The next morning, the François team was a somber sight.
Most of the team had already packed and were prepared to leave
They gathered in the lobby of Frankfurt tower, a quiet, defeated air hanging over them.
Raphael stood apart from the main group, staring out into the cityscape.
He played the loss in his head over and over.
Each time the humiliation grew.
Alexander approached him from behind, his steps hesitant.
Raphael glared at him through the reflection of the window.
Alexander cleared his throat.
"Hey… I… I wanted to apologize for my performance. I know I've let you down."
Raphael's frown deepened.
"Save the bullshit," he replied coldly, "I heard you're leaving my team, is that true?"
Alexander blinked, stepping back.
"How did you—"
"Answer the question."
Raphael cut Alexander off, turning around to look at him.
Alexander nodded.
"Y-yeah."
"Why?"
Alexander hesitated.
"Elizabeth and I, we're gonna build a life together, and I wanted to focus on that."
Raphael's expression shifted to disgust.
He then laughed, bitterly.
"Betrayal never comes from the enemy, does it, little brother?"
"What's that supposed to mean?"
Raphael shook his head and ignored him as he walked past.
"Don't bother joining us back home, ride with your girlfriend and her ward."
Alexander watched him join the others, feeling guilt deep in his heart.
He hadn't meant for it to be like this.
He wouldn't tell everyone until after they settled down from a win.
But… maybe it was better this way.
Maybe he wasn't meant to have a good ending.
Just another burned bridge.
And yet still, Alexander felt a spark of resolve.
No, no if I'm going to burn another bridge, it'll be on my terms.
He lifted his head—eyes locked on Raphael.
"You know what, I don't care for your feelings or opinions."
Alexander stated, his voice solid.
The noise in the lobby died instantly.
Raphael paused in his steps.
"What did you say?"
Alexander puffed up his chest.
"I said I don't care for your feelings, you wanna whine? Fine, but don't take it out on me."
Alexander turned to walk away, fixing his coat.
As he did, the air behind him whooshed.
Looking over his shoulder he saw Raphael looming over him with a killer glint.
He snatched Alexander by the neck—throwing him to the ground.
Alexander gritted his teeth as his back slammed against the marble floor.
The impact rocked the floor.
The two boys stared each other down as a crowd formed around them.
Their eyes were burning with pure rage.
"You selfish little bastard!"
Raphael roared, pressing Alexander into the floor, shattering it.
Alexander gasped, gripping Raphael's arm with both hands.
Raphael smashed a fist against Alexander's jaw, the force snapping his head to the side.
Blood spattered against the shattered marble.
"You dare speak to me like that? After everything?!"
Raphael's voice cracked with anger and hurt.
"It's my life!"
Alexander shot back, spitting out blood, "So you can either let me go, or I'll make you regret ever meeting me!"
"Do it!"
Raphael urged, "Show me you're not a lap dog!"
So be it.
"Fine, it's your funeral."
Alexander's hands began to glow white with world energy, his grip tightened on Raphael's arm.
Raphael's eyes widened, his rage momentarily forgotten.
"What are you—"
The sound of bones snapping filled the air, followed by a guttural shout.
"He… oh my goddess."
The crowd covered their faces, stunned.
Raphael pulled back, his forearm snapped in two.
He reached a trembling hand to grab it.
"You… you little prick."
Raphael pulled his arm close to his chest as he stepped back.
"Just like her, (Marcia) you've been holding back too."
Alexander scrambled to his feet, whipping his mouth with the back of his hand.
"Yeah, but I'm done holding back, I'm ready to fight for what I want."
He raised his fists and lowered his stance.
Raphael just stared at him, nursing his wound.
"I'm done with you, and I never want to see your face again."
With that, Raphael turned on his heel, walking away.
The team followed after him, one after the other.
Alexander laughed.
"Then you better sew your eyes shut, because this is my story, and I won't let anyone forget it."
Jules and Karl stood between their teammates, and Alexander.
Their expressions conflicted.
Alexander met their gaze, his expression hardening.
"Gonna abandon me too? Be my guest."
He turned on his heel, walking away.
Jules and Karl exchanged glances.
Jules turned, reaching for Alexander.
But Karl stopped him.
"That's not Alexander, not anymore."
Jules wanted to deny it.
But Karl was right.
Alexander was many things, but a killer wasn't one of them
That was someone completely different.
— — —
Months later…
After the hotel incident, everyone avoided Alexander.
Teachers and students alike.
Alexander's only companionship came from the Royals, specifically Elizabeth.
Not that it mattered to Alexander.
He focused on finishing the rest of his classes and getting approval for the academic practicals.
Which, after a little convincing from Elizabeth, came right on time.
He was now free to head home and rebuild.
But his journey wasn't the only one that had just begun.
As true to her word, Béatrice punished André for his failure to secure Alexander…
…By sending him on an expedition to the New World.
— — —
André stepped onto the docks with a heavy sigh.
In front of him was the HMS South Star, a new class of battleship made of steel and powered by combustion.
Pathfinders and sailors walked the decks, barking orders and loading supplies.
Behind him, Louise and Béatrice stood quietly.
André looked over his shoulder, giving the duo a thumbs-up.
"Wish me luck!"
He forced a brave smile.
Louise's stern expression cracked as she averted her gaze.
But Béatrice remained stoic.
"Don't dally, you knew the consequences of failure."
André nodded.
"I did."
He turned around fully, stepping towards Béatrice.
"But, that doesn't change the fact that I'm terrified."
He took Béatrice's hand in his, before pulling her into an embrace.
Béatrice sighed.
"Are you done?"
André held her closer.
"Almost, I wanna remember this moment."
Béatrice frowned, before returning the hug.
"You're a fool."
"And you love me for it."
Béatrice scoffed.
André pulled away from the embrace, before stealing a kiss.
He then turned his attention to Louise, who looked to be holding back tears.
He reached out, gently wiped a tear from her cheek.
"Hey," he said softly, "don't cry… I'm coming back, I promise."
Louise slapped his hand away.
"You're an idiot! You know that?! You should've run away!"
A fresh set of tears replaced the old ones.
"It's all because I couldn't deal with that idiot, (Alexander.)"
André listened quietly.
"I tried, but he was such a blind fool! It was like talking to a brick wall… and now you have to suffer for it."
André smiled, a knowing look in his eyes.
He gently patted her head.
"It's not your fault, Lou. It's mine, I took the risk, and now I deal with the responsibilities."
He then stepped back, his resolve hardening.
"And when I return we're getting married, Béatrice."
He gave her a roguish wink.
And for the first time in years, Béatrice blushed.
Her pale cheeks turned a bright pink.
"Try not to die before then." She grumbled.