"The destined day had come, words I can't even begin to express in this journal fill my mind. Wrath and Madness that He had warned, the urge to commit the biggest of Heresies and Treason against all that was and would be! and yet...It did not come to pass..."
Anonymous Diary.
"No Lucrezia, I cannot give you the spell formula. Yes, I am keenly aware that you need it badly but you must understand you are asking for the moon here! Gwennarius is spooked! do you understand? this is no minor Divine you get to bully around by waving Hope like a hammer, we must find another way and that's final" Kaine spoke into his spell as the muffled voice of a very stubborn woman mumbled and grumbled like an unruly child in his ear.
It was barely past 5 AM, the sun was still rising as Kaine fell into his chair and sighed deeply, from the darkened end of the room he heard noises as Kaede woke up and came to check up on him, sleep in her eyes and a tired smile greeted him as she spoke, her voice soft and warm "The Good Lady has you this worked up and it's not even morning yet? does she ever sleep?" Kaede laughed, defusing Kaine's frustration.
The young Mage smiled and thought to himself God bless this woman, I am truly blessed with her presence in my life "Hardly, Lucrezia can stay up for a week without sleep last I asked. Yet she insists on this accursed Spell Gwennarius has, I don't even wanna know how she knows the Goddess has it but if we do let out in the mortal coil it could end up in such disaster that the Gods would undoubtedly directly intervene, and that would lead to horrible, downright evil bloodshed" Kaine explained, trying to avoid falling into a rant.
"We forget, that Lucrezia is often at the bleeding edge of progress, and a darker more vicious beast lurks within the frame of the woman we know and love as a good friend. All the temperance brought by past events and her relationship with Richard is still there, subdued and sedated but when the taste of blood is too strong..." Kaede spoke as the sun shone across their room, giving the Kitsune an otherworldly glow.
"Indeed, she is keenly aware the Divines in charge of warfare on both ends of the spectrum would improve their forces with the knowledge as soon as she tooled it into her ships and weapons" Kaine spoke as he tapped his finger on the table "Bending Time and Space for transport is one thing, for warfare? can you imagine if her weapons had no projectiles or flying paths? if the whole world had spells and miracles like that?" he asked out loud. Kaede nodded "Still we can sidestep that and make sure the ships can enjoy something similar, as long as it doesn't get used as a weapon..." Kaede rested her head on his left shoulder and spoke "Then I suggest we get to work, the Good Lady will be grumpy for a while now that you have blue-balled her" She giggled at the mental image of an angry Lucrezia.
"Don't forget we will still fight in that silly tournament the Queen came up with, I swear Malphas is losing her mind by the day" Kaine spoke as the couple went to get themselves ready for the new day, one that would be quite something for all parties involved...
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Lucrezia was in a foul mood, Hope managed to beat the living lights out of her at the gym earlier and her classes were all running mock tests for no real good reason. With people focused on the upcoming team engagements this was, at least to her mind a sadistic move by the faculty members and one that had come out of the blue, her memories from the game not giving her a single clue about it even!
Then Gwennarius stonewalled her again, even after the inhuman push she did for Kaine and his Church, sure it was a far shot but damn it all she had done in weeks what took more established Faiths and Divines months, years even! At least Kaine would look into something to remedy the issue, even if that would increase travel time within the dark of the cosmos to find her prey.
And what a prey it was! her lips licked at the thought of spearing the Goddess, of beheading and sticking its divine carcass up in her walls, it was a hunger for battle that would undoubtedly push her to the very limits! Richard had told her earlier about it, he felt she was getting bored of endlessly sparring and mock fights under the protective spell that would deny her the soul-burning sensation of fighting with her life on the line.
It was a sobering moment when he too confessed to be feeling the same thing, it was the nature of the beast they had inherited. War forged Lucrezia and in turn, forged her closest allies and loved ones, and while Richard hadn't been in a true duel to the death, the fight against Malphas was close enough for the young man to get a taste of the bliss she felt at those moments.
It is scary, knowing you have to battle that daily you know? makes me want to do something but I know that is your fight and yours alone Richard's words on her condition rung with the warmth that bespoke their shared understanding. She thought to herself how well their relationship was going when she kept hearing about breakups and other scandals within the halls of the Academy.
At the very least, one of her Patron Deities was having one hell of a time with it, same for the others as Lucrezia made doubly sure to repay their gifts in kind. Even her Imperium-based ones weren't free of her boundless generosity as their influence expanded due to her actions. Sighing she decided to go to the gym, having done the last of the infernal mock tests made her want to burn some of that anxious energy, even now after all she went through, sitting down to answer a quiz still gave her the shakes.
"Somethings never change do they?" she whispered to herself.
The gym was a riot of activity by the time she arrived, a weird thing at this time of the day so she elected to check it out, it didn't take long to find the source of the commotion as a party of six individuals, 3 being Knights she had seen around working out and the last 3 being younger, likely noble scions... Lucrezia rubbed her chin in thought, these nobles were not around the gym at all!
"Watching the opposition eh? smart thinking Lady Lucrezia" one of the regulars that often spotted her spoke out, a freakish huge elven woman who was oathbound to a family whose scions dated back from the Imperium "By the puzzled look you just gave me I imagine you haven't seen the board? those six down there will be fighting your motley crew for the first round in the tournament" she winked.
"Only six? did the Knights count for more? I thought the limit was up to 10..." she asked and the elf nodded "They also just added in the fact you can get hired help for it, which means mercs for our more ambitious merchant sons and daughters of the academy hah!" with a nod the woman left and Lucrezia watched the six battled out some sort of earthen block with erratic limbs, a horrible sight if it wasn't for the fact someone went through the effort to cast illusions on it to look oddly sleek and modern.
That tripped Lucrezia out of the actual combat, It was too Terran-like as if someone merged Art Deco with brutalism and molded it like clay! her mind worked fast to check how the aesthetic aspect of her inventions fitted those molds. Most of it fell into some amalgamation between high fantasy and clockwork-like, maybe even the second industrial revolution sans the pollution and squalid living, her weapons? no those were more sci-fi if anything...
Impossible, another Terran soul? surely that wouldn't be a thing, right? especially since I haven't been subtle with my influences and references! A chill ran down Lucrezia's spine as the very likely possibility of another Terran being around clawed its way to her mind, lost in her mind as she drafted plots and plans for contingencies and dead man switches she didn't notice a meek figure heading her way.
A young, not even 18 years old hailed her with a slurred voice, snapping Lucrezia out of her reverie "L-Lady Lucrezia It is...It is an honor to make your acquaintance!" half shouting half talking in a normal tone, the poor thing was shaking like he was zapped by lighting! Lucrezia focused and from the corner of her eyes saw a group of young women smirking at him, did they put the man up to this?
Snapping into what Richard and Hope had started calling "Leader of men at the gates of ruin and hell mode" (something too dramatic for her liking) she marched over towards him and sent a glare towards the other group, shutting their smirks and giggling down immediately and addressed the young man "Pleasure to meet you Lord...?" the question hanged in the air for a solid second before he got his barring.
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"I am Calgar, no need for the title Lady Lucrezia, the Cavons are hardly above Knights..." he coughed noticing he was badmouthing his own House "Forgive me, I am not the most social..."
Twitchy and shy, Lucrezia suppressed a smile and met him with an affirming nod, if her read of him was right this would set the boy at ease a little, some of these younger Noble Scions responded better to "harsh but fair" attitudes after all. "Call me Lucrezia then Calgar, How can I help you on this fine day?"
The two of them moved to one of the many tables near the arena, Calgar had a spring in his step as he spoke "I wish to first thank you and your innovations! I take it you have seen my Golem yes? A marvel of Transmutation and Illusion! it was mostly thanks to your Magi-Tech devices and the methodology Master Kaine has released over the months. I must confess it is quite a... unique sight but I was inspired the day it came over me"
As they sat down Calgar clapped his hands "As for the second part, I wish to extend you a formal invitation of sorts, as you may know, we will be fighting soon and your squad will be no random team of haughty nobles or bootlickers, Lady Hope and Prince Arthur themselves are scary enough, but Master Richard and the Sycthe herself? we got lucky Master Kaine was sent to another bracket!" Calgar laughed "I ask of you Lucrezia that you do not go easy on us, grant us a proper battle for me and my sisters and our Knights are eager to fight you and yours" He had an enthusiasm to him that made Lucrezia smiled, a good fight surely would come out of this.
But would it be good for him?
"Calgar, I always fight my opponents at my best. On that you and your sisters may not worry, alas if you seek glory and renown I fear..." She was about to speak but Calgar sliced her phrase into two with an exclamation "I am keenly aware, I was among your rank and file when we clashed against the Royal Knights. Alas, Lucrezia my House and Knights are unworthy, unwanted in the bigger brawl that is Vermilion politics, but this fight...this chance we have to show the world we can be more than a ragtag of upjumped commoners is not something I nor my keen can afford to miss!"
Lucrezia took a long hard look at the young man, not failing to notice his sisters edging closer to the table together with their Knights, all in well-worn but cared-for armor, blades, and staves with clear signs of use, she stared them down, and saw the same fire in their silent form that burned within Calgar. Part of her wanted to donate some of her weaponry but then she was sure her detractors would crash the young house, at the behest of her old enemy Queen Malphas.
"Then I bid you good luck Calgar, keep training and we shall meet in the arena with honor and glory, I will not be found wanting and the same fury you saw that day shall be shown. I can't speak for the others but I believe they will all agree to this, Richard in particular will likely speak with you after I give him the news. Important fights like these are a matter of great honor for his Patron Goddess after all" Lucrezia tapped her fingers on the table "It's a promise"
She extended her hand, and he took it with a firm handshake. After a word of goodbye, his team returned to the training arena and soon combat noises were heard. Lucrezia stayed behind contemplating her actions at the table, she flexed her crystalline hand, letting the sun rays pass through it "How can this be fair?" she asked no one but a voice, quiet as the grave but with the power of unspeakable strength and resilience spoke through her Blessing.
Tis the purpose of the footman to die for their lord, this is the purpose of the general to lead his men to victory. This young man will face his greatest challenge yet and will rise to meet it, for that is the power all mortals have within themselves, especially those close to my kin
Ah, Silent Soldier? Lucrezia smiled as she put the pieces together, a family with ties to the Imperium trying to become nobles eh? what a twist.
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"It would be disrespectful to not fight with my full powers, but I understand where he's coming from with this request" Hope spoke to Lucrezia as the two joined up with the rest of the usual gang. Kaine was arguing loudly with Arthur about something and even Castra had joined in when the women made their to the table, it was a heated debate about a powerful necromantic spell Kaine wanted to use.
It was an interesting thing, in the game the fact Arthur was a necromancer of good skill was extremely complicated, taking ages for the player to work out the best way to break the news for the wider Academy. Now? now the first prince was being pulled out of class to teach Necromancy! and the undead community was positively, or negatively Lucrezia thought with a smile chomping at the bit to get a hold of him.
"It's good you know? Vermilion treats her Undead right but with the support of the First Prince? not even the most staunch anti-undead groups can stonewall them now, laws and legislation working as fast as possible Arthur told me the other day" Hope smiled at the sight as they greeted the others and sat down. Lucrezia thought to herself as the events of the game played out in her mind, the Undead faction still faced some backlash even after the best ending for the quest but now? Maybe she had gotten the skeletons and ghouls a Perfect ending!
"...Arthur, you are lucky the Unbroken tolerates you and your girlfriend, the spell you and Kaine are asking for is something even my people can't get a hold of in the worst of cases! and I've hunted rogue necromancers that would have you for breakfast, lunch, and supper!" Castra exclaimed, getting a few laughs out of the others "What, this is no laughing matter you lot, the manipulation of Soul and Mind is a secret even the Undying is leery of using, He told me Himself" she huffed as Arthur raised his hands "I am sorry Lady Castra, I shan't bother you with this again" he had a cheeky smile as Hope leaned for a kiss.
"Kaine, I hear you will not fight with us?" Lucrezia sat down and her friend sighed "Aye, I was placed in another group, Kaede told me we will be fighting a cadre of Warrior Monks from a coalition of Gods, not excited for that lemme tell you" his hand snapped into forms as a ghostly images appeared on the table "Trained by masters to fight against Mages, and armed with that accursed anti-magical metal you love Lucrezia" his finger pointed to cudgels and spears made out of the stuff.
"A worthy fight Kaine!" Hope said and he waved him off "I am no bloodthirsty warrior, more of a scholar if anything really" The table laughed at Kaine's inability to accept he was also in with the battle-crazed people.
Lucrezia rubbed her temples "You and Kaede alone should be more than enough, but this will not be an easy fight at all" She sighed at Kaine's poor luck, this wasn't no mere Cadre of Monks he was fighting, she knew these men and their order, most of the anti-magical equipment in the game was made by them after all, still, she believed in Kaine and Kaede, together they would emerge the victors.
"Anyone up for some dungeon exploring?" Hope spoke up as the conversion fell into a lull "I was told the Dragon changed the structure and now we can find rooms full of loot, gold, and weapons hand-crafted by the big lizard!" she had a smile on her face as the lure of loot made its works on her mind "I know we should be training but I must be honest with you lot, I am eager for a real combat situation, beyond the safety we have here"
"The fight with what's his name is happening soon Hope, are you sure you want to dungeon dive now? we could be stuck down there for days" Richard tapped the table "If you want some actual dangerous combat you could square off in the wilds you know? Lu is pushing hard on the northern wastes front and we could use every abled body up there, plus it wouldn't be hard to get you back once we are called for the fight" he pointed out.
"You seem to care an awful lot about this Richard, what gives?" Arthur asked his face with genuine wonder.
"Well not only Lu gave her word to Calgar was it? so now we are Oathbound to it, and there's the fact this whole thing only happened because Queen Malphas forced the hand of the Faculty, in the middle of Test Month no less, and with the seniors doing presentations! She's up to something and I don't like it. So the fastest we get through this the fastest we can turn our attention toward a more permanent solution with Her" Richard answered with a sigh "Can't you know, work your charm on her? youngest sons and daughters are usually the most spoiled" he smirked.
Arthur shook his head "Sadly I am pretty sure She will not listen to me, nor my sister OR my father even, I am afraid unless we debase ourselves into Kinslaying or enemies of the crown, we will have to look into other means of dealing with Mother Dearest" Arthur had a contemplative look in his face "What we found with Kaine's mother situation has cast a damning light on the whole family, I fear for my Father these days..." Hope moved to hug him
It was a horrible thing Lucrezia thought, her mind flashing to the fateful day she put her parents to the sword, the right thing was to push Arthur here and put him on the same path, but she felt Hope's gaze on her Please, not now she asked and Lucrezia relented, against better judgment yes, such was the power of her bond with the woman in front of her who breathed a sigh of relief.
Kaine and the others fell silent as well, everyone in contemplation of the words spoken and not spoken at the table, eventually, he coughed to get their attention "Can you arrange fast transportation for us then? Teleporting into the Wastes is not something I wish to do on my best day, something about that place messes with such spells...another thing to look into, Lucrezia if you could?" he asked and she nodded "On it" she replied.
Richard left to arrange transportation as the rest of the group moved towards the Fields, Lucrezia stared off the distance as thoughts both urgent and silly kept her mind busy, the change in the Dungeon was something that hadn't happened in-game, the loot was usually by monster drops after all even the Dragon fight itself. Another change brought by her? and why was Hope willing to escape the safety of the Academy for a fight? Battle Lust?
She would find out, one way or the other.