Legends of Amacia The Caverias Rebellion
Chapter 53: The Alliance

Hanna and Selina arrived at the dinner table a few minutes after leaving their quarters. Both of them received rave compliments on their attire from those present, which included Enoch, Kida, Emma, Elle, Elias, Andrew, Hunter, Electra, Nathanael, Morpheus, Muriel, Harry, Corso, Joel, Liu, and Joshua. The Lynxians George and Ben decided to eat in the kitchen to make room for everyone. After having a pleasant meal with family and friends, Hanna let everyone know that she wanted to take a group picture of the Harem sisters down in the amphitheater.

“No problem,” Enoch answered Hanna. “Elias already told me you wanted to do that. Since you seem to be in the mood for recording images of you and your friends, we’ll take a family portrait too along with a portrait of the leaders of our new friends. I’ll inform them that you want a visual record of our alliance.”

“That would be great,” Hanna chimed. “That way we can get all the pictures out of the way at the same time. Tell everyone this is to be a formal record and to dress accordingly.”

“Will do,” Enoch stated, getting up from the table. “Elias, Emma, Elle, go gather our sisters from the Harem in the amphitheater while Kida and I go out and gather the leaders of the people. We’ll all meet in the amphitheater in an hour.”

“Got it,” Elias replied as everyone stood up, save Selina and Hanna. “I’m all over it. I’ll also make sure the recorder has plenty of room in its memory for these images.”

“Do that,” Enoch stated with a smile.

“What about the Harem sisters still confined to the infirmary?” Elle asked. “Do you want them in the image as well?”

“Only if they can be safely moved,” Hanna ordered. “I don’t want to jeopardize their recovery by moving them when it’s not safe to do so.”

“I don’t think that’s going to be a problem,” Emma stated. “We’re keeping them in the infirmary for observation, just to be sure. A little trip down to the amphitheater will not hurt them. In fact, I think it may do them some good to get out of there for a bit.”

“That it might,” Hanna agreed. “I’d also like Althea and those who survived the trophy wall on the sex floor to be there too, if they can be moved.”

“I’ll see what I can do,” Emma stated. “But some of those from the torture floors are still recovering and shouldn’t be moved.”

“Don’t bring them if they’re critical,” Hanna stated. “We’ll come to them.”

“Okay,” Emma replied, leaving with Elias and Elle without another word.

“What about our original team?” Harry asked. “Do you want us there too?”

“Of course,” Hanna chimed. “We never got a chance to take a picture of our team. I mean to remedy that now.”

“Right,” Harry said with a smile. “I’ll go get them.”

Hanna nodded with a grunt as Harry left. Turning to Enoch and Kida as they started to leave, Hanna called out, “Enoch, make sure Josephine, Nemesis, and Magnus are there too. I want them at our side when we take the allies portrait. I also want Josephine to be in the group picture of our Harem sisters.”

“They’ll be there,” Enoch chimed, leaving with Kida. Nathanael and Electra chose to follow them.

Corso, Joel, Liu, Morpheus, Muriel, and Joshua approached Hanna as she remained sitting beside Selina. “Miss Hanna, we are honored you want to record our alliance,” Corso stated. “We shall be there.”

Hanna nodded, smiling warmly. “Thank you,” she said graciously. “You actually honor me by agreeing to this portrait. I wish to create a record in case our battle with the Emperor goes ill. That way, we’ll not be forgotten in case the worst occurs. In doing this, whoever replaces the record may learn from our mistakes and be able to succeed where we failed. But let’s hope it never comes to that.”

“That’s very wise,” Liu commented. “When the Emperor attacks, it is to annihilate, to erase from the annals of history our very presence, to make it as if we never existed. I saw it happen in Zin when the 7th Division attacked us. They didn’t just try to slaughter us. They went out of their way to erase our culture and history by razing Zin to the ground and burning all our archives so our people would be erased from history. I’m relieved that you had the foresight to start recording our contest so none of us would be annihilated and wiped from the pages of history.”

“Your people will never be forgotten as long as there is at least one of us who remembers them,” Hanna insisted. “I never got to see your culture, but I’m sure it’s as beautiful and mighty as any I’ve seen in this cursed underworld. Supposing we survive this contest with the Emperor, we need to start recording and rebuilding it. You have my solemn word on it. No civilization based in the Light as I know yours was deserves to be cast into oblivion. I only wish I’d had come sooner so I could’ve helped your people as I did for Corso’s people.”

“You greatly honor me and my people,” Liu said softly, bowing formally to Hanna. “I look forward to that day when the darkness of the Emperor no longer stains the land and people with its vile evil.”

“So do I,” Hanna replied, smiling broadly. “I’m sure your people can teach us much, just as Corso’s people, the Cimmerians, and the people of Arionath can. We can learn much from each other and grow as a people, benefitting everyone. Joshua, if you can arrange it, I’d like Dr. Drew to be there for the alliance picture.”

“No problem,” Joshua stated. “In fact, he’s probably going to be there anyway to keep an eye on the Harem girls from the infirmary just in case any medical problems arise from moving them.”

“That’s good,” Hanna replied. “His medical prowess has been a tremendous asset to us. He deserves some recognition.”

“He’ll be there, as will the Elders,” Joshua declared. “I’ll see to it personally.”

Hanna nodded as Joshua bowed and left. “I need to go assemble the leaders of Cushar as well,” Corso stated. “If you will excuse me, I must be off.”

“Go, my friend,” Hanna ordered pleasantly. “We’ll see you in the amphitheater.” Corso bowed and left on a mission.

“We should go too,” Morpheus stated. “I need to gather our elders too. I’ll see you there.” Without another word, he bowed and followed Corso.

“This should be an interesting gathering,” Muriel commented.

“Indeed,” Hanna agreed. “Come on. Let’s go.” She grabbed onto Selina’s wheelchair and rolled her to the exit, followed by Muriel, Joel, and Liu.

An hour later, Hanna, Selina, Muriel, and Josephine stood with the women of the Harem in the amphitheater, using the amphitheater steps as a platform. In the front center sat Selina in her wheelchair with Hanna standing just behind her. Izanami, Myra, Jennifer, and Tasha sat to Selina’s right in their wheelchairs while Sakura, Jasmine, Hitomi, Trinity, and Lola lay to Selina’s left. Josephine sat to Hanna’s right behind Selina and Izanami because of her immense stature. Chihiro and Chizu, who still looked ill, stood to the left of Hanna as the rest of the women from the Harem took position behind them on the amphitheater steps. Down in the very front in low reclining lounge chairs sat Althea and the survivors of the trophy wall from the sex floor. All dressed in beautiful gowns, the women waited patiently, putting their hands on each other’s shoulders in a show of solidarity, vibrant smiles on their faces.

“Come on, Elias,” Hanna called out pleasantly. “Get on with it. I’m getting tired of smiling like an idiot.” A rumble of laughter rolled out of the entire group.

“Got it!” Elias crowed as the recorder whirred and clicked. “That’s what I was waiting for. Your laughter truly shows your sisterhood.”

“You wanted to see us with our guards down, didn’t you?” Selina surmised.

“Yes,” Elias stated. “Hanna’s comment allowed you all to let your guards down for me so we could see who you really are.”

“Very clever, Master Elias,” Izanami said, still chuckling. “It seems you have a knack for drawing out the best in people.”

“Not really,” Elias admitted, focusing the recorder again. “I’m just observant. That’s all. Now let’s get that formal image. Everyone look here and be serious for just a moment. Smiling is optional. Just be yourselves. That’s it.” He activated the recorder and it recorded a series of images of the women posing showing their serious, formal side for the record. “All done,” Elias chimed. “You girls can relax now. We’re going to take our family portrait next and then we’ll get the big portrait of the Alliance. Hanna, Selina, come on up here on the stage. We’ll take it here.”

“Right,” Hanna answered as she and Selina made their way onto the stage while all but the leadership of the Harem sisterhood stepped aside. Most left going back to their chores while a minority stayed with Izanami and the Harem sisterhood leadership to assist them. Althea and the survivors of the trophy wall went back to the infirmary with the help of their sisters.

Elias walked over to Nemesis as he stood off to the side. Handing him the recorder, he asked, “Could you handle the recorder for us? I need to be in the image too.”

“I’d be honored,” Nemesis replied, taking the recorder while Elias took his place on the stage with his family. Once again, Selina sat in the middle with Hanna standing at her right, holding her hand. Enoch and Kida stood behind Hanna and Selina with Hunter standing beside Kida and Andrew standing by Enoch. Electra and Nathanael stood to Selina’s left. Emma, Elle, and Elias stood to Hanna’s right. Everyone was dressed appropriately: the women in beautiful dresses and the men in handsome suits. Once everyone took their place, Nemesis held up the recorder and called out, “Now smile for the recorder, everyone.” They smiled and he recorded a series of images. “Okay, that’s got it,” he reported.

“Hey Josephine, come on up here,” Hanna ordered, waving to her. “You were Ariel’s best friend. You deserve to in our family pictures.”

“Are you sure?” Josephine asked hesitantly.

“Absolutely,” Enoch answered for Hanna. “You’re part of our family whether you realize it or not. Come on up here, girl.”

“If you insist,” Josephine answered, moving to the stage. “Where do you want me?”

“Stand between Enoch and Andrew,” Hanna suggested. “You should make a nice contrast between Enoch and Andrew.”

Andrew shifted position, letting Josephine stand beside Enoch, who put his right arm around her in a friendly manner. “Relax, Jo,” he chimed, putting his other arm around Kida. “We all love you.”

“That we do,” Andrew chimed, resting his hand on her shoulder as Hanna looked up at Josephine.

“Consider us your family now,” Hanna declared. “Now look at Nemesis so we can make it official.”

Everyone looked at Nemesis as he smiled. “Hold it,” he ordered, taking another series of pictures that showed Josephine as part of the Caverias family. With a sigh, he said, “That does it. Now you have an updated family portrait. What’s next?”

“My original team,” Hanna ordered, seeing her original team and Gulez standing off to the side. “Come on out here, guys. You too, General; I want a shot of everyone from the surface who followed me here.” The Caverias family and Josephine stood aside as Hanna’s original team and Gulez gathered around her and Selina. Nathanael took the prominent position behind Selina and Hanna while Harry stood at Hanna’s side. Morrison, Arabella, Cracko, Ned, Thomas, Jonathan, and Sam gathered around them with Gulez standing to Nathanael’s left behind everyone.

Hanna rested her hand on Selina’s shoulder, saying to Nemesis, “Any time, Nemesis.”

“Hold it,” Nemesis rumbled, taking a series of images of Hanna’s original team. “Okay, got it. Are you going to want to take another set after we get your mutation reversed, Hanna?”

“Yes,” Hanna stated. “I have to in order to record what happened to me. Come on guys, let’s position for the Alliance picture. I want all of us to be in it.”

“Right,” Harry replied for the team. “But where are we going to take the pictures?”

“Outside in front of the main entrance,” Hanna stated.

“Why there?” Thomas asked.

“Because we can’t get Aeolus, Argus, and Tethys in here,” Hanna stated. “They must be in the picture because they’re part of our Alliance.”

“Then let’s go,” Nemesis stated, handing the recorder back to Elias. “Time’s wasting.”

“This way,” Enoch ordered, leading the way.

Ten minutes later, the leaders of the Alliance stood gathered in front of the Red Tower on a small hill just to the left of the entrance. Argus, Aeolus, and Tethys stood in the rear near the top of the hill with several of their offspring. They towered over the leadership that gathered in front of them on the downslope of the hill. Hanna, her original team, along with Izanami and the leaders of the Harem sisterhood sat at the base of the hill. Enoch, his family, Muriel, Josephine, Nemesis, Magnus, Morpheus and the elders of the prisoners of Acheron gathered just up the hill behind Hanna. Joshua and the Elders of Arionath stood to Hanna’s left with Xavier, Amelia, and the Elders of Cimmeria. To the right of Hanna stood Corso and the Elders of Cushar along with Liu and the remnant of Zin, Joel and Tasha as representatives of Kadishar. Tasha sat in a wheelchair since she remained crippled. Captain Marvin and his lieutenants as the leaders of the prisoners of Amacia stood beside them. Overall, the Alliance portrait included seventy souls, including the drakens and cyborgs.

Hanna watched patiently from her position in front, seeing Elias instructing a bald man with jet-black skin how to operate the recorder. Behind Elias and the man, many of those whom Hanna had freed gathered to see history being made: the formation of the Alliance. Once properly educated on how to use the recorder, Elias quickly ran back to his place next to Enoch. “Do you think he’ll be able to use the recorder?” Hanna asked quickly.

“Sure,” Elias stated. “Tal is a highly intelligent craftsman from Cushar. He’ll have no problem using it.”

A hush fell over the hill as Tal shouted, “Okay everyone; look here at me so we can record this momentous event.” The leadership gathered on the hill looked directly at Tal as he touched the button, recording a series of images in a few seconds. “Okay,” he called out, “That’s got it. But don’t move quite yet. I want Miss Hanna and Master Elias to check the images just to be sure.” He sprinted to Hanna as Elias moved up beside her. Handing the recorder to Elias, Tal said, “I hope I did it right.”

Elias scanned the images from the recorder’s screen. Patting Tal on the shoulder, Elias said, “You did very well. These are the best images yet. Let me bring them up so everyone can see them.” In seconds, the recorder projected a sizeable hologram of the image so everyone could see it.

“Yes,” Hanna chimed. “That’s an excellent shot.”

“Indeed,” Aeolus called out from his perch on the hill behind them. “Now we have a record of our Alliance and rebellion against the Emperor. Let’s cherish these images and guard them carefully for they can do great damage to us if they ever fell into the hands of the Emperor.”

“These images will be committed to the Teacher in our Archive,” Enoch stated. “The Emperor will never see them and our history will be preserved in this dark hour.”

“Amen,” Hanna agreed, turning to the leadership gathered around her. “Let this portrait be a sign and signal of our Alliance against the Emperor and the forces of Darkness. We stand united against them in the power of our God, the Almighty Ancient of Days. If there’s any here that doesn’t want to be part of this, speak now without fear of reprisal.”

No one uttered a word against the Alliance. “I think I speak for those here when I say we’re with you,” Josephine stated. “You saved us in the power of your God, Miss Hanna. You pulled us from the Darkness and none of us wishes to go back. Am I right, my friends?”

A cheer rose from the leadership gathered around Hanna, supporting Josephine’s declaration. Seconds later, the cheer rose from those watching the portrait, also supporting Josephine’s statement. The cheer thundered across Antilla for several minutes before subsiding.

“The people themselves have spoken, Hanna,” Enoch stated. “We’re with you.”

“I am humbled by such loyalty in the face of such heinous darkness,” Hanna stated. Raising her voice so all could hear, she shouted, “I have heard your voice and so has our God. He will not abandon us. Let’s show the Emperor we will not go silently into the night! Let’s make him rue the day he took the throne of Thoth and Ariel by deception and sedition! We will take back our lives and our world from the Darkness and make an end of the Emperor’s evil! Our rebellion has just begun!”

A thunderous cheer arose from all present, even the drakens, who roared to the sky in challenge to the Emperor and his infernal minions. When the cheer died down, Hanna turned to those around her, saying, “Now comes the hard part: making open war with the Emperor and putting him in his place. Come, my friends. We have much to do.” With that, Hanna declared war on the Emperor.