On the way back to my dorm Andrew, Clarke, and Claire had been talking. Mainly about some of the things Clarke could do while he was with us. Since all who bore the marker were going to be officers anyway the idea of making Clarke our Chief Medical Officer seemed universally agreed upon. I'd given my okay but I hadn't been listening so much. My mind was plagued by everything Clarke had been worried about before. I thought it was cool my friends got these awesome powers, but it only made them a target in the eyes of Lucian.

I tried not to think that joining Lucian would've been a better alternative to whatever dangers we'd be facing next. He only said he'd spare whoever had a marker in the first place. That meant my family and everyone else's families wouldn't be needed. Then there was his attack on Albion. He'd gotten past Neo Arcadia's defenses so easily and wiped out a small fleet by himself. Part of it made me wonder why he hadn't just come back and killed us. We're an enemy to him that stands a chance of getting in his way. Could it have been he thought he was that much superior to us? There was no denying he was powerful but how arrogant could someone be? The lack of an answer as to why Lucian hadn't attacked us again after these past few months honestly terrified me, but even more than that it angered me.

I could feel something unnatural welling up in my stomach. It seemed to swirl and spiral into something I'd feel almost no control over. Every passing second that Lucian dwelled within my mind was another second that disgusting feeling stayed. It wasn't until I'd feel something push me forward that I'd snap out of it. Turning around I'd find Clarke behind me.

"Soran... Calm down."

I tried thinking of Clarke's breathing technique but before I could manifest a small spark of flame Andrew grabbed my shoulder. He shook his head and pointed at my prosthetic. Black flames seemed to be spewing out of my hand. Shaking it they went out quickly. "Crap, my bad."

"It's not an issue dude," said Andrew. "But you've gotta control that anger a little more. I'm sure you don't want to burn the entire tower down?"

"There's no way I can do something like that." In hindsight, I probably shouldn't have said that. The way Andrew had been ready to leap into danger told me all that I needed to know. I held my hands up for everyone to see. "I'm good man, no worries."

The Elevator door opened and we stepped into the hall leading to my dorm. Opening the door I was fully expecting to be tackle-hugged again only to be surprised as to what happened. Talia and Minerva pulled confetti cannons blasting them in my face.

"Surprise!!! Happy Birthday!!!"

There were party favors and snacks everywhere. My dorm had been decorated wall to wall with Erratic Code and Mobile Weapon Chungdai merch. There were even some Model kits of Chungdai Amon in the corner next to the TV.

"Woah guys, wait a sec my birthday was two full months ago."

"But of course Soran," Satomi said as she rolled up to the door. "But that doesn't mean you get to miss out on it."

Placing her hands on the armrests of her chair she began to lift herself out of it. She struggled for a few seconds and as we saw this Andrew and I stepped forward to give her a hand. We were stopped by both Talia and Minerva. As Satomi rose fully from the chair I could see a pair of metallic legs emerge from under her skirt. They had a similar design to Eidolons usually had. Though the more amazing part was she was standing at all. She knelt and hugged me.

"I'm g-glad you're alright. We've got something in common now."

Letting me go she returned to her seat. I hadn't noticed I'd been staring blankly until Andrew started snapping his fingers in my ear."

"Oi, Soran. I know Satomi is quite the beauty and all. But don't you think you're staring a little too hard?"

I turned away, covering my face with my hands. While yeah, Andrew was right that wasn't the reason I'd been staring. It was a bit weird having someone poke around in my head. Especially if it was someone I'd been admiring from a distance if you catch my drift. I hadn't known Satomi's powers were mental. I could only let out a sheepish "sorry" before trying to retreat to my room.

"It's quite alright Soran," said Satomi. "Today is your birthday so it's alright. Besides I'm sure this 'pretty dragon lady' has a gift for you."

I hated that I could tell Talia and Andrew had the sliest leer on their faces.

"Do not worry about these fools dear cousin," defended Minerva. "I will not allow them to pelt you with petty ridicule of a lady you happen to find... attractive. Nevertheless, I shall support you in your endeavors."

The way Minerva said it made it even worse. By the time I'd uncovered my face, I saw Seraph standing in my way.

"Oh no my lord," she said turning me around. "You cannot abandon the festivities prepared for you tonight." She started pushing me back toward the living room where she sat me down on the couch next to Alice, who'd been enjoying a small glass of water.

"That's right Soran. In Arcadia, the celebration of one's birth is highly regarded. Especially if one is graduating to adulthood."

There was no escaping anything at this point. Satomi rolled over by me and handed me a small glass of juice. She had another in her other hand. The others began to crowd around me with glasses in their hands as well. I sighed, figuring now there was no real way to just crawl back into my room now. "Well if you can't beat'em... Show off."

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

"To our new fearless leader and Nova Astra!" Andrew bellowed.

"To Soran and Nova Astra!" Everyone cheered.

It felt nice spending time with everyone like this. Even with the fact that times would be far and few between. Now we even have Satomi and the Arcadians too. While it was awkward at first explaining the various party games to them it was better than any games Seraph tried to get us to play. Even though I was an Arcadian I'm sure the others don't go bungee jumping off of large buildings without the rope. All of us didn't have powers that could slow our fall or save us from being plastered all over the ground.

Sometime in the middle of the party, Clarke and Andrew sat me down on the couch. "Alright, It's time for the gift-giving," the latter announced. He then handed me a box with a bow on it. Normally Andrew got me something pretty vulgar like a dirty magazine or "Chad's Guide to the Sigma mindset." But this particular gift was a pleasant surprise. There'd been a cloth and metal insignia depicting a shield with a white 'X' with a red 'I' going down the middle of it. The cloth’s insignia seemed to be for a jacket or shirt while the medal I could probably put on Bahamut.

"When'd you have these made?"

"My mother made them... She and I actually talked."

I thought Andrew seemed strange all night, but now I barely even recognized him. Although I had a mountain of questions I just smiled. "Good for you man. I'm glad you two finally talked."

"Don't get me wrong, she was all for me going. Mainly because having her son 'Andou Pendragon' being one of the chosen heroes would further the Susumu Empire. 'No son of mine will serve one without a Kamon,' she rambled on and on about that."

Placing the insignias on my lap I held out my fist for Andrew which he reciprocated. The next to give me a gift was Minerva who had an entire shipping box of sour worms. If it were a dog I wouldn't be able to control my tail from wagging so much. Then there were Clarke and Claire whose parents had ordered a bunch of food and snacks for us. Where they're from food is a pretty big deal to give and they'd given us so much since I turned 18.

Talia hadn't gotten me a gift, or rather she mentioned something about me seeing that gift later. Then there was Satomi who'd been walking along with Seraph with her gift. Seraph put the box down in front of me. "I hope you don't mind that Alice and I combined gifts with Satomi's my lord."

"Not at all Seraph, I didn't know Arcadians gave gifts anyway."

"Not usually, however becoming an adult is a different matter entirely. Please accept this on behalf of myself and Lady Alice."

Turning to Alice she nodded keeping her ever-cool smile. Though I could weirdly tell something had been bothering her. Bringing it up now would probably sour the mood, so I elected to ask her later. Opening the box I found some neatly folded clothing as well as a pair of specialty-made boots. They had vents on the back of the upper portion while armor had been clad on most of the front. There were even vents under the soles too. Looking deeper into the box I found a large red jacket. It had been altered to have a single sleeve, accounting for my left arm. The outer fabric was red and it was made of the same material as my fire boots. On the back, the Nova Astra emblem was sewn into the fabric.

"I hope you like the jacket," murmured Satomi. "I know you lost your favorite one."

My old jacket got torn apart in the fighting at Albion. I'd worn that jacket since I started the academy, and now it was probably blood-soaked and tattered. Normally I'd curse Butch for ruining my jacket, but it was in bad taste to speak ill of the dead. "Thanks, Satomi. I'll make sure this one doesn't get torn up." Before putting it on I found something else in the box. White clothes and a gauntlet were sitting at the bottom. Picking them out prompted Alice to stand.

"That present is from Seraph and me, Or rather from Solomon himself," she explained. "It is the symbol of your status as one of the three."

Picking up the shirt it felt smooth, yet it also felt pretty heavy too. There was even armor inside the box as well. "Alrighty, I guess I'll change into all of it then." Throwing the jacket and the clothes into the box I carried them into my room. Everyone seemed pretty startled when I decided to change so suddenly. Taking off all of my clothes, I started putting the new ones on. The boots were a perfect fit and I even tried expelling some flames from them. As white flames sputtered out of the vents they touched the bed. I nearly panicked until I noticed the flames didn't burn my bed. Reaching my prosthetic hand out it became engulfed in white flame. I wanted to just set the bed ablaze but then something began tingling at the back of my mind.

"Hey, can you please not do that?" Satomi had spoken into my mind again. Snuffing out the flames in my hand I reconsidered my little experiment. I hadn't noticed how much power I'd been using. I probably scared everyone again, even though I was using my white flames this time. Then there was Satomi speaking in my head. It was pretty awkward hearing her voice while I was shirtless. Nevertheless, I started putting on my new clothes again. I'd been wearing white shorts and a sleeveless white shirt. There'd been armor on the shorts which was a bit weird but I guess I couldn't say much about Arcadian fashion. Putting the jacket on I stepped over to my mirror where I got a look at myself.

I looked more like a mercenary or some wandering outlaw than a Commander. The new eye and arm weren't doing me any favors. Even though it was cool, It reminded me of Roland's wily sidekick, Oliver. Looking into this mirror I could almost feel a hole opening in my heart. Even though I was looking into a mirror. All I could see was Solomon. He and I looked the same as before minus the height. But now we looked completely different. He no longer appeared in my nightmares, meaning he was truly gone.

Before going back out I took a moment to gather myself. I wanted to say something cool when I stepped out, but then I thought that would probably be corny. So instead I just opened the door and walked right out. As everyone's gazes fell on me they went silent. I expected some teasing, some awe, and even a compliment or two.

"Alright everyone, Commander on deck!" Andrew bellowed. Everyone except Seraph and Alice saluted me. The pair bowed when I appeared which was a little off-putting. I wasn't some sort of king or whatever.

"Soran," Alice called out. "You are Commander of Nova Astra. As the bearers of the Majors, we will follow you till the ends of the earth."

The sight before me gave me an image of what was to come next. My friends were now my comrades in arms and we'd be going to war. Getting all embarrassed about being held in high regard was the last thing on my mind. This was my chance to show my mettle as a leader, or so I thought.

"Everyone, I'm grateful you've chosen to be at my side during this conflict. Know that I will do everything in my power to ensure victory for Nova Astra. Whatever Lucian's plans may be, we will not allow him to see them realized."

I raised my hand and pointed my thumb downward.

"He'll pay for the lives he's stolen from our home. We'll crush him and his band of losers!"