After that sudden loud outburst, the two mages return to their rooms.
"Let's get back to the room, Vince."
The two head back to the second floor, the smoking one pushing the scared one into the room.
"Dude, what the hell was that about? Do you want to draw attention like that and blow our cover? I thought we were restarting fresh lives." a frustrated young man says with spiky black-colored hair, dark blue eyes, and a toned body. He wears a ragged black sleeveless tunic with messy edges, a studded belt around his waist, and loose beige pants tucked inside studded black boots.
{Novice Mage: Izaiah Stuart}
"It's fine; people don't have pictures of our faces, plus we wore masks when we did things," the other mage says with Green Eyes that are sharp and somewhat droopy dark green eyes, messy black arranged Spikey Hair, a Diagonal Scar from right above his cheekbone, and one set of two hoop earrings on both of his ears.
{Aero Desperado Leader Novice Mage: Vince Windward }
"You say that now, but once word slips out," Izaiah warns him.
Vince shrugs his shoulder. "We made a deal with them," he says casually.
Izaiah walks around the room. "Execution or Freedom"
"I wouldn't call it freedom," Vince muttered.
"Better than being dead."
"The fact that the War General gave us freedom is astonishing. We should use this to better ourselves, Vince."
"Better ourselves," Vince scoffs. "Look at you. Smoking your lungs away."
Izaiah grabs him by the collar.
"You know there was a time when you weren't like this. When you were happy and gave us your words of encouragement-"
"Shut up," Vince says under his breath.
Izaiah continues to pull at his collar. "Look at what you have become."
Vince clasps his eyes. "Please, Izaiah."
"SHUT UP!" Vince yells. "I should have never started this. I should never lead any team again, let alone be in one."
Izaiah lets go of Vince's shirt collar as he slumps to the ground.
"Uhh, just get some rest. Come down for dinner whenever you're ready."
Vince sits on the cold floor, wrapping his arms around his head. "I am sorry. I am sorry it was my fault."
HOWL BARK
A white fox appears out of thin air, cuddling Vince around its neck. Its fur is as white as ice. However, the feet of the fox seems to be made out of the air, like a ghost. It flies around Vince, lifting his chin and floating around him.
BARK
"Thank you for cheering me up, V."
The white fox cuddles with Vince as he pats him on the head.
"What was that loud shout about?" Axelle stops and wonders to himself. "Eh, it's probably some old drunk folk," he says as he continues to the third floor.
"Rossi and Pierce, where have I heard those again? That's right, War Hero: The Unstoppable Galen Rossi. He has a son, a candidate like myself. Pierce, I don't recall," Axelle thinks to himself.
He arrives on the third floor. "Okay, here we are, suite two," Axelle opens the door. The hotel room was a lesson of understated elegance. Soft lamplight poured through ivory drapes, creating lovely shadows on the plush carpet. A mahogany dresser stood against one wall, ornamented with a single vase of fresh lilies, their smell blending with the faint scent of lavender from the immaculately made bed.
"Alright, this will be my stay for tonight." he jumps onto the bed.
'Gurgle, gurgle
'Gurgle, gurgle
"I haven't eaten since this morning; it's already 4:00. It's dinner time. Did the train ride take that long, or am I?" he shakes his head. "No, I must've lost track of time."
Axelle leaves his room and shuts the door, taking his father's sword.
BUMP
DROP
"Am sorry I didn't see you there."
"My apologies—it was my fault. I was reading my book here, and I got distracted, " a soft and gentle voice responds. A girl with purple hair and square glasses picks up a book about the size of a textbook.
"My apologies, please forgive me." The girl continuously bows in forgiveness.
"Am alright. What kind of book are you reading?"
"Reading book? I mean, what kind of book am I reading? It's an old book. Sorry to disturb you. Have a good day." The nervous and shy girl rushes back to her room across from his.
"Okay, nice to meet you. I didn't even get the chance to get her name. She was nice and well-mannered," Axelle thought as he headed back downstairs for dinner.
He arrives on the second floor.
CREAK
A room door opens in front of him.
Vince walks out underneath his eyes a tidbit of red.
The two make brief eye contact as they walk near one another.
"Looks like he had a bad day," Axelle thinks.
"This is the guy, huh"
There is nothing but silence between the two as they continue to walk.
"You're one of those Heavenly Mage candidates, yeah?" Vince asks.
"Yeah, I am Axelle Alekzander."
Vince turns around and walks backward with his left hand behind his head. "Am Vince"
He extends his hand to Axelle. They shake hands.
"How does it feel being a candidate?" Vince asks.
"Pretty cool. Feels like you're doing something that has a purpose."
"Hmph, funny. I once thought that same way you did."
"You're a candidate, too?"
"Was a candidate of wind. Others will tell you I still am. But in my books, I'm not. I am not fit to be one. Sometimes life throws shit at you. Plans change." Vince speaks in a straightforward tone.
Axelle slows his pace down a little and falls back.
"One word of advice from me to you is not to lose your purpose," Vince says as he heads downstairs.
"Purpose," Axelle again thinks to himself.
'Gurgle
Gurgle
I am hungry now and shouldn't think that much of it.
------
Elsewhere
"The Prince of the Primordial Flames has arrived, my Lord," an ominous voice says.
"Keep your tabs on him and the others that come in through the station," a deep, commanding voice says in the dark.
"Of course. Oh, Ambrose Rossi has just arrived."
"Good, we shall enact the plan," he asks.
"Of course, my Lord, I shall inform of The Five Deadly Venoms of the Assignment. But as you do know, they love to plan things meticulously."
"We are in no rush for this as I know where all this will take us."
-------
Polaris Rail
"Finally, we are on the train. I would lose my mind if they told us we must wait another hour."
"Kate, it's alright. There's no need to be worked up about that's onboard now."
"You're right, Bri. How are you never mad?"
"Mad?" Bri thinks to herself. "There nothing in particular that would get me upset."
"Really?"
"Honestly"
"Well, what if you finally met with Axelle, and he has a girlfriend? Would you be mad then?"
Bri is left speechless, thinking for a moment.
"I would be fine with it," Bri speaks warmly.
"Well, I guess you'll never be angry then. I should strive to be more like you."
"Axelle is getting a girlfriend. I must take that into possibility. "
Bri bit her lower lip and rapidly taps her feet.
Kate briefly smiles. "You're good at lying with your face, Bri, but you have to work on your body language," she says to herself.
Haha
"What is so funny?"
"Nothing. I am going to take a nap for a bit."
---------
"The Tavern"
"Mr. Alekzander, are you done setting your stuff down," Ervine asks.
"Yes, I have, though I am a bit hungry."
"I bet you are. Please have a seat anywhere you like. What kind of drink would you like?"
"Water is fine."
"And the meal?"
Axelle sits at a table near the bar. "Um, I'm not too sure what you guys have."
"Anything"
"Anything?!"
"Yes, the chiefs in the back there can make anything. A cooking mage."
"Cooking mage?"
"Correct mages that can serve any food. Some Cooking mages only specialize in one item like meets or deserts, but ours can make anything."
"Wow, that is impressive."
"Indeed, not only that, but it says to boost your morale and restore your mana."
"That's great. May I get a medium-well ribeye steak with a side of potatoes?"
"Coming right up, it will be out shortly, "Ervine says pleasantly as he leaves the tables, talking briefly to girls along the way.
"Hey, get your act together!" Danica yells at him.
"Haha"
CREAK
OPEN
"The Tavern" door opens.
A young man with Bright Cooper hair, medium length, grey eyes, perfect completion, and eye-catchers for ladies walks in. He wears a Black V-necked shirt under a black trench coat with silver sleeve lining throughout, a hood attachment, black slacks with a black belt with a giant silver buckle, black boots with silver plates protecting his shin, and a longsword with a unique hilt.
All the girls in the bar stop and look in amazement.
Celeste stops moving to look as well.
"Celeste, don't get distracted now you have customers."
"S-sorry Lady Danica"
Danica moves closer to the entrance. "He has finally arrived—the Son of the Great War Hero Galen Rossi. Heavenly Blade Canidate. Ambrose Rossi!"
"Lady Danica, you don't have to do all that," Ambrose says in embarrassment. He looks around the tavern as something catches his attention.
"That red hair and necklace, no mistaking it." Ambrose walks over.
"Your Axelle Alekzander correct?"
"Yes I am."
"Great, it's a pleasure to meet you finally. Am Ambrose Rossi"
"Axelle"
"Our fathers know each other from the civil war years ago. Let us become allies as were they."
"Of course."
"Danica, may I sit with him?"
"If he's fine with it"
"Sure"
"Excellent"
Ambrose takes a seat with Axelle.
"Vince"
"I know the son of that prick."