Anda awoke with a yawn.
His family had moved to the high office in lower Eimval and he, like every other day, slept on the couch in the living room.
He sat up to find a mess of books and other miscellaneous items littering the floor.
He sighed deeply before standing.
He was still wearing his Custodian uniform which was made of a pair of dark grey pants and an equally dark jacket.
Anda checked his appearance before walking towards the front door, but before he could even place his hand on the handle, a sweet voice called to him.
"Are you leaving already?"
Anda turned around to find his mother standing in the hall.
She was dressed in a simple, old dressed and had an apron hanging from her neck.
Her hair, like that of most Rendaro, was long, but she had it styled in a single loose braid that hung over her shoulder.
Anda looked at her wrinkled face and sighed.
"I have to. The work of High Elder never ends."
"But you could at least stop to eat breakfast, right?" Linda asked with a pained expression.
"I… suppose so." Anda said before following Lindra into the kitchen where she prepared him some porridge.
"What it like working so closely with Lord Katsíki?" Lindra asked.
"Stressful."
"Could you not take a-"
"Don't get me wrong, I enjoy it, but he and lady Yna are beings of unfathomable insight and strength. It can make my work or my ideas feel inconsequential at times." Anda said only to find Lindra pouting at him.
"What?"
"You interrupted me." She said, but Anda winced as his confusion deepened.
"You do this a lot nowadays. It's like you don't care what I have to say and you just go on and on by yourself. It's called a conversation, not a monolog." She said with crossed arms.
Anda couldn't help but chuckle.
"Alright, sorry. What did you want to say?" He asked with a weak smile.
"I was going to suggest that you take a break."
Anda frowned at this.
"That's what I've been doing for the past six months."
"No, a real break. Sil told me everything. How you sneak into the high office in New Eimval to pitch ideas or oversee certain things"
Dammit. Anda cursed internally.
"Fine. I'll take a break eventually-"
"No, you'll take one immediately-"
Lindra stopped as a knock came from the door.
Anda took a deep breath before making his way to the door which he opened to find a Custodian standing attentively. He was basically a guard but with increased workloads and a cool new uniform that wasn't too different from Anda's.
"Yes?"
"Lady Yna is waiting for you in the high office!" The Custodian said.
"She's there now?"
"Yes, sir."
"Alright. Lead the way-"
"He's not going anywhere until he's had breakfast." Lindra said as she grabbed Anda's hand.
"Tell her I'm on my way!" Anda cried and he wasn't sure, but it seemed as though the guard chuckled as he was dragged away.
Lindra forced Anda back onto his seat before placing a bowl in front of him.
"Eat up." She said as she leaned against the counter.
Anda shook his head while trying his best not to laugh.
He then ate away as Lindra stared at the roof thoughtfully.
"What's on your mind?"
"Nothing." Lindra said with narrowed eyes.
Anda nodded before finishing the last of his porridge.
"Can I go now?"
"Yeah, yeah."
Anda wasted no time in dashing out of the house and making his way into New Eimval.
He then ran towards the high office while taking care not to bump into anyone on New Eimval's busy streets.
The morning sun practically cooked anyone who stood out in the open, but everyone Anda came across worked diligently with determination driving their every step.
New Eimval was almost complete.
All that remained was making it not only a hub for all Ia, but a storage centre for resources before the war began.
Anda eventually reached the high office.
He made his way up to his office where he found Yna patiently sitting on the chair opposite his.
Anda took his seat before looking into Yna's golden eyes.
Her already intimidating aura was enhanced by her uniform which was the standard dark grey uniform worn by all U.E.F. members. Although hers had a little golden circle with two swords crossed over it above her right breast.
"What can I do for you ma'am?" Anda asked while trying to quietly catch his breath.
Yna took a deep breath before narrowing her eyes.
"I want us to betray Katsíki."
"Heh?" Anda sounded as his heart fell to his knees.
"Let me clarify. I want us to do something that I know Katsíki would never approve."
"And that would be...?"
"Do you know what a Golden Knight is?" Yna asked as she stood up.
"A knight who serves the Golden Prince?" Anda said nervously as Yna walked up to him.
"I meant in on a biological and technical level." She said as she placed her large hands on Anda's shoulders.
"I… don't know."
"Oh? Then I'll tell you. We are machines. Our bones made from Cavumium and our organs and muscles filled to the brim with the life forces of hundreds. That is what makes us immortal. The training helps, but yeah. You get the gist of it. When the war begins we will undoubtedly encounter and may have to face Silver and Golden knights-"
"Isn't lord Katsíki working on those anti knight machines?" Anda asked.
"Yes, but those are stationary, not to mention bulky things, if we want to increase our chances of even surviving the war, we'll need an effective counter for knights and thus I present to you my idea. We shall create a secret legion, a black legion, if you will and they will be our answer… hopefully."
Anda's eyes trembled.
"OK. I understand your reasoning, but why do you think lord Katsíki wouldn't want us to create such a Legion?"
"Ahh… like I said, we knights are pumped with the life-forces of countless others and there is no way Katsíki is going to allow me to sacrifice a bunch of people."
"W-who do you plan on sacrificing?" Anda asked prompting Yna to stand in front of him. She then lowered her head, allowing Anda to look deep into her golden eyes.
"That's where you come in. Well… the Ia. The ones under Eimval specifically."
"No! We cannot doom all those Rendaro to such a cruel fate." Anda gasped, but Yna rolled her eyes.
"Firstly, I didn't say we'd sacrifice them all. What I'm presenting you is an opportunity. As it stands, you are sitting over an entire city. All that knowledge and manpower… to be frank, I think they would be very useful in the war." Yna explained.
"So… if you plan on putting them to work… where will you get the sacrifices-?"
Anda stopped as a feint smile formed on Yna's face.
"Anyone who refuses to work will be sentenced to a death."
Anda's mouth hung open as Yna stared at him unblinkingly.
He slowly shook his head
"No… that's too cruel."
Yna sighed before returning to her seat.
"That's why I'm talking to you about it. You are the High Elder and I somewhat value you opinion." She said while crossing her arms.
"I see…" Anda said although at this point his thoughts were extremely muddled.
Fortunately, he knew exactly who to call for in this situation.
"Do you mind if I bring someone else to this discussion?" He asked.
"As long as you trust them, sure."
Anda nodded before dashing out of the office.
He then asked that one of the guards call for the rest of the Custodian captains.
He then returned to the office where Yna still sat.
He noticed that she had her black sword with her.
He wanted to ask where her gold one went, but he decided not to.
The other captains eventually arrived and the stood by Anda's side as he briefed them on what Yna had suggested.
"Oh…" Yiden sounded.
"Yes. What are your thoughts on this?" Anda asked.
"May I speak frankly, ma'am?" Sil asked prompting everyone to look at her.
"Go ahead."
"I don't think we should do this. Who are we to decide the fates of the people of an entire city?" Sil asked.
"Good question. Let me answer it with another question. What will you do when the Golden Knight's start participating in the war? What will you do if Katsíki and I die and Coh falls? Who will be left to protect this place? Oh, don't get me wrong, you Custodians are a hard working bunch, but in the face of a Golden Knight, you are not even ants, let alone threats." Yna said flatly.
Silence befell the room as she stared at Sil with dim eyes.
"I think you all forget just how weak Katsíki and I are. Katsíki offensive capabilities are limited and I only have one body." Yna said with sigh.
"I didn't come here and suggest this plan of mine on a whim. To protect you I am willing to injure the trust Katsíki and I share. Consider that before you make your decision." She said with narrowed eyes.
I looked at my fellow Custodians and saw that they were all just as conflicted as I was.
Sil placed her hand on my shoulder and squeezed it rather tightly.
"You said that we'd only sacrifice those who refuse to cooperate, right?"
"Yes." Yna said.
"Then I support the plan under the condition that any innocent Ia will not be sacrificed."
"Sure." Yna said.
"What do you guys think?" Sil asked.
"I'm on board. It's us or them and I'm definitely picking us." Yiden said.
"We have no choice, right?" Fìor asked.
"I suppose not." Anda said before finally facing Yna.
"You have our support."
"Good! Now, I am aware that Katsíki sealed the entire third level, so we'll need some space magicians to clear a path to the seal. But before any of that happens, I want to introduce you to the other part of my plan. Please follow me." Yna said before leading the Rendaro out of the building.
She then led them to New Eimval's northern wall where they entered a large storage building to find that it was filled with Rendaro.
They were all wearing the U.E.F. uniform and were all standing attentively.
Yna spread her arms dramatically.
"Behold, one hundred Rendaro all ready to assist us with our plan. I couldn't get them all gear because that'd definitely get Katsíki's attention, but that won't affect the plan much. Some of these brave men and women might also end up joining the Black Legion itself, but I'm getting ahead of myself." She said as Anda walked up to her.
"We'll undoubtedly be met with resistance. How do you plan on dealing with that?" He asked.
Yna simply flexed her right arm in response.
"Anyone who resists will be forfeiting their life."
Anda's eyes widened, but he couldn't help but nod.
"When do you plan on beginning this… operation?" He asked.
"Right away, if possible."
"A-alright. Sil, please handle everything in the main office while Yiden and Fìor, return to your posts while I oversee this operation."
"Alright." Sil said before turning to leave.
Yiden patted Anda's shoulder before following Sil out with Fìor in tow.
"OK. Say the word and we'll head down." Anda said.
"You heard him! Let's go!" Yna said while grabbing Anda's shoulders and pushing him out of the building.
He heard as her men followed her seemingly in unison.