Story Knights of Lore (book one)

[DarknessSama17]

One millennia ago they came and almost wiped humanity out of existence.

Now they've returned stronger than ever to finish what they started all those years ago.

The extermination of mankind.
*****

Kariah-Belle Nadirè dreams of becoming a knight and following in her parents footsteps. However before she can walk a path behind her mother and father, she must reap vengeance on the man who slaughtered her entire family branch.

After a unfortunate turn of events, Kariah-Belle finally becomes a Knight and is apprenticed under Holy Knight: Star Titania. Her new squad mates, Aya and Kaden have already started making a name for themselves. Upon meeting Kaden, Kariah-Belle suspects she isn't the lone survivor her branch and as the two get closer, things once hidden in the dark are brought to light.

Her chaotic world becomes even more so when a powerful alien race returns to eradicate all life on the planet.

In a world full dangerous wildlife, factions, and a race that sees humans as livestock, Kariah-Belle will need her friends, both old and new to survive. Will it be enough? Or will the life of a knight prove too much?

Book one of the Knights of Lore series

(I'd like to know if this story grabs and holds a readers attention. Im working on polishing it and making it as awesome as I can. Any feedback is great and will be considered. Thank ya! )

Cover done by @Amanda-Mae
Thanks a lot!



©

 

[DarknessSama17]

Prologue

It was as if time had came to a stand still as the two young men drifted in the icy cold vacuum of space.


The planet, Lore was massive, as it stood against the blackness. It was beautiful; blue, green, white, beige all coming together giving the image of a painted canvas. The surrounding darkness only adding to the magnificent sight.


Kaden really wished he wasn't coming to a painful death as he yearned enjoy the scenery.


They were not only suffocating, but it felt as if the pressure would burst their bodies at any given moment. The atmosphere was so cold that ice started to form on their bodies. Both young men felt as if their brains were about to smash through their skulls. If he was going to die, Kaden wished he'd die already; every nanosecond felt like torture.


He watched as his former friend, Rygilya, floated next to him. The young Darkness Tamer looked as if he was in just as much pain as Kaden. As Kaden looked into his old rival's eyes he could see his will to fight and survive despite their conditions. Rygilya had the same look Kaden had seen back when they had fought side by side together in a war against the rebel faction known as Rogue. Same as little over an hour ago when they had tried to kill each other.


Even when it looked as though he would be defeated, Rygilya always refused to go down without a fight. Despite the fact that he was a traitor like his master, Kaden still admired his will.


A sudden darkness started to show on the edges of their vision, slowly trying to grab hold and consume them.


Darkness soon found them. Both young men closed their eyes as their bodies went limp.


This is it. Kaden thought. I'm sorry master Iris, Aya... Kariah-Belle.


Not yet boy. Darqus said from inside his head. You know I can't let you die here.


Suddenly Kaden could breathe. He took a big gulp of air and started to inhaling and exhaling heavily. It was as if oxygen had found its way into his lungs...


Air? Kaden thought. But we're in outer space?! What the hell, Darqus?


The dark god fell silent within the young knight.


Confused, Kaden looked at his hands. Dragon scales covered them. The same as when he used his Mana to transform...


As he looked at the rest of his body, he found he was clad in dragon's scales that formed a sleek suit of armor. He could even feel a tail. Kaden wasn't able to perform a full transformation at the moment so he was doubly confused.


The young man laughed hysterically as he flipped once through the vacuum of space. This was incredible even though be was unable to fully grasp what was happening. However, he did understand one thing.


With Mana, one could breathe in outer space as if there was oxygen.


"No fucking way." He said both in disbelief and wonder.


He then looked over to the young man who had tried to kill him less than an hour ago. Kaden made a decision. For better or for worse he would somehow save Rygilya.

 

[DarknessSama17]

Chapter 1 - Future knights of Lore

Kariah-Belle Nadirè stood next to her best friend, Akiio Stoneheart as the two young women put on their graves and gauntlets, preparing for the trail ahead. Her squad has been on the military aircraft for over a day now, were soon to be upon their destination.


In a matter of minutes, everyone was ready for battle. The five students formed around their professor who'd taken to the center of the craft.


"You all know what you have to do." Professor Mar-Gin told them. "You will be skydiving out the aircraft into the nesting field of Darklings. You will exterminate them. Remember to watch each other's backs out there, understand?"


The group nodded. The dark skinned older man gave them a half smile. He then pulled a lever that hung down over his head. Doors began to open up on each side of the aircraft. Kariah-Belle and her team looked out at the village below as they set up their neuro-link with their professor.


The group of greenhorns had only used the neuro-link on three occasions so the tech was still fairly new. Still, they had learned enough for them to keep a neuro-link with at least three people. Today professor Mar-Gin would be taking advantage of this. The class would have a neuro-link with the professor. With this, the dark-haired man could communicate with his class from here in the aircraft. This combined with a 3D holographic projection that captured images in real time allowed the retired knight to track his students' movements. It was first made for virtual reality gaming, but it soon became a main source of training for knights and knights to be.


It was clear to Kariah-Belle that her professor had no intention of heading out on the field with them and said what the rest of the class was thinking.


"You aren't comings with us?"


The professor shook his. "Today Jet will lead you."


Everyone looked at Jet. The dark-haired young man with streaks of green had been chosen a few times to lead the squad during a few squabbles with petty gangs and wild beast that hid in the capital. Kariah-Belle recalled the time when Jet had been tasked with leading the team against a pack of Virrei, one of Lore's many hostile creatures.


This time, they wouldn't be facing off against people with low life force and wild animals. They would be facing darklings, humans that have fallen too far to their negative emotions and are now corrupt monsters. The records of this weren't dated until three thousand years ago and their origin is still a mystery though scientists say that the Darkness had something to do with it.


Kariah-Belle studied these heartless monsters in class and knew all about them. They resembled the Darkness warriors that nearly drove mankind extinct years ago. They are midnight black but have a very little resemblance to dinosaurs. Though they are near mindless, their numbers and increased physical attributes made them dangerous.


The young men and women hadn't faced them but they were in the advanced course for a reason. Their skill with Mana was better than most at the university and Kariah-Belle also felt as though Jet could lead a successful mission if everyone pulled their weight.


Kariah tapped the toe of her blue crystal-like greave against the floor of the vehicle. "Humph. Our first mission outside the capital and it'll be a cakewalk." She grinned as she scratched at an itch under her nose. "I'm just itching to cut loose."


"Careful, Riah," Lax-Rim said jokingly with a grin. "You tend to cause bad luck when your head becomes inflated."


Kariah-Belle rolled her eyes while trying to hold in a giggle. "Oh shut it." Answered the caramel-skinned


She knew it was true though. Often times when her head got too big for her britches, she would get careless and let her guard down or something bad out of the blue would happen. "I'll remember, I'll remember. I'm just saying I'm eager to get started!"


"I... I as well." Said the short young woman with short violet hair. She pulled her trademark goggles from around her neck and put them over her purple eyes while walking over to the opened door of the aircraft. Normally timid and jumpy, Mae Lu's olive-skinned face showed determination. "I-I myself wish to see what I can do."


Kariah-Belle grinned at Mae Lu as she walked over. "Hell yeah. Let's do this." The shorter woman was even more adorable when excited.


Akiio followed. While the emerald green-haired young woman's eyes held disinterest, Kariah-Belle could tell her best friend was also excited to test her own combat prowess.


"Well someone's as enthusiastic as always," Kariah told her jokingly.


The corner of Akiio's lips curled in a half smile, for Akiio, Kariah-Belle knew this was equivalent to giggling. "I'm so excited I can hardly contain myself."


Jet tied his hair in a ponytail and made his way over to the group. The young man kept his emotions hidden during missions but Kariah-Belle could see the excitement in his eyes. This was another mission for them all under their belts which meant a higher chance of them getting into great squadron or even become an apprentice to a Divine Knight. The more completed missions, the more impressive your resumè looks. It doesn't help if the difficulty is higher.


In the six months they've been in the advanced class they had done many missions that most academy students wouldn't see until they become knights.


Kariah looked at her teammates on either side of her. Lax-Rim, Jet, and Mae Lu were staring down at the moving dark figures below. They paid no mind to the object far above them.


Akiio was staring at Kariah-Belle with a knowing look, and the black-brown haired girl smiled. Her friend knew what was going through her mind.


' These are the people I must protect today so we can smile again another day.'


A saying Kariah-Belle recalled her mother saying. Back then the girl had thought it simply meant to be kind to others which impacted her greatly. Now she fully understood what it meant and would often think it before a dangerous mission. Akiio had known her friend so well that not even this phrase was kept hidden. She knew Kariah would think it right about now.


Oh, how she loved that girl.


It was then that Lax-Rim grew impatient. The young man jumped, yelling, "Geronimo!"


"There he goes." Mae Lu said chuckling. "As impatient as always."


Then she too jumped out the aircraft. Jet took a simple step and went plummeting towards earth. The two young women nodded to each other then followed their teammates. Jumping out the aircraft to the job below.


The scene before Kariah-Belle was breathtaking. Once tall, elegant skyscrapers made of colorful titanium like metal now lay in ruins and covered in greenery. It was as if the world was trying to consume what man had made. Moss and gravel covered the toppled buildings The buildings were corroding so large chunks lay scattered about on the poorly paved roads that were being overtaken by grass and flowers. Some of them still managed to look astonishingly beautiful standing at slopped angles.


The sight was spectacular indeed but the young woman knew she had a job to do.


After taking in the scenery, the team looked at Jet, waiting for the young man to lead them. He searched the landscape for a place to land. Without a word switches from spread eagle to dive-bombing for a building with its top portion missing that was leaning against another.


As they drew closer to their landing spot, Kariah felt a rush of strenght consume her as she instinctively activated her mana exoskeleton. A blue and white aura engulfed her entire body. Her comrades performed the same feat and each of them landed on the sloped side of the leaning building and started sprinting downwards. She was focused on the wind sliding across her brown skin when she heard Lax-Rim behind her.


"Yeee-aaah!" He shouted out.


Kariah-Belle glanced behind her as she ran down the skyscraper. She could see the red haired young man had went from running to sliding on his backside down the slope. Grinning, Kariah-Belle decided she'd mimic her childhood friend. She could always count on Lax-Rim to bring the fun to a life or death mission.


She crouched low and began sliding down the building, giggling. It had been about a minute since she'd left the aircraft and already she was having a blast. She looked back at Lax-Rim, grinning. "You sure know how to bring the fun, Lax!"


He was grinning from ear to ear. "I try!"


"Hey, you two," Akiio called from behind them. "Be vigilant."


The two fun lovers spoke in unison. Kariah-Belle giving a "Roger!" While Lax-Rim answered with "Right!"


The two of them continued to slide as the end of the building drew closer.


Lax-Rim let out an impressed whistle at a large number of darklings that seemed to mindlessly shuffle on the ground below. "There's got to be at least eighty to one hundred of em down there."


Kariah-Belle noticed Mae Lu taking a deep breath. The brown-haired young woman knew this was a frightening experience for her. It was a frightening experience for them all.


Sure the team had faced much life-threatening dangerous but the darklings were a whole different thing compared to what they had faced before. They could think and act as one. They possess very tough skin and incredible strength. It wasn't any of these features that made them truly dangerous though.


She knew that the real battle wouldn't start until all the darklings were defeated.


Up front, Jet shouted, "Remember. Stick close. Don't waste too much Mana on them unless truly necessary. We'll need it for what comes after. Everyone ready?"


"Ready!" Everyone shouted in unison.


Jet leaped high into the air. The others followed him. They propelled themselves over the building. Kariah-Belle knew her squad leader was planning to have them drop in the center of the darklings nesting fields. From there the team would break off. Lax-Rim and Jet would make a team, while Akiio, Mae Lu and Kariah-Belle would make the other. When the group broke into teams, each person had two jobs.


One: keep up with your teammate/s whereabouts.


Two: watch your teammate/s back.


It was their teamwork that made Kariah and her team one of the best in the advanced course. With Jet having the number one spot at the school and Akiio ranking in at number three, their little squad had significant balance.


One darkling looked up, spotting the group of young adults. It signalled for those nearest to do the same. A few seconds later blood-chilling screams could be heard from the crowd of monsters. The screams had alerted even more darklings to their arrival. It was unlike anything Kariah-Belle had ever heard. She felt fear rise in her and began to second guess herself as a few of the darklings jumped off the ground to meet them.


Her heart started to thump in her chest.


Can I really do this? What if I choke? What if-


Kariah-Belle. Professor Mar-Gin spoke gently in her mind via nurolink. Calm yourself. You can do this.


The young woman closed her eyes and took a deep breath. The picture of her mother and father she had hanging in her locker back at Lyzaria flashed in her mind. She recalled her mother's smiling face as she gripped the blue hilt of her sword as her heart rate slowed a bit.


"Thanks, professor." She whispered.


She then opened her eyes and with a battle cry that strengthens her resolve, Kariah-Belle unsheathed her sword.


It was Jet who'd earned first blood as he'd punched one of the creatures hard in the face, his physical attributes increased by his green Mana exoskeleton.


The young man quickly maneuvered his body mid-air thanks to the Mana that augmented his body to slam his foot down on the second creatures head seconds before giving the third darkling a back fist, sending all three hurtling down towards earth and smashing into their kin before slamming into the ground creating small craters as well as a shockwave that blew a few of the surrounding darklings to the ground.


Mae Lu pulled her high-tech bow from her back. She yelled defiantly as she meets two of the dark creatures that had jumped at her, no doubt to push back the fears that were trying to consume her. It seemed to do the trick.


It was as if she had landed on something solid, though there was nothing there, Kariah-Belle knew it was the her wind craft. Mae Lu then flipped over the two darklings. Twirling behind them, the short-haired young woman then fired two wind arrows at both of them with pin-point accuracy, peirceing both of them in the head. A miniature explosion of compact winds shredded their heads to nothing.


Jet and Mae Lu landed. The two began fighting off the surrounding darklings that had scattered thanks the craters Jet had created, Mae Lu dodged and fired arrows while Jet used combined forms of martial arts to keep away and darklings that got close.


As Kariah drew closer to the darklings, she could see how deformed they are. Some had large arms but small legs, some had three legs, others had horns and tails that didn't match their bodies. A lump formed in her throat which she swallowed.


The white and blue blade of Kariah-Belle's sword pierced the face of one darkling as she landed. She then kicked the monster away as she pulled her sword out of it's face then quickly spun on her heel to kick away one that was rushing to attack her. The thing tumbled backward from the force of her kick enhanced by her Mana exoskeleton. She then leaped over a few dark creatures that tried to grab her to land on the downed darkling and stabbed it in the face.


Lax-Rim landed on one of the creatures that had managed to sneak up on Kariah, taking the young woman by surprise. She was prepared to block and take a bit of damage but the young man slammed into the creature, tackling it to the ground. His crimson red exoskeleton surrounding his body while his fist was glowing a violent red as he pummeled the darkling a few times rapidly.


Akiio landed beside them. The emerald haired young woman had her curved jade dagger drawn and her eyes scanned the area. There was still a lot of darklings that all had their eyes on them.


With everyone finally on the ground, the group broke into their assigned teams. Akiio, Kariah-Belle and Mae Lu stuck together, forming up with their backs to each other while the darklings rushed them. Kariah-Belle stabbed a darkling in its stomach beats kicking it hard. It tumbled into more of its kind, knocking two over while two dodged. They rushed at Kariah-Belle. The young woman leaped while spinning, her heel slammed into the first one's cheek. The kick had such force that it snapped the monster's neck. The second darkling got Kariah's blade. As she descends she brought her sword straight through the torso of the creature. More of them came at her and the young woman got to work. Dodging, leaping, parrying, slashing and stabbing. All while the sound of adrenaline filled in her ears, almost as if she could hear her heart pumping out blood.


She spotted Akiio flipping over a few darklings and landed a few yards away from the other two women in her team. She turned on her heel then slammed her emerald-scaled elbow into the nearest darkling, knocking it to the ground. She brought the talons of her emerald hand down, piercing the mpiercing the head. Pulling her claws free, she hacked and stabbed the other two creatures.


Mae Lu twirled and fired arrows made of wind. She would at times, appear to be standing in mid-air but Kariah knew it was just a skill of wind craft. She'd then land on the nearest darkling then fire an arrow at point blank range.


The trio fought well. All that training had paid off and it showed. Kariah-Belle spotted Lax-Rim and Jet taking down darkling after darkling in rapid succession. The two young men were exceptional fighters and worked very well together. Feeding off each other's moves and cover each other's blind spots the two looked almost like veteran knights.


Before long, Lax-Rim vanquished the final darkling with a takedown then sent his glowing red fist into its face with frightening force that smashed its skull, black blood splattered everywhere. Jet stood beside him and gestured for the group to gather.


Well done team. Professor Mar-gin said in each of their minds as everyone gathered. You all know what comes next. Keep together. Work together. You all can do this.


"Yes, sir." Each of them replied aloud. They each prepared themselves for what was about to come.


Kariah-Belle looked at each of her team as the bodies of the dead darklings began to evaporate and become mist-like. Kariah-Belle was no fool. She could put two and two together. An advanced course wasn't supposed to fight so many darklings until their eleventh month of being in the class. Yet here the five of them were. About to face off against something that even full-fledged had difficulty handling. That could only mean one thing.


This is a test. Kariah-Belle thought.


A test for what, the young woman couldn't possibly be sure. She thought about contacting her professor but he responded in her head saying, You're a very bright las Ms. Nadirè but for now focus on the task at hand. We'll discuss that matter another time. Your team needs you.


Right professor. The young woman responded in her head. She then turned her attention to the black mist that replaced the darkling corpses. The mist was coming together. It was seconds later that the mist started to take shape.


"So," Lax-Rim said. The slightest hint of fear could be heard in his voice. "Anyone else get the feeling we're screwed?"


"I..." Mae Lu said timidly as the fifty feet tall darkling glared down at them with glowing red eyes.


This was what happened when more then eighty darklings were slain in a cluster. The birth of Evilbarer.


Like darklings, it was a black as night. Like Darkness Tamers it bared a shining star.


The monster let out a was in-between a roar and a screech as it charged, it's a huge midnight black sword held over its head.

 

[DarknessSama17]

Future Knights of Lore pt. 2

"Move!” Jet shouted.


Everyone scattered just as the blade struck the ground, leaving a deep crevice. Kariah-Belle and Mae Lu landing in a corroded building.


She saw Akiio leap on the side of the building, then pounce at the creatures face. She was fast but the Evilbarer was faster, using its free hand to bat her out of the sky and sent her crashing through an old hover van.


“Akiio!” Kariah-Belle shouted.


She roared and blue Mana laced with some white surrounded her sword.


“K-Kariah-Belle! Stick to the formation!” Mae Lu urged with panic in her voice.


Kariah-Belle wasn't listening. The sound of her heart beating like a drum dimmed all other noises.


She propelled herself at the black creature, leaping high in the air. Caution was thrown to the wind from seeing her best friend tossed aside like an annoying mosquito.


Suddenly pain exploded throughout her body as she sailed upwards in a daze.


Wh-what. She thought as her vision started to clear.


She saw the Evilbarer poise it's black sword to knock her out of the sky as she started to descend.


Fast. I can't dodge!


The creature's blade sliced through the air with a whistling noise. All Kariah-Belle could do was brace for impact.


She heard Jet let out a battle cry as he jabbed a green mana saber at the creature's chest. The blade was strong and durable but it was still undeveloped and only served to push the creature off balance.


Kariah-Belle was able to to see the Evilbarer regain it's footing and whack Jet before the he could touch the ground. The young man crashed through a building.


The creature quickly moved to attack Kariah-Belle and she instinctively jumped away. However, to her dismay, the Evilbarer fainted and followed up with a back swing from its sword that sent her into a building.


She tumbled along the inside before slamming hard into the other end, leaving a dent in the hard material.


“Ooww,” Kariah-Belle said holding her head as she waited for the pounding to stop.


If not for her Mana exoskeleton and her mother's armor, Kariah-Belle knew she would be dead. Those textbooks said Evilbarers hit hard but hard was an understatement.


The young woman got to her feet and sprinted out of the building.


“Take this!” Lax-Rim shouted.


He was at the creatures back, his fist was surrounded in crimson red flames.


“Dragon's Barrage!” He roared as he punched the creature rapidly.


His arms moved so fast the average person would only see a fiery blur as each strike letting off a small explosion of flames that turned into ambers.


"Hell yeah!" Kariah exclaimed.


The creature was pushed forward by the end of attack but seemed unscathed.


“Fuck!” Kariah-Belle shouted as she leaped in onto a broken truck.


Lax-Rim's attack had done little damage thanks to the armor like skin. The creature was already turning to swat the young man out of the sky.


Kariah-Belle pushed her Mana output to it's limit as she jumped onto the side of a large building and sprinted along the wall.


However, the creature had a speed advantage on her. It quickly whacked Lax-Rim with it's sword before she could get close.


Suddenly sparks danced around her sword before it was surrounded in dancing currents of lightning.


She launched herself from the building and closed in on the creature.


The black creature's instincts were above average as it started to turn around, ready to counter attack but was struck by Akiio who punched it's face with her scaled fist and an explosion of green Mana knocked the creature off balance.


“Lightning Fang!” Kariah-Belle roared as she sliced her sword throw the creatures lower leg, forcing it to one knee.


Kariah-Belle landed with a slide then leapt into a corroding building.


“Mae Lu!” She heard Jet call out.


Kariah-Belle watched the violet haired woman apparead above and behind the creature, her bow aimed for a direct hit.


“Wind craft: Wind Lance!” The violet haired young woman called out.


She fired a arrow made of wind that quickly grew to resemble a large lance, a technique performed by low level Divine knights. It was impressive for an academy student to acquire such a skill.


She watched as a Lance made of compact winds shred through the Evilbarer's chest and shoulder.


Kariah-Belle was proud of how her timid comrade had grown. Now, when her team needed her most she didn't hesitate.


The attack had left the creature badly wounded. Black blood oozed from it's destroyed side, exposing it's core that had been greatly damaged. Mae Lu's attack was able to destroy the core which served as it's heart but the fight was yet to be over.


Brace yourselves. Spoke professor Mar-Gin via neruolink. It's not over yet.


The creature suddenly let out a horrible screech that made Kariah-Belle want to piss herself.


It then reformed it's missing parts including it's core. Kariah-Belle watched almost mesmerized as it sprouted two arms from it's back with palms that bared eyeballs.


“Ri!” Akiio called out as calm as ever. Her disability to express emotions properly helped her keep a cool head in a crisis and in this moment Kariah-Belle envied that flaw. “Take Mae Lu and get her out of sight!”


“What're you crazy?! No way I'm I leaving the three of you alone with that thing!”


Akiio, Jet and Lax-Rim were all geniuses at close combat but Kariah-Belle knew not even their skills would be enough to take that thing down. She was reluctant to leave her comrades.


The brown haired young woman heard sounds of swords clashing and look to see Jet defending Lax-Rim from the Evilbarer's sword. Lax-Rim threw balls of fire as he fell but they couldn't even serve to slow it down and she could see the frustration on his face.


“Riah!” Akiio called once more. "Have you forgotten we have a plan?"


She did.


“Fine!” She answered obviously frustrated.


Akiio nodded and went to join the fry.


Kariah-Belle searched around for Mae Lu. She knew their best bet at destroying that things core was Mae's Wind Lance. She also knew that the Evilbarer would now be on guard for the attack and wouldn't be easy to catch it off guard again.


“Riah!” Mae Lu made her way over. She looked nervous as her eyes darted around, watching for any signs of danger. Sweat headed her for head and her breathing was starting to become heavy. “A-are we moving to phase two o-or will we wing it again?”


Kariah-Belle felt some shame. They had went over a plan many times on their flight but she completely lost her head at seeing her best friend thrown across the sky. She always had a problem at keeping herself under control when someone she cared for deeply was hurt.


“We're moving to phase two.” Kariah-Belle answered. “Let's move.”


Mae Lu nodded and followed closely behind. The two leapt from building to building until they found a tall building that had chunks missing from corrosion.


“Stay here. Wait for my signal.”


Mae Lu nodded and with that Kariah-Belle took off back towards the battle.


She heard the Lax-Rim scream in pain and spotted him in the clutches of the Evilbarer. Akiio and Jet tried despreately to free him but with it's extra arms and quick reaction speed they couldn't get close enough.


Kariah-Belle moved closer hoping from building to building before running up the side of a slanted tower, going above the creatures head.


She jumped down, lightning roaring to life around her sword as she fell. She flipped rapidly and while the Evilbarer was focused on keeping her two comerades at bay, she was able to slice right through the creatures arm.


The creature roared. Weather in pain or raged at losing it's kill, Kariah-Belle couldn't be sure.


Lax-Rim broke free. He and Kariah-Belle retreated to a series distance.


“You good?” She asked.


“No! We're getting our asses kicked.”


“Wouldn't be the first time.” Kariah-Belle stated to which Lax-Rim snorted.


“Is Mae ready?”


“Yeah. Follow my lead.”


She sprinted at the creature. Jet had just been sent tumbling a good distance on the ground and Akiio landed out of reach of the creatures arms.


“Hey ugly!” She called to the Evilbarer and succeeded in getting it's attention.


The beast turned to her just as she sprinted through it's legs.


Only one more Lightning fang. Gotta make it count.


The beast tried to step on her but she managed to dive out of the way and roll back to her feet.


The creature gave chase. Kariah-Belle guessed it wanted to get ride of her Lightning fang. While the technique wasn't enough to damage it's core, it could greatly injure it. She knew Evilbarer's adapted and planned to use that to her advantage.


The creature was on her heels as she bolted over cars, and along the sides of buildings. Lax-Rim and Akiio working to slow the creature down. They were just barely succeeding but Kariah-Belle managed to gain a little distance.


“Look out!” Lax-Rim hollered just as Kariah-Belle noticed something was blocking the sun.


She jumped to her left just as the Evilbarer's large sword impaled itself in the ground. Dust kicked up from the impact as she sailed into a nearby build that was missing it's top half.


She continued running with all her might until she propelled herself into the air.


She lached on to the side of a window sill and looked for the creature. She hung high from the building as the monster sprinted towards her at a speed that should be impossible for a it's size.


Holy crap this thing is fast. She thought as she fought the fear that rose within her. The creature was at least fifty feet tall, it moved with incredible speed. Sweat beaded down her forehead and she fought the urge to swipe the liquid away.


No way in hell am I getting slammed through another wall. The young woman said to herself.


Go get em Ms. Nadirè. Mar-gin said via Nurolink.


The Evilbarer got within striking range and brought up it's sword to attack. It was then that Akiio and Lax-Rim came into Kariah-Belle's view from behind the monster. They both attacked the Evilbarer mid-air from what would've been it's blind spot if not for the two large pitch black arms that sprouted from it's back like tentacles. The arms possessed eyes in the palm of it's large hands. One arm rose a fist to meet Lax's Exploding Fire Fist. The other arm collided with Akiio's glowing scale plated fist.


Green and red explosions ignited upon impact.


From her spot on the wall the girl could see the frustration on both her friend's faces as they were repelled backwards. The two had used their strongest attacks. Lax-Rim's look to have did nothing while Akiio's attack only served to knocked it away.


Still the two did their job. With the two arms distracted, Jet deflected the sword that was slicing through the air with a whistling sound to get to Kariah-Belle. He'd leaped and used his green Mana saber to smack into the black sword that was as hard as the monster's skin. Jet's Mana sabar was still in it's second state. It took the form of a green katana that was five feet ten inches long and one and a half feet wide. Though the sword was still in a premature state it was strong enough to knock aside the black blade.


The monster raised it's free hand to strike but it was too late. Kariah-Belle had launched herself from her spot on the window and was already in the Evilbarer's face. The young woman's sword was crackling with lightning. Lightning currants began to flow through the white and blue Mana that engulfed her sword. The girl roared and that picture of her mother and father flashed in her mind.


"Lightning Fang!!!" The Kariah-Belle roared as the Mana that engulfed the blade was now replaced by currents of lightning bolts. She brought her sword up to then slashed downwards right through the creature's head. Sloppy cutting it's face in half. The right side of it's head slowly began to slide.


"Now!" Kariah-Belle shouted as she was falling over the bellowing of the beast.


The young woman had just used her finishing technique for the third time to greatly injure the Evilbarer while leaving an opening. Using lightning augmented her sword to boost the effectiveness of an attack she was able to cut through it's tough skin. Normally such a feat wouldn't be possible to learn to anyone who isn't a Master Knight but thanks to her mother's weapon and Kariah-Belle's natural affinity for lightning, it was a move that the young woman practiced often and nearly perfected. Maxing out her stats as far as he could and using this technique more than three times before her Lifeforce had time to regenerate. The feat was quickly taking it's toll.


It was a technique Kariah left in her back pocket as it was very taxing even with her enormous Lifeforce. Using her Lightning Fang three times in less than three minutes leaves her temporarily paralyzed. Thus her not being able to catch her balance in the air. She couldn't conjour her exoskeleton which meant she'd die from the impact.


"I've got you." Said Akiio. Catching Kariah in the air then landing on a flipped over, rundown delivery truck from the old days.


It was then that both girls turned just in time to see a giant drill made of Mana and wind made of wind smash through the building Kariah-Belle had been previously hanging from. While the violet haired young woman didn't posses much physical power, or even high reserves of Lifeforce, her skill with wind craft was superb. It was because of her family that her Mana can form wind without using much Lifeforce. She was also a genius at Mana control.


"Wind Lance!" The purple haired young woman shouted as she fell towards the Evilbarer. This was her finishing move. A Lance made of compact winds that would shred anything it touched on cellular level.


The Lance burst through the monster's torso and kept going, destroying it's core for a second time. She fell to earth but a weakened Lax-Rim was there to break her fall. She landed on him and he collapsed under the weight. The two of them weaken and groaning in pain. Kariah-Belle knew those two had hit their limit.


The Evilbarer's body fell. Everyone stayed quiet. Watching to see if it would get back up like the first time they had slain it.


Jet crouching down. His breathing was heavy thanks to using his Mana sword continuously while sustaining the Mana that augmented his body. Mae Lu tried to stand but she didn't have much left in her thanks to her Wind Lance so she just settled for sitting as did Lax-Rim.


Akiio placed Kariah-Belle on the ground. The two of them were the ones with enough Lifeforce to keep fighting not that it would matter. The two young women were soon to reach their limits too. Kariah-Belle could feel her body had weakened a considerable amount and she no longer had the ability to increase her sword's piercing power via Mana while sustaining a proper Mana exoskeleton. Both of them were panting with fatigue. If that thing were to get up again it would be game over for them all.


They waited. Knowing the beast wouldn't get up but the fear of facing such a creature for a third time made them all a bit paranoid.


Seconds went by before Akiio and Kariah-Belle collapsed on the beat-up truck.


"Hell yeah!" Exclaimed the curly-haired young woman as she pumped her fist in the air. "That's what I'm talking about!" She started giggling.


"You did great out there." Akiio called over to Mae Lu.


"It was thanks to you guys that I was able to find an opening." Mae Lu responded.


You all were able to win today because all of you have come a long way since joining the advance course. Professor Mar-gin spoke in their minds. Not only as individuals but as a team. You all preformed wonderfully. Be proud of yourselves.


"Thank you professor." Everyone said aloud.


"How about sending for us, professor?" Lax-rim ask his teacher, now laying back on the pavement. "We wreak of sweat and I'd really like to scrub this nnear-death experience out of my skin."


"A shower does sound lovely." Said Mae Lu.


"Agreed." Chimmed Kariah-Belle.


The young woman watched her friend sniff herself than make a face. Kariah-Belle laughed as Akiio said, "Yeah I could definitely use a bath or two."


The professor chuckled in their minds. Of course. We'll be down there in a jiff.

 

[DarknessSama17]

Chapter 2 - Kariah-Belle Nadirè

Back on the aircraft, the team was going over the event of the day as they ate snacks. They had looked death in the face and conquered it. Well put a whole in it would be more accurate. The young men and women knew what they had accomplished today would be noticed by a knight with high renown. They talked more about the few mistakes and what could've been done differently.

It wasn't long before the group of young people had fallen asleep. Only professor Mar-Gin and Kariah-Belle stayed awake. The professor worked on the report for the training mission while Kariah played with a sleeping Akiio's beautiful emerald hair. Even though she had used a lot of her Lifeforce, she still had plenty to spare so sleep wouldn't find her just yet. All she could do was wait for her Lifeforce to completely replenish.

Finally they landed in the small village of Canma. It was different from the city where they had fought the Evilbarer and the capital. This place had smaller buildings used for homes and storage. As the team helped the the villagers unload the supplies that were stacked closer to the front of the aircraft, Kariah-Belle could see just how much this place needed supplies.

The people here looked as though they were starving. From the briefing Mar-Gin gave, the village had been lucky they hadn't been attacked. The village did not look fit for living and there wasn't a Mana generators in sight so they had no means of light, running water, or heat. Kariah-Belle was glad that they had completed their mission and felt pride swelled in her.

She worked with Mae Lu and Jet on installing the generators while Akiio and Lax-Rim helped with repairs. The young woman had a taste of what it meant to be a knight and survived. She also experienced for the first time to complete a mission with the well being of an entire village on the line.

"Thank you so much future knights of the four nation." The village chief told the group of students. It seemed as though the entire village was behind him. Though that would only be about forty or so. "Mr. Mar-Gin told us of how you risked your lives to make a way for me and my people. Now thanks to your efforts we won't have to worry about darklings attacking our village. My people will spread the deed you have done here today." The old man extend his hand for a shake.

Kariah-Belle pushed Jet forward with a smirk. He was the one to lead this mission so it was only right he'd get most of the credit. Coming up with strategies that utilized each of their strengths on top of his superb combat skills was what saved the day. In fact, if not for Jet, their probably would've been multiple casualties. It was rare that an orphan from the slums to possess such skill.

Jet glanced back, giving Kariah-Belle a look. The young man hated being the center of attention. Still he shook the chief's hand and spoke.

"It was a pleasure sir. My team and I were happy to do it." Said a bit awkwardly Jet, shaking the man's hand.

Sensing the young man's uneasiness, the Chief chuckled as he gave Kariah and the others a once over. The busted lips and bandages spoke for themselves. "A great team you have." He added. "My people and I will pray for Kul to bring you luck on your journey."

"Thank you Sir." Jet said, accepting the praise.

The team and the villagers said their good-byes and the group boarded the aircraft to find Mar-Gin waiting for them.

"We have much to discuss. Listen and listen closely."

***********

It had been three weeks since the team landed back at Lyzaria. The buzz of the top teams to complete their first mission outside the capital was starting to die down. Traditionally all the students in the advance course were suppose to all go on their first mission outside the capital on the eleventh month of the year. Kariah-Belle and her team were the buzz of the school, as well as two other teams in the advance course. The second years who had yet to battle darklings were bombarding them with questions.

Their buzz eventually died down completely after a few weeks when news of Holy Knights and thier starting apprentices making a visit getting around. The Holy knights would be supervising the Advance course classes this year. This would be the first time Kariah-Belle will see a holy knight and she wouldn't be the only one. Holy knights were rare and elusive.

A few Divine Knights from each nation will be watching as well. Rumor had it that Divine Knight: Shining Bullet and Divine Knight: Ocean Blade would make an appearance.

Kariah-Belle was stoked to say the least.

She and the others know why the knights were coming earlier this year. Professor Mar-Gin had told them the day they left Canma.

The young woman had hit the books hard after returning home. She felt that things would get tougher from then on and she was right. Professor Mar-Gin gave the team tougher assignments both for classes and training missions. The team hadn't left the capital since returning but there were plenty of things to keep them busy in the capital.

Currently the young woman had I just finished taking a shower in one of the two girls locker room of Lyzaria Academy. This school had ranked Second in the annual festivals that took place every year. Only those with the potential to serve in the Order of Knights could be accepted into the top school in each kingdom and compete in the entrance exams. Like first, third, and fourth, these schools had become known by outstanding feats.

During last year's annual graduation ceremony Lyzaria graduates produced two hundred Officer Knights, five master knights, and three divine knights. It had been two years since the nation of Vyrmm had produced a holy knight, the highest ranking warriors in the ranks of all four nations. They were few and are rarely seen.

Kariah-Belle wanted to become a Holy Knight. She wanted to follow in her mother's footsteps and fight for those who couldn't fight for themselves. That wasn't her only reason for her to train her butt off and study hard...

Punching some numbers in a holographic keypad that projected on the wall just under the shower head, the shower head retracted and Kariah's locker door came swinging open. Even the locker rooms were decked out. An all-white room. The room was like a lab. Simply by punching in numbers, one could switch from locker to shower. Each locker had its own two-yard space.

Along with rectangular mirror that hung on the locker door which was what the young woman was using to admire body for a moment. Her curvy body worked and trained to a toned figure. She stared at the two large scars that ran over the caramel skin of her belly button that formed an X. She had multiple bruises and scars from the intense missions and training sessions with her squad mates but it was these two scars that seemed as though they'd never heal. One of the scars she had no idea how she'd gotten but the other she remembered how she'd got it, if only vaguely.

The young woman tried to pry her mind away from that day by digging in her locker for a towel. The lockers were whatever color the user wanted. They only had to be decorated. Kariah had simply painted the outside of her locker bright red. On The inside, a rectangular mirror hung on the door.

She looked at the picture that hung in top right corner of the mirror. It was a picture of her, her mother, and father in front of their comfy little home. Her parents were killed due to an a attack by a Darkness Tamer back when they lived in a small little town out in the further away from the capital.

Now Riah knew all about Darkness Tamers. Humans that willing gave into their dark emotions in exchange for power and still stays in control. The Darkness Tamer whom had slain Kariah-Belle's parents was still on the loose and she was determined to kill the bastard who stole her parents' lives and orphaned her.

She could never forget the two stars that seemed to sparkle and dance on this Darkness Tamer's midnight body, his face seen through a helmet that resembled the head of a triceratops as he laughed.

That laugh echoed in the young woman head. The picture of his jagged teeth and human face invaded the young woman's mind. She could feel her body start to tremble as her heart rate sped up. Kariah-Belle could feel the fear that gripped her as a kid start to consume her now as panic rose within her.

"Riah?" The emerald haired young woman said as she placed a hand on Kariah-Belle's shoulder, pulling her from memory lane.

Kariah-Belle turned her attention to the see Akiio Stoneheart. A genius from the Stoneheart family branch .

The scales that specked the lower left side of her pale face sparkled like tiny emeralds was evidence of her family bloodline and matched her bright green eyes.

Kariah thought the other girl was very beautiful. She couldn't help but smile at the woman she saw as sister.

The two girls had been pushing each other to become stronger. Both were helping each other with lacking areas while constantly edging each other to their limits during training. The two young women had built a rivalry that drives on love for one another as well as respect for each other's goals.

"Are you okay?" The girl asked, concern written in her sparkling eyes. Often times Kariah's mind would flashback to that day but it was only when her mind remembered her parents' murderer did that overwhelming fear grip her. Having no secrets between them, Akiio knew this and would often keep an eye on her friend whenever she had the chance.

"I'm fine." Kariah-Belle said to her friend to which the other girl raised an eyebrow, unconvinced.

"I'm fine." She repeated with a reassuring smile. Kariah knew her friend had a tendency to worry excessively over what she cared about though most wouldn't pick up on her caring nature due to her constant nonchalant demeanor. Kariah-Belle was one of those people that would cause her to worry so much.

Brightening her smile, Kariah-Bell gave the other girl a once over.

Akiio was small but lean as most advance course students were. Standing at five feet five inches Akiio was a force to be reckoned with. The young woman was already dressed in tight black jeans and sported an emerald green top, both fitting her petite figure snugly. Her sneakers were green and black. She wore a pendant that I sported her family's emblem, a bouquet of emerald flowers in the. Kariah-Belle admired the emerald scales that covered her left, lower arm only exposing her palm and forearm. The skin on the outside of the fist was completely covered on emerald plating that formed scales, almost as if forming a gauntlet.

After taking a second to admire her friend's appearance, Kariah-Belle grinned then nodded Akiio.

"Looking good," Kariah-Belle told her friend with a mischievous grin. "How has Lax not fallen head over heels for you yet?"

Akiio gave a half smirk. "That boy is only interested in being a knight. He's so dense I'm surprised he doesn't have his own gravitational pull."

Kariah burst out laughing. Lax-Rim did seem to be very oblivious to Akiio's advancements. Both girls knew that Lax-Rim had a one track mind. Placing training, over everything else. In fact, it was his incredible skill in combat that got him into Lyzaria. The young man passed nearly off the combat assessment alone and was considered a genius among second years. However, being a warrior at heart, he would always slack on his studies. If not for the two girls, he most likely wouldn't have made it past the first year.

Kariah-Belle held out her arm. "Shall we?"

Akiio looped her arm around hers. "We shall."

Some time later, Kariah-Belle found herself floating upside down in a class full of students.

"Mana." Kariah-Belle stated from her desk, floating upside down not far from Professor Mar-Gin.

The classroom was huge enough for the 40 students inside to float about as they pleased. The spherical classrooms gave students the freedom to float and maneuver as they pleased. With desks that defied gravity and white walls made from material that helped a voice travel throughout the entire room, the young adults had much freedom in one of the best schools; and one that only those with the ability to manipulate Mana could get into.

"The ability to manipulate one's Lifeforce in one form or another...", the carmel skinned young woman continued, "The increase in one's attributes, the manifestation of powerful weapons with mystical properties, transformations and wielding the elements are all just a few forms of manipulating Mana."

Mar-Gin spoke. "Very good, Ms. Nadirè. Tell us how Mana can be formed."

"By using the Life-force of the living organisms around us", Kariah-Belle continued. "Doing this drains one's own Life-force which can be trained and increased. Some are naturally born with a large amount of Life-force. If one's Life-force falls bellow a certain percentage, then that person runs the risk of igniting into flames; which instantly results in death".

"Excellent, Ms Nadirè, very well done. Mr. Col, finish for your fellow student would you?" The dark haired man said, turning on his podium to face the red haired young man. His hair matched his fire red eyes.

The red head thought for a moment, while Kariah-Belle watched him. She could she her friend was having difficulty gauging where the professor wanted him to continue. This was a method of teaching in which their professor used for members of the advanced course. He'd often say "To be able to peer into your opponent's mind even for a second, could be the difference between life and death".

She knew her teacher wasn't just talking out of his ass. She'd experienced first had what bit of insight could do. Kariah mentally gave her friend support, 'Come on, Lax-rim. You got this'.

Before long the young man answered which earned a nod of approval from the professor, "Life-force was given to us by Kul, the Goddess of Life. With Life-force there comes positive energy and negative energy. It is the combination of the two energies that gives mankind life". Lax-Rim paused for a moment to gather his thoughts, then continued, "Before then the human race had no emotions and only knew survival. When Kul gave us emotions, she gave us Life-force. Negative emotions or negative energy are things such as hate, envy, despair, etc. Positive emotions or positive energy use love, joy, excitement, hope, etc."

"Good, Mr. Col", the professor said. "Good to see you've been keeping up with your studies. Now who can tell me where Kul has gone?"

Another young woman spoke up saying, "They say she has went into hiding after saving mankind from going extinct at the hands of Darkness all those years ago. As of now, no one knows where she has gone."

"To this day even her origin has remained a mystery", the professor continued in place of the young woman. "In mystery she came. In mystery she went."

The class couldn't help but groan in unison. Professor Mar-Gin would always repeat that old saying at one point or another when talking about the goddess. It was a saying Kariah-Belle and her generation had never used often. Just then loud chimes rang throughout the academy, signaling the end of class.

The young men and women formed their desks in a half circle around the lower part of the classroom. They then started to file out as classes was over for the day. As with the end of every week this year Kariah and Lax-Rim along with two other student, Mae Lu and Jet ,also stayed at their desks. Professor Mar-Gin looked over at them. Kariah-Belle looked around at the remaining students, four of them in total. They all stayed behind for one reason. They were closest in their class to becoming Knights, protectors of their kingdom.

This meant that each of them could create Mana and use it in combat very effectively. Each of them had a chance to become Master Knights and earn a spot on a squad without having to complete the customary three years at the academy. Their squad was one of the most recognized in the academy.

Some of them have been working hard. Most of them had natural talent received from a family bloodline. If not for her two friends Lax-Rim and Akiio, Kariah was sure she'd never have made it this far. The caramel skinned would be sure to thank her two friends for the hundredth time.

Normally only students from well-known families get into this class. Money doesn't help much as one has to have potential to become a Master Knight to join. Of course those who put forth an effort to better themselves can enter this course. It wasn't just Lax-Rim's and Akiio's training in hand to hand combat that got her in this class, it was her extremely high amounts of Lifeforce, her superb ability to retain knowledge, as well as her rapid rate of growth and continuous practice which got her a spot on the advance course.

It was something in which the Nadirè branch had been gifted with since long ago. Her family had once been known for their combat prowess, her talents lie in swordplay so that's what she took hold of.

"As you've no doubt heard, the recruitment team will be at the academy by next week to pick out potential candidates to fight for the nation", Professor Mar-Gin said, causing the students to exchange looks. Kariah-Belle had heard rumors, but she thought that they were just that...rumors. "They will be personally taking you out on much more difficult missions than what this school assigns to the Advanced students. Which means you can showcase your talents and abilities for a chance to graduate early".

Kariah-Belle raised her hand slightly as she spoke. "Why are they coming so soon? I thought it was tradition for the Four Nations not to recruit until the end of the year. We still have seven months left".

"That is a matter that even I do not have much information on", the middle aged man answered, an apologetic look on his face. Again, the students exchanged glances. Kariah-Belle shrugged when Lax-Rim gave her a questioning look, almost as if asking, 'any idea what gives?'

If someone as high ranking as professor Mar-Gin didn't have the details, then something was definitely up. Even though retired to teach, the middle aged man ranked Divine Knight, which was pretty high on the hierarchy.

"I will continue to try and get any information I can from my superiors. On another note, you all know tomorrow is the day you will be evaluated. Holy knights will be partaking in the evaluation. It will be an important day for all in the advance course. I expect you to remember your training and watch each other's back. They will be arriving four hours from now and I will be attending the arrival celebration. I will look for you. That is all."

The man tapped his foot on the tall white cylinder platform and it started to sink.

The students all began exiting the room and Kariah-Belle couldn't help the excitement that formed within her.

 

[DarknessSama17]

Chapter 3 - Lyzaria Academy


"Finally we get to rock outside the capital again." Lax-Rim said as the group of five exited the classroom. Kariah-Belle was sure anyone could see excitement in his firery red eyes. "A chance to show what we're really made of."


"Anyone as nervous as I am?" Ask Mae Lu chuckling nervously from behind him. Her hair was shoulder length purple with a bang that covered a bit of her left eye. Her almond shaped eyes help purple irises.


"Not I." Said Kariah-Belle as the group walked down the wide corridor. "We've gotten this far. What's more, we're all single digits among second years course rankings. Not to mention we've beaten a Evilbarer. We definitely got this."


"Caaaaaareful Riah." Lax-Rim teased. "Don't get big headed you walking bad luck charm. Remember what happened with that petty gang a few week backs?"


"Blah." Kariah-Belle said crossing her arms and rolling her eyes. "Not my fault. I didn't notice it coming."


"If you hadn't been boasting then you'd have been on guard." Akiio stated.


"Yeah if professor Mar-Gin hadn't been there you'd probably be headless right now." Lax-rim added shaking his head.


"This is true." Added Jet. The tall green haired young man walked beside them, pale skinned and dark green eyes, Jet was the young man who held the number one spot amount Lyzaria Academies second years and the only biohuman among the group. "Lucky we didn't have to watch that."


They all agreed. The group continued their trek through the school. Passing time until it was time to for the knights to arrive.


They stopping at the vending machines that held a variety of snacks and goodies.


"Hey Jet, Lax-Rim. Would you mind helping us in the club dojo please? It will only take a minute." Called a blonde young woman from down a corridor. Her skin was a ivory with lights scars on her arms. Ianna was of the biohuman race and ranks second among second years.


"Gotta go guys." Said Lax-rim.


"As co-president I must answer the call." Jet told the girls. Then walked after Lax-rim.


Mae Lu and Akiio told Kariah-Belle they have to check in with their clubs too. They offered Kariah-Belle to accompany them until they began preparations for today's assignment. However the brown skin girl declined. Saying she want to practice her swordplay then take a quick shower.


"You mean marinate?" Mae Lu ask giggling at her friend's tendency to take longer showers than necessary. This earns a smirk from Akiio.


Kariah-Belle crossed her arms. Rolling her eyes, she couldn't help but smile. "Ooo blah, whatever. Later ladies." See said giggling herself.


The three hugged and went their separate ways.


Once Kariah-Belle made it to the Gym Simulator and found others there as well.


"Hey Kariah-Belle." Monty called her attention once he noticed her arrival. "How about a three man free for all?"


"Yeah!" Said Manty, Monty's twin sisters. The two where placed in the advance class of another professor. "We were thinking a three way brawl in a forest area?"


They both were of the Drakon race, a race of dragon/human hybrids that heavily leaned towards dragon. Monty had black scales that looked to be made of rock covering his brown skin.


Manty had dark blue scales that resembled her brothers, her skin was pale. Both of the had stormy grey eye's.


Kariah-Belle would often spare with them as they were both single digits in ranking among the second years. Manty ranking at 4th and Monty and 5th. Their team had also defeated I am Evilbarer and even though they were of higher rank, Kariah-Belle would always give them a run for their money.


"Now how do you expect me to say no to a three way brawl?" Kariah-Belle said taking her bag over to a long white wall. Numbers appeared and she punched in a bunch of numbers and a locker flung open. She grabbed her sword before placed her bag inside.


"We didn't." Manty said laughing. "I'll set up the simulation."


It took Manty a matter minute to find the right settings. After she did, the three entered on of the five large spheres form a different sides. It was one of many throughout the room. It looked as though they'd interested a rain forest. Trees everywhere. It must have been set for night because Kariah-Belle could see a large moon. In here, everything felt real. From the trees to dirt. This was thanks to a technology that turns the user into ones and zeros. It has become the norm for games and now is used as training methods.


Kariah-Belle readied herself. Then suddenly there was a loud bang. She ran into the forest. Laughing with joy as she looked for her two opponents. She'd have a one last good warm up before leaving the capital.


She eventually conjured her Mana exoskeleton. This was the very first skill a knight must aquire. Those that have understood how to call on their Lifeforce and turn it into Mana using the Lifeforce of the many orgasms. Those with low Lifeforce would have difficulty managing. Those with the norm amount of Lifeforce could have difficulty mastering this. Those who had mastered this and the art of teamwork would be placed into the advance course at one of the four great Universities of Lore.


With this ability one could boost their attributes. The average Officer Knight could hit harder than a forty ton iron slab. A Master Knights could hit five times as hard. It also increased speed and reflexes. This all depends on how the Lifeforce is used and the users Mana control. This was important for not running out of Mana and run the risk of dying. Thanks to the simulator it would just result in tossing out someone who's Lifeforce had reached the critical limits out onto the mats around the spherical doom.


Kariah-Belle had abnormally high amounts of Lifeforce since she was young. It only grew more abundantly since being orphaned from training with Lax-Rim. He was one of the only two children at the orphanage that could use Mana at an early age.


Now with her speed increasedfaster she was running through the forest at a hundred mph, moving with precision as she occasionally took to the trees.


"I see you!" Monty's voice shouted from below. "Wind Scythe!" He yelled as he used his scythe to send a wave of wind at Kariah-Belle. The wind formed an arc that cut down trees on its way to Kariah-Belle.


Kariah-Belle tsk. He'd gotten the jump on her. However the wind didn't travel fast enough. Kariah-Belle increased her Mana output times three. Her speed, reflexes and agility being quadrupled, allowing her to dodge the blast mid-air before landing sideways on a tree trunk. She pushed off, denting the wood as she propelled herself at the Drakon.


She flew at the him and drew he sword. Blue and white aura emitted from the white white and red sword. Monty threw another Arc of wind at Kariah-Belle but she evaded she used a tree to hurdle over it. They clashed, sword against scythe.


"Eat this!" Said Manty from above them. She was standing upside down on a tree branch. Her state of the art bow in hand. She had been lying in wait the whole time. "Scattering Mana arrows!"


A arrow made of dark blue Mana formed in her hand. She pulled back and Mana could be seen acting as the string for the bow. She fire then a second later, one arrow turned into a cluster that rained down on Monty and Kariah-Belle.


The two stopped their battle with each other to try to deflect the barrage of arrows. The two of them worked together to defend. Using sword and scythe to cut down most of the arrows. Still a few got through and it felt as though they were getting pelted with two ton slabs of metal.


"Why you!" Monty shouted. He swung his scythe at his twin twice in rapid succession. Two arcs of wind went hurtling at Manty.


"That was a mistake ya'know." Said Kariah-Belle as she delivered a kick to his exposed side. "Left yourself wiiiiiiide open."


The kick sent Monty smashing through two trees before he recovered. Sliding to a stop on the soft gravel. "And you shouldn't let your guard down." He retorted.


It was then that Kariah-Belle noticed the shadow looming over her seemed to grow larger. She looked up to find the trees Monty's winds cut through moments ago falling towards her. She tried to move out of the way but she was stuck. She looked down to see quicksand had her by her ankles. This was a skill that Monty possessed. To use his Mana to turn the earth into quicksand. He could use the sand in other ways too.


Damn. She thought as she tried to pull free. Monty has been practicing this technique often. It's tougher then last time.


The trees crashed on top of her. It wouldn't kill her but man did it hurt. She was not prepared for that in the least. She managed to push the trees off her and heard sounds of combat.


She looked for Monty and Manty. She found them fighting it out moving further away from her. Monty attacking with his scythe and trying to to trap his twin in quicksand. Manty would dodge. Taking to the trees to fire arrows from different angles before moving in close to attack with her bow.


"Wait for me!" Kariah-Belle said as she chased them gleefully.

 

[DarknessSama17]

Chapter 4 - The Arrivals

"Are ya done marinating yet?" Teased Mae as she entered the girls shower. She was followed by Akiio.

Kariah-Belle beamed at her two friends. "Pretty much." She told them as she finished drying herself off.

She then proceeded to get dressed.

"You girls nervous about that Holy knight coming to evaluate us?" Mae Lu asked.

"Tiny bit." Akiio said.

"Same here." Kariah-Belle answered. "This is a rare opportunity. Who wouldn't be a little on edge."

The day they left Canma professor Mar-Gin told his advance course that the holy knights were coming to hand pick one member from their squad to be an apprentice. A holy knight taking on an apprentice was a rare thing. Holy knights tend to go on missions outside the nation very often and usually aren't seen for months at a time. They are the strongest the four nations have to offer and having one for a master meant you had a bright future as a knight.

Normally the students of each academy wouldn't be evaluated until the Trials which were a series of tests an individual's skill and knowledge. After that there's the Grand Festival, a televised event where advance course teams from each of the four schools are pitted against each other in a battle royal.

The arena was filled with danger as well as traps and other hazards. Kariah-Belle had attended last year Grand Festival. It was very fun to watch the teams compete but this year, her team would be competing.

The reason why Kariah-Belle and her team were being evaluated early was because the four great nations of Lore needed more knights urgently. That's what Mar-Gin told his five students though he didn't know why. Not just any knights. They need younglings with the potential to one day reach the rank of Holy knight or at least advance to Divine knight quickly.

Everyone from Kariah-Belle's team would become master knight right after graduation. They were good candidates to apprentice to a Divine Knight. The only one of them that would most likely get to apprentice to a holy knight would be Jet. Kariah-Belle could just imagine her team's leader becoming a Holy knight of great renown. She decided that when he did become a Holy knight, she'd by him a few rounds.

The girls talked more about the knights coming from the different nations as they wrapped up their shower.

Kariah-Belle sported leggings and a frilly skirt. She wore a crop top that hung loosely off her left shoulder. Mae Lu wore a simple purple plaid skirt and white button up with a purple tie that hung loosely around her neck. Akiio sported a lime green track suit. The green jacket had her family's crest on the back.

The trio made their way to the front of the school, like the other students around them. It wouldn't be long before the knights from the other nations would be at the school's front entrance the whole while teasing Akiio's about the day the green haired girl had met Lax-Rim. Even Mae Lu was aware of Akiio's love for the boy.

Some time later, Mae Lu spotted Jet and Lax-Rim through behind a large crowd of students and found them sitting on a large iron block. No doubt created by professor Mar-Gin. The three young woman made their way over and leapt onto the block. It was a good view they had.

Within a matter of minutes, three large aircrafts landed. Each one possessing the crest of their respective nations. Out stepped a group of four people. They belonged to the nation of Zyran then came Zexus and Lavirian.

Everyone cheered when the Holy knights of Zexus and Laviria exited their aircrafts. They had been the only two Holy knights to volunteer to take on a pupil from the students who would graduate early. Holy knight: Limbo Wolf and Holy knight: Star Titannia.

These two were known to all the nations as heros for their feats during the war of Ne-fut. Even though they are from a different nation, the two Holy knights answered the call of Zexus when one of it's empires was under siege by a faction known as the Vympiri. The two had been a big help to the nation of Zexus during that war.

Then Kariah-Belle noticed the two Holy knights pupils exiting the ship. She spotted Master Knight: Aya the Frozen Gun right away by her snow white hair. Kariah-Belle had always admired the young woman like many others.

Then that's when she spotted him.

At first the young man hadn't stuck out much. Other than the fact that he was only the second apprentices to Star Titannia. His skin was the same tone as her's and his brown-black wavey hair was kept in a short but thick ponytail.

Then she noticed the scrapboard he carried his sword in sported the same crest as her sword. There blue roses.

What the hell? Kariah-Belle thought to herself.

That was the crest belonging a to the Nadirè branch. Only members from a family brnach could brandish a family's crest. Kariah-Belle's mother had been massacred along with the rest of her branch which meant Kariah should be the only person to bare the Nadirè crest. Why did this guy have something that belonged to her family's heritage?

She stared at the him. Her head buzzing with questions.

Then their eyes met.

Her mind went blank as her vision was taken over by a flash of light that was like a canvas for two dark silhouettes. One was tall. It seemed to be wearing a helmet with horns and frills.

The second silhouette look as though it was a small child. The child looked as though it was thrusting a sword into the taller silhouette's chest.

The image left as fast as it came as Kariah-Belle's vision came back to her. She placed a hand on her temple to massage away the sudden dizziness she felt. "What the hell just happened?" She whispered.

The carmel skinned girl felt a pair of eyes on her. She turned to find Akiio watching. While the others were cheering and rooting, Akiio taken notice of Kariah-Belle's strange behavior.

Akiio raised a questioning eyebrow. Kariah-Belle knew what she wanted to know and mouthed. "Not now. We'll talk later."

Akiio nodded to her friend. Kariah didn't know how she would explain what just happened to her friend though. She didn't even know.

 

[DarknessSama17]

Chapter 5 - Kaden and Akiio Stoneheart

"Kaden." The white haired young woman called, snapping the young man out of his daze. "Is something wrong?"

Kaden didn't know how to answer that. He had confusion written clearly on his face. He wasn't sure what had just happened.

One moment he was taking in the scenery of Vyrmm's capital after exiting the aircraft, the next his eyes met a young woman and his mind went blank as a flash of white obscured his vision. In that flash of light Kaden saw the silhouettes of three people.

The broader silhouette had the much smaller silhouette in his arm while a slender silhouette had an arm around the broader one's waist.

The young man had experienced some oddities since becoming a knight but he'd never had a vision before. He'd never even heard of anyone having visions.

"I don't know." Kaden answered. He explained his vision to the young woman as the two followed behind Iris Eloclipse, otherwise known as Holy knight: Star Titannia.

The white haired woman thought on what Kaden had told her. The young woman looked just as confused as Kaden had moment's ago. "That's the first I've ever heard of that happening. What do you think it means?"

Kaden stopped, causing the young lady to stop beside him. "I don't know Aya." He responded. He then looked straight to where Kariah-Belle and her friends were standing and added, "I intend to find out."

*******

Akiio Stoneheart sat on the Kariah-Belle's bed. Along with Mae Lu the two had a girls night out. After the new arrivals had entered the school. From their the Headmaster and King Vermilion guided them to the Headmaster's office. They haven't been seen since.

Kariah-Belle had told Akiio what had happened when she'd made eye contact with that knight from earlier. Neither of them knew what to make of it. It had been a first for the both.

"The weirdest thing about it..." Kariah started almost to herself, breaking the short silence that befell them. "I'd swear I know him."

"Do you?" Akiio asked, timing her head a bit.

"Not from a can of paint. I've never seen him in my life."

"You sure?" Akiio asked which earned her a blank stare from Kariah.

"I'm quite sure Iio." Riah confirmed with a nod. "I was told I was the only one found alive that day."

"Will it seems like the only thing we can do now is ask him tomorrow."

Akiio stood. She herself was quite curious. The green haired young woman wanted answers just a much as her friend. Judging by the way the young man with the Nadirè crest had stopped before entering the school, Akiio guessed the boy wouldn't have many answers himself. She wondered if he too experienced a vision same as Kariah-Belle.

The young woman stretched and yawned. The sun had set only a few hours ago and had three training sessions in one day so she had to admit she was pretty exhausted.

"We'll probably see him during the evaluations." Akiio said as she moved to leave her friends room. She looked back at Kariah-Belle with a reasuring smile. "Try not to think on it too much. Rest for now."

Akiio watched her friend nod her understand. With that, she left the room and went down the hall to her own. Akiio closed the door behind her then climb into her bed. Her mind kept drifting to the visions Kariah-Belle had spoke about. Were they of the past or of the future? It was hard to tell with so little to go on.

She frowned. She knew she'd have trouble sleeping tonight. Akiio just couldn't stop thinking about her friend's dilemma. It was just like Akiio to ponder things like this. The young woman had a curious nature and this peaked her curiosity a whole lot.

Half an hour passed by when Akiio got out of bed. She grabbed her holopad that sat on her study desk on the other side of her room. She exited her room and headed back to Kariah-Belle's. As she'd suspected her best friend hadn't fallen asleep. Kariah-Belle looked up from her holopad a few seconds after her friend had entered the room.

"Can't sleep." Kariah-Belle asked.

Akiio shook her head. "That vision of yours is baffling. Maybe if we put our heads together and use our holopads we can at least find a clue."

"Agreed." Kariah-Belle responded with a grin and she squealed like a little girl that had gotten a new gadget. "Sleep over!" She added as she moved over in her bed making way for Akiio.

Akiio smirked and shook her head. "We live just down the hall from each other. She said as she got under the cover next to her friend.

"I know that." Kariah-Belle stated. "It's more fun when you're near."

Akiio knew exactly how her friend was feeling. The two of them were like sisters and they had a bond Akiio had never experienced before.

Not since her sister.

That bond showed most on the battlefield. Sometimes the two didn't even need a nurolink to know what the others were thinking. It was kind of uncanny.

Soon the two were hard at work researching the net for anything they could find on visions. They spent half the night trying to find any leads but they couldn't find one. Still, they kept at it. Jotting down anything that might be of interest in their holopad's notebook.

Before long Akiio had fallen asleep and awoke to a sleeping Kariah-Belle cuddled against her back. It must've been time for the her friend to get her six hours of sleep. Akiio slide out of bed making sure to not disturb Kariah-Belle. Not that she could. When the girl slept, she slept like the dead.

She checked the the numbers that was above the door that acted as a clock. 11:15am. They had missed the first class already. Kariah-Belle probably would be asleep until 2pm. Akiio stretched once she got to her feet. After pulling the covers over her friend she headed to the bathroom that each dorm room had. She turned on warm water to the shower and undressed.

She stood under the running water as she bathed. Her mind wondered to her long time crush Lax-Rim. Since she'd met him during the entrance exams, Akiio's heart had taken a liking to him against her will. She didn't know what it was that made her heart beat rapidly for him. Maybe it was the way he talked about his dreams for the future. He wanted to become a king of Vyrmm and help the orphanage that raised him. Perhaps it was how the determination in his eyes and the warm flame in his heart.

Or maybe it was how he risked his life to protect her during the entrance exams. Maybe it was something else entirely. Akiio could figured it out for the life of her. The guy was such a knucklehead with a hot temper and his only love was training to get stronger.

Still, Akiio was in love with the young man and she couldn't deny it. All she could do was keep her feelings hidden which wasn't difficult for her. She would help the young man fulfill his promise as Kariah-Belle had recommended. Then she would confess her love, even if he didn't feel the same she'd be happy seeing his dream come true.

Later, the Akiio sat in her class. Her teacher, professor Vinkit was giving the class a lecture on the mechanics of the weaponry used by knights.

It was a subject she knew much about. She knew everything down to the materials used to make the gun that stored and fired Mana.

She knew much about everything. From arithmetic to economics to combat. It came to no surprise the Stoneheart's were a family of renown do to the geniuses they produced. A race of human with traits of a dragon like race known as Drakons, who excelled in Mana control and could use it in it's puriest form.

Her sister was a great knight, as was her father. She had plans to become a great Knight not to follow in their footsteps but for her own ambitions. She wanted the freedom the Divine Knights have so she could go searching for a rare artifact her late father often told stories about. It was s relic of the Old Times that was said to be lost to the ages.

While her professor talked, Akiio's mind wondered to the day she'd first met Kariah-Belle and Lax-Rim. The day the combat exam was being held Akiio was placed on a team with the two. The young woman's minds eventually wondered to her sister and father.

After their deaths the she became numb and isolated herself due to believing no matter how strong one is, in the end they will die and leave behind the white who cherishes them.

She became unable to express emotions properly and she felt as though a price of her was missing.She lost her will to live and drifted through life doing what others expected of her, not even bothering to remember her dream to be a greater treasure hunter than her father.

It wasn't until meeting Kariah-Belle and Lax-Rim during the entrance exams that she started to form bonds and trust in others again. She found something to live for and precious comrades she wanted to protect. Though she comes off as uncaring and blunt, Akiio has come a long way since meeting the two.

After class the young woman met up with Mae Lu and Jet for little two on one training. Jet was always a worthy sparring rival for the team and one person alone wouldn't be able to push him. Even if Lax-Rim got into the mix they still wouldn't be able to win. The guy held the number one spot at Lyzaria for a reason. Akiio held the third in ability throughout the academy. The second belong to Ianna whom belonged to a different squad.

An hour and thirty minutes later Akiio had washed off the sweat and was now sitting at her floating desk listening to the professor go over biology. She was busy using a Stylez to take notes in her Holopad.

After class wrapped up, she headed back to her dorm for lunch. She whipped up a receipt her mother use to make when she was around. Cut up Duloin boar rump and cabbage.

The young woman made a plate for Kariah-Belle. The girl wasn't in her room so Akiio figured she'd be at her final class of the day. Mar-gin would be teaching physics to her and a few other students as well instead of the whole class. This was because Kariah-Belle was well on her way to wrapping up the course ahead of time so she was assigned a extra class on this subject to finish it before the recruitment. Akiio guessed even with recruitment coming early this year her friend would still finish the class in time.

After a while Kariah-Belle walked into the dorm. Her face lit up when she saw what Akiio had cooked.

"Is that Dulion boa" She asked.

Akiio nodded. "We'll need all the energy we can get today." Which was true and Duloin boar meat kept one alert.

Kariah-Belle put down her Holopad and sat at the table. "Alright! I'm so hungry I could eat... Well, a boar!"

Akiio laughed at her friend'scorny joke. She then looked at the time. They had little over a hour left. It was enough time for Kariah-Belle to finish her meal. After the two of them would get ready for what lays in store for them. Akiio couldn't help but feel a little jittery. Kariah-Belle must noticed this because she stopped eating and placed a hand on Akiio's.

"Whatever challenge they place in from of us well hurdle over." The honey brown haired young woman said with confident smile.

Akiio smiled. Kariah-Belle's confidence was contagious. The green haired young woman found herself smiling back and nodding.

The two left the dorms. Akiio had to check in with her art club. Kariah-Belle accompanied her. Akiio hugged her club members. Kariah-Belle greeted and joked with them. Before long the two were on their way to meet professor Mar-Gin and the others.

Later, Akiio and Kariah-Belle joined professor Mar-Gin and the rest of the gang at the rear of the school. Akiio felt Kariah-Belle tap her shoulder as they approached the gang. She gestured over to the right and Akiio's head followed to see the new arrivals from yesterday. They were interacting with each other. All except the the young man Kariah-Belle had told her about. From here Akiio noticed something she hadn't the day before. The boy had similar features to Kariah-Belle.

"Welcome." Said professor Margin. "Once Lax-Rim arrives well began the debriefing on the assignment."

Everyone spoke their understanding. Akiio turned her attention to the brown haired young man. Everyone knew the his name.

Kaden.

He was recruited by Star Titannia his first month of taking his school's entrance exam. That was during his first year. No one knows how he managed it but since then the young man made a name for himself as Titannia's apprentice. He even earned a title during the battle of Laxarim where he along with the white haired young woman fought on the front lines for their nations capital. The people called him Master Knight: Lightning Flame.

She then turned her attention to the white haired young woman. The first pupil of Star Titannia. Master Knight: Frozen gun. Kariah-Belle had always seemed to idolize the young woman and Akiio understood why. Rumor had it she would succeed Iris Eloclipes and take the title as Holy Knight. Unlike her sibling student Frozen Gun was chatting with the other pupils from the different nations.

"Sorry I'm late." Lax-rim stated as he came upon the team. "What are we getting into today."

"As you all know our allies from the other three nations will be evaluating for the next five days." Mar-Gin began.

The group nodded.

The man continued. "What I didn't tell you is why recruitment had started early this year. At first I didn't have any intel. Only a theory that Kariah-Belle came up with. We discussed it after the event in Canma. After a audience with my superiors I've found that the young woman was on to something."

Akiio looked to Kariah-Belle. Her face was dead serious. Whatever these two had discussed was not good news.

"The horde of darklings that terrorized Canma were under the control of a Darkness Tamer. The horde you all faced were but pawns and we fear that this same Darkness Tamer was behind other recent darkling attacks. We fear a war is coming. The Supreme Council of Four Nations has decided for this reason, you along with other advance course teams as well as the top classes in the other three academies will be getting evaluated early."

"A war?" Mae Lu said a bit nervously.

The group exchanged looks. Yeah they were strong for academy students but they couldn't match a Darkness Tamer. Akiio recalled how they had much trouble taking down that Dark Barer. A Darkness Tamer would be five times as powerful.

Mar-Gin chuckled. "In my three years of being a professor at this academy I've never come across a group with such potential. With the right teacher you all will blossom into fine knights. For now focus on making a good impression, understood?"

They all spoke their understanding. Akiio looked over to the young man known as Kaden. He was staring intensely at Kariah-Belle who was following behind professor Mar-Gin as he lead them through the rear gate of the school. The way he stared at her made Akiio wonder yet again if he too had a vision upon seeing her.

 

[DarknessSama17]

Chapter 6 - Aya Felicity


Aya didn't like the idea of sending greenhorns into a war they were not prepared for. The young woman knew talk of war was just a suspension but if it came to past then this group of young people will almost certainly die.


The white haired young woman stood next to her mentor, Iris Eloclipse during her audience with King Vermillion the day they landed at Lyzaria academy. Professor Mar-Gin and other high ranking Knights were there as well. They spoke of sending these young men and women into something they had no experience with.


Fighting wild animals was definitely different than fighting a war. Aya knew first hand just how terrifying a war could be.


Of course she tried to urge her mentor to convince the King to reconsider but The Supreme Council of Four Nations had also agreed that putting greenhorns on the front lines would benefit the defense of the four nations. The young woman couldn't help but wonder why King Vermilion or the Supreme Council would feel this was a good idea. For now, she'd follow her orders.


She glanced over to Iris Eloclipse. The black-blonde haired older woman was watching Aya as if she knew what her student was thinking, her brown skin soaking up the patches of sunlight the beamed through the trees of the jungle.


"I understand your concern Aya but king Vermilion has made his decree and The Supreme Council has backed him. We as Knights must follow the orders we were given or else it will reflect badly on Lady Ahmeal."


Aya knew her mentor was right. She looked over to the group of academy students. They were all around a campfire, joking and marveling at the lemur-like creatures that scurried about on the trees of the dense forest as they prepared for tonight's mission. Aya knew she wasn't much older than them but looking at them now they looked almost like teenagers not yet prepared for the life of a Knight.


Iris turned her head to look at the group herself. "Professor Mar-Gin speaks very highly of them. He sent a report on their first battle with an Evilbarer."


Aya's head snapped quickly to look at her mentor. Disbelief written over her face. "They tangled with an Evilbarer and survived? Just the five of them?"


The older woman kept her eyes on the group of young Knights in training and nodded.


These might not be your average greenhorns after all. Aya thought to herself. Still, even the most talented could get chopped down during a war. Aya prayed to Kul that these kids wouldn't have to fight a war any time soon.


It was a few hours later when Iris decided to make her way over to the camp of greenhorns. A day had passed since they left the school and had reached the jungle of Glaria. After setting up camp, professor Mar-Gin and Iris decided to take a hike into the jungle. With the sun set completely, they could finally began the mission.


"Listen up maggots!" Iris said as she came upon the group. Her voice demanded authority. Despite the woman's small frame, she could strike fear into the most deadly of criminals.


Aya watch with some amusement as the young people hurry to attention and had to stifle a laugh at how nervous they were. Iris continued, "As you've no doubt heard this will be an infiltration mission as well as an assassination. A group of rebels have said to be held up in a base not far from here. You are ordered to assassinate Bentil Lavs. One of the founding members of the rebel organizations known as Rogue."
The woman held up a Holopad and a holographic projection of Bentil popped up. "This man is highly dangerous and surrounds himself with killers from all over the continent. Do not hesitate to kill or you will surely die."


Aya watched the students exchange looks. The younger woman with violet hair spoke. Her voice was anxious and Aya knew that these greenhorns have never taken a human life.


"K-kill? We've never taken the life of a human before. I-I don't think I have it in me."


"Listen and listen well." Said Iris glaring at each and every one of them. "These people aren't like the petty criminals in your capital. They are vicious killers with some knowledge of Mana who will do whatever it takes of achieving their goal. Do you know what that goal is?"


The potential recruits looked as if they did.


"Their goal is to destroyed The Four great Nations. They won't stop until our homes are set a blaze and everything we love and hold dear is rubble. Little greenhorns, in the world of the Knight it is either kill or be killed. Am I understood?"


The group exchanged another look that said they did. Still a few of them seemed reluctant. "Yes ma'am!" They all shouted in unison.


Iris nodded. "Good. Aya, you're up."


The white haired young woman stepped forward and spoke. "I am Aya Felicity and today I will be not only your squad leader but evaluator as well of this mission. Before we head out I ask that you remember this: Teamwork is key."


"Yes ma'am." The greenhorns said again in unison.


Professor said his goodbye to his students and asked Kul to grant them good fortune.


With that, Aya led the kids deeper into the jungle. All the while wishing Kaden would've been at her side.


She'd led a few squads in the past but each time Kaden was at her side. If he were here right now he'd give her the confidence she needed to lead these greenhorns.


Confidence is something that Aya usually had in abundance but being responsible for five young lives made her feel uneasy.


One of the academy students spoke. It was the girl her rival student had spoke about the day they had arrived. Aya thought she was quite adorable.


"Where is your squad mate?" The younger woman asked.


Could she have had the same vision? Aya thought. Or is she another fangirl?


In the world of Lore, Knights were like rock stars. Almost everyone admired them. The higher your renown the more the world watched you. Two years ago Kaden had been hand picked after taking the entrance exams by Iris Eloclipse. He had aced them with flying colors. He past almost single handedly as his techniques were more advanced than his teammates. Even before he entered the academy he could use Mana quite efficiently.


"He's staying at your capital." Aya answered, decided to save her questions for a later day. "He was given a special task by our mentor."


From up front Aya turned her head in time to see the curly hair girl murmur something to the young woman barring the Stoneheart family crest. Something was definitely up. For the time being she would focus on the task at hand. Any distraction could prove fatal.


Instead she studied her surroundings. The jungle was dense, trees scattered everywhere and reached towards the sky. Vines hung from the branches. The moss that formed on the bark seemed to glow a soft green and beautiful red orchids bloomed from the moss. This jungle was quite beautiful. She would often see puddles with large flowers with red petals scattered about. Back at Lavirian, the jungles weren't quite as lush considering the nation was on a region that were mostly mountains.


Suddenly Aya stopped, holding up a hand which signaled her squadmates to hold positions. Aya found it a bit reassuring that they could follow orders.


Her silver eyes scanned the surroundings.


Something was wrong. She couldn't put her finger on it but something was definitely off. The group had been traveling through the forest for little over twenty minutes. They couldn't have been in enemy territory already. So what was it that was making her feel uneasy?


Then it hit her. It was quite. Where had the wildlife gone?


"Scatter!" Aya called out just before pack of gargoyles on the hunt dropped down from the trees.


The greenhorns moved, instantly activating their Mana exoskeleton while dodging the gargoyles that tried to land on them. Aya hand springed onto a sturdy tree branch, as did the greenhorns. The gargoyles must have been lying in wait for more dropped down from vines that hung from higher tree branches. Aya quickly understand that the group had entered gargoyle feeding grounds.


The gargoyles were tall, muscular creatures. They used their long, heavy tails to attack and travel through the jungles and forest. These creatures could even manipulate Mana to an extent. An average squad of Officer Knights would've had a tough time dealing with these fearsome creatures. The young woman reached for the two SMGs that where holstered at her lower back.


"Master!" The red haired boy said. He'd landed on branch but had to leap off to grab a vine and swing to another branch. "Leave this to us."


"This is something we can handle." Said the young woman who'd asked about Kaden minutes ago. She had her sword drawn and stuck in large tree trunk high off the ground. "Save your strength for the more difficult task."


Aya observed how each of their attention turned to the green haired young man. She had been informed that he was the leader of this squad when no one of higher rank was around. Aya simply nodded to the young man. She decided she'd see what these greenhorns were made of herself. Besides, she did have to evaluate them.


The green haired young man sprung into action, his comrades following his lead. They dodged and danced out of the way of the gargoyles attacks. They evaded the blast of Mana that gargoyles could shoot from their mouths. Then as if practiced many times over, the greenhorns began their counter attacks. The young man, jet, though leading acted as support along with the Stoneheart. While the other three, took point. Within minutes the greenhorns had beaten the last of the gargoyles into submission, only killing a two.


Aya had just killed three gargoyles that strayed from the pack to attack her.


"Nice job." She told them as they gathered. "Professor Mar-Gin has taught you well. This will go on the report of course but this doesn't mean to let your guard down. We still have half an hour hike from here. Anything could happen."


The greenhorns spoke their understanding and they continued their hike through the jungle. Aya was more vigilant than ever. She wouldn't be caught off guard again.


After some time the group was standing amongst the trees, scattered about and positioned on tree branches. They were watching the rebel camp. A flag with a spray painted insignia that was known throughout the Four Great Nationsyo represent the goddess, Kul.


Aya found it frightening how they did evil deeds and claimed it was to help bring peace to the world Kul had brought to life. Maybe they thought they really were making a difference for the better. Regardless, she was ordered to protect Vyrmm which was in close alliance with her home Nation. This would not only strengthen the bond between the two nations but she'd get the opportunity to take down on of the heads these so called rebels of Justice.


After a few minutes of recon, everyone gathered yards away from the rebel camp, hidden in the trees. From the information the greenhorns had gathered, the camp was forty strong. They had Military grade weapons no doubt bargained for at a black market of some kind. Still, it should be an easy task. These greenhorns had already shown Aya what they were capable of. There was just one problem.


"Before we get things underway..." Aya said, looking at each of these greenhorns. " Have any of you ever taken the life of a human before?"


Only two of them raised their hand. The one called Jet and the Stoneheart. Aya noticed the young woman named Kariah-Belle looked to Akiio with an apologetic look. They looked fairly young. Surely academy students wouldn't be task with taking human lives. Aya remembered her days at the academy. When her advance course team were sent after criminals in the capital, they would only subdue them for the Knights to take to prison. Watching the baby faced greenhorns, she wondered what had happened for them to have already taken a life.


Aya nodded. "To all of you. Remember, these people claim to fight for a righteous cause but they are murders and thieves. Those who believe they are saving the world can be the most dangerous. If you don't kill them first, they will kill you. Now I won't force you to take a life but just remember my words."


"Yes ma'am!" The greenhorns said.


Later, the squad has split into three teams. Aya paired with Kariah-Belle. Jet paired with Mae Lu, and Akiio with Lax-rim. The plan was for her and the other young lady to try and distract the as many as possible while Lax-rim and Akiio would sabotage as much supplies as possible. Jet and Mae Lu would hunt for Bentil Lavs. If things became to much for the greenhorns, a hasty retreat would be made.


Aya silently counted to five, then she jumped from her spot in a tree branch high into the sky. She grabbed her dual SMGs from their holsters on her back while activating a Man's exoskeleton. "Exploding icicles"


The young woman fired her guns. A hail of icy bullets began raining on the camp, piercing tents and skin. Upon impalement the icicles expanded into large glaciers of icicles that impaled anything nearby. That was the signal for the others to began their attack as well. Kariah-Belle came flying from the trees and landed on the ground, running through the chaos she'd use either her sheathe, the hilt of her sword and other heavy blows to knock out any she came into contact with. Aya could tell right away the the young woman was no killer but watching her dance around the rebels Aya could see she had much potential.


It wasn't long before Lax-Rim and Akiio joined them. The rebels had gotten passed the confusion and we're now beginning their counter attack. They fired there Mana rifles but the greenhorns were dodging and deflecting very well for the most part. Thanks to their skill with Mana, they had the upper hand over these rebel that relied heavily on Mana powered weapons. Still something bugged her.


Where were Jet and Mae Lu? They should have been able to find Bentil by now.


As if on que, a voice boomed through the chaos, "Drop your arms!" It commanded. Aya felt a chill pass through her and she knew things were about to go south.


Everyone stopped, even the rebels as they looked to were the voice had came from. Aya gasp once she saw the blood red irises and the two fangs that showed themselves as the man smiled. A scar ran long down the right side of his face.


"Vympiri." Aya whispered.


The Vympiri were a race of unknown origin. They were a leech like race that could wield Mana only when it reached full maturity. Full maturity is achieved by draining the Lifeforce out of humans or in some cases, non-humans. Vympiri didn't need Mana to be powerful as they were super strong and fast. The more Lifeforce they drained the more their attributes increased over time until reaching full maturity. They were relentless killers and one of humanities greatest foes.


This vympiri captured Mae Lu and Jet while standing beside…


Bentil?


"You bastard!" Lax-Rim exclaimed once he saw the bruises and cuts on his two teammates. As if they'd been tortured in just five short minutes.


Aya heart sank. The young woman was sobbing and shivering. Jet stood tall, though Aya could tell it was a bluff. The kid was scared but he knew he had to put on a brave face for his teammates. He was their leader after all. He probably feared how his team would react after seeing them like this. Still, even from across the way, Aya could see the fear and defeat in his one eye that could open as the other was swollen shut.


What have we walked into? Aya thought.


"Run!" Mae Lu cried through busted lips. "They plan to use us as-"


She was interrupted by a swift blow to the head courtesy of the vympiri. Aya felt her stomach twist in disgust. Rage started to fill her belly but she quelled it before she could act on it. "Livestock don't talk!" He spat as the girl fell to her knees groaning. He then looked at the four of them and said with a menacing smirk, "If any of you move these two will die a slow death."


"Let her go!" Yelled Lax-Rim enraged, no doubt from seeing his friends near death as moved to attack but a green scaled gauntlet reached out to grab him.


Akiio shook her head, warning not to be foolish.


Kariah-Belle was teary eyed though she could see rage in her eyes. She had been told that the she had a tendency to lose her head when witnesses the pain of someone close to her. Aya noticed the grip on her sword and knew if not for her Mana exoskeleton her palm would be bleeding.


Aya found comfort in knowing the younger women the danger of the situation they were in. They must have paid attention in class. It was obvious the group had never seen a vympiri in person. Aya knew the being as white as snow with glowing red eyes scared them. However she knew the thoughts of what that thing might do to their friends if they disobeyed terrified the three most. If that wasn't the case then they would be fleeing for their lives right now. Instead the all three of them stood still.


Lax-Rim and Kariah-Bellestill brimming with anger. Akiio was so level headed she was almost unreadable.


Suddenly the vympiri's hand moved then Jet's arm was severed from his shoulder. Blood splattered down on Mae Lu who was still on the floor as Jet howled in pain and fell to his knees beside her. Aya could hear Kariah-Belle shriek in horror while the red head cursed the vympiri.


"You livestock should really learn some manners." The vympiri said chuckling. He licked the blood that covered his pure white fingers. "Move again and the girl loses an arm as well."


Aya clenched her fist as Lax-Rim let of another frustrated yell.


Poor boy.


Aya knew all too well what it was like watching a friend be casually tortured.


This was bad. Really bad. With those two hostages, getting out of this situation would prove difficult. This left her with only one option.


Aya began forming an idea as she gathered Mana within her and moved it into the ground beneath her feet. Her brain moved fast as she dropped her guns and began to speak.


"So Bentil," she said glaring at the man clad in armor who sported a short red cape with three stripes that marked all high ranking members of rebels. "You're working with humanity's enemies to do what exactly?"


The middle aged man smirked and said, "Wouldn't you like to know, Ms. Felicity."


"You know of me?" Aya asked surprised.


The vympiri chuckled as he looked her up and down. "We know who you are, Ms. Felicity. Your reputation precedes you. Memphis has spoke very highly of you."


"My-My father?" Aya asked in disbelief. Her mind tried to flash back to that day. The day he killed his wife and fled. However she pushed that day in the back of her mind. Right now her only concern was getting these greenhorns out of here alive.


"What does he have to do with this?" She continued.


"Let's just say you're guaranteed to see another day." Bentil said. "The survival of the children depends on all of you."


"We're hostages." Aya heard Akiio mumble under her breath.


Dammit. Aya thought. She knew the younger woman was right. If that wasn't the case then that vympiri would've killed Mae Lu and Jet already. Which left Aya with one question. How had they known Bentil was being targeted?


Then it dawned on her. Vyrmm had a spy. Someone was leaking information.


Or rather someone was feeding Vyrmm's intelligence bureau false information and Aya had one guess why.


"You're after Iris aren't you." Aya's icy blue eyes locked onto Bentil.


A sinister smile spread across the man's face. "You're pretty sharp just as rumors say but it's far too late."


It was no surprise that Iris would be the target. Iris was a big player in the defense of the Four Great Nations. She'd killed two of Rogue's heads already. Whoever was leaking information must have known Iris would be evaluating greenhorns. They just didn't count on her not coming to the base herself.


There gonna use us as a bargaining chip. Aya thought. I won't let that happen.


Iris had treated her like a daughter. She'd taught Aya many things. Including how to make her signature Stardust. She just needed a little more time.


"You can have me." She said. "Just let them go."


"Now why would we do that?" The vympiri said. "I was promised a meal to go." He thought for a moment then pointed to Kariah-Belle. "I want that one. Come here girl and I'll spare these two. I've had enough of their Lifeforce anyways. I desire a new plaything."


The greenhorn was brave. She portrayed confidence but Aya could she her right hand trembling. A wobbly Mae Lu was allowed to help Jet up and carry him. They crossed paths with Kariah-Belle on their way over to Bentil and the vympiri.


The vympiri grabbed Kariah-Belle by the face then dug his claw-like nails into her arm twisting it behind her back. He then plunged his fangs into the side of her neck.


She screamed as her Mana exoskeleton flickered oy of existence but everyone stayed still. If they moved then the thing would probably snap her neck before they could do anything. Her friends could only look on as the girl kept screaming until finally the vympiri let her go. Her knees buckled beneath her but the vympiri grabbed her throat as he inhaled her scent.


The vympiri had a blissful smile on his face. Almost as if he'd been drugged. "Oh, little livestock." He said. "You have the best tasting Lifeforce I've ever tasted. I could smell you from a mile away.” Tapping his fingers on his chin in thought he added, "Lord Dracula would be most pleased and generous for providing him with such rich Lifeforce."


Aya's stomach turned. She'd heard of Dracula, the Lord of vympiri. An old and powerful vympiri that hates humanity more than any of his brothers and sisters. She feared what would become of Kariah-Belle if he was to get his hands on her.


She wouldn't let that happen.


Suddenly the ground start to rumble.


Almost immediately after smooth sparkling, blue coned spikes erupted from the ground all around them. The spikes came fast, turning whatever it peirced into a blue dust.


Within seconds, the remaining rebels were wiped out. Blood and blue dust painted the rebel camp.


This element was known as Stardust and was originated by none other than Star Titannia. The woman had taught Aya how to use this powerful element and she was glad for it. Too bad she was far from mastering it.


Aya doubled over in pain as she coughed up blood. Blue rings formed around her wrist, ankles and forehead as four blue firearms of different variety formed behind her, floating in mid air.


Akiio moved, activating her Mana exoskeleton as she leapt. Straight for the vympiri who had avoided the attack by jumping high into the sky, Kariah-Belle cradled under his arm. She struggled but it would be some time before she could create Mana.


Even with a struggling Kariah-Belle in his arm, the vympiri had no problem batting Akiio away as if she were a mere fly. The young woman came crashing into a tree.


"Lax-Rim!" Aya shouted over to the greenhorn guarding his two injured friends from any rebels that may be lurking. He looked as if he wanted to take off after Kariah-Belle. "Stay here, I'll retrieve your friend."


The young man nodded. With that Aya focused.


Then space warpedas Aya suddenly disappeared and reappeared in front of the fleeing vympiri. The longest of the blue guns that resembled a sniper rifle fired, sending a stardust bullet at the leech's forehead.


It hit him right between the eyes, the force was strong but not enough to pierce skin. It was enough to make him lose his grip on Kariah-Belle and send him shooting towards earth.


Damn. She thought to herself. Tough skin.


Aya hurried and warped near Kariah-Belle, catching her before landing lightly on a the ground. She then hurried to check the greenhorns condition. Jet and Mae Lu were in bad shape.


Jet needed medical attention. Mae Lu had managed to stop the bleeding from his severed shoulder but too much Lifeforce had been drained from him. His self healing would be slow.


Suddenly Aya turned as a blue coned spike protruded from the ground to block a kick from the vympiri. Aya was surprised he had managed to not only avoid being turned into dust but his kick cracked the Stardust.


He's a tough one.


Aya kicked him, sending him sliding back a bit. Her floating guns began to fire as she started to bleed from her nose. The vympiri evaded but Aya warped space again as she disappeared and reappeared behind him, aiming a kick to the back of his head. The vympiri ducked and uppercut Aya so hard she was sent upwards.


She quickly shook herself out of her daze before the vympiri could land another attack, warping to land a kick that sent him hurtling towards the towards the trees. However before he could crash through a trunk, he flipped and recovered before leaping onto a branch.


"Dammit!" The vympiri hissed. He looked at Kariah-Belle and said, "A meal like you might not present itself for quite some time. I should've completely drained one of you little cattle when I had the chance. Still, it's good to match a face to the name and I've seen your trump card. This will pay well on the black market Frozen Gun."


Aya wiped the blood from her nose. "It's good to have seen your fighting style, Marclus." She said with a smirk. "The nation of Vyrmm has placed a handsome bounty on your head on behalf of the Order of Knights."


The vympiri cursed. "So my deeds haven't gone unnoticed. Very well. I'll take my leave. I cannot kill you at this moment but we will meet again. That is if your father doesn't do away with you first."


With that the vympiri disappeared into the trees, leaving Aya to breathe a little easier. If that thing had been well feed, Aya would have trouble trying to defeat him will protecting those kids.


The rings around her arms, legs and forehead vanished as well as her four stardust firearms. The young woman doubled over in pain and began to cough up blood.


Oh I hate when this happens. She thought as she gritting her teeth to endure the pain I her belly.


That was the price she paid for using Stardust. Even in it's premature state it was powerful and the backlash for it was pricey. Still Aya had protected these greenhorns and destroyed the whole rebel base. The only thing left was to scout the carnage for Bentil.


She'd found him still alive. He clutched a wound to his side as looked at her with anger and hate.


"It's over Bentil." Aya told him as she stopped just in front of him. "Turn yourself in and The Order may give you imprisonment."


The man curse saying, "Fuck your council! You will never take me alive!" He then reached into his trench coat but a shard of ice pierced his skull.


Fool. Aya thought.


That's when she noticed a Holopad sticking from his coat. Aya grabbed it and activated it.


"Oh no." Aya whispered softly. She then turned on her heels and made her way back to the group. "We have to go now and report back to Iris."


"What, no lunch break?" Lax-Rim said as Kariah-Belle helped him put Jet on his back.


"I'm sure once you hear this you'll lose your appetite." She said deadpanned.


All the greenhorns accept Jet who had lost consciousness turn to give her their attention. Their faces asking what now.


"That war that we are supposed to be preparing you for. Its happening right now as we speak."

 

[DarknessSama17]

Chapter 7 - The Lightning Flame

"Dammit Iris you, old hag." Kaden said as he tossed the last of the trash into a dumpster behind the inn they were staying at courtesy of King Vermilion of course.

The young man had been ordered by his mentor to stay behind and clean. Not only to clean his room, but assist the innkeeper with whatever he desired.

"You aren't allowed to leave until this room is spotless. It is your mess after all," she told him when he tried to leave with them. "Also, since YOU created loads of dishes for that poor old inn keeper, you'll be helping him out around the inn."

He sighed in understanding then reached into the back of his dark grey breeches. Kaden pulled out a list handwritten by Iris. He could already see her smile in his mind as he read it.

To do

-Snacks

-5 crystion jewels

-New sleeping huts

-Gun polish

-More snacks

While most people found her smile dazzling and charming, Kaden found it highly annoying. "Please and thank you," he recalled her saying upon giving him the note.

Like he could refuse. The last time he ditched cleaning, he was left to hang upside down over a chasm for twelve hours. He had to fight off giant vultures for the two of them. The woman was ruthless, but it was thanks to her ruthlessness that he had developed quickly in a warrior.

He had known the woman all his life. Though he couldn't remember much from his childhood, Kaden knew this woman was not his mother. He couldn't remember his mother or father and thus thought of Iris as a parental figure. She practically raised him. That was the only reason he hadn't found a different squad, if he was being honest.

Well, that and not wanting to leave Aya with that psychopath. She was his closest friend, and they knew each other's strengths and weaknesses, in ands out like the back of each other's hand. They have faced many hardships together and their teamwork was nearly perfect.

Which was why Kaden was aggravated that Iris gave him chores instead of sending him to give Aya support. The Knight didn't like the idea of sending Aya out on a mission with a bunch of greenhorns. She was a skillful tactician, like most of Felicity bloodline.

It was amazing what she could do. Being able to think three moves ahead of her opponents it was no doubt she was fit to lead missions. She'd led him many times, so Kaden knew full well his friend could lead a team.

Aya leading a mission wasn't the problem. Kaden's worry came from not knowing if the team she was leading was competent. If his friend was unsure of her team then he feared she would become unsure of her own abilities. Kaden knew Aya was a force to be reckoned with as she had flattened him out many times during sparring matches. Still, that didn't ease his mind of worry.

"Dammit, Iris." Kaden hissed as he started towards the center of the capital.

Sometime later, Kaden found himself in the heart of the capital of Vyrmm. The buildings here were just as beautiful as the ones back home- reaching high into the sky and made of a colorful steel-like material that most buildings in each capital where made of.

The floating cars here were shiny like the ones back home, though they were shaped somewhat differently. Kaden strolled the shopping district, he could see Lyzaria Academy sitting on a hill in the horizon. It was huge, made of white and blue titanium-like metal. It was different from Amilia Academy.

He also noted the Officer Knights and other Master Knights on patrol. They probably wouldn't recognize him with the hood and collar of his dark grey cloak covering his face. It was flipped inside out to hide the Master Knight insignia. Most knights used this method often to avoid recognition. It was convenient when your status was the cause of bounty hunter attacks. It was also handy avoiding any lurking fans that would pester for an autograph. This allowed him to shop in peace.

The sun had started to go down when Kaden finally finished his shopping. The buildings looked dazzling as the setting sun made them shine a reddish orange. After nearly a full day of chores, Kaden couldn't wait to hear how Aya's mission went. He hoped she managed okay but only time would tell.

He noticed a commotion being made as civilians pointed at smoke rising from a building in the distance. Then multiple sirens stationed all over the capital started blaring. Kaden knew what that meant. It sounded just like the sirens back in the city of V-Cereus.

Kaden knew what was about to happen...

Activating his Mana exoskeleton, the young man leapt onto a building just as a computerized female voice echoed throughout the city. "Attention citizens of Solonia, please move towards the nearest safe center and await the arrival of a Divine Knight. From there, the Divine Knight will either protect your safe center with squadrons of Knights, or they will escort you to the escape tunnels through the capital. This is not a drill. Repeat. This is not a drill."

Yeah, this was just like the day he went to war to protect his a kingdom from in nation. He cursed under his breath as he saw large balls of fire the size of boulders flying towards Solonia. They crashed into the sides of buildings, hover cars, and the stone roads, causing massive pieces of debris that could prove fatal if someone was standing under them.

Not good. Kaden thought.

He leapt onto a taller building and started to scale it by using his Mana to dig into the tough metal. Once high enough, Kaden saw another barrage of large fireballs hurtling towards the city. His eyes grew wide in disbelief when he saw them jumping over the high walls that separated Solonia from the outside world.

“This is definitely not good.” The young man said aloud.

Vympiri sbd darklings climb ove tge wall. The caramel skinned young man cursed when he saw a large number of Evilbarers were with them as well. This was not normal by any means. Never in history have Darklings fought alongside Vympiri.

Darklings killed anything that was not of their kind.

"What's going on?" Kaden asked himself as he continued ogling the growing destruction before him.

Kaden jumped away from the side of the building, landing on another. He ran, moving swiftly through the city, he leapt from building to building to building looking for a knight who might have any information.

He heard screams, people calling for a Knight. Sliding to a stop, he looked around and spotted an Evilbarer that had already gotten pretty deep inside the capital. The thing had a woman in it's hand.

Kaden didn't think.

He began to sprint in it's directions, taking one step as his arm began to morph. The skin on his left arm that was once a golden brown with scars transformed into black dragon scales.

Suddenly the young man was engulfed in lightning and a surge of strength flowed through him. Within two seconds, he was in front of the monster. A sword made of pure lightning sparked to life in his scaled hand.

With a grunt, he thrusted his sword into the things chest right where its core would be, then planted his feet on the things chest. By the time the Evilbarer realized what was happening, it was too late.

"Lightning Current!" Kaden shouted as bolts of electricity shocked the monster. One, two, three times before it could even produce its extra arms. The monster dropped it's would be victim, and half a second later, Kaden was on the ground with her in his arms.

"T-t-thank you," The woman stammered out when she got over her confusion. She sobbed into his loudly in his shoulder. "Thank you so much."

"Don't mention it," He said, pulling off his hood. His curly brown hair was tied back in a ponytail but some lose strands dangled over his forehead, not quite covering up a scar that never seemed to heal.

"Hey!" An Officer Knight called out to him as a group of them rushed over. It was the group he had seen earlier.

Suddenly the hairs on the back of his neck stood on end.

The Officer Knights stopped and aimed their rifles in Kaden's direction. Instinctively, Kaden threw himself to the ground, pulling the woman down with him just as the knights began firing.

The Mana that acted as projectiles, smacking into a couple of Vympiri that were coming up behind Kaden. Normally the projectiles could pierce metal, but the skin of a Vympiri are stronger than most metals. All it did was push them back as they shielded their faces and hissed angrily.

Three of the Officer's Mana became visible around his body before a Mana exoskeleton formed around him. They leapt on the side of a building, keeping the three Vympiri distracted with their rifles.

Their Mana projectiles seemed bigger. This was a sign that they were pouring more Mana into the crystals inside the rifles. This would start to hurt the Vympiri.

Kaden wasted no time as they resorted to dodging which left them open. Lightning surrounded his body again as electricity sparked around him. One moment he was beside the woman on the ground, the next he was in front of the Vympiri. His scaled armed pierced through its chest, the talons on his hand could be seen sticking out of its back. The leech looked at him wide eyed in disbelief.

“Hmph. Hope your friends put up more of a fight.” Kaden said with a dull expression.

The young pulled out his black dragon-scaled arm and kicked the monster hard, sending him sailing into a nearby building. Kaden then spun on his heels. Swinging his scaled arm to block a punch from a female vympiri.

“Not bad human.” The vympiri said impressed. “I'll enjoy taking your Lifeforce

“Not even in your dreams, leech.”

Kaden kicked the creature hard but it blocked but was stilled pushed away a bit. A sword made of lightning formed in his hand in a reverse grip.

He slashed at the vympiri who dodged.

Kaden used his momentum to spin and kick with his heel to which the vympiri block then punched it hard with his scaled fist, the force sending it crashing into a hover car.

He then flipped in the air and jammed her white hit lightning sword into its chest. The creature's eyes held shock as red blood oozed from her mouth.

“At least you were more of a challenge then your friend.”

Currents of lightning engulfed the vympiri, frying it to death.

He meant his last words. The creature was able to keep up with the added stack from his lightning cloak. If he wasn't careful he could end up dying here.

"Thanks for your help," he said to the knights as they approached him. "Where are your safe centers?"

Not being from around here meant Kaden had very little knowledge of the layout of this capital. He also had a horrible sense of direction which meant he would be lost in no time without guidance. Besides, he should stay with a group they might need the back up.

"There's one just up ahead," responded the Knight that had first called out to him. "We could make it in only a few minutes if uninterrupted."

Kaden nodded. "Lead the w-"

"Look out!!!" The woman who had been saved screamed, pointing upwards. Kaden saw more large balls of fire falling from the sky, one was hurtling right towards them and coming fast.

"Haaaaaaa!!" Kaden shouted, Mana surrounding him as he leapt towards it.

A large arm made of orange flames erupted from the Mana. It held a sword made of lightning that split the fire ball into chunks before it made impact with anything.

"You're the Lightning Flame," one of the Officer Knights said almost in awe as Kaden's avatar arm turned into embers that got lost in the wind upon his landing. "I knew I recognized you!"

"Yeah, that's all well and fine," Kaden said. "but we need to hurry to the safe centers and round up any civilians on the way. Every second we slack off could be another second used to save someone's life."

"Yes Sir!" The Officer Knights responded, standing at attention.

Kaden shivered, "Don't call me 'Sir'." He swooped the woman up in his arms. "Let's move!"

Just then more vympiri appeared with darklings in toe.

Kaden scoffed. "Damn. Guess I've got no choice. Take the woman and get the rest of the civilians outta here. I'll hold 'em off."

His left arm began to morph again as the Vympiri made the first move, throwing vehicles to catch the group off guard before lunging.

Kaden moved, too. He activated his Lightning Cloak, the young man evaded the hover cars by flipping over one and jumping from the other to intercepted the vympiri.

Normally Kaden's speed with just his Mana boosting him would put him on par with the most of them. However, with his Lightning Cloak, Kaden was too fast for the average vympiri. He kicked and punched one after the other, sending a few crashing through buildings. He sent one sailing into an Evilbarer with enough force to knocked the creature over.

Kaden landed on the roof of the shop he had sent a Vympiri into and looked back at the Officer Knights. "Well? What are you waiting for? Scram!" He shouted.

He jumped off the building, summoning his Lightning sword, the young man clashed mid-air with an Evilbarer. Mana could be seen around the lightning cloak before a flaming arm reached out and punched the Evilbarer, knocking it over into a small building.

The young man let out a roar as blood dripped from his nose. Another flaming arm grew out of the Mana and both of the large flaming arms began to pummel the downed Evilbarer rapidly, burning through its tough skin to expose the core. Kaden grabbed the core with his flaming avatar hands and crushed it completely. The thing turned into black smoke that got blown away in the wind.

Kaden searched for the Officer Knights he was with moments ago and what he saw made his heart ache. The Vympiri from before hadn't been downed. They were ripping the Officers apart along with civilians as they feasted on their Lifeforce.

Blood splattered the streets. A vympiri looked his way and grinned, blood staining its snow white lips and chin. She held the arm of the woman Kaden had saved minutes ago.

"Sorry little hero," She cooed mockingly. "Looks like your efforts were in vain."

"Shut up!” he shouted at her with rage. He took a moment to compose himself.

He moved with intent to reach a vympiri before it killed another but was intercepted by the female vympiri. The two met in the air and the vympiri's skin was strong enough to clash with his lightning sword.

“Outta my way!” Kaden snarled.

The vympiri smirked as it threw a heavy punch at Kaden's head. The young knight managed block but the attack sent him crashing into the ground, creating a small crater.

Kaden got up shaking off his grogginess.

He watched wide eyed as the vympiri held it's next victim in it's hands.

“No!” He yelled, rushing to meet the vympiri but was interrupted once again by the female. She grinned at him with a bloody mouth.

“Damn you leech scum!” Kaden roared as he attacked with a fury of spinning slashed, punches and kicks to which the vympiri dodged and blocked. Only adding Kaden's increasing frustrating.

“Get down, boy!”

Kaden dropped to the floor just as the Vympiri’s head was lobbed off. The headless body fell to its knees, blood rained form it's neck before falling to the floor.

The young knight got up, ignoring the fact that he was covered in blood.

“Lightning Flame.” Said an older with a broadsword in hand.

He looked around to see more knights on the scenes. He saw that there were some survivers and sighed in relief

“Lightning Flame.” Said the Divine knight who'd helped him, a broadsword in hand. He placed a man on the young man's shoulder. “You're reputation precedes you. If you hadn't lost your cool back there you would've found your opening. “

Kaden knew the older man was right. He had been so fixated on saving others and the vympiri had used that against him, taunting him and making him frustrated.

“Let's finish up here and make our way to academy. You ready, Lightning Flame?”

Kaden nodded facing the eneimes that remained. Now that he had back up things would be a lot easier. This time he wouldn't be distracted and let bis sense of justice cloud his judgement.

Some time later kaden and a group of knights found themselves in front of the academy.

The outside was a mess. Rubble and dead bodies both knight and vympiri littered the surrounding area making it impossible to move with ease. The young man clenched his fist.

Kaden and his comrade Knights entered the school. He couldn't believe his eyes. It was like a graveyard without the grave. Kaden could tell a big battle went on here. As the team went further into the school, Kaden noticed that several Vympiri bodies had color which meant they were mature. The group exchanged looks. The King's quarters was just up ahead.

“Let's move.” Orders a Divine Knight.

They ran, hurrying to see what became of King Vermilion.

A kicked open the door to the King's chamber.

"No," One of the knights behind him whispered in disbelief. "This can't be. Tell me this isn't real!"

King Vermilion laid dead, a black sword that looked to be made of bone stuck out of his chest. A dark figure stood by the body, his skin was pitch black like a Darklings. He wore a helmet that was shaped like the horns and frills of a triceratops.

A Darkness Tamer.

Whoever this guy was, he was extremely powerful. If the murderous aura wasn't proof enough, then the dead King at his feet would convey the message.

Kaden felt a strong sense of familiarity even though he couldn't remember seeing the man before. It would be hard to forget someone who looked like that.

Turning to them, the figure spoke. "So this was the best Vyrmm had to offer, huh? Not bad."

"Memphis!” Shouted an outraged Divine Knight and suddenly realization dawned on him.

Kaden remembered everything he was told about the Darkness Tamer. He was a former Knight that had turned his back on his nation and daughter.

This was the man Aya called 'father'. He had one of the largest bounties in the Knight's Bingo Dashboard. The two stars that seems to dance on his armour like skin indicated he was a Giga class. He'd be able to destroy an entire mountain range in under a minute if he was serious. And that's without transforming.

He's assassinated many barons and nobles as well as leading raids on powerful kingdoms. He was even so low he'd work with Vympiri on a few occasions.

Kaden looked around for Rygilya, Memphis’s protoge and a thorn in the young knight's side.

The Divine knights suddenly rushed the Darkness Tamer. He would have done the same if he saw his Queen, Ahmeal Solaris dead at her murders feet but they had engaged in a battle they had no chance of winning.

"Fuck!" Kaden cursed as he ran behind them to provide back up. His honor as a Knight wouldn't let him abandon them.

The outcome was exactly how Kaden had predicted. They were like child's play to the Darkness Tamer. He evaded and countered all of their attacks, killing tow Divine knights almost effortlessly.

He caught Kaden with a punch and sent him flying even with his flaming avatar arms blocking for him. Upon impact the arms shattered then turned into embers. That had only ever happened when his opponent was at the level of a Divine Knight or higher.

Kaden knew immediately he was outclassed. They needed to get out of here, fast.

He could hear his heart pounding away in his chest.

The young man looked around. Two more knights lay dead, leaving only three of them remaining in battle. If Kaden didn't do something fast, they all would die here. The master knight made a choice.

He stood, fire in his eyes. "Get the fuck outta here!" He called out two remaining Officer knights before lunging at Memphis.

He moved, almost instantly appearing in front of the Darkness Tamer. They exchanged blows, Kaden using his black dragon arm to attack along with kicks and his lightning sword. He used flips and spin to try to throw Memphis of his guard. He maxed out his Mana exoskeleton but this guy was much faster than Kaden.

None of his attacks were landing.

After getting kicked hard in the stomach, he stumbled backwards in pain. The Knight was unable to summon his lightning sword due to running low on Lifeforce. Normally, this would be enough for most foes, but Kaden expected no less from a Darkness Tamer. The man smirked as he blocked every attack Kaden threw with skill.

"Damn you!" Kaden shouted, pushing himself to fight harder. He has to best this beast or else he'd never be able to live with himself.

The Darkness Tamer dodged an attack and countered with a knee to Kaden's gut. Spit escaped his mouth. He felt a force hit his face so hard he was sent flying into a sturdy stone pillar.

Every hit siphons off Lifeforce from my body. Kaden thought moments before he hit the pillar.

Through dazed eyes, Kaden saw the man walking towards him. He could also see the two Knights try to flank the Darkness Tamer, thinking he was off-guard.

"No," Kaden croaked weakly. "I told you to scra-"

In one fluid motion, the Darkness Tamer turned on his heel, swinging his large bone sword and cut both knights in half at once.

Kaden watched horrified as the bodies hit the floor, red liquid spraying everywhere and he couldn't help but she'd tears. He had been prepared to die for them. They were honorable warriors and not only wanted to avenge their King, but defend their fellow Knight. More tears escaped his eyes for his fallen comrades.

The young man felt drained. His breathing was heavy and so was his body. Still, he stubbornly tried to stand.

His eyes grew wide with shock as pain burst throughout his torso. Memphis was in front of him, his fist digging into Kaden's gut.

So fast, Kaden thought as drool trickled down his chin. Couldn't even see him move.

Kaden's legs bucked, but the Darkness Tamer kept him upright by grabbing a handful of the his hair. "You were willing to die to protect them and they threw their lives away," Memphis mocked moving Kaden's head as if to study his features. His hands were cold on the young man's scalp. "They ended up dying to protect you. Too bad you're gonna die anyway, eh, boy?"

He rose his sword, the cold blade pressed against Kaden's throat.

"Don't worry." Memphis added with a sinister grin, showing off his jagged teeth. "That sister of yours will join you eventually."

Sister? Kaden didn't have a sister as far as he knew. From the beginning it was just him, Aya and Iris. So what was this guy talking about?

Kaden yelled defiantly while staring into the man's eyes. His eyes held a fire that didn't go out, even when faced with death. He really didn't want to die but he knew the risk of becoming a knight. If he was going to die Kaden was glad he would die on his feet.

Kaden felt the blade slide through his throat and his heart thumped in his chest. He fell to the floor, gargling on his own blood. A vision appeared.

It played like a movie.

A dark silhouette that resembled the man in front of him had smacked a young boy hard through a wall. The dark silhouette of a little girl ran to the man, desperately trying to stab him with what looked to be a fork.

The man violently slashed her with his sword.

Everything went black...

 

[DarknessSama17]

Chapter 8 - Vengence

Kariah-Belle sat on the back of a dragon that flew through the sky as she helped Akiio tend to Mae Lu and Jet. The dragon belonged to none other than Star Titannia.

To own a dragon was nearly unheard of. Even the Drakon race had trouble taming them, and they were a race of dragon-like humans.

Kariah-Belle would be marveling at the mighty creature if not for her concern for her two friends. Tonight had been a frightening night for her. She had watched a friend lose an arm and was almost kidnapped by a terrifying creature. She didn't want to imagine what that thing might have done to her if Aya hadn't been there.

After they wrapped bandages around Jet's stub, he looked at her with great appreciation and respect. "You were willing to risk your life for us," he said. "Thank you."

"Oh, shucks," She said jokingly as she waved her hand in an attempt to lighten the mood. "It was all in the day's work. Besides, you would've done the same for me."

Mae Lu spontaneously hugged she tightly, sobbing hard. "Thank you so much. I'll never forget this."

Kariah-Belle smiled as she thought of how proud her mother and father would've been. She hugged her back tightly. "You're welcome Mae. It's what comrades do."

Once they separated, Kariah-Belle, noticed the scars on the young woman's face. She rubbed them lightly and said, "next time we see that bastard we'll make him pay."

"Count me in," Lax-Rim interjected. "I think his white face would look good with some red."

"So, it's settled. We're rearranging that guy's face," Kariah-Belle added.

Oh how Kariah-Belle loved her teammates.

"Look alive, greenhorns," Iris called as the dragon started to slow. "We're approaching the capital."

Kariah-Belle made her way near the head of the dragon and sat sat crossed leg. "Thanks again for saving me," she told Aya. "I owe you one."

Without breaking form or opening her eyes Aya responded. "Don't mention it. It would've been a shame to let such potential and courage go to waste."

Kariah-Belle blinked in surprise. "You think I have potential?" She asked, a bit excited. The young woman was thrilled to receive a compliment from one of her idols. She grinned from ear to ear. "Thank you."

"Overconfidence can be a dangerous thing. Do not let it get to your head." Aya warned.

"Yeah!" Chimed Lax-Rim. "It's big enough as is." This earned him a rude gesture from Kariah-Belle.

Finally the dragon descended, landing on a tall building. They could already see the carnage. Buildings lay in ruins, bodies scattered about. Vympiri, Kariah-Belle noted a number of Evilbarer running around looking for something to kill.

"This can't be real can it?" Mae Lu asked as she dismounted. Her voice soft with anguish from the sight of seeing her home capital in shambles.

"Dammit! This is that rebel's fault!" Lax-Rim spoke angrily.

"Calm yourself, Mr. Col." Professor Mar-Rin told the young man placing a hand on his shoulder. "Anger will do you no good here. Your focus should lie with getting Jet and Mae Lu to safety. They've had too much Lifeforce drained from them and Jet needs to reattach his ar-"

Mar-Gin was interrupted by a loud explosion coming from the school, followed by a blood churning roar. Everyone turned their attention towards the direction of the academy to see a black dragon-like creature during battle with a Darkling on the school's rooftops.

No, not a Darkling. Even from here, the two stars that decorated its midnight skin shone bright enough to see. It was a Darkness Tamer.

The miniature dragon roared again, then moved so fast that Kariah-Belle's eyes couldn't track it. It used its tail to strike, but the Darkness Tamer used a sword to block. Still, the force was enough to send him through the roof to the school grounds below.

"What the hell?" Asked Lax-Rim, confused as the rest of them. Even professor Mar-Gin looked baffled. That thing resembled a Drakon member... If that member had gave in to the darkness in his heart and became a Darkness Tamer. Kariah-Belle knew that wasn't the case, or she would've saw a star shine on it, too.

"Kaden," Aya whispered.

She started to move towards the academy, but Iris stopped her. "Don't be foolish. The greenhorns come first." She told the master knight.

Aya's face showed pain.

Lady Iris's demeanor changed. Before, she had been laid back but now she was serious. Worried even. "You know it's your duty, Aya. Aside from that, he won't hesitate to attack you if you're in the way. Let me concentrate on containing him. You meet me when you can."

Turning to her dragon, she petted its snout. "Thanks Saysha. I have one more task for you, girl. Kill anything trying to get over the walls. Vympiri, Darklings, kill them all and feast on them till your heart's content."

The red dragon rumbled softly as it nuzzled against Iris's gently before taking to the sky.

Iris was even more of a badass than the stories Kariah-Belle had heard. When it came to the big names in The Order, the young woman was something of a nerd. She even kept up with the Master knights that was gaining the most buzz.

However, when it came to the current situation Kariah-Belle was so lost. That thing was Kaden? He didn't seem like the type to attack comrades. Then it dawned on her.

"He's entered the Fallen Place," Kariah whispered. The Fallen place was were one's consciousness went when they were close to becoming a Darkness Tamer or Darkling. If one didn't return from the Fallen Place, then you'd become a Darkling. If one did... They'd come back, but not as a human, but as monster with a human face.

"I'll back you up Titannia," Professor Mar-Gin said.

"Sorry old friend, but you'd only be in the way," She said as she leapt into the air. "Protect your students."

With that, Iris descended into the chaos below.

Mar-Gin nodded. "Understood." He then turned to his students. "Let's move."

Everyone followed professor Mar-Gin. Everyone except Aya of course, who was staring in the direction her mentor had ran off in. She had sadness and hurt written all over her face. Kariah-Belle knew she wanted to help her friend, and her heart went out to her.

Kariah-Belle stood beside Aya. "I'm down for going against orders if you are."

The Frozen Gun looked to Kariah-Belle, her head tilted slightly. "You'd disobey orders from Iris Eloclipes? Now I don't know whether you're courageous or foolish."

"Honestly, maybe a little bit of both," Kariah-Belle responded, rubbing the back of her neck with a light chuckle.

Kariah-Belle watched as Aya turn her attention back to where Kaden had been moments ago. Her cool demeanor was replaced with worry. Kariah-Belle noticed her slender fingers kept twitching. The girl could see Kaden held a special place in her heart and Kariah-Belle wondered the kind of bond they had.

Aya took a deep breath. "We'll stick to the assignment we were given," she said. "After that, then we'll go back her up."

Kariah-Belle nodded. "Sounds like a plan. Let's catch up to everyone."

With that, the two hopped over the side of the building. Activating their Mana exoskeleton before landing on the ground. Kariah-Belle could see Lax-Rim had Jet on his back. Mae Lu kept pace at his side while professor Mar-Gin led from the front, leaving Akiio to guard the rear. Kariah-Belle caught up with her friend. Her face lit with awe.

"Mar-Gin went to work I see," The girl said. Vympiri corpses lay dead on the street. Some looked as though they'd been flattened, while others had iron poles impaling them all over. Leave it to a Divine Knight to fight off so many enemies while protecting others.

"His title isn't just for show," Akiio said remaining vigilant. "The man is impressive indeed."

Aya leapt into a building. "I'll keep watch from above." She called to them.

Kariah-Belle couldn't help but admire the dedication to her assignment. If that had been her comrade back there, she'd have disobeyed orders for sure. Kariah-Belle had to figure the other woman was more worried about getting Jet and Mae Lu to safety. The brown haired young woman felt her admiration for Aya grow even deeper.

After about a minute of cutting through back allies, Aya spotted a squad of Knights. Six Officer Knights, and three Master Knights lead by a Divine Knight. The usual formation of a squad, except there was a Divine Knight, who like Aya, also who scouted from the rooftops.

"Iron Fist Mar-Gin," said the Divine Knight, leading from below. Kariah-Belle could tell from his attire he was from Lavirian. Like Aya, his armor was made of diamond-like material. The black and gold diamond-like material was shaped to resemble medieval Knight attire.

The two men shook hands. "Midnight Blade Seth," Professor Mar-gin said, placing a hand on the other man's shoulder. "Haven't seen you since we aided the Drakon Queen of Semek."

Seth gave Kariah-Belle and her friends a once over before giving Mar-gin an apologetic look. "We'll make those bastards pay for what they've done here."

Kariah-Belle stayed quiet along with the rest.

"Thank you, old friend," Mar-Gin said. "Your help is much appreciated."

Seth nodded, then barked orders at his squad. The lower ranking Knights formed up around Kariah-Belle and the others. The young woman was relieved to have more hands while they were injured and in the middle of a war zone.

Everyone moved out, sticking to alleyways. Even with a larger squad. some of the alley ways were built for transporting groups of people to safe centers in times of crisis. Things were going smoothly. No enemies had managed to sneak up on them or been spotted. The group had been silent, everyone on alert.

"We've got incoming!" Aya shouted from above. "Vympiri and Darkling horde closing in fast. They haven't spotted you lot, yet!"

"Liam, take two of the others and help Mar-gin get the injured out of here," Seth ordered. "The rest of you, on me. We'll help the two up top."

The two Master Knights and five Officer Knights activated their exoskeletons and scaled the buildings to help Aya and the other Divine Knight above. Seth looked to Mar-Gin and nodded. Professor Mar-gin nodded back before Midnight Blade turned to pitch black smoke and flew upwards.

Now Kariah-Belle recognized him. The man had a reputation that proceeded him.

"Alright, everyone. Let's not waste precious time," Professor Mar-Gin said.

He led the students at a sprint through alleyway. Lax-Rim didn't look tired from carrying Jet, who had woken up from fainting moments ago from the random pain from his severed. He insisted on using his own two legs.

They all exited the alley to see a large domed building just ahead. A battle was being waged around it. Vympiri, Evilbarers and Darklings fought against Knights outside the barrier that protected the safe center.

Mar-gin cursed under his breath. "Please do your best to protect my students," the man said to the Seth's squad. He then joined the fray.

Kariah-Belle had only seen the man in action twice. The two times he'd intervened when the missions were too much for Kariah-Belle and the others to handle. Whenever their lives were in danger, he would step in to keep them safe.

They watched as their teacher fought once again to protect them. He was a formidable force with his iron gauntlets and greaves to attack with he conjoured. He would also form large iron fist or blocks from the ground, and buildings to attack and crush enemies with. He'd also conjure iron spears to attack and defend with.

Suddenly there was a gap. A passageway through the carnage to the safe center. The Master Knights hurried them through the passage. An Evilbarer tried to block them but Mar-Gin intercepted it, summoning a giant iron fist to knock it over. Things seemed to be going well, for the most part.

That was, until Kaden came hurtling towards them and slammed into the ground.

A man with midnight skin landed on a nearby small building. Two stars moved as they shoned on his skin. He wore a helmet with frills and horns that resembled the head of a triceratops. The helmet itself looked to be a part of his skin. His teeth showed in taunting smirk down at Kaden.

Kariah-Belle felt as if her heart began to beat against her rib cage as fear gripped her body. She began to hyperventilate the eyes of her parent's killer locked on her. Her body became unresponsive as she started to shake. Terror seized her when the Darkness Tamer spoke. "We meet again, Little Light."

********

KILL HIM, BOY! Darqus shouted in Kaden's mind.

The young man could barely understand what was going on. It was as if he was watching his actions through a small window in a void of darkness. His mind was foggy and dazed. He did, however, understand two things:

His name was Kaden and he hated the man in front of him with his entire being and didn't know why.

Who was he? Even now, Kaden fought to kill him. It felt good. This power that he felt was incredible. In his hazy mind, this rage and anger felt justified. To be able to let it out on this man brought even greater joy.

Yet, Kaden knew he shouldn't kill him.

He couldn't pin it down, but there was a reason why he couldn't allow himself to kill him.

Though, from what he was watching, it didn't look like the man would go down easily. Even with the essence of Wrath and War controlling his body, Memphis was tanking his blows. Though Kaden's body suddenly had its reflexes, speed and agility drastically boosted once the midnight black dragon scales covered his skin.

The scales were tough and super durable. Still, while this transformation was fast, it lacked the power to deliver any fatal blows.

It was a stalemate.

While Kaden would land occasional strikes, using his hardened scorpion-like tail with a combination of punches and kicks, Memphis had only landed three.

I CAN GIVE YOU POWER AND GREED! Darqus boomed in his mind. The god of Darkness and Vice was lurking in the young man's subconscious. Watching.

Waiting for a chance like this to arrive, this was the fourth time his power had been used since being placed in this human filth. The dark god hated all of the sentient beings in the universe. Humans he hated most of all for trapping him for so long.

Now, for the fourth time, he had a chance to be free.

FREE ME AND I WILL GIVE YOU VENGEANCE, BOY! Darqus boomed again, rattling Kaden's thoughts.

He felt the young man slipping into his grasp. Kaden wanted to kill Memphis, yet still, something held him back. He still couldn't figure it out what is was.

HE HAS TAKEN EVERYTHING FROM YOU.

A resolve. Kaden thought, still watching his limbs move. Attacking and dodging. He could also see Memphis's mouth move, and his occasional fits of laughter that followed.

A strong resolve that he held firm to wouldn't let him kill this man in front of him. Even though the urge to kill the man gnarled inside him. Kaden tried to search his mind for where that resolve came from.

YOUR MOTHER! Darqus shouted as a silhouette of a woman flashed across the canvas that once painted the scenery around him. He vaguely remembered her and though he couldn't recall meeting her, he felt a strong love for this woman.

YOUR FATHER!!! Kaden felt a powerful sense of familiarity towards the tall silhouette that flashes across his vision.

YOUR SISTER!!! A clear image of a girl he couldn't recall flashed in front of him. His mind raced to put images together.

Suddenly, he knew her. He'd seen her just a day ago.

Kariah-Belle? He thought.

A scene painted itself before him.

A small child that resembled the image before ran up to Kaden and tackled him in a hug.

"Kaden, you dumbo!" She yelled as she cried in have arms.

A deep love suddenly overflowed him. Then, an image of her lying on the floor flashed in front of him. Blood pooling out under her...

Kaden lost it.

YES BOY!!! Darqus boomed once more in his mind. Power and vengeance are yours to command!!!

"Yes, boy!" Memphis shouted after taking a powerful right hook from Kaden and recovering. This was the first strike that actually hurt Memphis. Kaden's raw strength was starting to grow at an alarming rate. "Show me the power even Titannia fears! Show me that power so that I may take it for myself."

"Funny you should mention me!" Iris Eloclipes shouted as she appeared seemingly out of nowhere, seemingly warping right next to Memphis to land a kick to the face.

Memphis was taken off his feet and sent flying across the courtyard of the academy. She looked to Kaden and he tried to remember her name.

I-Iris? Kaden thought.

NOOOO!!! Darqus shouted in Kaden's mind.

The dragon-like being roared loudly before charging at Iris.

She braced herself as a large blue sword made out of blue sparkling materials formed in her hand. The sword was bigger than she yet when she swung it at Kaden as if it weighed less than a normal-sized sword. She upped her speed and struck as fast as light.

However, the dragon-like being in front of her was just as fast. It dodged her and her sword was sent hurtling into the ground, creating a crevice and a shock wave that crashed into a nearby pillar.

Kaden kicked, but Iris blocked. His tail would've pierced straight through her chest if she hadn't warped above him.

"Stardust Element: Stardust Prison!"

Blue condensed dust suddenly formed around the dragon creature. It quickly formed a sphere that trapped the young man

DAMN YOU, IRIS!!! Darqus roared.

He roared and pounded against the now super thick layer of Stardust. It only broke pieces of the armor plated scales.

Iris had been on time. She had trapped Kaden before he had become too powerful through fighting Memphis. This was why Kaden never left her eyesight. She felt foolish for leaving him alone.

For now though, she wouldn't ponder her mistakes. She'd focus on defeating Memphis, here and now. The two had a long history and Iris was determined to make him history.

"You should feel honored, Memphis," She said tauntingly as he dusted himself. "Dying at my hand means you will go down in history as one of the most notorious criminals ever."

"I'm not the one dying here today, Titannia," Memphis retorted. "Lilith's brat will be the one to bite the dust!" He ran at her, moving too fast for the human eye to keep track of.

"Like I'll let you!" Iris mimicked him, moving with insane speed as well.

The two meet, sword clashed with sword before they began exchanging attacks. Black and blue shockwaves shook the atmosphere every time they clashed or landed a blow. Within a minute, the courtyard was destroyed due to the intense fighting that took place.

Just like old times. Iris thought as she parried a sword block. The two had been trying to kill each other ever since the day he killed Aya's mother.

Since then, they have met five times in combat. The first time, she had hunted him down to avenge Aya's mother. They met again after he'd massacred what remained of the Nadirè branch. Once, when she was ordered to protect a kingdom from him and an invading force. Another time, when she was requested to transport a sacred artifact while Memphis tried to steal it.

Another time, he'd went after the bounty on her head that someone in the Underground placed. A more recent time, when he hunted down Kaden. This was the sixth time and now he was leading an invading force on his home capital and this time he assassinated its King.

Just like the times before, Kaden would remember none of it once he reverted back to normal.

"Bastard!" She yelled out as she swung her blade.

Memphis smirked as he dodged and attempted a backhand, to which the veteran Knight evaded. Memphis used his momentum to spin and slammed a foot that was surrounded in dense blue and mana that resembled a nebula into her guard.

The stardust dust blade shattered and the attack sent her into the spherical prison that held Kaden, dazing the knight.

"Nebula Shaker!" Memphis yelled.

Iris barely had time to avoid the purple and black flaming fist that was aimed at her head.

Instead of smashing in her face, that attack collided into the sphere prison.

It cracked, then began to crumble.

"Damn it!" Iris cursed as she warped towards Memphis. She tried to hack his head off but he dodged. He tried to strike her, but she used Stardust to block.

The two exchange blows once again.

Kaden roared and broke free of the prison and began attacking both Memphis and Iris.

Iris already had her hands full with Memphis. Having to deal with Kaden would make things that much more difficult. Now, she'd have to stop Kaden from killing Memphis and vice versa while trying to stay alive.

Fuck! Iris cursed in her mind once Kaden had landed a heavy kick to her stomach. She'd left an opening and Memphis struck her, sending her crashing through the heavy steel walls of the school.

Fighting two powerful warriors at once meant Kaden would become even stronger in short periods of time. Memphis was starting to increase his Mana output as well.

Kaden was caught with two heavy blows and was sent hurtling away from school grounds by Memphis. The Darkness Tamer leapt after him, laughing loudly.

It was then that Iris found herself wishing she'd had Van's help right now.

 

[DarknessSama17]

Chapter 9 - Bonds

"Fuck!" Iris shouted as she climbed from under rubble. "That bastard’s figured out Kaden grows stronger the more he fights."

She took a powerful leap after Memphis. So much force was used during her ascent that a the floor broke apart where she had been standing.

In truth, even with Kaden's super enhanced strength, Memphis could kill him at anytime. He was matching his strength to Kaden’s to intentionally helping the young knight get stronger.

Kaden caught his balance midair, seconds before Memphis appeared in front of him. They began fighting once more as they descended. Black shockwaves could be seen as they clashed. Iris could tell Memphis was using more Mana than before. Not only did his physical strength increase, but his speed did as well.

Iris curse yet again. Normally, she kept her profanity to a minimum though she'd had potty mouth back when she and her childhood friends had joined a gang.

A gang that Memphis was once a part of as well. She would curse like a sailor when the stakes were high.

Iris’s face showed pain when a memory of her, Memphis, and the other heads of their gang at a lake resurfaced. Anger stirred in her heart. Not at the idiot’s attempt to snatch their bikinis while they were in the water that day, but at his traitorous actions.

She warped right behind him and jabbed her Stardust sword at Memphis's back. He dodged and so did Kaden. The black dragon tried to kick Memphis but he spiked his Mana output once again.

Iris wasn't surprised at his control of Mana. He had much Lifeforce and could us it just as well as she. What surprised her was when he grabbed Kaden while blocking her kick.

Memphis used Kaden to bat Iris away, sending her crashing down through a building. He then kneed Kaden before throwing him towards the ground and descended after him.

Iris cursed under her breath. If she was correct, a safe center should be nearby. She prayed to Kul they weren't headed for it. Those two could destroy the barrier and end up killing everyone inside.

Dusting herself off she conjured another large Stardust sword to her and jumped high into the sky. She spotted Kaden rising. He stood in the middle of a crater while Memphis stood on a nearby building looking down on Lilith's Elyiah’s daughter.

Not here. Iris thought. Her face showed both fear and worry. Not like this.

Kariah-Belle wasn't moving. She just stood there. Even as her friends shook her. Master Knights and Officer Knights defended her and her friends while trying to protect the barrier, Mar-Gin included. Divine knights had their hands full with vympiri using mana powered weapons, while battling Evilbarers.

Death claimed lives on both sides.

She bit her bottom lip in frustration. Darkness Tamers could control Evilbarers to an extent depending on how powerful they were. Memphis was extremely so. Surrounded by Evilbarers gave him an advantage in this situation.

Then, Memphis's body began to emit dark Mana, another variation of Mana. He raised his arm at Kariah-Belle and her friends.

Mar-Gin and Kaden rushed him, both moving at near vanishing speed. Together, they successfully stopped Memphis's attack. However, Mar-Gin made a mistake that could've cost him his life.

The dragon-like creature whipped its tail and struck Mar-Gin. Luckily, the retired knight was able to create iron backed by his Mana exoskeleton across his torso. Still, the attack was so powerful that the iron completely broke apart. Mar-Gin would feel like he'd been hit by rocket as he was sent through a large statue of King Vermilion.

Kaden had started attacking Memphis, who fought back. More shockwaves shattered glass as the the two exchanged blows at speeds only a trained eye could see. To those under Divine Knight, it would look like blurs moving rapidly if they could see them at all.

If things continued this way, then Iris would have to resort to Star Goddess mode. If things came to that, Kaden might not survive...

Rain fell lightly from the sky.

She warped, appearing behind Kaden and grabbing his tail. She caught both him and Memphis by surprise. She spun Kaden around before slamming him downwards against Memphis, who slammed through the roof he was on, destroying the whole building.

Iris felt a twinge of satisfaction.

Kaden snatched his tail away from her and the two assaulted each other with blows and strikes from all angles midair. Now, Iris resorted to using her Warping Step more often, as it didn't take as much Mana as increasing one’s speed to become as fast as light.

Now, Kaden had become even faster and stronger. He was now just faster than light. Each attack emitted a shockwave that could be felt half a mile away. Weaker buildings crumbled under the intensity of the shockwaves due frail support beams.

Iris slipped an attack from Kaden and found an opening. "Grand Stardust Prison."

A sphere made of enhanced version of Stardust formed around Kaden. The material emmiting a soft blue flame, trapping him in a spherical prison. Banging could be heard from the outside as he tried to break free as the sphere plummeted towards the earth, leaving a crater upon landing. Iris landed atop, wiping blood from her nose.

"Good luck breaking this," Iris taunted Memphis.

This was just a portion of the godlike power Star Titannia possessed. It would take for Memphis to perform a two star transcendence to break through this prison and Iris knew he wouldn’t risk it.

A two star Darkness Tamer transformation would give him enough power to destroy two medium sized moons in a matter of minutes. In return for that type of power it left the user near death.

Memphis wouldn't risk it. If he transformed, then she would, too. It would probably put them at a stalemate, where one wrong move could mean death. Being surrounded by enemies would put him at a disadvantage. He didn't trust the Vympiri to watch his back as they would probably drain him dry the moment if they got the chance. Someone with such a strong Lifeforce would grant them full maturity. In a weakened state, he wouldn't be able to fend them off.

It began to rain harder.

"Damn you, Iris!" Memphis shouted as he tossed aside a large piece of rubble. He was enraged at losing a chance to boost his power to new heights. "Since I can't kill him, I'll kill their daughter daughter!"

Kariah-Belle! Iris thought as she turned around to search for the girl. Vympiri had snuck up behind her and she slayed them almost instantly.

She felt Memphis behind her. A floating wall of Stardust intersected his kick. Iris exchanged blows with Memphis. Now, stardust formed on command. Iris would will it to attack and defend as necessary.

Suddenly, his fist emitted midnight black Mana. This Mana had stars flowing through it like before. He swung his fist, a barrier of Stardust formed to protect her, but it was useless. His fist smashed through her defenses and connected with her face.

Pain exploded throughout her face. Even with the increase in durability her Mana exoskeleton provided, the blow was like thirty ton blast. She was sent flying through the air and crashed through a skyscraper. Then, he stretched out the same fist that was emitting that black, starry Mana.

"Die, brat!" He shouted at Kariah-Belle. A beam of black, starry Mana shot out at her. A beam like that would obliterate anyone, anyone and everyone next to Kariah-Belle.

Iris tried to warp. It had been eleven minutes since the courtyard and she had warped over thirty times. She had hit her limit and had to wait for a cool down. She cursed, letting a string of profanity to escape her lips.

One moment, she emitted a bright light that engulfed her. The next, she was in front of Kariah-Belle and her friends. Her attire had changed to armor made of Stardust. She emitted a light blue energy that resembled a nebula. Wings made of Stardust formed at her back. These wings gave off blue flames and so did the staff she held.

She raised a hand and a small plate of flaming Stardust formed seconds before Memphis's attack reached her, instantly disintegrating it and turning it to blue dust before it could do any harm.

This was the power of Star Goddess mode. With this, she too could destroy moons in a matter of minutes. It granted her godlike speed and power, as well as gave her Stardust and Warping ability big enhancements. Like Memphis's transformation, this would leave her near death.

"You're willing to go that far to save Lilith's and Eliyah's brats?!" Memphis spat, venom in his voice. "They left us for dead! They lied to us!"

"You know that’s not what happened!" Iris shouted back.

"I know Eliyah and Lilith turned their backs on us." Memphis stated with distain as a pillar of swirling darkness engulfed him.

It caused strong winds to sweep through the surrounding area and shatter windows. Everyone stopped to watch the Darkness Tamer transform. All felt the enormous mana rolling off the man. The pillar turned into a swirling ball that soon dispersed, revealing Memphis's Two Star Transcendence.

His once semi-bulky black armor was replaced with a more fitted and sleek suit design. It was still midnight black, but the many nebulas that floated about that made it dazzling. His helmet had been discarded, leaving his snow white hair to fall to his shoulders. His face was decorated with black and red markings.

"Come, Titannia," He said, his black bone sword appearing in his hand. It had stars shining through it that moved about. "Let's see which is stronger: your Justice or my Greed!"

He rushed Iris, moving three times as fast as light.

Iris performed the same feat as she lunged. To the onlookers, the two would seem invisible. Their movements too fast to keep track off. Even a Divine Knight would have trouble keeping up with their movements.

Memphis attacked with a combo. Iris blocked the first four attacks and parried the last, throwing her opponent off his guard. The holy knight prepared to attack thinking she had forced an opening but Memphis used his momentum to flip out of harm’s way. Without missing a beat he aimed a powerful kick at Titannia, his leg surrounded by visible dark Mana

Iris wasted no time in warping beside Memphis. The Darkness Tamer spun quick, almost anticipating her movements.

Almost.

She warped in rapid succession and this time she was behind him and struck with her sword. The sword hit Memphis square in the back. He was a black blur as he flew across the sky, crashing through a few buildings before slamming into a tall one.

"Mar-Gin!" Iris called out. "Get those greenhorns inside that barrier now!"

She then took off after Memphis, but the Darkness Tamer recovered. Memphis had appeared in front of her as she was making her way to him so the two met in the sky.

They forced blows upon one another, breaking bits of armor and shaking the atmosphere.

Iris missed a kick to which Memphis tried to counter. She warped behind him, but he was ready. Iris warped once, twice, three times before being greeted with a heavy backhand which stunned her. He then brought his blade down on her shoulder, sender her hurtling towards the ground before sending a dense beam of dark Mana chasing after her.

He'd thrown her with so much force, she wouldn't be able to recover before the blast hit her.

The beam slammed into her hard, pushing her even faster down to earth. She plummeted hard into her Grand Stardust Prison.

She got up groggily, shaking off the impact.

Oh fuck, she said, noticing the crack.

Kaden punched the Stardust sphere. Luckily it didn't give way. The dragon-like creature roared as it continued pounding against the prison, enraged and wanting to murder Memphis.

And crush anything that got in his way.

It started to rain harder, as the two stared at each other. A storm was brewing. Lightning struck the sky as thunder boomed overhead.

"Chaos Volley!" Yelled Memphis, both arms outstretched.

A volley of large black orbs made of Mana with stars floating in them flew at Iris and those standing around her. The vympiri and knights fighting near her stopped their fighting to evade the incoming barrage.

"Haaaaaaa!" Iris roared as a large wall of fiery Stardust formed to intersect the dark orbs. The orbs slammed into the Stardust, shattering upon impact. The wall of Stardust sported dents and cracks before it broke apart.

Iris looked around for Mar-Gin and Kariah-Belle. She saw Mar-Gin had her in his arms while her friends and other Knights protected Jet and Mae Lu.

What had happened to the girl? Iris wondered. For now, Mar-Gin would have to take care of her, even though he and the others had trouble clearing a path.

Suddenly, Iris’s instincts kicked in. She moved, narrowly avoiding a thrust from Memphis's bone sword. He followed up with a roundhouse kick, Stardust formed a layer around her arm, which she used to block. Still, the force knocked her back into the sphere that held Kaden.

That bastard is still trying to get to Kaden. Star Titannia thought.

He tried to stab her, but she warped, allowing him to stab through her Grand Prison. The sword pierced through the sphere and struck Kaden who roared in pain.

Iris appeared behind Memphis and kicked him into the Stardust prison. He recovered quickly and the two traded blows, inky black sword against fiery blue staff. A fury of attacks and strikes from both sides.

The two clashed weapons once more before bouncing away from each other.

Memphis wiped blood from his lip as he glared at Iris. She stared at him warily as dark, oozing blood spilled from her forehead and dripped over her eye.

The two were evenly matched. The last time they had fought, Iris had the upper hand. His armor couldn't withstand the intense heat that her Stardust emitted. He'd gotten stronger since. Still, she struck with so much force and incredible heat that Memphis would still take damage.

The same was for Iris. Each of Memphis's blows held enough force to split a continent in half. If Titannia wasn't in Star Goddess mode, she'd have been dead already.

Memphis smirked at her as he raised his sword. Titannia dashed at him, moving at light speed. She tried the stab him, but ended up stabbing into her prison thanks to Memphis dodging her staff again.

She hit Kaden...

Two hits from beings with godlike power was all it took for Kaden's mana output to skyrocket. He roared and pounded against the Stardust prison.

The prison began to crack and crumble. Kaden had become stronger. How much stronger? Iris wasn't sure, but things were about to go from bad to worse.

"You fool!" Titannia cried, knowing this was what Memphis was after. She kicked but he blocked. She struck with her staff, slamming it hard into the side of his face.

Memphis went sailing away, laughing manically. He recovered. "So that's what Lilith and Eliyah almost killed us for eh," he said as he floated above the ground. "Boy's a monster and the Supreme Council is hiding him from the four nations!?” He paused to cackle as if someone had told a joke. “Priceless! What will happen when The Darkness comes back? Will you still keep him hidden?"

"Kaden is not a weapon," Iris spoke calmly.

"You say that because he can't control his power!"

The woman said nothing.

Lightning struck a building with a boom of thunder as Memphis laughed again. "See? Give him to me, Iris! I can protect us all!"

"You're only interested in protecting yourself!" Iris shouted. "You're not getting your hands on him.”

"Then I'll absorb your Lifeforce, too!" Memphis threatened.

The two meet once again in the air. Swinging their weapons and throwing kicks, Iris would occasionally whack Memphis into a building using her Stardust element. He would attack and counter with bone swords that formed from nothing. They had the color of a starry night.

 

[DarknessSama17]

Bonds - Pt. 2

Within a minute, the two had used up the most of their strength. They lay in the rain, panting, their armor broken and cracked. The both of them were bleeding from their mouths.


Iris could hear the battle to get the kids to safety and protect the barrier still raging on some ways away as she lay on a chrome rooftop. The rain soothed her skin. She could also hear sounds of Kaden pounding against her Prison. It wouldn't be long before he would break free.


"Dammit!" Memphis spat from a pile of rubble. "Damn you, Iris! Keeping such power for yourself, are you?"


Iris said nothing. She'd never kill Kaden even if it meant her life. Her love for the boy was like mother and child. She did promise to look after him, after all.


Suddenly a black and grey blur flew across Iris's vision and crashed into the side of a taller building.


"Master!" Said a familiar voice.


Iris sighed in relief.


Aya warped next to her, her blue rings around her ankles, arms and crown visible as well as the arsenal made of Stardust.


"Master!" Aya repeated as she knelt down beside her, concern deep in her face. Iris noticed the fresh wounds on her face and arms. She'd must've been fighting a powerful foe for her to be in Stardust mode and be accompanied by such injuries. Through the rain, Iris noticed her eyes were puffy and red and Iris guessed it was crying from seeing her in such a state.


Aya had only seen Star Titannia in such bad shape only few times before. The girl looked to Iris as more than a mentor, but a mother as well, so the sight was heart wrenching for Aya.


"Memphis..." Iris said and pointed in the man's direction.


Aya's head followed and hatred twisted her beautiful features upon laying eyes on her father.


"Bastard!" The young woman yelled in rage.


She moved, but Iris grabbed her ankle.


"You are not ready, my love," Iris said calmly.


"But, master!” Aya exclaimed. “That man killed my mother! He tried to kill both you and Kaden! This is our chance to be rid of him. Even in the premature stage my Stardust is more than enough to finish him off in his weakened state!"


Iris coughed up a bit of blood before shaking her head. "My dear Aya. If you kill him with that hatred in her heart, you will surely enter the Fallen Place. What do you think will happen to Kaden if you weren't around?"


The girl gritted her teeth and clenched her fist. The traitor she is forced to call father, was right there. One bullet from her Stardust, that's all it would take, but she knew her master was right, though. The hatred for this man slammed around in her heart like a raging tsunami.


"What's wrong, princess?" Memphis called over. He paused, coughing up blood before he continuing with a smirk. "Don't have it in you to kill daddy?"


"Fuck you!" Aya screamed. She snatched her ankle away from Iris who shouted for her to calm down.


Aya snapped back to reality once Kaden roared.


"Kaden?" She remembered. "Master where is he?!" She asked frantically.


"Below," Iris answered. "Hurry, before he breaks free. He's been hit twice while we were transformed."


Aya nodded, all thoughts of her father flying out the window. She leapt over the building, falling slowly as she scouted the area for her friend. She quickly found him not too far from a battle.


Mar-Gin held Kariah-Belle in his arms as Akiio carried Mae Lu, while Lax-rim carried Jet on his back. The Knights that defended them couldn't seem to create a safe passage. The group of injured Knights appeared to be pinned down for the moment.


Aya cursed under her breath. She couldn't help them now. She had to get to Kaden before he freed himself. If not, then they all would be in danger.


She warped next to the Prison, then her instincts kicked in...


Stardust formed right in front of her as a lightning smashed into it, shattering it completely. Aya cursed again. This young man was really giving her a hard time.


"Hey, hey, hey, Frozen Gun!" Yelled Rygilya Semteck. "If you aren't careful, I'll claim your head and your powers!"


Rygilya had been what Iris saw flying across the sky moments ago. Earlier he and Aya had been engaging in battle. He'd arrived during her fight with the Vympiri and proved to be more formidable since last they fought. Not many could shatter her Stardust, though it was in its premature stage.


The olive skinned young man smirking at her. His red and golden eyes shone with dangerous mischief, though he looked just as beat up as Aya.. One could see a midnight black gauntlet that looked like the night sky with clouds that resembled a storm. A sign that he had entered the Fallen Place and escaped with his consciousness.


He jumped down from the building then shock showed on his face. "Is that Kaden?" He asked, almost in disbelief once he saw the dragon-like being beating on Iris’s Stardust Prison. He was breaking free slowly but surely. Anger painted itself on his face. "Tch such power. How does trash like him acquire such Mana time and time again?!"


"Get out of here, Rygilya," Aya warned. "I don't have time for you. If I don't do something fast, Kaden will-"


"Screw Kaden!" Rygilya argued as a spear of lightning formed in his hand. "You're going to die today, Frozen Gun!"


Aya stood at the ready.


"Boy!" Boomed Memphis, still laying on some rubble. "Forget Aya and kill the girl in Mar-Gin's arms! The brown haired one! Do it now, before she gets inside that barrier!"


"Tch. Very well, master," Rygilya answered.


Lightning formed around his body before he zoomed into the air as a current of lightning. He looked around and spotted a black haired man with wearing a trench coat. He carried a young woman in his hands.


He then felt Aya's heel slam I to his shoulder, sending him hurtling downwards before crashing against the barrier.


Rygilya got up. Shaking of the grogginess. "Damn her," he said, staring up at her.


No doubt she was stronger than him, even with his training from Memphis and the added boost one got from becoming a Darkness Tamer. However, her strength didn't trump his by much.


"How about this, then Frozen Gun!" The black haired young man yelled out as multiple spears of Lightning formed around him.


Oh no. Aya thought, instinctively knowing what Rygilya was planning.


She warped in front of professor Mar-Gin. The man was completely unaware that he was being targeted. Suddenly, the lightning bolts took off, all aiming to skewer Mar-Gin and Kariah-Belle. Rygilya laughing manically as if the battle had been won.


"Don't underestimate me!" Aya said through gritted teeth. Blood ran down her nose.


The guns that floated behind her began to fire. All twelve of them unloaded a barrage of Stardust bullets that hit Rygilya’s spears, cancelling each other out.


It was only a few seconds before all of Rygilya's spears had been destroyed.


It was then that Aya heard Rygilya's laugh from behind her.


Fuck! She thought as she turned around. She saw the young man as he went from lightning bolt to human, taking off the heads of two Knights upon changing.


He was inches away from professor Mar-Gin who was focusing on leading his students to safety. They were hunkered down just a few yards away from the barrier of the safe center.


Aya couldn't warp. She had hit the limit for the time being. She wouldn't make it in time...


"No!!!" She yelled out as he struck, planning to pierce Mar-Gin with his gauntlet arm to kill Kariah-Belle.


However it wasn't Mar-Gin who'd been pierced but Jet instead.


Somehow the young man had noticed what was going on and pushed Mar-Gin away in the nick of time. Sadly, the young man was the one who'd been stabbed through the chest.


"You trash!" Rygilya spat. "You dare get in my way? Lightning Current!" He yelled as he shocked Jet with powerful current.


"Damn you, Rygilya!" Aya screamed, running up behind him.


Lax-Rim noticed what had just transpired and attacked Rygilya in a fit of rage. Rygilya chuckled smugly as he pulled his bloody gauntlet out of Jet’s torso.


He dodged Lax-Rim and kicking the redhead into Akiio, who rushed over to help.


"About two hundred years too early, trash!" He mocked.


His arrogance left him off-guard to an enraged Mar-Gin. The man had created a large spike to which Rygilya dodged but was then met with a large iron fist that slammed into his side, sending him straight at Aya, who had grabbed her Stardust sniper from behind her. She readied herself to it to smack him with it but the young Darkness Tamer turned into a current of Lightning and evaded her swing.


He'd zoomed across the sky, landing next to his master.


"Memphis," He began, is breathing heavy. He'd used much Mana fighting Aya before now and it was starting to catch up with him. "I don't have much Lifeforce left. If things continue, we won't have a means of escape."


Aya landed on the rooftop next to her master, glaring at them as she tried to control her ragged breathing.


"Very well, boy," Memphis said to him. He yelled over to Iris. "Until next time, Iris! I'll get that boy one of these days."


Aya cursed as Rygilya coated his master in Lightning, then he zoomed upwards and away from the capital. She wished she could have stopped them, but there was someone more important who needed her.


"Master, I shall return," she said before taking off in Kaden's direction.


She landed next to him. She'd made it just in time. The Kaden was almost free. She had to calm his heart, and do it fast. Luckily, Memphis was no longer around to influence him.


Aya reverted to normal, her Stardust rings and guns burst into dust before disappearing. The white haired young woman began to sing. She sang in words that would only be known by dragons and those rare few who could speak their language. One did not have to understand the words to realize the song was beautiful.


Suddenly, the enraged dragon stopped its pounding and roaring. Instead, it started to sway left and right as if it was getting tired.


Sleepy. Kaden thought inside the Fallen Place. So sleepy.


Normally, in the Fallen Place, Kaden couldn't hear the outside world, but whenever Aya sang to him, he could hear her words. It was as if she was singing him a lullaby.


Aya? Kaden thought. Remembering the girl’s name, his mind drifting off. That's her name. I'm sure of it.


Damn you! Darqus yelled in Kaden's mind. He too, was starting to feel sleepy. Damn you Aya! Curse you and your mentor!


The young man closed his eyes and Aya's face appeared in his mind as he remembered his promise to him the first time she'd witnessed his transformation.


"Promise me you won't let it take you." He recalled her saying through tears. "Promise me Kaden!"


"I promise." He told her.

 

[DarknessSama17]

Chapter 10 - The grieving and Iris Eloclipes



Kariah-Belle lay bawling her heart out in Akiio's lap.

During the middle of a battle she had went into shock while her friends and teacher fought to protect the injured.

Jet had died for her.

When the girl had heard what happened she'd thrown a tantrum. Destroying the greatly damaged street even more in a fit of rage as she cried and screamed at the top of her longs. Lax-Rim had joined her. He had been tossed aside like some ragdoll, not able to even touch his friends killer who wasn't that much older than him angered him to no end. It showed him just how far behind he really was.

Akiio had stood silent. The young woman always had difficulty showing emotions after losing her family. Still, even she shedded a tear for her fallen leader.

Mae Lu took it the hardest. She had been childhood friends with the young man. Jet had been the one to save her during a robbery on their small little home. That was the first time he had taken a life.

Kariah-Belle bawled even harder. She had known the young woman eyes sparkled with more than admiration for Jet. She wanted so badly to see them smiling again and to be able to smile along with them.

The young man had gotten her out of a few sticky situations but the one time she was suppose to keep him safe, she'd failed miserably.

Akiio cradled her friend's head as she played with her hair. Kariah-Belle didn't know what she would do if Akiio wasn't there with her now. Most likely she'd throw another tantrum and destroy her dorm.

Eventually Akiio lay next to Kariah-Belle. They would talk about Jet's heroic feats. Laughed at how someone could be so calm and analytical but couldn't tell when Mae Lu attempted to flirt. They reminiscing on the times they had together, both good and bad.

Before long Akiio fell to the sandman and drifted off to sleep. They had been up most of the night grieving and reminiscing. Kariah-Belle now laid with Akiio playing with her pretty green hair. The sun had been up for a while now and Kariah could hear the machines from inside her dorm.

The battle had been over for twenty four hours. Her and a few other had spent most of yesterday helping with repairs to the capital. Unable to sleep due to her abnormal Lifeforce, Kariah-Belle slide out of bed, careful not to wake her friend. Her room was painted to look like a sunny day. She took a moment to admire the artwork.

It looked so life like and gave the young woman a sense of calm in times of distress. She took a deep breath before entering the bath. Pulling off her sleeping shorts, tank top and socks the young woman stepped in the shower. She let the warm water run down her sun kissed caramel skin for a bit. Her mind often wondering to Jet's smile.

Shaking her head to keep thoughts of her friend from making her cry again, Kariah-Belle began to bathe. She stopped to look down at the scars on her belly. The two scars that refused to heal. She ran her fingers lightly along them.

Anger boiled within her as water rained down from above. That bastard Memphis had taken someone else from her. Her leader. Her friend.

Jet's smiling face flashed within her mind and tears escaped her eyes. She fell on the shower floor. The water still raining down on her. She brought her knees to her chest and began to sob quietly.

Even as he took his last breath the young man smiled at her.

Some time later, Kariah-Belle found herself outside. The morning sun beamed down on her as she passed the ruined courtyard. Workers were repairing the broken status of the fallen king. Memphis had been the one to lead the attack on the capital. The traitor had slain King Vermilion and destroyed her home. She was sure the man's bounty would become even higher than it is now.

She wondered if anyone would claimed that bounty before her.

She had to admit, the more selfish parts of her hoped not. She wanted that scum to die at her hands. Still, she wouldn't be too upset if someone else did it. At least he wouldn't be able to harm anyone else.

Kariah-Belle eventually found her way near the central area of the capital. On her way she had seen all the damage done to the city and had tried to lend a hand here and there. However she was looking for someone and couldn't stay in one spot for too long. Finally she spotted purple hair and olive skin.

Mae Lu was hard at work helping the workers with repairs. Lax-Rim was there as well. While most of the workers used Mana powered machines, Mae Lu and Lax-Rim would bring materials to the workers on rooftops. Lax-Rim would melt the metals together using flame craft. They weren't the only academy students to help out.

Kariah-Belle walked over to Mae Lu. She hadn't seen the girl since the day she was admitted into the infirmary. She looked to have recovered well judging by the way she was working so hard.

"Mae Lu..." Kariah-Belle said as she approached the other young woman from behind.

Mae Lu turned around. Her concentration momentarily broken. "Oh hey Ri." She said trying for a smile. "Come to lend a hand?"

Kariah-Belle was quite. She stared at the other girl. Worry on her face.

"Ri, really. I'm oka-"

Mae Lu was interrupted when Kariah-Belle hugged her tightly. "Oh Mae." Kariah-Belle began, tears escaping her eyes. "I'm so sorry."

Mae Lu was silent for a moment. She hugged her back and she too had tears in her eyes. "It's not your fault Riah. It's that Rygilya guy who did the deed."

"Yeah Riah-belle." Interjected Lax-Rim. He wrapped his arms around the two girls. "Don't beat yourself up."

Kariah-Belle stayed silent. She just enjoyed the feeling of having her two friends close.

Soon Lax-Rim and Mae Lu got back to work. Kariah-Belle joined them. Helping where she was needed. It was a good way for Kariah-Belle to work off some stress as well as keep her mind occupied.

"Hey guys!" Called Ianna not far off. She made her way over to Kariah-Belle. Two other's in toe, Kyko and Vale. The group looked grim. Which was understandable what with what took place nearly two days ago.

The girl knitted her brows as she searched for Manty and Monty. "Where are the twins?" She asked.

The newly arrived trio exchanged looks. Sadness and remorse drawn on their faces.

"Dead." Said the raven haired boy who was Kyko. "Well Manty is. She died during our evaluation. It was more than we bargained for. Even the Holy knight we were with was not prepared. Monty hasn't left his room since he'd stepped foot inside."

"Oh no." Mae Lu said softly. "Poor Monty."

So they too were lead into a trap. Kariah-Belle thought. There has to spy among the four nations.

Kariah-Belle clenched her fist. The two had been inseparable since she'd know them. She couldn't imagine what it felt like for Monty to have to live the rest of his life without his sister at his side.

"Those bastards." Lax-Rim said. The venom in his voice was easy to detect. "They attack our home and take our friends. Fucking bastard!"

Everyone was silent for a few moments. Even though no one said anything Kariah-Belle knew what they all were thinking.

If only we'd been stronger.

They had only just met the girl at the beginning of the year back when they had joined the Advance course. The top ten students had been introduced on the day they had their first mission in the capital. Now not one but two of them had died...

It was Mae Lu that broke the silence. "I say after a hard days work we celebrate being able live. Maybe invite Monty?"

"That sounds like a good idea." Answered Ianna.

The group of young adults agreed on a time and place before splitting up to help with repairs.

Not long after, Kariah-Belle noticed Akiio landed on top of a building, searching the area.

"Over here!" Called Kariah-Belle to her best friend.

Akiio spotted the Kariah then leapt off the building landing next her.

"Took you long enough." Said Lax-Rim. His red Mana exoskeleton around him as he lifted to long slabs of chrome.

"That sleep was life." The green haired woman said cracking the bones in her neck.

"Well since you're here how about lending us a hand?" Ask Kariah-Belle.

Akiio nodded then got to work. The group worked vigorouslywith the repair teams. Occasionally taking lunch breaks. Goofing off and joking around as usually when they weren't working.

Kariah-Belle knew herself and her friends well enough to know that through all the laughter, they were missing their leader. Things just didn't feel the same without Jet. Still, the gang tried to smile through the day.

Before long the sun had started to go down. Kariah-Belle and her team decided to call it a day. They said their good-byes to the workers.

The group parted ways once they entered the dorm area. Mae Lu and Lax-Rim heading to their respective dorms. Akiio and Kariah-Belle walked in silence. The brown eyed young woman had already filled her friend in on tonight's plan.

The two girls showered. Kariah-Belle first while Akiio whipped up a snack for the two. Virian fruit and crackers with whipped cream on the side. After showering and eating the tasty treat, the two girls helped each other pick outfits.

"Smeeeexxxyyyy." Kariah-Belle teased her friend.

The green haired young woman wore a tight green dress that stopped just above her knees. It was single strapped that was held together by a golden loop. The dress seemed to sparkle as she moved. She also wore green heels. The same color as her nails. Her hair was tied in a green bun with loose strands falling over her face.

Kariah-Belle marveled at her friend's beauty. It was as if the clothes were tailor made for her. Her pale skin and emerald green eyes were complimented by the dress flawlessly. Even with the light scars on her legs and arms, Akiio still looked dazzling. If anything they only added to her beauty.

Akiio giggled. "Oh stop." She said waving her hand dismissively. "Have you looked in the mirror lately?"

Kariah-Belle grinned widely. "Girl, I don't need to. I know I look gorgeous."

Unashamed of her own scars Kariah-Belle herself had dressed in a black pencil thin skirt that lightly sparkled silver, showing of her silky carmel legs. A white blouse hugged her body snuggly. The blouse was collarless and showed off her cleavage. The sleeves were lacey with flower like designs. Her curly brown hair feel over her to her upper back in a ponytail.

"So are we doing this or what?" Kariah-Belle asking a rhetorical question. "I'm ready to get waaaaasted."

Akiio shook her head. "I'm definitely gonna have to keep an eye on you."

"Well Aki..." Kariah-Belle said putting a hand to her chest and feigning ignorance. "I had no idea you had a thing for me. Does Lax-Rim know?"

"Oh stuff it." The green haired young woman half smiled. "Let's get going. We don't want to make everyone wait."

"Right." She answered.

The young woman applied lip gloss before putting on a leather jacket and grabbing necessities. With that, the two young women head to meet Mae Lu and Lax-Rim.

Soon the two stood in the University's parking lot where they spotted Mae Lu. The purple haired girl dressed in a sparkling tight fitting dress. It was purple and black. It matched with her hair, eyes and purple heels.

Kariah-Belle whistled as she looked the girl up and down. Which caused Mae Lu to blush. "We won't be able to keep the boys off you tonight, Mae." She said as she looped her arm around the purple haired one. "You look amazing."

"Th-thanks." She responded a bit timidly.

Kariah-Belle knew the young woman had always been shy. Jet had always had her back since they were kids. Kariah-Belle decided she would help the girl break out of her shell since their leader was no longer around.

Kariah-Belle quickly spoke to distract herself from that thought saying, "So you girls ready to partaay?"

"I think so." Mae Lu said a bit nervously. "I've never been Sparkling before."

"It's not much different from a school dance." Akiio said placing a hand on Mae Lu's back to comfort her. "The only difference is, well... We sparkle."

Kariah-Belle laughed. "Yup. That about sums it up. Just remember: don't drink more than you can handle and stay close okay?"

"Got it." Answered Mae Lu. Using her free hand to give Kariah-Belle's arm a soft squeeze.

Kariah-Belle smiled at her friend who smiled back in turn.

Suddenly a horn honked, causing Kariah-Belle and Mae Lu to jump with a start.

Lax-Rim laughed from the driver's seat of his hover car. "Oh man! Talk about priceless!"

"Lax-Rim you idiot!" Kariah-Belle said giggling. "You do know this means war, right? I'm not stopping till I scare you out of your skin."

"Challenge accepted Ri." The red haired young man said. "Looking good ladies. I'm gonna make all the fellas jealous."

The girls giggled amongst themselves as they entered the hover vehicle and said their thanks.

Within seconds the group was on the road. They laughed and joked as they drove on the streets of the capital. Memories of Jet filled Kariah-Belle. She wished her friend would be here with them now but she couldn't linger on those thoughts. Not if she didn't want to start the water works.

Eventually they made the sparkle club and Lax-Rim found a parking spot. The exited the vehicle. So did Lax-Rim. The young man was dressed in a red tux that sparkled. His red hair was still wild and unkept as always. Non the less, he still looked suave in his red suit.

Kariah-Belle looked over to Akiio who looked at him stary eyed as he childishly said goodbye to his hover car dubbed "Stephinie". She hadn't seen that look on her in a while. The emotionallydetached girl rarely let her emotions show on her face. Even now, if one wasn't paying close attention it would look like she was just staring at him. However Kariah-Belle knew her friend well enough to know she was looking at Lax-Rim with adoration.

Kariah-Belle nudged her Akiio to break her out of her trance. "You have to blink some time ya'know." She whispered teasingly.

Akiio actually blushed. This was only the second time Kariah-Belle had seen her flustered. "I... I-it hadn't even been a few seconds. Ooo shut up."

Kariah-Belle burst out laughing at her friends awkwardness. Which earned her a confused look from the other two.

"Forget about it." Kariah-Belle said trying to get her laughter under control. Never until now had she ever saw Akiio flustered. She thought it was just too cute. "Let's get in there. I'm sure the others are waiting."

The four of them interested the club. It was large on the inside. Lights flashed and music blasted through the speakers that decked the ceiling. There were two bars and a dance floor in-between.

"There they are!" Lax-Rim said through the noise. He pointed to Ianna who was dancing with Neil and Vale.

The four of them made their way through the dance floor, moving and swaying to the music. They inserted themselves into the circle of the three them. Saying greetings and giving hugs before starting to dance.

"You guy sure know how to dress." Kariah-Belle said. "Where's Monty?"

"He left." Ianna said sadly. "He just wasn't in the mood. He says not to worry though. He just wanted to spend some time alone."

"I see. The loss must really be digging into him. I'll have to pay him a visit." Kariah-Belle said hoping a friendly face will lift his spirits.

"I'll go too." Akiio said having been listening in.

"The more the merrier." Kariah-Belle said. "For now, let's have a good time!"

They all cheered.

A few hours had flown by as the group of University students danced to the beat. Normally Sparkling parties like this were paid for by the club owner. However, this time someone high in command in The Order had decided that those that survived would need one night to try and forget what happened and sponsored tonight's party. It was an odd way to say "Good job staying alive!" But the young woman was glad to be moving her body to a beat.

Kariah-Belle loved go danced and found peace in moving to the rhythm of music. She wasn't sure where her love of dancing spawned from but it made her feel as if nothing could touch her. Not fears, mistakes, or heartache.

After a few drinks and a bit more dancing, the group decided they'd had enough partying for one night. Kariah-Belle, Mae Lu, and Akiio all hopped into Lax-Rim's hover car, while Vale and Neil got into Ianna's.

Lax-Rim and Ianna had decided to be the designated driver which meant the rest of them could drink as much as they want. Kariah-Belle had drank her fill. Enough to give her a tipsy feeling. It was a good feeling for and she enjoyed the buzz.

Eventually they parked in the University's parking lot and all said their good-byes. Giving each other kisses on the cheek.

Concerned about Monty, Kariah-Belle decided to follow Lax-Rim to the male dorms. Akiio followed suit. Kariah-Belle walked behind them as Lax-Rim and Akiio engaged in conversation. She tried not to be nosey but she just couldn't help it. Lax-Rim obnoxiously talked on and on about how he was the best dancer in the club. Kariah-Belle couldn't help but chuckle when Akiio told him he danced like a chicken with its head cut off.

Soon Lax-Rim reached his dorm and said his goodbye to his two friends. Both of them giving him a kiss on the cheek.

Finally they made their way to Monty's dorm. They knocked. No answer.

They tried again. Still no answer.

Akiio decided to use a little more force, giving the door a loud bang as she hit it.

Finally Monty opened the door. He looked horrible. As if he'd been crying for hours.

"Oh Monty. I'm so sorry." Kariah-Belle told him.

Monty's lower lip began to quiver before he broke down in tears. Kariah-Belle hugged him tightly. Monty hugged her back and wept.

Two hours had passed when Kariah-Belle and Akiio had left Monty's dorm. Now the two were in their dorms. Akiio in was in her room ready for bed.

Kariah-Belle was currently packing a bag. She packed it with clothes including her battle gear, gold and silver coins, her Holopad, and snacks. She strapped the bag over her shoulder then grabbed her mother's sword.

Normally one to party till she drops, the reason Kariah-Belle only settled for tipsy was so she could sneak out while everyone els was asleep. The reason...

To hunt Memphis and his protege.

She blamed them for Jet's death as well as Manty's. She was going to track him down and make him pay.

She opened her room door to find Akiio waiting for her. A travel bag strapped over her shoulder.

"Don't look so surprised." Akiio said. "We both know I can read you like a book. You're not going anywhere without me."

Kariah-Belle hugged her best friend. "Thank you Aki."

Soon the two young women exited the dorms and made their way to the rear exited of the University. In the dark she spotted Lax-Rim's unkept red hair. Mae Lu stood next to him.

"Figured we could use some back up so I called ahead." Akiio said when Kariah-Belle looked at her.

"So we doing this or what?" Lax-Rim said, throwing his traveling bag over his shoulder.

Kariah-Belle smiled at her friends. She knew they were here for their own reasons. Still, she couldn't help but get a little teary eyed.

"Yeah." She said. Let's do this.

"Do what exactly?" Said a familiar voice from behind them.

They all turned around to see Iris Eloclipes walking towards them.

"And just where do you all think you're going?" She asked as she came to a stop in front of them with glaring eyes and crossed arms.

The group said nothing.

"Oh, let me guess. You're going to hunt down your friend's killer, right? Then what? You don't honestly think you can kill him do you? He's rank third on the Knights Bounty Dashboard. He's a powerful criminal with godlike powers. Memphis would rip your little asses to shreds."

"So what? We stand here and do nothing?" Kariah-Belle said defiantly.

"Your head seems pretty big so I'm rather surprised you're this foolish." Iris said glaring daggers at her. "Why do you think the Four Universities were formed? It's to train future knights like you to prepare you for the outside world. As you are now, you'll never see Memphis. However, if you're patient and hard working you can stop something like that from ever happening again. Understand?"

"Yes ma'am." The students said reluctantly.

"Good. Now get back to your dorms. Dismissed."

With that the kids followed her orders and headed to their respective dorms.

********

Later Iris sat on the bed of her room. A bottle of rum in her hands and tears streaked her cheeks.

She heard a knock on her door before it opened.

In walked Van Lycon, a holy knight and a long time friend.

The tall, muscular man walked over and sat beside Iris.

"I couldn't stop him. I fell right into his trap and couldn't stop him."

"Don't be so hard on yourself Iris." Van said.

"Kariah-Belle would've died if she wasn't surrounded by people who loved her." Iris sobbed as she thought the young woman looked so much like her mother. "I was responsible for those greenhorns and one died because I was careless."

Van said nothing. He too had lost a young woman. The team he was evaluating was caught in a trap as well. The Drakon known as Manty was killed right in front of him. He knew all too well how she was feeling.

Van took the bottle from her hands. Reluctantly she let him as a hiccup escaped her.

"Again he's slipped through my fingers." Iris whispered.

Van wrapped his arms around her as she wept.

Suddenly, Iris pushed the man to the bed and straddled him. She undid her silky black robe, exposing her soft brown skin. Her sensitive parts where covered by red bra and panties but the scars on her body were visible.

Van bit his bottom lip.

"Take me." She told him with fire in her teary eyes.

Van was the only the second person she'd ever trusted with her body. Right now she just wanted to forget her failure. She'd do anything to forget. Even if it was just for a moment.

"Iris your drunk." Van told her watching another hiccup escape her lips. However, his words didn't match what his body wanted. Iris could feel his bulge against her crotch.

"You need this too." Iris whispered in his ear as she kissed the tanned skin of his neck. "Please Van." She added with a plea, knowing he wouldn't be able to resist her.

Van flipped her on her back. "Dammit Iris." He said before bitting into her neck.

He rubbed his hands down her body before pulling of her panties. Earning him soft moans from Iris.

The two kissed then proceeded to ravish each other, drowning their sorrows in booze and lust for the rest of the night.