The Farewell of a Colossus & The Wrath of Fury and Defiance

[KyferLegs (Diria)]

Part 1

Pulling into the large roundabout of Diria's Capitol Building, the car took a slow berth from the massive water fountain. Then it slowed as it began to reach the front of a footbridge that gave way to a tall bell tower and the entry of the Chancellory. As it slowly crawled forward through its front windows, the beauty of the Capitol Building glimmered under the bright summer sun. It consisted of the most essential governance of Diria: The Diet, Council, and Chancellory. Considering those were the bare minimum of the Dirian government, situating them in one place proved efficient. Of course, the government had other residences and ministries built nearby within Solis. Yet, they paled compared to the elegance of the architecture of the Capitol, which consisted of a water fountain, a large center plaza, and even an artificial river fed by the lakes east of Shrands, its well-kept cleanliness decorated with trees and footbridges.

The black car, as it crawled to a halt, was met by waiting crowds and an entourage of honor guards, their dark blue uniforms standing against the bright tans and yellow stones of the plaza. The driver of the car laid on the horn and looked nervously around as they glimpsed over to the right side of the vehicle, noticing a figure: An honor guard, his higher-ranked patches visible, as he knocked on the window, shouting inaudibly through the growing crowd and all sides of the slowly moving car. The driver quickly reached over, unlatching the lock of the right front door, and a guard promptly stepped in and sputtered out of breath. "You're going to have to go through the private entrance unless you wanna work through a crowd."

The driver looked back to his passenger, then forward, having to keep his eyes alert to the many people constantly moving in front of the vehicle as the honor guards outside continually ushered the hoard of journalists and reporters away from the moving vehicle. Finally, a voice spoke out from the vehicle's back seat, concealed in the shade from the rear windows draped with red curtains. "How bad is it?" Their tone was calm, but they were also audibly irritated at the circumstances.

The honor looked back and shrugged, "Hectic, but nothing we can't handle, Mr. President. Only those with passes are allowed in, so as long as you get inside, you'll receive minimal disruptions." The guard paused for a moment, his eyes shifting to the red curtain obscuring the facial features of the President. "Would you like me to accompany you once your driver reaches the private entrance?"

"That won't be needed." The President spoke dismissively, and the guard ushered a brief "Sir" and stepped out, closing the car door and immediately moving the crowd away like his compatriots. The vehicle then drove forward, picking up movement as the honor guards were able to make an opening. The car left the plaza, went around the busy block, and pulled into a private checkpoint between the Capitol, surrounding buildings, and fences. A more typically dressed soldier stepped out of a small booth, another holding the white and red gate blocking the entrance. The driver, who barely rolled their window down, pushed a paper out, and the guard looked at it, and both gave each other a brief exchange of dialogue. The soldier handed the paper back, waved his hand, and then the gate was lifted by another soldier, allowing the car to move through. Finally, the rear section of the Capitol was visible, being more claustrophobic and squeezed in by older buildings that several embassies or ministries had occupied. Yet, the Capitol building still held up its appearance at the cost of less natural scenery and open backdrops.

Ultimately, the vehicle slowed down, parking between two other cars. The driver looked forward, eying the steps into the Chancellory, and then looked back to the President. "Just more usual faces, Mr President."

The President sighed in relief, grabbed his coat, and opened the back door of the car, their eyes squinting and adjusting to the bright sun that reigned through. Having to duck his head bellow the door frame he almost banged against, he finally stepped out and straightened himself and his tie. Wearing a brown suit and red tie, the man, President Sisli, looked past the Chancellory to where the Federal Diet's private entrance was—being the center of the rear of the Capitol. He watched the trickle of representatives and party members conversating or entering its doors. Today was going to be busy.

Sisli turned around as the driver stepped out of the car, opened the adjacent back door, and began to open the red curtains of the rear window. He began to speak through the open door and then over the bonnet as the driver moved around. "Apollo, remember, my daughter needs to be at her tournament by noon, no later."

The driver nodded and spoke with compassion and respect. "Of course, Mr. Sisli, and what time would you like to have me back here?" He put his right leg into the car as he awaited an answer.

"Around 4 O'Clock sounds reasonable, but come through the plaza as usual," Sisli spoke calmly. If he could trust anyone, it was his aide Apollo, who dutifully got back into the car after saying his goodbyes. Sisli then turned to the back entrance of the Chancellory and walked forward, his shoes at first muffled by asphalt but became louder with every step as he made his way up the stairs, through the doors, and into the luxurious halls of the Chancellory, which gave a distinct echo of every step or conversation, its intricate floors and patterns contrasting against the tan walls and red curtains of the Chancellory.

He lifted his arm that had his watch, staring at it and noticing the time. He began to walk faster as his mind raced. What would he say? What would he do? Outrage drove his movements to become swifter and more pronounced. Turning a corner, it gave way to a small security stand that didn't provide any disturbance. They knew who the President was and didn't worry about asking for a pass. Finally, his goal was in sight as his body nearly tilted forward from his speed, and his hands lifted to grip the handles of two large wood doors. An honor guard, who expected the President first to ask permission, spoke alertly. "Mr. Pres-" The guard had barely any time to react as he tried to lean in front of Sisli to stop him, but the President practically threw himself into the Chancellor's office. Sisli glanced around. His usual calmness vanished, and he stared at the barren walls and removed the office's personality. He then reeled his head to the short and wide Zarou, adjusting his blue tie as he examined himself in a mirror. "Ezra!" He shouted out. His brow furrowed as he stomped his left foot into the redwood floor of the Chancellors office, causing a few items near the door to rattle.

Chancellor Ezra Cohen quickly turned around, a deep sigh bellowing from his muzzle and emerald green eyes looking up at the President. He felt the anger bubble up in his chest, wanting to meet Sisli's rage with more. Yet, all his belongings were now out of the office, and he didn't have the energy he vocally expressed. "I don't have time nor energy for this, Candan," Cohen and Sislis spoke each other's first name with little thought. Despite their views of each other, it became a norm, either out of respect or disrespect, depending on the observer. Nevertheless, Cohnen looked past the President and to his honor guard of the day, alert and standing behind Sisli. "Aleser, you are dismissed from guarding my office. Bring Payam and tell him I'm rea-"

Sisli groaned loudly, interrupting the Chancellor, who squinted at Sisli, obviously unwanting of their presence. Regardless, Sisli was adamant about showcasing and voicing his outrage, his furrowed brow deepening as he straightened himself and his tie again. Taking a breath, he stared into Cohnen's eyes as if he were staring into his soul. "Ezra, stop this madness. It's not too late. I'm sure the Diet will make an exception in a time like this."

Aleser remained at attention, trying to tune out the conversation, yet curiosity still drove him to listen. Regardless, he still had to wait for his order to be finished by the Chancellor, as was his duty. Cohen again looked past Sisli and nodded in exemption of Aleser's usual verbal dedication to his role. Aleser nodded back to Cohen and spoke in an untypical, delicate tone. "Good luck and god be with you. Chancellor." He turned around on his heel, gingerly opened the double doors, and left. While Cohen turned back around and once again examined himself in the mirror.

Sisli didn't linger, listening for the door to close and then back at Cohen as the quick exchange between Aleser and Cohen concluded. "The people need you, and this government needs you! Now is not the time to put your tail between your legs and run to the backgrou-" He began to extend his left arm out as if he was trying to convince the Chancellor into an agreement. Yet, before he could finish his argument, he was interrupted by a sudden slam of the small table near the mirror.

The comment Sisli attempted to mutter suddenly fueled Cohen's sapped energy. Turning back and lifting his hand, he pointed his finger and stared at President Sisli with a scolding fever. "Don't you dare give me that! Now, not ever! You stand here after all you have witnessed and accuse me of running, of fleeing? I will not allow such absurdity, and I am not a coward, Candan!"

Sisli raised his arms in frustration, then let them fall to his side. "But you are a coward! You- the most influential figurehead in this nation, stepping down a month into a war that can seal the fate of our nation!" Sisli looked and gestured at the spaces of the walls left dusty from the personal photos and paintings belonging to Cohen. "What of the thousands already under occupation? What of the millions who stare at death, knowing they may never see the sun again because of a stray bomb!" Sisli then turned to the large desk in the center of the Chancellory room and squinted at the stacks of papers and official documents not yet removed, the many flags surrounding the far war setting the office location, and the centerpiece of a grand window overlooking the Capitol's plaza, illuminated by the rising sun.

Cohen looked down and buried his chin into his chest. Sisli had a point that leaving now could have ramifications, yet he lifted his chin and looked back up at Sisli, knowing he made his choice. For a moment, Cohen weighed giving a response and, if debated, carrying the conversation with sentiment and emotion. However, Cohen's inner politician suppressed and concealed his sorrow and empathy, so he kept his sharp and strong composure. "I- and in my due diligence, cannot hold this position, bear this burden, when I let it transpire, when my actions, my unwillingness of seeing the cards on the table, let it go so wrong!"

Sisli stepped forward and stared at the desk, and his hand pushed through a few papers to calm himself. Sisli hid the blend of shame from his lost temper and outrage on his face at the Chancellor's choice to step down. Slowly, he pressed his palm against a stack of papers, tilted his head away from the direction Cohen stood, refusing to look the Chancellor in the eyes, and murmured. "Nobody could have foreseen this. The actions of Verak, the Sovereign Union, it's not your or the government's fault."

Cohnen tried to brush Sisli's belief aside and took a few steps back to the mirror, grabbing his stopwatch and a typed speech, which he looked at for a second, then put into his pocket. He didn't appreciate how close the President had gotten to sowing doubt in his action, yet even if it wasn't the government's fault, it was still his. Finally, he felt his stubbornness give out as he conceded this wasn't another policy debate with the ministers and Sisli. Instead, it was a colleague who, like many others, was scared for their nation and worried his leaving would show weakness. The Chancellor corrected his posture, pivoted, and looked up at the President. "Maybe it's not the government's fault, but it doesn't forgive the failures of my Chancellery. I haven't the time for this Candan. I bid you farewell, Mr. President." Cohen soughed and looked to the door, letting his usual stubbornness to step back in before turning toward the door and leaving the room.

Meanwhile, Candan, for a moment, hearing his last name unmuttered, felt betrayed. He wanted to yell to express more dissatisfaction, but as he watched Cohnen leave, he knew there was nothing he could do. Slowly, his head turned to look back at the papers and documents with a frozen stare. His internal monologuing ordered himself to wait for the Chancellor to go on his way first. There wasn't a way he could stand to look at Cohen anymore, not after this.

Outside the room were Payam and, once again, Aleser, with four other honor guards ready to escort Chancellor Cohen. Usually, Cohen didn't care for the pleasantries of the honor guard and commonly talked to the guards jokingly as if they were his friends. Yet, it was always one-sided as their duties allowed them to never speak in such critical tasks besides in orders or away from the gazes of others besides the Chancellor himself. Yet, this time, Cohen remained silent as the guards walked alongside the sides of the Chancellor, marching in rhythm against the Chancellor's shuffle. Trapped in thought, Cohen tuned out the sounds of boots tramping against polished stone, the honor guard in other positions standing at the attention of his presence, and the occasional reporters that slipped into more public areas demanding and pleading for a comment. Nothing came through his pronounced ears, and his slowly blinking eyes gave no reaction besides to the sights of the building around him, the luxurious murals, the finely carved archways and doors. To think this hadn't existed nearly 30 years ago and that he may never see it again.

Ultimately, the group arrived at the large doorways of the chambers of the Dirian Federal Diet. Journalists and important figures buzzed around, some offering gazes and others unaware of the guards or the Chancellor. Cohen was dismayed that it felt like an instant to arrive rather than the slow motion he had hoped for. The two guards before him opened the doors with a loud, archaic noise. Despite how elegant they looked, their weight gave them that audible clangor. The room in front of him shifted to dim orangish lights compared to the bright ones in the halls of the Capitol Building. The many representatives of Dirians nearly occupied all of the hundreds of red fabric and dark wood seats—the inhabited ones far away or on the second floor, seemingly as real as ghosts in a dream. Many faces gave no reactions at all, trapped in whispers and schemings. Others shared glimpses of understanding and respect; some showcased visible disappointment, like the earlier President who, with his head down, had entered just behind the Chancellor. In contrast, others seemed worried and nervous about what was to come.

Through all the glares and different emotions, nobody besides the many journalists corralled by guards near the door spoke to the Chancellor. Cohen strolled between the open walkway to the front of the assembly and the grand podiums where the many significant legislative figures waited for him, like the Diet President. Others arrived at similar times, like the President and certain ministers or party heads from different entrances. It took further time to wait for all those who came to attend and the following deliberations of the Diet President that announced the ceremonious call of duty.

Finally, having waited an hour in nearly constant silent wallowing, the Chancellor's eyes had glazed, and his hands developed a subtle shake while holding his speech. Yet, as the Diet President spoke his name, his nervousness was quickly muted as he stood up from his central podium in front of all the elected individuals of Diria. Cameras of reporters and journalists flashed and popped with loud cracks in the background, filling the dimmish room with blinding light as, for a moment, the Chancellor felt an irk of apprehension he hadn't felt since his initial election. Cohen's eyes looked downwards at the many microphones before him while placing his speech back down on the podium. He took a deep breath in and another out and slowly looked back up as he stared at the seven-hundred-plus faces before him. Finally, he spoke.

"Mr. President, Mr. Diet President, and members of the Council and Diet. As a government and people, we can agree that Diria, our nation, has been courageous against this persistent and unprovoked attack by Verak and their evil compatriots. Our resolve and fortitude are again tested against those who question and hinder our lives and only have one objective:"

He took a moment to pause and look around, adding to the weight of his following statement. "To destroy us, intentionally and deliberately. Despite our best efforts, we now stand battered, bruised, and isolated despite our efforts for peace and communication with those close and abroad."

"One can imagine the disappointment it is to me that despite the previous prosperity and tribulations this nation has bravely triumphed against over these last three decades, the tragedy of our past and ancestors once again once more must be relived. It is with great sorrow and regret that I must inform that thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of our fellow citizens, are now under the boot of tyranny."

Cohen's apprehension once again felt more noticeable than he thought earlier. It was now time for what everyone was waiting for. Cohen, feeling the anxious atmosphere of Diet, glanced at the President to his right, who stared forward, and this to his ministers, who gave varying reactions as they sat in seats of the Diet. Cohen internally sighed his mind in a fraction of a second racing toward all he experienced. Diria, during his time as Chancellor, constructed a strong democracy, southern tensions grew, the many foreign meetings forged new relationships, and his policies were rife with achievement but also minor failure. He then spoke.

"It is with a most awful and heavy heart during this time that I have come to realize a fatal flaw within the country-- but it is not with the people, whose resolution and patriotism stood the sandstorm of our revolution and the tumultuous years that followed, nor the vigilant officers and honorable members of the government whose skills and talents have given us a better footing to withstand this assault; this great weakness instead lies with me, and my failure to uphold the values and trust entrusted upon me as Chancellor."

"I have faltered against my oaths and duty to be your Chancellor. And though one may not be able to predict the future, one can prepare for it, and I was blind to see that those around our great nation were not inclined to open dialogue, to tolerate our grand vision of a free and equal society in our lands, determined by our own will. Against evils like this, the only language they understand is force, and in response, I showed frailty and allowed the predator to ambush our people by surprise. There are no words to adaquately excuse my actions; and I expect none. I hereby formally inform this government and the people of Diria of my resignation from the office of Chancellor. I can only express my gratitude, sympathies, and love for this extraordinary nation, its representatives, and its people. But I will accept and carry this burden for the remainder of my life. I cannot, out of my due diligence, hold such a position in the shadow of such failure and incompetency."

"For what my word is worth, I plead to those in this building and the many hearing me and my voice, in Diria and worldwide, not to give in to fear and despair against this iniquity. Galra, Verak, and Grinvel thrive off the purpose of our undoing and the lack of commitment to resistance against their malevolent agendas. But more personally, to the one who takes my place, the one who takes the mantle of the Chancellor and is next to lead our nation, I pass this advice on: Fortune favors the bold. Do not be frightened to forge new paths and relations and despite how dark it may seem, there is always a light at the end of the tunnel. Diria is still alive, and it is not yet lost. Thank you, and farewell."

The Diet erupted into standing applause. Some remained sat or stagnant, like the President. Still, despite the actions of the Chancellor, it was a proper farewell to an influential figure, Diria's colossus. Most could unanimously agree that Chancellor Cohen's tenure was significant as the first, authentic, fully democratic Chancellor in the new Dirian Federation, only being formed in 1929. Cohen had done his job with dedication and passion, positioning the nation for the future. Yet, as the Ouhiri and Nardras entered a new chapter, one bathed in fire and blood, Diria would need a new face, one that could unite the nation through all the hardship that was to come.

[KyferLegs (Diria)]

Part 2

As the Dirian Colossus stepped down, the Dirian Diet immediately got to work. The rapturous applause gave way to discussions and emotional discussions between the many individuals that make up the Dirian legislation. The Dirian Government could do nothing without a Chancellor; thus, it became the nation's imperative to find a new one as quickly as possible, and it strived to do just that. Between the parties, like the CPD and NUPU, candidates were voiced for. Many were satisfactory, and others were famous. However, as discussions continued through the recess and breaks of the Diet, the process persisted as the qualities, allegiances, and effectiveness were all argued for. Usually, Chancellorships, before their public spectacles, were discussed and chosen in private. The arguments that happened were typically reserved for those most adamant in their beliefs. However, Diria, even in the previous Confederacy, had never faced an impeachment of this importance during such hectic times. It was critical to choose one, and the assertions and opinions that the parties brought up all had truth and passion behind them. However, as the final contestants and candidates were chosen, the dissimilarities of the parties found themselves partaking in unusual compromises and coalitions. As the old saying goes, war makes for strange bedfellows. Socialists found themselves talking to conservatives, and nationalists found themselves agreeing with regionalists.

Ultimately, the Diet chose the individual to be given the Candidacy—a relatively inconsequential politician from the CPD, or the Conversationalist Party of Diria named Achille Ozil. Younger than what most would be regarded fit for a Chancellor, at 41 years old and born into an underprivileged Ohmyidan family from Miriyad, his political rise was an inspiring story of work and toil. His father died in the early resistance against Verak, and he was raised in poverty in war-torn Central Diria by his mother alone. Ultimately recruited at 18 in the last two years of The Great Dirian Revolt, he remained in the army and saw his service last just before the Constitutional Crisis in 1924. During his final year, as secretary to a senior officer who became a noteworthy figure in the early 1920s Dirian Provisional Government, he found his love of debate and politics. After retiring from service, he went to university in Amali. He returned to Miriyad to begin his political career in 1928, eventually leading him to become the Miriyad Minister of the Interior and Community and a CPD party member within the Federal Dirian Diet.

Furthermore, Achille Ozil was chosen for many reasons. The UDC or Union of the Democratic Centre, the biggest bloc of the Diet, agreed to the choice of Achille for his past of being a verbal supporter of the previous UDC-aligned Chancellor Cohen and a known voice advocating for the coalition between the CPD and UDC, even despite the concerns of some for his stronger Federalist beliefs, that caused particular Cofederalists uneasiness. The CPD and NUPD supported him for his apparent alignment with their values and his solid federalist beliefs, with him referring to his ethnicity as Dirian rather than his parent's Ohmyidan status. Further, his military service, alongside his federalist views, caused his further sympathies and points of backing from the NUPD, the National Unity Party of Diria, and NUPU, the National Unity and People's Union. Even some DWU or Dirians Worker's Union supporters supported Achille Ozil due to his past in poverty and prior statements about providing and helping the underprivileged. Only the PPN, the Proletariat Party of Nardras, and the Regionalist Parties, being fringe elements, disagreed adamantly with the choice.

Achille Ozil himself was hesitant to accept the role of Chancellor. He had only served in Miriyad as the state's Minister of the Interior and Community for four years before the state Minister President lost re-election. Achille had yet to think of receiving a nomination for the Chancellor of the Federation. The first time the Federal Diet brought his name up, he initially refused, and another candidate backed by the UDC and DWP was floated around. However, the NUPD, NUPU, and, worse, the CPD rejected the proposal, and once again, the Federal Diet failed to make a choice. An hour later, the CPD and UDC approached him to pressure him further to take the role. Quickly, Achille realized either he accepted the nomination or risked being involved in a divided government due to an unpopular Chancellor and during wartime to make it even worse. Finally, he relented and agreed to be nominated, to which the UDC and CPD coalition gave the official nod of approval and the NUPD and NUPU their unofficial support. Then, the Diet President raised the vote for the Federal Diet, and it passed with 542 ayes and 198 nays. After that, President Sisli, after the election, ceremoniously appointed Achille Ozil as the new Chancellor of the Dirian Federation

The now Chancellor Ozil was brought to the front of the Diet by President Sisli, who stepped aside after Ozil had made himself visible to the entire Federal Diet. After this, journalists eager to catch the scene greeted the apprehensive and unprepared Ozil with camera flashes, and questions shouted afar. However, as the Diet became louder, the Diet President was swift to usher silence among all the active individuals within the Federal Diet to respect what was to come next. Achille Ozil looked to the notary, who stood up from a section of the Diet and went to the center podium where Ozil had been placed. The notary, an older woman, asked the new Chancellor Ozil to raise his right hand and read from a plaque she held before Ozil.

Ozil took a deep breath, part of him not wanting to do such as it would forfeit his role. Still, he did what he had to and followed the orders and began to speak loudly, "I solemnly swear that I, Achille Ozil, will devote my efforts to the well-being of all peoples of our Nation, The Dirian Federation. In doing so, I pledge to promote their welfare, protect them from harm, and uphold and defend our fundamental laws and the laws of the Federation while performing my duties conscientiously and doing justice to all. So help me, God." Ozil then took another deep breath, cameras once again flashing as the notary shook Chancellor Achille's hand. His inner instinct became involved as he turned to the onlooking Diet, which gave a round of applause and let his appearance be captured by the journalist who fixated upon him. Ozil, even though the sudden events practically upended his everyday life, still maintained his appearance, smiling and waving. However, deep down, his fear remained unsubsidized as figures like the President congratulated him and the former Chancellor Cohnen gave him a quick embrace and shared encouraging words.

Finally, the moment he internally feared the most came, a speech he had to make up on the spot, as the Diet began to wait in anticipation to hear the new Chancellor speak. Ozil slowly walked up to the podium where the former Chancellor Cohen had said his farewell speech hours before. His speech certainly had more importance. Chancellors usually planned far ahead of their appointments and had a list of policies and objectives to mention, yet he was elected with the Diet before any of that, and most hoped he'd be just like the parties that forged him. Nonetheless, gripping the corners of the podium, Ozil looked at the Diet, more cameras flashing to capture his likeness. Taking another deep breath, he began to formulate what he was going to say, the issue at hand, and in a sudden episode of clarity, he decided to be honest.

"I needn't know what to say. I started this week, like any other, and the same as any. I was waking up, getting dressed, doing my errands, and working here at your mercy, the people. Now I'm Chancellor, as an individual whom many of you may have never known and with beliefs many of you consider unspecified. Nevertheless, I can express that this title, the Chancellorship, is to me an honor and consists as much privilege as there is a challenge, yet to say that my new position is any more challenging than the one our many people face in this grave hour would be an embellishment."

Ozil looked down at the podium, his mind flooding with ideas of what to say next. He knew this was where he thrived, talking and giving speeches, yet what he said now could have grave consequences, but it could also inspire the nation despite the situation it found itself in. He considered what Diria meant, what it stood for, and who its people were. He thought of the ones he felt lost and the average people who toiled daily. He came to one conclusion: Resilience. He then evaluated those abroad, those who shared the nation's beliefs or at least were inclined to them. He then saw allies and a future united effort.

"For once again in our history, for many of us, the second time in our lives, are now at war. Once again, we have been thrust into a conflict against old and new enemies. Once again, we have been tasked with making a stand and, in unwavering determination, resisting our neighbor's abhorrent rhetoric. Such rhetoric, stripped of its cloak and veil, has only one goal, one desire, the primitive doctrine of might and right, and if it were to succeed, it would spell doom, not just for Nardras nor Granuras, but the whole world. It would be the end of all freedom and liberty-loving countries, like our own, and those abroad. It is from this ultimate issue that I, and to imagine this government is so wholly inclined and committed to peace and liberty, find it inevitable that we, as a nation, would rise to meet the challenge. Nor is it inconceivable that those inclined to accept this trial by fire will be ignorant to not come to our aid."

The Diet gave an audible "aye" in agreement. At the same time, the NUPD and NUPU, despite their anxiousness about regarding foreigners as anything else as plotters against the nation, still admired Ozil for his faith and the depth of his words about the enemy that Diria found itself battling against. Ozil pressed himself against the podium, leaning closer to the microphones as his voice grew louder and more confident despite occasional pauses between his sentences as he found his words.

"Therefore, to the beautiful, blessed, and diverse people of this nation and government, we must all stand united for the dark days as we move onwards. This trial will stretch our limitations of what we can do and witness, yet it will earn us our place in history for the future to remember us for. We now enter this new chapter of the history of our homeland, a great crusade, as grand as it will be daunting, and everyone will have to play their part."

Ozil pushed himself back up, looking at the Diet as it once again gave a collective but louder "Aye" as the representatives and party members were roused by the speech. Even the fascists and fringe communist parties nodded in silent agreement. The journalists quickly ate up the words Ozil gave, imagining the headlines, the debates, and the discussions they would have with this Chancellor and his soon-to-be cabinet. Ozil himself wasn't done talking, and by now, his apprehension and nervousness had diminished as he basked in the spotlight.

"We all have our charges to bear now, and we must heed this noble cause in the struggle for our lives and our country! No longer will the battleground remain far away, nor will it be confined to one area of the world! Thus, let us, as one, demonstrate to the world, here and now, against the odds, against all that is dishonest as it is immoral, to ascertain that Verak, Galra, Grinvel, and the SU, despite their bombs, despite their planes and tanks, can and unquestionably will be defeated, and liberty, across Ouhiri, will stand triumphant!"

The Diet erupted with a deviation of loud "ayes" and cheers as Ozil received a round of applause for his speech. It could be more than what everyone had expected and asked for. Many, now exhausted from the hours of discussions and deliberations, were simply happy that a Chancellor was selected. Others were happy that even if the Chancellor came from other sides of the ideological line, he seemed interested in the continuation of the government and firmly believed in the Dirian nation. Nonetheless, after the congratulations, press talks, and final discussions, the Diet was adjourned, and everyone began their procedure of going home. However, the following day, as the Chancellor began to pick his cabinet members and others sworn in, the speech appeared on the radio and in newspapers. Diria became ecstatic, having grown anxious over the lack of action aroused from legislation, and unexpectedly, they had received a passionate call to action.


P.S. Thanks to ShatteredDerg for helping me write the speeches in both parts.