011 – 03:25 A.M. Sunday

Sakuya has already left quite a distance from the building that had confined her, but she could still feel the warm blaze of the fire that had eaten the 3rd secret temple of the elusive cult, JUUJIKA. Sakuya though tired, her feet kept moving forward, she herself has no objective in mind, but she could never go back there… the thought of going back was putting weights on her mind.

Her thoughts where running together with her feet; FAMILY, her father's insanity, her uncle's l.u.s.t, a saviour from an unlikely source. These weights keep pressing her to the ground, but she keeps moving forwards…

"止まるな...走れ...走れ続けて...前だけを見て!" She keeps telling herself, in a language her father thought her… the father who tormented her… the father who abandoned her… Sakuya keeps repeating these words aloud. As if by saying 'them' would bring light to questions that keeps sprinting on her mind.

*Tomaruna… hashire… hashiretsuzukeru…mae dake o mite! [lit. …Don't stop… run… keep running… Just keep your eyes in front!]

'どのくらい走るの...だれに走るの...どこまで走るの...どこへ?' but her anxiety just replaced the loud words she keeps repeating.

*dono kurai hashiru no… dare ni hashiru no… doko made hashiru no… doko e? [lit. How long are you going to run… who are you running from… how far will you run… to where?]

…Then… She stopped… sure her feet were tired… but, that was not reason why she stopped… why did she run…? …Because she was saved…? Saved from what…? Saved from whom…? She did not have a past she could recall, a present she want to return to… nor does she have a future she could see for herself… so why was she running.

*crack

*crack

*crack

She could not see what was happening around her… or perhaps she herself did not bother anymore… cracks had formed in the s.p.a.ce around her, the darkness she herself knew.

♛☀♛☀♛☀♛☀♛☀♛☀♛

Sakuya is not a member of the newly formed Kingdoms in the Midnight Congregation which is to be considered the successor and convergence of the 5 major gangs (IUDICIUM, w.a.n.g LONG, TRIbal, PHEONIX, and JUUJIKA) which had a formerly antagonistic relationship with each other. But, she is still the daughter to one of the major gang's first generation King, and because of that she is not entirely clueless with its nature.

She knows about the power balance between the newly established kingdoms, the power that binds and separates them from one another in a form of a system known as the 'Dream Drive System', and the darkness that lurk within it and the power to conquer them.

REMNANTs--creatures that usually conceal themselves within the darkness of the Midnight Congregation, but now the very creatures are on the charge against the life-shaken Sakuya.

REMNANTs known as h.e.l.lhounds are now prowling towards her, their black fiery fur stood to show their utmost hostility… even she knows that they are just illusions, but knowing that they are illusions won't help her in the slightest. Because, the illusions made in the DDS are received as real by the brain and death can also be conceived by it.

Should she run… no there was no need to… why should she… there is no family that would want her… a home she should return to… it should be easy for her if she should accept death.

Her acceptance should have been her final decision and it would have been granted once the h.e.l.lhounds jump towards her.

It was a millisecond when she felt it… a sense of belonging…

"Leave this place…" The voice ringed in her ears. "Go!" it resounded from her heart towards her brain --The voice which told her to go… to live.

"Aghhhhhhhhh!"

♛☀♛☀♛☀♛☀♛☀♛☀♛

Light emerged from within and the next thing she knew the REMNANTs that were supposed to attack her were no longer there, in their stead were two persons, one of whom she was familiar with.

"あか…ぎさん" Sakuya called out the person's name with a weak voice.

"さくやさま,ご無事 ですか." The person who was tending to her was named Akagi, he was loyal to her late father, Souichirou, and firmly asked for her safety. Sakuya timidly nod in response.

*Sakuyasama, gobuji desu ka. [lit. Miss Sakuya are you alright.]

She knew him as a very polite elderly man who had taken care of her when she came to visit the temples of JUUJIKA. But the other one she glanced and took an inquisitive look in her face.

"服部でございます." The person at the back of Akagi, curtly answered her silent query while bowing to her with his name as Hattori.

*Hattori de Gozaimasu [This is a way very polite way of introducing oneself.]

"Come Sakuysama… I will introduce you to your new family." Akagi in a language that is not his own converge his intention to Sakuya, while Hattori disappeared.

"That is right… if I did not have a family from the start… then I will create one… one whose bond will be stronger than blood ties." She reaffirms her resolve. "…and one day I will show you the life you have saved."

Mitamiyajou Sakuya's chamber, Kingdom of Yamato. 28nd of January 2013 – 15:36

Akagi enters Sakuya's chamber after a slight knock on her door.

"What is it Akagi, this late?" Sakuya who is studying on her desk slightly showed irritation with the sudden visit.

"A letter came."

"Toss it away." Thinking that it was another of those threat letters or love letters directed to her.

Akagi just signed.

"It's from Alexandria." Akagi then handed the letter to Sakuya.

As she reads the content of the letter, her irritation was replaced with a slight hope.

"Finally ready to talk with us, are they?" She mumbles. "Hattori…"

"Yes." Hattori's voice can be heard but his presence could not be seen.

"Did you get a good look at the one who delivered it?"

"…Head of the Royal Guards, Shin Kafra."

"Seems legit…" she mutters again. "Okay, ready for the meeting on the 28th of January. We'll meet up with the king of Alexandria."

"…As you command." Akagi and Hattori's voice replied in unison.

As the two leaves Sakuya's chamber, Sakuya gives a slight smile.

'There is still hope.' Her eyes were now away from the letter on her desk to the sky outside her window. 'I can still save my new family from this war.'