A young girl ran across the pavement her blond hair flowing wide as she panted. She was no more than seven and her hand was held by an older man with crimson red eyes.
He wore a black jacket, and a sword was in his right hand. His hair was jet black, but his gaze was razor focused.
A boat was in front of them, through the dark of night none could see what was below it.
He let go of the girl's hand frowning, "Nenna. You know how to read a watch right?"
Nenna blinked confused, "W-What ar-"
The man turned around putting a pocket watch in the girl's hand, "You need to board the Neo Airship at exactly 12am tomorrow. Make sure you keep your sister close alright?"
Nenna blinked looking up while clenching the pocket watch to her chest, "B-But what about you?"
The man smirked, "I'll be right behind you. Now hurry up!"
He then turned around once more, several guards began to walk forward all holding guns with crystals on their clips, the man stood tall unflinching, cutting the rope of the boat and throwing his sword into the air.
The hilt landed atop one of the many buttons on the boat turning it on, it began to drive on it's own and the man sighed looking at the men before him, "Well now isn't this a fabulous greeting."
One of the many soldiers walked forward, this one was in pure gold amour, "Alma Freelancer. You are under arrest fo-"
"Cut the shit." Alma spat immediately, "you and I both know any and all charges against me are false, and we both know how I'll respond, you wouldn't bring an armed force this large otherwise."
The golden armored man frowned beneath his helmet before sighing, "So you choose the hard way then?"
Alma walked forward unflinching, "Course I do. But..." he took a look at the force surrounding him, some of them flinched others were trembling just holding their guns, "I have to wonder why it is you haven't shot yet... Oh, I get it."
A sadistic grin appeared on Alma's face as he spat his next words arms thrown wide to the side, "You're afraid it won't be enough to kill me hu-"
A gunshot was fired immediately, the first shot was none other than the man in gold armor, it pierced right through Alma's heart.
This was followed by a hail of bullets all imbued with magic flying one after another into Alma.
No man, god, or mortal could withstand that.
And so, Alma fell to the ground.
The man in armor sighed, "He said you talked too much... Here I thought he was kidding. Clearly, he didn't lie." The man then turned around, "Get ready to move ou-"
He blinked as his men flinched, the man in gold turned around eyes wide as the bullets fell out of Alma's body as he slowly got up, "I won't let you... lay a finger on either of them!!!"
Upon the boat where Jenna was, she gripped a blanket in her hands, containing a small child no more than the age of two, "It'll be alright... I promise it'll be alright."
***
"HEAVE!" a male's voice echoed across the sweeping clouds, "HO!" chains rattled and moved upward.
The chains extended high above the clouds, men pulled on the chains attempting to pull whatever was attached, "Come on now! I've seen babies pull harder than you! MOVE IT!" upon a floating island this man shouted.
The sun began to rise, and the people rose from their beds in the village nearby, they opened their windows and doors curiosity flowed through them.
But a single child was the one that bolted out her door, flowing golden hair, hastily putting on her black boots.
A smile was upon her face, her emerald eyes filled with wonder as she ran up to the men pulling on the chains.
The men made room for the young girl, weak as she was, their bounty was not to be won by tossing aside willing workers.
She wrapped her hands which were covered in leather gloves around the chains pulling with all her might, "HEAVE!" she shouted in unison with the other men, "HO!"
One of those very men who was giving the orders looked over the edge and a smirk appeared on his face, "AYE! KEEP PULLING OUR BOUNTY PIERCES THE CLOUDS!"
Energy surged through the hundreds of men and women pulling on the chains, "HEAVE!" the young girl was practically bouncing in excitement, her mother watched fondly from the window of her kitchen, "HO!" They shouted once more.
The man looked over the edge and held up a hand, "MAGES READY!" the men on the back of the chains nodded, letting go of the chains and holding up their hands. A gray glow surrounded their hands. "LOCK IT IN!"
Earth moved from the ground wrapping around the holes of the chains and pinning them in place, all the other men fell to the ground.
As did the women, but that child didn't. She ran forward to the edge, excitement flashing in her eyes, then she peered over the edge and saw what they achieved.
The man who looked over the edge howled with laughter, "Quite a sight ain't she Skylar?" he questioned the young girl dubbed Skylar.
Skylar smiled, nodding she was no more than twelve, but the spirit of adventure brushed her to life, "What is it?" she questioned tilting her head to the side.
The man smirked, putting a hand on his side, "That. Is our bounty the largest crystal chunk found yet!"
Skylar looked over the edge once more, it was indeed a sizable mountain of crystal, but to her, it almost looked like a tower.
The man then chuckled, walking up to the young child ruffling a hand in her hair, "Away from the edge child, wouldn't want the clouds to get in your lungs now wouldja?" He removed his hand from her hair.
And Skylar nodded before moving away from the edge, the man then smiled lightly, "How's your training going anyways?"
Skylar's eyes widened and she smiled holding out her hand, palm outstretched the muscles in her hand tensed and green energy surrounded it.
A pulse of wind shot out blasting the man in the face, yet he didn't flinch he smirked instead,
"Aye, you're getting better at that, at your age, it's incredible that you can even cast magic. Speaking of... Not many kids wanna do manual labor on their birthdays." The man commented, pulling a cigar from his pocket.
Skylar perked up and fostered to the crystal tower, "But if I didn't come out, I wouldn't have been a part of something as incredible as this." she declared, smiling brightly.
The man chuckled at those words, "Aye your help is always appreciated. Once the king sends his men in I'm sure the energy in that hunk of crystal will provide energy for years to come."
Skylar nodded, turning around and hearing another set of footsteps, there a woman approached, "Skylar if you're done with your work then we really should be heading to the markets."
Skylar perked up near instantly upon hearing those words, "Alrighty mom! Sorry, I gotta go!"
The general chuckled warmly ruffling Skylar's hair much to her displeasure, "Aye, just make sure to stay safe out there you two."
Before he could light his cigar, he began to cough, catching Skylar's attention she raised her brow in worry, but the man simply waved a hand brushing it off, "Dontcha worry bout a thing, just a bit of a cold I've been having lately." it was clear that he was lying by Skylar supposed she could let it slide for this moment.
She then ran up to her mother hugging her legs tight, Skylar's mother smiled warmly letting out a laugh that immediately turned into a frown as she looked to the right, there was a dock there.
A ship approached propellers on its back and men ran around the deck, on the side of the ship was the mark of a phoenix.
The general frowned, throwing his cigar off the edge of the island, "They're early." he noted.
The mother nodded in agreement much to Skylar's confusion, "What's going on?" she questioned.
The mother smiled softly, kneeling down, "Nothing to worry about, you just head home for now and treat yourself to some cake. I'll be back soon."
Skylar just nodded, running along to the house.
The general watched as she entered the house he then sighed, "Should have let her stick around, this is your last chance after all, who knows where she'll be heading after today."
Skylar's mother closed her eyes, "She's a bright kid, and honestly, her joy is all I work for, I want to ensure the last thing I see is her smile." the mother explained.
The General frowned, nodding, "I suppose I understand that."
Both of them looked to the dock as the airship went into place, chains wrapped around the sides of the airship to ensure it wouldn't float off, and a man clad in golden armor walked forward.
"Quite the haul your people have here." The man committed, despite the fact that his face was hidden he held an aura of authority.
"Aye, that it is, just pulled a bit of it above the cloud sea today, but I digress, what can I do for ya commander?" The general questioned.
The man in golden armor frowned, "The girl that went to the cabin, she's of age, isn't she?"
Skylar's mother winced, "Ah... I was worried that's what you came here for, so early in the morning too..."
The man in the armor nodded, "usually we'd arrive later in the day, but we received reports of this large chunk of crystal and figured we may as well take down two birds with one stone." The man explained.
He then turned to face the general, "I'm sure you know the proper paperwork you need to fill out, I'll be expecting it on my desk in 4 days."
The General clicked his tongue in annoyance, "Whatever you say Leon."
Skylar's mother blinked, raising a brow, "Hold on, you two know each other?"
The general sighed, turning away, "I'd like to keep my life to what happens on this island if that is alright with you."
Leon nodded with understanding, "Forgive me mam, but we are on a tight schedule if at all possible, would you lead me to the child? The day won't last forever."
Skylar's mother let out a mild sigh, "Yes... Just give it a moment, I only just sent her to the house to begin procedures."
Leon raised a brow hearing that, "Is that so? Well, I suppose I can wait a few moments, either way, I am still going to require a DNA test, procedure, and all that." Leon explained as a soldier walked up with a vial and a small knife.
Leon took both and walked up to Skylar's mother, "Would you prefer I do the deed?"
The mother reached out and grabbed the knife with her right hand, she then immediately pressed it into her left index finger drawing blood from it.
Leon held out the vial and the blood dropped into it with ease, he then handed the vial back to the other soldier that walked up and nodded.
The soldier nodded back before walking back to the ship, Leo then frowned "That should be time enough I think, and regarding the curious description of the girl you mentioned to us, we have taken precautions and will be sure she is transported safely."
Skybound.
***
The ship soared across the skies, the sun rising in the distance as it did so.
Skylar grasped the side looking over the edge, eyes wide in wonder, Leon walked up beside her with a hand on his hip, a sly smirk appearing on his face, "It's always invigorating the first time isn't it."
Skylar turned her attention to Leon smiling, "How does it fly?" She couldn't help but question the curiosity of a child as an innocent thing.
Leon leaned onto the edge looking to the clouds, "Crystal's. Wind aspected crystals make the core of this ship. Without it we'd be plummeting into the poisonous clouds below."
His attention turned to what lay ahead, a massive city street filled with people atop a floating island.
But Skylar's eyes focused on a singular building, a castle that lay in the back of this fair city.
The wind blew gently as she spoke two words, "What's that?"
Leon smirked at the child's wide-eyed wonder before turning around and beginning to walk away, "Your new home." Skylar's eyes only widened in excitement with a big grin on her face.
Unawares of the frown that was now plastered on Leon's.
(Chapter 1: Rite Of Passage.)
The airship docked on the far-right edge of the town, where several guards immediately rushed to the side of the ship.
On the inside a few men threw ropes over the side, and the guards on the outside grabbed hold of those ropes tying the ship down on a few notches to ensure that it wouldn't float off or fall into the sea of clouds.
A temporary measure in this case as the ships here had to be ready to set off at any given moment.
While other men brought a massive wooden board to the side of the ship, ensuring a safe exit platform was made.
Skylar leaped onto that platform without hesitation running ahead eyes wide in wonder as she looked at the city.
She was practically bouncing in excitement.
Leon walked off the ship smiling at the sight, "If you wish to explore the markets you are free to do so, but when you're done show this to a guard and they'll take you where you need to go." Leon knelt down handing Skylar a small badge, it was golden in nature and the only words on it were 'Young Executioner.' Skylar took the badge looking it over before smiling.
Nodding to Leon she broke off into a sprint heading towards the markets.
One of the many guards walked over to Leon a frown plastered under his helmet, "Are you sure that's wise sir? Criminal activity has been quite frequent lately and the young miss could get hurt."
Leon's serious gaze returned as he turned to that guard, "...Skylar Shadewalker... She's barely 12, yet there is an unmistakable bloodlust in her gaze."
The guard raised a brow to that, "Is there? She seemed like any other girl to me..."
Leon began to walk forward, "I suppose we'll see soon enough. The king may be fine making her an Execution out of principal to her lineage, but I for one would have her undergo the same test everyone else does."
Leon then frowned, "Of course, I suppose she is still a child, as such I shall oversee her safety." Leon declared before walking forward, "I shall leave the preparations of the citizens to you."
***
Skylar blinked tilting her head in confusion at the sight of a man doing parlor tricks, it was fascinating sure.
But she was more confused by the people throwing out coins to this man, she was aware of 'currency' she had done her fair share of trades back in her village.
But the types of coins these people used were unfamiliar to her.
And yet that wasn't what her true focus was, her focus was on the items those men were selling.
Crystals.
Crystals of varying colors the seller rose a brow noticing Skylar's gaze, "You gonna keep staring or are you gonna buy something?"
Skylar blinked before shirking back somewhat shyly, "S-Sorry."
The man's gaze softened a little; he let out a sigh turning back to his client paying Skylar no more attention.
So, Skylar turned her attention to the rest of the city only to raise a brow, the streets were filled with people just a moment ago, but now they were empty.
The sound of armored boots hitting the ground came from the distance, Skylar looked in the direction of the sound, and there in the distance.
Someone clad in pure silver armor. Walked forward with a silver great sword in this person's right hand.
This person stood at least 20 meters away.
The helmet of this armor looked right at Skylar before speaking, "...Skylar Shadewalker." the spoke stabbed the great sword into the ground shattering the stone below it.
Skylar flinched at the show of this person's strength, for some reason she felt she was in immense danger.
Yet this person held out their right hand, a second sword manifesting in her hand.
As Skylar backed up, she felt her back hit a wall, and moments later the sword that manifested in this armored stranger's hand hit the wall beside Skylar's face.
The person behind the helmet spoke their voice distorted behind it, "Pick up the blade, your trial begins now."
"T-Trial... What are you talking about...?" Skylar questioned inching away from the blade eyes darting around, there was nobody here.
Did they all run away?
What's going on?
The person in the armor frowned beneath the helmet before speaking up, drawing the blade from the stone, "The trial to see if you are allowed to live as we do, as Executioners."
Skylar rose a brow as the memory of the card she'd received from Leon entered her thoughts, "Executioner... I don't... What does that even mean...?"
Within a few seconds, the armored person now stood in front of Skylar leg pulled back and slammed its boot into Skylar's gut with enough force to send her through the wall bricks flying into the air as she shot through the building exiting through a glass window back hitting yet another brick wall.
A mixture of blood and saliva flew out of her mouth as her skin was cut by the glass shards, and she fell to her knees, palms hitting the ground as her eyes remained wide, the person clad in armor scoffed walking over the rubble locking eyes with Skylar, "...Only a fool fails to pick up a weapon in defense. At this rate, you'll be dead before we can even get started."
The reality of the situation began to set upon Skylar as those words hit her ears.
She was about to die.
This person was going to kill her.
So, with those palms remaining on the ground, she ignored the pain coursing through her body looking up, the person in amour was almost upon Skylar now.
Yet Skylar's gaze darted around an exit was to the left about five meters away.
They pointed that blade forward, "I am Icon. Your test begins now."
Icon then pulled back its blade raising it high, a green glow began to surround Skylar's palm.
Icon swung its blade down ready to cleave Skylar's head clean off only for a small pulse of wind to come forth sending the shards of glass on the floor upwards.
One of those shards slipped through the opening on Icon's helmet and blood came from it.
As Icon stumbled backward Skylar got to her feet, scrambling to run to the exit.
Icon growled, reaching up and taking off its helmet revealing raven black hair, this person reached up the glass shard within their eye.
Yet their face didn't show pain as they pulled out the shard blood flowing from it, "Well well... A calculated retreat, there may be more to this girl than I thought." within a matter of ten seconds the wound began to seal up.
"Now what will your next move be Skylar?" the questioned putting that helmet back on walking twords to the exit.
As they turned the corner, they saw Skylar standing in the distance sword in hand gripping the hilt with both hands the sword was right in front of her.
A sign of fear.
Icon frowned beneath its helmet, "You stand there afraid yet with a blade drawn. Why?"
Skylar looked to the sword within her hands, "I... Don't want to die." she answered simply, "But... I don't want to kill anyone either."
The ideals of a child unaware of what it is they're getting into, Icon cocked their head to the side, "...You really don't know what it is to be an Executioner do you?"
Skylar shook her head confirming Icon's suspicions, so Icon pointed that blade forward, "We. As Executioners have a duty to this land. And the people who walk them. Our duty is to slay false deities that would drown these lands into the sea of clouds below." Icon proclaimed.
A red glow radiates from underneath their helmet.
"I..." Skylar slowly lowered her blade, "I didn't want any of this, j-just let me leave! Let me go home!"
Icon clicked their tongue in annoyance, "Idiot. This isn't an offer you can turn down... Besides, your position is unique even amongst other Executioners. You have no home to return to anymore."
Skylar's eyes widened at those words, "What... What are you talking about...?"
Icon chuckled some, "You didn't know? The reason the royal army went to that place you lived on was to take any who were worthy to become Executioners... After all that island was about to sink into the cloud sea, and all life on it was to be purged."
Skylar's eyes remained wide as she took a step backward, "Y-your lying, why would anyone do that...?"
Icon shrugged, "Hell if I know, I'm just here to see if you're worthy of the title of Executioner... If you want to see if I'm lying, then prove to me that you were not a mistake." Icon proclaimed. The blade in their hand never wavered.
Skylar's eyes remained fixated on her own blade, they seemed to tremble from the knowledge she just obtained, "Get... Out..." she uttered those two words, closing her eyes before removing her right hand from the sword and using her left to pull it back behind her shoulder, "GET OUT OF MY WAY!!!"
She roared her eyes snapped open her left eye was now azure, while her right was a golden yellow, she threw that sword forward, at blinding speeds.
Yet Icon scoffed tilting their head to the side as the sword flew past their head, "Is that all you have?"
Skylar then blasted forward a green glow shining brilliantly around her right hand, she reached forward that hand forming a fist as she pulled it back Icon raised their blade once more.
Only for their eyes to widen as the sound of metal clashing upon metal came from behind them, along with a sudden force hitting the back of their helmet.
"Wha-"
In that same moment Skylar was in front of Icon with that fist pulled back green energy wrapped around that fist, yet instead of fear, a smirk appeared upon Icon's face.
Suddenly Icon's hand wrapped around Skylar's face as she uttered her next words, "KNOW WHEN YOU'RE BEATEN!"
In one swift movement Icon swiftly planted Skylar's head into the stone sending cracks throughout the area.
Icon then smirked beneath her helmet removing her palm from Skylar's face, "You've lost this battle... Young Executioner."
Skylar felt her vision blur, and the next words that Icon spoke were barely heard by Skylar.
"When next you wake, you'll be one of us... Then you will have the answers you seek."
And unable to take anymore, Skylar let her eyes close once more.
***
(One Week ago.)
"What!?!" Leon shouted standing from his chair and slamming his hands down on the table, "You want to make a young girl, at the age of twelve an Executioner?!"
The table in question was made of stone, and a total of four people including Leon were at it.
Icon sat in one of those chairs resting their head upon their fist, "I must agree with Leon... This is rather unusual. Sure, we've received reports of an unknown entity from that island, but wouldn't it be better to evacuate the whole island?"
The third person at the table smirked, he had black hair that was combed back, he leaned forward putting his hands together, "...Now now you two, think for a moment. While it is true that this is most unusual...The king has yet to explain the matter in full." The man then turned his gaze to the king. Crimson eyes shining bright, "That said, if there is not a reasonable exclamation, you should be aware I'll be taking the lives of that island under my protection."
And thus, the king closed his eyes, a white beard was upon his face, yet his calm expression was unchanged, "What is it you three know of Stella?" The king questioned catching the trio off guard.
Leon frowned, "Stella? Isn't that just a legend?" Leon questioned looking at Icon.
Icon frowned, leaning forward, "I'm unfamiliar with such a thing... What of you Draco?"
The third man now named pulled his hands back to his side letting out a sigh and cupping his chin with his right hand, "Stella... Also known as 'Starlight.' in Latin. Though as for the legend Leon is referring to... It's a folktale really. But the general basis is that all life, evil or otherwise came from Stella."
The king opened his eyes, "Indeed... But what is not told in that legend. Is where Stella came from. . . But that is a topic for another time."
"All I can say is that the reason this must be done is related to that very same legend... I cannot divulge the details just yet, but I assure you. Given time everything will be made clear."
Draco frowned deeply, "You're aware you are asking us to stand by idly as at least a thousand people die."
To which the King leaned forward and posed a question, "...If you had to pick between saving a thousand lives, or a million which would you pick?"
Leon's eyes widened at the question, While Draco's frown deepened.
Those two were stunned into silence.
Yet it was Icon that spoke up, "...What are you implying." their voice rang out over the rest.
The king looked to the table at each of his subordinates before speaking, "...That is what we here must choose. Do we live our lives to protect a single island? Or do we serve the people we preside over?"
"Your answer doesn't matter, for there will be no forgiveness for the sins we are about to commit."