Chapter 1 - so it begins

A small disclaimer before anyone reads: 

This story will involve wlw relationships, questioning of gender identity, questioning of sexuality, mental health concerns and a male character will allude to a past of sexual abuse (it's never actually mentioned but enough hints are dropped by the character and others).

If any of this is triggering please do not read any further. If not then feel free to read if you would like :)

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A war was coming. Rowan could tell with the way everyone around her began to act. She had a feeling this was going to happen for a while now, but now that it was actually happening it seemed unreal. 

She watched from her position up on the trees as the leaders of one nation walked towards the leaders of another. Caleb, the president of Lamarie led his vice-president and third in command towards the leaders of one of the strongest nations around. She followed the Lamarians as they walked along the cobble path. 

Looming ahead Jon stood tall, the king of Rika held his head high, looking down at his enemy. By his side stood Alexa and Daniel, his two right hand men or well man and woman. Alexa was the quieter one of the trio, being calculated and cold, she was someone to watch out for. Daniel was more brash and impatient, he was a danger to most people around him when he lost his temper. 

Three nations on the verge of war are about to fight for their existence, but for now there would be no blood-shed, for now they would negotiate. Rowan always admired the will and determination of Caleb, however his carelessness was a strong part of play in Lamarie's downfall. 

She watched as Jon's lips turned into a smirk, a man who was charming but had a disturbing God complex. He was the leader of one of the strongest nations for miles so his cockiness was slightly valid, it was the main reason Lamarie wanted to negotiate. Both parties understood that Lamarie had a slim chance of victory if they went up against Rika.

"All we want is peace" Caleb pleaded. She couldn't tell if he was so naïve that he believed this would work or it was his only option. Either way was rather pathetic. 

Jon took an antagonizing long time to reply, enjoying the power Caleb gave him. Rowan would've gone about this a completely different way, all Caleb was doing was fueling Jon's need for power and control, this plan would never work.

"Now why would I let that happen-" Jon began, stepping forward slightly "-what would I gain from it?" To an outsider that statement would sound reasonable and if Rowan didn't know any better she'd agree with him but she did know better.

"What do you gain from war?!" Leo snapped suddenly, stomping his foot on the ground in a childish manner reminding Rowan of just how young the boy was.

"Money... more power... entertainment" A devilish smirk grew on Jon's face and Rowan had to hold herself back from trying to wipe it off his arrogant face. 

Lamarie wasn't a nation built off money or power. It wasn't a large nation, containing only a few close-knit people. There wasn't a lot of money there either, nothing that would actually mean anything to Jon. It was a load of bullshit besides the entertainment part. 

Jon wanted to start a war because he could, he stood unchallenged and got bored. He was a selfish ruler and didn't just disregard the people of Lamarie but the people of his own nation too. Rowan wished there was something she could do.

"If it's a war you want. It's a war you shall get" With that final threat Caleb turned around and walked away. Leo and Toby followed quickly behind him. Everyone knew that was an empty threat but Rowan hoped there was a way Caleb could fulfil it.

"They have signed their own death wish then" Jon joked once the Lamarians were out of sight. Daniel laughed back and agreed, saying something in response while Alexa just stayed cold faced. 

Rowan couldn't tell if that was just a mask Alexa put up in front of people or if she didn't actually enjoy spending time with his two old friends. It was always weird to think about the three of them being close friends before they took up their positions. Or maybe it was just weird to think Jon could ever be human enough to be someone's friend.

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Toby watched with concerned eyes as Caleb paced nervously in front of him. He had never seen his friend and leader act so distressed, but what else could he expect? Leo wasn't helping with the situation either, he hadn't stopped ranting since they had begun to make their way home. 

He meant well, giving new ideas and plans he had come up with but right now everyone just wanted silence to process what was coming. When they did make it back they were greeted by most of Lamarie's citizens who were waiting expectantly. Neither Toby nor Leo could bring themselves to admit they failed miserably with the peace talks so Caleb had to explain it all. 

Eliza had been the most distraught out of them all, the kind natured girl wasn't prepared for a war and what it entailed, she couldn't even begin to imagine her friends getting hurt and Toby sympathised with her. They left the other citizens to process the news as the leaders went to discuss plans, that was where they were at right now.

"Just shut up for a second Leo!" Caleb yelled, suddenly stopping his movements to yell at the younger boy. Leo instantly fell silent, taken aback by Caleb's rudeness. 

Toby could excuse his leader's behavior just this once but he still had to hold himself back from reminding Caleb it wasn't Leo's fault they were in this mess. 

The entire atmosphere became tense and silent, until there was a knock on the door. The three of them jumped, slightly startled, they weren't expecting anyone to visit. Cautiously Leo went and opened the door, his face quickly showing the surprise he felt as Eliza stood on the other side of the door.

"May I speak to you all? I think I may have something useful" Leo quickly let her in for two reasons, one it was freezing outside and he didn't want her to freeze and the other being curious for what she had to offer them. They waited patiently for Eliza to explain what she thought may help

"I know someone who may be able to help us slightly" Eliza explained nervously, fidgeting with the hem of her cardigan and shuffling awkwardly on her feet.

"What do you mean by that?" Caleb asked skeptically. Toby knew the more people they had fighting on their side, the better their chances would be but he was also slightly skeptical of this new person, could they trust them?

"His name is Marcel and he's an incredible fighter, he does arena fighting" Eliza was hesitant to explain who he was, she was obviously leaving things out but that didn't really bother Toby, as long as Eliza trusted him, so would Toby.

"How do we know we can trust him?" Caleb asked seriously. Every citizen of Lamarie had known each other in some way for a while, they were almost like a big family, so any newcomer was always slightly threatening.

"He saved my life once before. He can seem a little...aloof but he fights for what's right" Eliza was vague but it was good enough. Any and all help was welcomed.

"Contact him, fill him in on what's happened and invite him to join us if he can" Caleb ordered and that was all Eliza needed to send a nod Caleb's way and leave the room. 

Toby felt relieved to have someone who was a trained fighter to help them but there was still that nagging feeling in the back of his head that this could come and bite them back later on. 

Toby yawned, exhausted from the day's events, it had been nothing physically tiring but it was mentally draining. He noticed the others also seemed tired and excused himself knowing the others wouldn't be too far behind him. 

He made his way towards his small house in the town before crawling into bed and almost immediately falling asleep, the only thought on his mind being about the upcoming war. He promised he would never stop fighting till they had peace. That he was sure of.