"Some weekend, huh Rua?"
I saw her face before I turned. Round and flat like a dinner plate, yet chiseled like a strong warrior and toned a deep brown like fertile soil. When she wanted to be, Roheisa Deapou was gentle and nice. She was thoughtful and kind. Almost too kind.
When she wanted to be.
"I feel it was only a matter of time," I said. Then took a moment to blink through the images of the nightmare we were forced through. Being of light and shadow that rose no matter how many times they were felled. "But, I didn't think it would be like that."
"Eh, it wasn't too bad."
Almost as one, me and Roheisa turned to the vampire striding a few steps ahead.
"That's cause the zombies didn't fight you!" Teofila shouted from just behind us. Leaving a sharp whining to persist in my ear.
While a round of banter ensued between them, I peered beyond Opal to study Zohnos at the front. He was the first to fight the Elven Devil's undead. Though few believed that claim, I did. His reaction to them made it too apparent. And the fact that he didn't get his chance to redeem himself in battle was eating away at him.
"What do you think we're here for?" Roheisa threw her chin to the doors ahead.
It was the same room we were gathered in six months ago. When we first arrived at the Bodhi Tree and were divided into parties.
I didn't know what to expect then, being teamed with a princess and a warrior from another realm, a being from beneath the sea, and a vampire from hell. But I've grown. I've learned to use my magic and empower my body.
I've made some semblance of friends.
But I've made no progress on the most important front.
And I was beginning to think I wouldn't make any here.
"They're going to challenge us."
My answer caused Teo to leap up to us at once and shove her way between us. She was far stronger than she was beautiful. And she was stunningly gorgeous. But her concept of such things were something I and the rest of my team couldn't seem to grasp.
Looks didn't matter to her, nor did personality. Only strength. Power.
As it was, Teofila Traversini felt herself average. Neither weak nor strong. Ugly nor beautiful.
It was due to that mindset- the Amazonian Culture, that she obsessed over one individual in particular.
And countless others did as well. For reasons that either eluded me or made no sense.
"We've already faced each other." I later explained. "I think they'll have us face creatures now. Maybe sentient creatures. Maybe people."
"Like gladiators." Roheisa sighed in a curious way. Almost as if she were… disappointed. "Well." She sighed again. "There's only one way to find out."
After catching up to Zohnos, we pushed through the door and found our seats in the vast auditorium. Or maybe it was simply large and only seemed vast due to the comparatively small size of our class. 55 humanoids in seats made for hundreds. Hubris in architectural form.
Looking out at the rows and rows of empty seats brought flashes of the monastery through my mind. The image I saw before I left remained seared into my memory even now. A fleet of boys and girls all shaved bald to make a field of shining balls that spread to the horizon. Black and white and tan and green, and red and blue too. A sea of heads with only themselves to call home.
A herd with no fence to keep them safe; a shepherd who screamed false teachings to the heavens.
"Welcome, students!" The Headmaster's voice ripped the image from my mind. Replacing it with the inhumanly towering figure that ran the Bodhi Tree in its entirety. "And congratulations on making it through your first semester of study."
He paused to wave during a round of applause given by our teachers and the dense crowd of people I hadn't noticed until now. Spread apart backstage in stands made of the same twisted vines and branches that connected to the writhing ceiling. Coiling and spasming like a beheaded snake until its life passed with a final shake.
From that passing tremor came a rain of paper that descended onto our laps. Pamphlets with the words Optimus Regni printed across the front.
'Ah.'
"Due to your reservations at the end of the year, the mid-year ceremony is where you students will put what you've learned on display." The Headmaster spread his arms in declaration. "For the next five days, ten students will venture into the wilds to fight a creature specifically chosen to challenge you. On the sixth day, there will only be five matches. The seventh will consist of team battles between the three parties, and the eighth will be a free for all.
"It goes without saying, but this event will be held in lieu of your studies. Tomorrow, we will begin with the first ten members of Alpha Party. Starting with Roheisa Deapou, and on until the last member of Alpha Party, Team Two. Phelaia. Refer to your mailboxes on the day before your matches for further instructions. Those of you who are unscheduled may treat the time as a day off and spectate your peer's matches in your common rooms, the cafeteria, the gym, or the arena. But be on your best behavior." He sickeningly smiled. "For eyes will be on you at all times."
He allowed a long silence to befall the crowd. A moment for the inquires and curiosities boiling from the student's minds to spill off into the air and be absorbed into his ego.
"These pamphlets detail the top 50 guilds found across the surface of Nonus," he said. "Their members are here in attendance to spectate your battles. From their observations, they'll make assessments and, if you impress them, will contact you during your third year for a work-study. You will spend the majority of that year in their care. Working under them so that you can gain an understanding of the inner workings of a guild.
"So." He clasped his hands. "If you wish to be recruited into the Optimus Regni, here is your first opportunity!"
The Headmaster left the stage with a dramatic skip to the side. Giving way for the wall of seats to slide forth and can't back to make a set of bleachers that formed a semicircle around the central podium.
Through the round of applause, a figure rose from the stands to descend to the stage. Gently, as if he were standing on an invisible platform.
He was tall, around a head shorter than the Headmaster. Covered in scale mail with gold trim that sat atop pale, almost glowing skin. With his hair and his eyes, he looked… familiar. But I couldn't place it.
Not until his voice spread through the air like a chorus sung from the heavens.
"My name is Dende Morningstar. Commander of New Dawn, and Emperor of Polaris."
'Of course.'
"I am here on behalf of the former and the following guilds. Stellaris Garrison. Vergo Corps. Orion's Army. Crux Draconis. Rouge Hydra. Canis Red." He paused. "Our mission statement is and will always be as it was. That is: To spread a unified empire of humanoids across Nonus. If you see that as a goal worth pursuing, well." He inhaled sharply as his head lowered into a tiny bow. "You know where to find us."
"Wow." Roheisa shook her head.
And admittedly, I laughed.
Thankfully, a round of both unneeded and much-needed applause muffled the sound. His arrogance made him undeserving of the noise generated from his peers while his departure seemed to be an object of celebration for many of the students.
And then the cycle continued. Guild after guild master approached the stage to shout out the name of their guild, their mission statement, and sometimes list off what type of mages they were looking for.
The Cowl, ranked number nine, wanted Artificers to craft tools and toxins for their Rogues and Assassins. Rex Magica and Agnes Arcanum, ranked 11 and 12 respectively, wanted genius Artificers to assist with their researchers. Number 14, Sinestro's Quartet wanted Bards while number 25, The Toothy Maw wanted beast hunters for their traveling restaurant.
And on and on and on until we were dismissed to try and get some sleep before our trials.
"I didn't expect the guilds to have such niche roles."
We had just left the central hub and were on our way to our common area. Teo's remark was one of many that came from the Maruleans, both in our party and out.
"Most cities and guilds get absorbed by Polaris," I explained. "Those that survive have monopolies on things Polaris doesn't. Or, they're too far away from the city for them to care yet."
"Yet?"
"A singular empire means everyone plays by Polaris' rules," Opal explained for me.
"Well, I don't have an interest in any of them," Roheisa said with a wave. "But, if I have to pick, I'd rather go somewhere I could do some good."
"Oh." Opal stopped in place to clap her cheeks with both hands. "I want to follow Amun," she said. Swaying as if she were hugging herself.
"Why?" Roheisa sneered. Though she tried to hide it.
Opal stopped swaying immediately. "Vampire things," she said. A single eye open and throwing daggers from its corner.
"I'm going to Gray Lagoon," Zohnos said from just ahead. Though the angst in his voice was clear as well. "They are ranked 49th. A general force guild found in a sea to the far west."
"General force?" Teo asked.
"They protect the locals," I said. "They do many jobs. A general force. Some people call them Genny's."
"Oh, well." She paused to bury her eyes into her pamphlet. "I'll go to grow… gr… Grow-Kaya or whatever. What about you?"
'What about me?' I wondered.
"Are you okay, Rua?"
I turned to her and realized we'd made it back to the dorms and had been standing around for more than a few moments. If not to await my reply then to show concern over my mental trip up.
"Yes." I shook my head. "I just need to meditate. What was the question?"
"Is there any guild you're interested in?"
Sighing, I stepped away from the door to sit before the window. "I don't know which one is best for me."
"Well." She sat by my side. "What do you want to do?"
"I only know what I don't want to do."
"And what is that?"
"Nothing."
"Ugh! Are you going to speak drivel or will you actually say something for once?" Teo huffed. And as always, Zohnos stomped up on his high horse. Only to be shut down at once. "And you be quiet!" She snapped at him. "The words of the weak hold no merit!"
"What he means is." Opal pushed between them with her absurd strength. "He doesn't want to live a complacent- or perhaps pacifistic life?"
God damn vampires.
"Yes." I sighed. Though I had no reasons for hiding my past. They shared their stories with me after all. That didn't mean I owed them though. But the thought of me gaining some insight from them was not out of my mind.
"I was raised in the north. High in the mountains not far from Kodo Knight territory. In a monastic orphanage." I looked at them in turn. "They trained us to control our emotions before we sought to master our bodies. They taught us to kill. Yet, they had us practice pacifism. Dedicate your life to reaching the potential of mind, body, and spirit. Learn to kill and harm. But do not kill. Do no harm. We couldn't protect ourselves or anyone else. We could only be healthy. Live in peace. Let nature run its course.
"I disagreed with such a way of life. So I was banished and descended the mountain to stowaway on a train heading south. I was eleven at the time. The following years were spent living in nature, just outside of a small city. Now I'm here."
"To find a family?" Roheisa halfway whispered to me.
"A guide." I squinted at her. "That would be more appropriate to say. A guide. I wish to find a union of individuals whom I can grow alongside."
"To reach your potential." Opal finished.
"Yes."
"Then join Amun's guild."
"Tch."
"Don't mind him." Teo laughed at the closing door. "Zohnos is a sore loser. But Amun's the real deal. Trust me, his magic covered the skies of Maru before. I saw it for myself."
Roheisa recoiled at once. "Y- you saw that?"
"Yup!" Teo proudly nodded. "All the way in Phaegrath. Did you see it?"
"I asked him to do it." She gasped in disbelief. "I wanted to see how strong he was. And…"
"Yeah." I felt my hand brushing against my cheek. "I'm aware. He's in a league of his own."
"Then, will you join up with us?" Teo held out her hand.
"Us?" Roheisa turned, then suddenly turned back as if she shouldn't have in the first place.
"My sisters." Teo smiled. "It's every Amazonian's dream to take back the motherland. When he breaks the barrier in Maru, we'll finally be able to do it."
"I'm joining too." Opal stepped toward me. "Though, for my own reasons."
"I assume you're joining too?" I nodded to Roheisa.
"I mean, Amun's family and mine have been close for centuries." She turned away, sighing. "I'm more or less stuck with him."
"I have considered it," I admitted. "But I know nothing of his character. Only what people say."
"I can introduce you," Opal said.
"I can introduce myself." I stood to turn away. "I need to meditate."
"You can meditate with him too." She took a sole step after me. "He's trying to be a Monk, like you."
"Thank you."
With a bow to each of them. I walked and continued walking beyond the archway at the edge of our courtyard.
I walked until I came to a seemingly random patch of stone beneath an open wound in the canopy, and sat.
'Perhaps I should meet him.'
That was the final thought to pass through my mind before it cleared. Almost without my influence, a stream of mana detached from my Well to stream through my core and circulate through my body, and loop through the paths bored through my flesh until my Well was spent.
Then I started again.
And again.
And again.
Until… I felt something. A presence. But when I opened my eyes, the only thing standing before me were two stone rods connected by a black chain.
"Nunchaku?"
I first noticed my voice trailing out into the night. Then my hand, gripping around the weapons before a whispering voice sprinted through my mind.
'Have mercy!'
Without my action, my arms strained. My feet were dragged to straddle the base of the nunchaku and I felt myself pulling with all my might until the weapon finally broke from the ground with a… howl?
I fell onto my back and rolled, cupping an object that certainly wasn't stone until I clambered to my feet and looked down to see a Howler Parrot gasping to breathe in my arms.
"Ah!" I rolled to place it on the ground at once. Then watched it kick and flail its broken wings with pained howls.
After a deep breath, I crossed the distance to kneel before it and once again cradle it in my hand. This time by the neck. "Forgive my hesitation."
I wrenched it as swiftly as I could. Ending the bird's life with a final cry that outplayed the sharp crack that had caused it.
Another howl echoed against the first just as I turned to see a plume of feathers silhouetted against the darkness.
I ducked, felt a hot line be drawn across my cheek, then started to swing.
Another line. Another cut. Another swing.
Having no other choice, I fought blindly until I felt a subtle shock ring through my hand and hear a howl ring through the night like before.
I stopped, breathed, and searched for the clump of feathers spasming in the darkness to stand before it and take a final swing at its neck.
After the final cry echoed like the first, I stood and cautiously turned. Watched for any clumps of feathers to be silhouetted against the darkness and saw none.
I looked down again. First to where the birds were, now ambiguous patches of grass. Then at my hands, where I saw them.
A pair of stone rods connected by a black chain. The words 'Mercy' and 'Reprisal' etched onto their surfaces.
And a voice that rang in my mind like a bell.
"Master.."