Victor and Luna entered a room that was primarily used as a diplomatic meeting lounge. Victor in his various days of servitude made sure that this room is as soundproof as possible. He did quite an exceptional job. With no keyhole and very little space in between the doors and the doorframe, what once was said in the room, stayed in the room. With his keen eye and perception, he would be able to see even the slightest bit of change in the room, so espionage was nearly impossible.
Luna said in the chair as Victor without a word poured her a cup of tea.
„So…care to tell me the tale?"
As Victor said across the table, he seemed a little bit hesitant to share the tale. Nevertheless, it was a request from his master, and he will serve her even now. With a sigh he began telling the tale of how he even managed to find himself in a service of Luna, the Moon Queen.
Victor, Rah-ven and their older brother Kealer were the crown princes of Laxorian throne. Sons of the Storm king Velaeran were each different in, their own right.
Kealer was born with impressive talent for magic. Unfortunately, he was forced to live without any sight. Blind but talented for the art of the arcane, Kealer developed many techniques that allowed him to see the world around him through magical means, though as he often described, there were no colours in this world of his. As the first-born, Kealer learned almost everything. From general knowledge, to politics he was taught to know as much as possible, for king needs to know so much. After leaving the house for studying on the university of Laxoria, Victor and Raven spent very little time with him.
Raven was born with a very unique trait. Unsurprising, considering their mother was a Valkyrie, but nonetheless uncommon. Raven was born with a set of beautiful white wings and was given name befitting this trait. Rah-ven means white-winged in laxorian. In youth, Raven, or Rah-ven as he was known, developed almost god-like talent for tactics and battle. Under the guidance of many masters and strategist, he trained to become a Spear-marshal. A particular type of soldiers in Laxorian army. Spear-marshals are said to be the best tacticians on Eggodin. Trained in spears, these master of their craft are lethal, ruthless and dangerous. Rah-ven honed his skills as a tactician, but he chose a different weapon. Weapon that befitted his nature much more, he chose a scythe. Using his natural airborne mobility and tactical thinking he earned himself the title of Owl. Yet, he never killed anyone. His trainers said to him, that if he desired he could wipe out entire regiments without a sound, yet he chose to knock his enemies unconscious, why? Rah-ven always replied that he felt no need to kill innocents, at least for now.
Victor also mentioned Ka. His closest friend and aide who Victor considered his brother , Ka and Victor would often leave the Capitol in search of adventure in the desert, yet to no avail. Ka had a knack for illusion magic, which he inherited from his father Siltharion. This would become useful, whenever they would find themselves in a predicament that couldn't be resolved by brute force.
And last, Victor, the youngest of the brothers was born without any special features. No wings, no magical abilities, just a plain normal boy. His mother and father were happy for some reason though, it meant that Victor could choose the life he would lead without any tips or anything like that. He would shape the world as the world would shape him.
This however didn't mean anything to Victor. To him, he was always living in the shadow of his siblings. He wanted to do something, the others couldn't. Unbeknownst to all, Victor had unwavering determination. He trained for more then fifteen years. Everyday, every night, be it raining on scorching hot, Victor would go outside the castle and practice with the sword. Even when his bones creaked and screamed with pain, even when his lungs felt like they were filled with spikes, Victor would train. His hands covered in blood as he grasped his sword, he still pushed his body to its limits. Until, one day, he would be ready. Every time he fought against someone, he lost. But he always came back. He ran around the castle, until even shame couldn't keep up. He learned from every blow struck upon him. Every scar, no matter how big, shaped him and changed him. His once pale skin turned to bronze due to the constant exposure to the Laxorian sun. He started changing his hair and styling it into a sort of a ponytail, so it wouldn't obscure his vision.
Then, the day for his trial came. The trial, which would mean the ultimate test of skill and the gate to adulthood. He spoke to his father, alone. They agreed on the trial to come. Victor would participate in the Tournament of the Gods. A traditional tournament, that took place this time in Laxoria. Each tournament, even during the Dark War, served one purpose, choose the champion of the blade. A title which would be given to the winner of this battle. This title meant respect all over Eggodin, a place in the Hall of Gods, which was filled with statues of previous champions, and a special sword. Sword that could change shape into a different sword, any sword that the owner has touched at some point could be replicated along side all of its abilities. Only the winner would have this blade, all of the other competitors would either die, or leave empty handed. Yet even participating in this trial was an honour to many swordsmen. And this time, Victor would participate. Velaeran agreed on the condition that he would enter without name, so that no one would know that the son of the current king would participate. Were he to succeed, his trial would be complete, were he to not win, he would complete it still, but without a price. As for death, well…Velaeran explained that he couldn't help him, even if he wanted to, and Victor agreed. His mother…not so much, yet she held faith in her son, for she and her husband have watched him grow over these fifteen years.
The day of the tournament came. Victor faced down many competitors. Some gave up, some didn't. He met several others, who he respects even to this day. He faced Hornet, a warrior from distant land, who wielded special type of silk that she could control and cut Victor down with. With many injuries and a great amount of focus, Victor managed to beat her, yet he spared her life, stating that would they meet again, Victor would love to talk to her as a fellow master of the blade, Hornet was a child though, so she stormed off before answering.
The other competitor who Victor recalls didn't have a real name. He introduced himself as the Nightmare King. He, or she, treated the tournament as a grand dance or show of some kind. Bowing to the audience, constantly talking to Victor and glamorously attacked and evaded Victor's assault. Over the cause of several hours, Victor learned Nightmare King's pattern and managed to beat him. Nightmare King, who wielded a type of flame magic and teleportation magic was his biggest challenge yet. Blinking from one place to another, showering Victor with a flurry of fiery blows, Victor had a real hard time figuring out how to take this opponent down.
Last competitor, who Victor mentions, faced him in the finale. Victor didn't even try to remember his name, because, according to Victor, he battled without honour and treated Victor as some pest. Victor always held some form of respect to all of his enemies, but this one deserved none. With few attacks, Victor managed to not only break his opponents sword, but also scar him for life and shame him. He still gave him a choice to be spared. His opponent agreed and Victor lowered his weapon, as the announcer was beginning to proclaim Victor as the champion, the goliath who was laying on the ground grabbed a sharp piece of sword and tried to stab Victor in the back. Victor, however, without batting an eye slashed back with his rapier and killed this idiot. He fell to the ground as he grasped his intestines. Victor now held no respect for this man who was behind him on the ground, screaming in pain and crying.
Victor succeeded in the trial and as was tradition the king would announce the winner of the tournament and bequeath upon him the sword. Yet Velaeran smiled, which was unnatural for him. Raven, Kealer, his wife and Siltharion all stood alongside him and looked at him with confusion.
"I would expect no less from you, my son." Said the king.
Victor looked up and greeted his father with a swordsman's bow. "I am glad to hear that, father."
The crowd went silent as they listened to this short conversation.
"You, champion, have successfully and honourably won this tournament. As per tradition, you are to be given the sword of champions." And he beckoned few servants forward. They held what appeared to be a rapier in the exact for to the one Victor was currently holding. As he grasped it, it glowed with a faint golden light.
"May it serve you well."
Victor raised the rapier and the crowd went wild. Yet Velaeran motioned to them a sign which meant a peace of quiet.
"Now, since we have that out of the way, another duty must be fulfilled," and with a sound that seemed like thunder, Velaeran appeared right before Victor, who was now kneeling down. Velaerans lush hair seemed to spark with the tiniest little lightning.
"You have succeeded in the trial you were given, what reward do you choose?" asked Velaeran with a resounding voice.
"My father," Victor looked up at his king, "I desire nothing, but your approval and kindness…" he said with a very sweet voice, one that was very unlike him.
Velaeran laughed. A sound that many subjects have not heard before, even Raven and Kealer were surprised. "Very well then, but I still have to give you something."
Victor smiled: "Well than…a scarf. A scarf that would not be damaged by weather nor time. Is that enough?"
"Very well, it shall be done. Now…" Velaeran pulled out his falchion. The beautiful blade reflected the sunlight as it was held high. A sound of storm could be heard from distance. He touched Victor with the blunt side of the falchion on the shoulder. "You have earned your name," he touched the other shoulder, "May you wear it with honour and glory," and he moved to the head, "my son, stand up, Victor Velaestraz." And with that Victor stood up and the crowd cheered even louder this time.
Over the next few years Victor sparred with Rah-ven who seemed to develop deep respect for him, even Kealer appeared to have a better opinion of his youngest brother.
But Victor became arrogant, not because he would be raised that way, but because he still spent too much time with Ka, who was not a very good role model. One day, he asked his father if he and his siblings could go to a nearby ruin that Ka and Victor found in the desert. Velaeran approved and the three were on their way. This was a unique occasion for the three, since this was the first time all three of them could spent time together without any repercussions.
They entered the ruined and thanks to Kealer's magical sensing ability, they found a secret chamber that lead deeper underground.
"I don't think we should go further." Said Rah-ven.
"OH come on, what could go wrong, besides, you've got me, right?" and Victor smiled.
Both Rah-ven and Kealer sighed and went together with their overly eager brother.
They entered a large chamber and thanks to Kealer's magic light, they could see three large obelisks. All three of them seemed to glow a faint light, but each different colour. One purple, one blue and one green. All of them seemed to emanate a sort of humming sound. Victor went closer, but Rah-ven pulled him closer, stating that they should probably not touch them.
Almost as a response to this, all three obelisks started to glow brighter as the three brothers heard this harmony of voices that said this: "You have finally arrived…" The voice seemed to come from the obelisks. "Sons of storm, come closer, and claim your destiny."
Now all three brother were shocked. They tried to turn away and go, but the voice spoke again. "Kealer, you want knowledge, you want knowledge that could protect those around you, I can give you that…" said one of the obelisks.
"Rah-ven, you want peace, you want to live in peace and protect your brothers, I can give you that power…"
And lastly… "Victor…you want to live. You want to be free of the shadows that are cast upon you…I can help you…"
All three brothers were now thoroughly creeped out and started to leave the chamber, as the obelisks started to speak once more, this time with a voice that shook the ground and pushed the brothers. "DON'T RUN AWAY FROM YOUR DESTINY. CLAIM IT AND PROTECT THE WORLD YOU ARE MEANT TO DEFEND!" said the voices and the shaking grew stronger, too strong infact.
All three have been launched across the room and they landed on the stones. As their hands touched the stones, a bright light filled the room as a giant column of energy shot to the sky. The three brothers then woke up on the surface, each feeling a little bit differently. Tired and confused, they returned to the capitol. As they neared the mansion that they were living in, they found not a house, but a roaring fire. The whole mansion was shining in the night and the three brothers stood in shock as they watched their house burn. They rushed in, only to find a group of bandits. They appeared to have a strange insignia on their masks and as they saw the group approach they began speaking language that Victor could not understand.
In a fit of rage and a moment of pure agony, Victor, according to him, sliced and eviscerated every last one of the bandits. With a help of his new found powers he managed to kill them. Breathing heavily and crying, he looked at the ground, there he saw now a charred body of a maid. A maid that served in the mansion. Victor knew her, and even took a liking to her. The maid was still breathing, but she didn't have much time left. Victor dropped his sword and grabbed her wrist which she held towards him. "V…Victor?" she said with a broken voice.
"Yes Alia, it's me, you're gonna be alright…" he said frantically as he tried to comfort her.
She looked at him with a sad look and smiled. "Why are you crying Victor…You look so much better…when you smile…"
Victor tried to smile, but he couldn't, not when he knew that if he controlled his rage, he could have saved her.
She looked at his hands and said: "These hands…they are so kind…you would make…a good…butler…he…he…" she laughed as her breath left her body. Victor could only hold her hand closer to his forehead. As he was looking at her, ready to meet his demise, he noticed a small piece of paper. That read a simple piece of information: "Maid Alia was accepted as a servant for a royal family of Radia." Signed by Velaeran. She was to be transferred there, but due to Victor's rage, she was now lying before him, uncapable to fulfil her duties. Victor grabbed her body and carried it outside, where Kealer was sitting alongside Rah-ven whose beautiful white wings turned pitch black as a result of the smoke and stress. Before them laid a body. Grasping a falchion in one hand and holding it close to the chest, there laid Velaeran the storm king. Victor looked and a tear went down his face, but he couldn't say a word now.
His brothers turned to him and nodded a little bit.
The next day, a grand funeral was held for the death of the king. Not a word was spoken in the audience. Not one. Each and every single one of them stood there in silence. Even the sky was silent, not a cloud in sight. On the platform, right next to the coffin stood four figures. Kealer, Victor, Rah-ven, who now renamed himself to Raven, and Ka. They left as the coffin was being burned by ceremonial fire. Back there…Rah-ven, or Raven couldn't say a word, not even Victor or Ka. Kealer tried to, but he was never good with other people. Victor turned back and began to pack what little things he had left.
"What are you doing?" asked Ka.
"Leaving…" said Victor and smiled…which was…very not in place.
"Leaving?! What are you saying? Kealer, say something."
Kealer was silent. He went to Victor and stood next to him.
Ka knew him a lot. And Kealer always preferred to speak with his actions, rather than words.
"Rah-ven?"
Rah-ven looked at Ka. He unveiled his now pitch black wings and started flying. "I'm sorry Ka, but Rah-ven is gone…there's only Raven." And in a cloud of black feathers and purple light, Rah-ven transformed into a black bird with white lines that went down it's back. A group of crows started to gather around him. He flew away without any word. Out, towards the desert.
Ka looked at Kealer with desperation in his eyes: "No…NO!" and Kealer who was up to this moment drawing a teleportation sigil snapped his fingers and in a puff of blue light disappeared.
Ka, now furious looked at Victor. "Don't you DARE! Who will lead them now, YOU CAN'T BETRAY YOUR COUNTRY VICTOR!" And he began to coil around Victor's body. Victor looked Ka dead in the eyes and Ka saw something. He didn't see pupils, but what appeared to be cogs and gears where the pupil once resided. Almost out of nowhere, Victor was gone. Ka was there looking around, looking for them. "NO…NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" he screamed as he cursed them all.
Victor went north. Only north, until he saw the peak of the Raven rock, a mountain that served as borderline for Radia and Laxoria. He knew that once he crossed this border, he would have betrayed Ka. He wanted redemption, he wanted purpose. For without it, he was just a murderer.
As Victor paused, Luna looked at him with a sad expression. Understanding every word, but still trying to comprehend the scale of this new knowledge she sat there speechless.
"Now you know, my master." Victor said with smile. It was a sad smile.
"But why…why did you leave?" that was all she could ask.
"…for I am a sinner. I thought that my swordsmanship meant that I could live without fear, without pain. I was arrogant, I was…stupid. In my anger, I murdered those bastards…" his normal calm and collected voice was beginning to crack. "Due to my wrath…I couldn't save a single life…I couldn't protect even one person I cared for…that's why I'm here…so I can pay the dept. Because of me she is dead, because of me she can't serve you…she would serve you better then I, she would head your call whenever, she would care for those around her, she…" and as he was saying this, he noticed tears dripping down his face. Out of nowhere, Luna grabbed his head and embraced it in her arms. Almost like a mother calming her child…all Victor could now…was cry…
In his entire life, he never felt more vulnerable…yet…somehow…he found peace…when he was in arms of his master…and that's when he realised…that he had more than respect for her. He felt…something similar. Something he felt before…these feelings…he felt them towards Alia…"Is this…love?" he asked himself.