The next day saw Zerine back to her normal training and class routine, but joined by Milli, Naro, Neil, and a delighted Estel. Zerine watched enviously as the others ran through magic training, but upon seeing her mood, Vinessa had Zerine too busy to even think. Soon the others had to join her physical training, which saw them all struggling, but for Shara, who had also joined their morning training. When it was time for Zerine’s lesson with Marcy on decorum, the others were also obliged to attend as preparation for the upcoming ball at the Gravefield’s compound. This lesson also had dancing practice.
Zerine and Neil were paired together during their dancing practice. They had sent letters to one another, but seeing him now sent heat rushing through her. His physique over the years had only become more eye-catching. The lean muscles had grown larger, but were still on the lean side compared to his height. He had, like all those with a crest, had grown faster than her and now was head and shoulders taller than her. His frame and broadened as well, making the breath-taking smile he gave her hit that much harder. Although his curling brown hair may have grown a bit too long nearing his shoulders.
She gazed into his incredible eyes, which were emerald green with flecks of gold. They twinkled as they paired up. Zerine had to shove aside the part that was practically undressing him with her eyes.
I knew you were going to be trouble, she thought, scolding herself as she locked away those emotions just in time for the music to start.
“So, tell me about this Skyboard project of yours. Your letters made it sound like quite the project,” Neil said as they began moving to the music which was playing from a floating crystal.
“Hmm, our first attempt shot off, then exploded into pieces. The next one, Varino, overcharged and-”
“Then exploded into pieces,” Neil finished, chuckling as Zerine rolled her eyes.
“The most recent one-”
“Is it in pieces?”
Zerine gave him a flat looked and sighed. “Yeah, but it didn’t explode. We got ambushed by these flying squirrel-like things. Evidently, the second prototype exploded near one of their homes and took offense, so they destroyed the third one. At least Vinessa was there to save my falling ass as Varino yelled at the squirrels, which devolved into a shouting match between them. But I think everything is settled, but I have no idea.”
Neil tried to stop from laughing, but failed. He laughed, then stumbled as Zerine’s foot was suddenly behind his.
“Whoops,” Zerine said primly, acting like it was a complete an accident.
“Sorry, but there is always something with you two,” he replied, still chuckling.
“We have to balance speed, mana efficiency, and lift. I think we’re close, though. The normal one is so slow, but ours will be perfect for travel over longer distances,” Zerine said happily. “Oh, you're out of the step. One…two…three One…two…three.”
“This is the most noble thing I have ever done,” Neil said hastily, getting back in step to the beat.
Zerine giggled. “I hated these lessons, but Marcy beat them in to me. You're doing well so far, so you must have had lessons.”
“Since moving here, my mother has ensured I am ready for something like this. Festivals though, don’t have this kind of dancing so much as group dances and loads of drinking. So, I doubt I’m ready for this ball,” Neil grumbled, having to work to stay in step.
“Hmm, there will be plenty of pretty merchant and noble ladies ready to sweep off their feet. Plenty of motivation right there,” Zerine teased, getting chuckles out of him before he cursed having gotten out of step again.
“I still can’t believe you're going to be acting like Milli’s guard while you're there. Why can’t I do something like that?” Neil complained.
“Your father doesn’t have assassins coming for him and his family, unlike mine. Being a normal guest will be nice. You’ll get to drink, dance, flirt, and repeat.”
“You’ll get time to do some of that, right?”
“Once the intersection shows signs of ending, yes. But I’ll get some reprieve when I trade off with Milli’s head servant. That lady is scary and overly protective,” Zerine said.
If she ever found out what Milli and Naro had gotten away with, the roof would have exploded off the main living quarters, she thought.
Neil sighed. If Zerine’s attention wasn’t on dancing, she would have detected the slight hint of disappointment in Neil’s sigh. The impressions were loud and clear, though, and Zerine’s heartbeat picked up as the heat returned. Maybe during this ball she would try something with him, or better, she hoped he would initiate something.
“I think it’s a wonderful thing that both families are funding celebrations all over the city and opened the ball to all the adventure and mage guild members. There must be over a thousand going.”
Zerine winced.
Gods, Zerine could only imagine the headaches she was going to have tomorrow. At that realization, it was like a waterfall crashed over her, thoroughly ridding her of the heat. She made a mental note to have spirit fruit smoothies with the mental enhancement powder mixed in to be ready before tomorrow. Again, she thanked the fairies for their spatial bead. It had kept food, herbs, and, most importantly, spirit fruits fresh.
“I think the last count was over two…thousand. It’s only possible because of some crazy spatial magic that is going to be used. I’m honestly excited to see those enchantments and Sashi ascend.”
“Right, did you see what Estel got for her inheritance?”
Did she ever. Estel got her staff upgraded with four mana stones aligned with her four affinities. The effect amplified her spells, made them more efficient, and gods know what else. Varino had a similar upgrade to hers, but the gemstone had the concept of storms along with water, electricity, and wind in balance, which was an incredibly rare find. Hence why Varino had been able to so causally destroy a training area, much to the amusement of Sashi and Vinessa and the exasperation of her parents.
“Yeah, she will do incredible things with that staff. I wouldn’t be surprised that some day she gets an Iridesium chunk and upgrades it further. Naro’s sword that Gary made with Sashi is breath-taking, though. I hope to have a blade or two like that someday.”
“Gods, then you would want one for each unique style of blade and technique you know. Which, by the way, how many is that number right now?”
Zerine grumbled something.
“Sorry, what was that?”
“Twelve different techniques and…then there are the two-handed swords, one-handed, duel wielding. So, um, like eighteen different fighting styles. Oh, I got this sword recently that stabbed me. I think I have like twenty different swords now.”
“And the backups?” Neil said, his grinning only growing at Zerine’s discomfort. She had been one of the few people he knew that somehow ruined her swords semi regularly. After that island trip, he was dumbfounded to discover that Zerine had gone through nearly all her weapons. Only a few throwing knives and a scythe were left and even they were damaged.
Gary was always delighted to work on any of Zerine’s orders. The blades all had rather unique designs and were made from materials that many peak C-ranks would use. Her father always said that when he was younger, he did the same, needing to replace weapons and armor regularly. It was a major expense till he finally got doometallic ingots.
That was why he was grateful to have his doometallic ingot so early. Although, if Zerine ever got those scythes, Gary was holding on to. He fought back a shutter. Zerine was enough of terror on the sparing mats she didn’t need a soul bonded weapon. If she got swords as well…yeah he needed to refine his enforcement technique to be prepared.
Zerine sighed.
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“Thirty…two.”
Neil whistled softly. “How many have you ruined?”
Zerine’s gaze narrowed. “None since Gary used peak C-rank materials. Using up most of my remaining funds from all those Metal Heads I killed while doing so too.”
“Did you get anything for your inheritance?”
Zerine shock her head.
“You got nothing?” Neil said, his brow furrowing.
“They don’t know what will work for me till I get my crest, so my part is being withheld,” she replied, shrugging as Neil spun her away before pulling her back.
“That makes sense, I guess. I still can’t believe how long it’s taken for-” he winced. “Sorry, I shouldn’t-”
“No, it doesn’t bother me too much anymore. Mostly it’s annoying how many things are waiting till I get my crest.”
The gemstone, god stuff, my inheritance. Oh, and not to mention fucking using magic. Sure, only a few minor things are waiting for my slow ass soul to awaken, she thought, her own thoughts dripping with snark and sarcasm.
There was a bang followed by “SLIME RACE!”
Well, that was what Zerine heard as Varino flew into the room, followed by a horde of slimes. What everyone heard was a chattering chime. Soon the slimes hard formed a line on side near the entrance to the large training room.
“Neil, we better get out of their way,” Zerine said, tugging him to where the others were gathering near an utterly confused Marcy. Then they were off.
“Go! Al!” Zerine cheered on a pink and purple slime that was near the front.
“Go Ed!” Naro shouted.
“No, Bluey is going to win,” Shara said.
“Nah, El will,” Milli said.
“All right, get your bets in,” Cal called, appearing as the slimes flew around the room and others from the compound join in.
***
While the Trevel household prepared for the ball in their own unique way, Kamar was preparing for the last trials that would determine the dragon chosen for Escanar.
Kamar sat in an ornate chair facing the center of a circle with the remaining five other candidates. In the center of the circle was a brazier standing eight feet tall, made of obsidian with veins of crimson. She had only recently come to learn there weren’t two others, but four others that were candidates. This was the first time they would all be in the same place, meeting face to face, and yet no one was talking. Instead, they were all sitting quietly waiting, observing each other or their surroundings, which she didn’t understand as the rest of the space was bare showing the stone walls and floor.
She glanced at the others. There was an elven woman with light green hair and blue eyes. A staff was resting next to her chair that had a green and red gemstone atop it. A mix of armor and robes marked her as a fighter focused on casting spells. Was she a wood elf? Or maybe a desert one that grew up in an oasis?
There were so many types of elves, just like the other races it was hard to tell. Speaking of, the next one in the circle was a tall dark skin human with amber eyes and a sturdy frame.
He’s a handsome one, she noted. If Zerine or Valnari were here, they would have absolutely checked him out. Valnari probably would try to get Kamar to flirt with him or do that herself. Zerine would be on more conservative about her approach, but probably would encourage her or Valnari to flirt with him. Gods, she missed them. Valnari was off to the Dragon Spine Archipelago, while Zerine wouldn’t be back for a bit till the fallout from the attack had settled.
Kamar’s gaze met the human’s, and she hurried on to the next in the circle. Dark red scales with flecks of orange covered the Scalekin, who sat cross-legged meditating. Atop his head were feathers that matched his scale coloration.
What was the name of this type of Scalekin again? Leapers? Raptins! Named after the creatures they hunted on the Burning Plains, she thought, embarrassed it took her so long to remember.
A glint from the glowstone light caught her eye, and she took in a spear taller than the large Scalekin. Carvings covered the spear, depicting what Kamar assumed were successful hunts and monsters vanquished.
The next and last was a Beastkin. For some reason, Kamar felt like this man looked familiar. Bear-like ears were atop his head, poking out from curling black hair. He was huge, both in size and muscles. Two great swords rested next to his chair and Kamar knew he could duel wield those things with the dinner plate sized hands he had.
When their eyes met, it hit her. Varino had insulted a Beastkin with a similar appearance, in fact…
He scowled at her. His eyes were full of hate.
Yep, they were related. If not brothers, maybe part of the same clan or family.
God dammit Varino, now I have to deal with an enemy during whatever trials are coming, she thought, letting a quiet sigh escape. Her gaze went back to the brazier, which was easier than sizing up her competition.
Kamar thought back to when everything had changed. The surprise visit from Vinessa, along with a stranger with molten eyes. Escanar’s two-leg appearance always seemed to change, but those eyes made such a first impression. Now she thought about it, Vinessa’s appearance kept changing too, except for the past few months. Maybe it was an Iridesium-ranker thing.
Either way, they showed up. Escanar said keep working hard and you may become my chosen and now look at her. It had been years of hard work and somehow she had made it to the top five candidates. It had been quite the difficult journey, from being a disappointment to the other elder solar fairies, to working with Vinessa and earning her familiar bond.
Thinking of Fiamma, she hoped he was enjoying his time in the lava pits. She missed having him by her side, especially for something so important like this, but if she were to become the chosen, it would be on her own merits.
She tried to enter meditation, but she felt the controlled auras of the others. Her stomach clenched, realizing that she wasn’t even the strongest out of the group. Two were new C-ranks! That annoying voice spoke in her mind, saying that she wasn’t even worthy of such an honor. She was a disappointment of a solar fairy not having a concept fully formed yet, her mana control was lacking too. The list of her shortcoming and failures bubbled to the surface. Did she even desire to be the chosen?
Just the mere thought of the responsibility and expectations that would come with the role made Kamar have cold sweat spread down her back.
Fiamma’s warm presence shoved aside the negative spiral she had started down. He gave her what amounted to a mental hug, imparting his confidence and trust in her. Kamar simply let Fiamma’s emotions wash over her, burning away the negative thoughts. Once she felt better, she sent him her appreciation through their bond. His presence in her mind had just faded when powerful auras appeared.
One by one, an avatar appeared behind the other candidates.
A chill went through her when she realized each one was an Iridesium-rank. Probably their backer or something. She would have to ask Vinessa about it later. A familiar presence appeared behind her chair. Based on the reverent glances from the others, Kamar assumed it was Vinessa. The Iridesium-rank Solar fairy had washed her hands of Kamar when she was little and her family didn’t have anyone of that rank, which left the queen of all fairies. Information on Iridesium-rankers was limited, but something told Kamar that Vinessa could destroy anyone her own rank and probably could ascend if she ever found an heir.
Another aura filled the space. It was tangible, something Kamar had never seen before. Dancing flames with a primal intensity filled the circle. A tempest of crimson, gold, and orange flickered and licked at its edges. It radiated both warmth and danger, accompanied by a pressure that felt benevolent, countering the danger that had flooded her body.
“Children,” a deep voice said, somehow sounding both fatherly and promising violence. “It has come down to this.”
Escanar appeared next to the brazier. He stood at an embossing seven feet tall, taking the form of an elf. Trimmed dark crimson hair with a matching beard along with his sculpted features gave him the poise of a king. The mage robes of red and gold only added to the hair of a king standing before them.
Molten eyes took each of them in, seeing far more than simply their appearances. It pierce to Kamar’s very core seeing all of her at a glance.
“At the start of this era, I searched and found fifty and one by one, they have fallen off the path. I only appeared to each of you when there were twenty-five remaining. And here we are with the remaining five,” he gave them all a warm smile that made his eyes reflecting the flames of his aura.
“With the coming end of the Harbinger’s Intersection, it is time I make a selection. Past Lords of Flames have created three trials to determine the one that becomes the instrument of our will. Now, there are some questions I know each of you has had. The first being what happens if you do not become the chosen,” he gave them a knowing smile.
“I would suggest not worrying about what ifs and instead focus on what is in front of you. But I will answer. If you are not selected, you’ll join the retinue of the chosen. You’ll join them on missions and be sent out on your own as needed. The chosen can’t be everywhere and these positions are not to take lightly and do not have any less prestige. You will still represent us.”
His gaze swept across them, landing on the Beastkin for a moment before he continued.
“Now you may think, well, maybe I can be the chosen for the Lord of Water,” Escanar snorted. “My fellow lord already has a short list…of one. As there is always a balance, the chosen will work together, but it is the flames’ turn to lead, so they will make the final decisions. Although the Lord of Water’s potential chosen was described to me as being more akin to the nightmares that dwell in the depths.”
His smile revealed his pointed teeth.
“I think after seeing them in action, they are an example of the very real warning about not awakening the sleeping dragon. They will be quite the force of change if everything works out. But we will shall see. The Lord of Water is going with another tradition to select his chosen. A risky one, but one that could pay off tenfold. But none of you should think about them, as they are a fate breaker that hasn’t had their moment, so everything is uncertain.”
Kamar shuttered. There were even audible gasps from the others. She didn’t wish that fate upon anyone. The constant struggles, life and death situations, and gods know what else that would cause any normal person to break. Most died, but those that overcame everything were truly powerful and terrifying forces of change. People claimed that just knowing one or becoming close to one helped drive them to new heights. If that was true, then it could be a boon for all of them, but it also came with quite the risk as well. She wondered exactly who they might be?
“As for the trials, there will be three. That is all you're getting. Oh, look at that the sun is setting.”
Everyone looked out a window that Kamar was fairly certain didn’t exist before now, which showed the sun setting over the plains. The Burning Plains’ glowing lights reminded Kamar like millions of stars, with the verity of colorful twinkling flames lighting the darkening plains.
The atmosphere in the room changed as Escanar’s eye glowed brighter.
“Now show me you are worthy to be our voice, our claw, our FLAME!”
The room rumbled at his final word as flames leaked out of his eyes. The flames of his aura flaring even brighter.
“The first trial begins now!”
Their seats suddenly vanished, and Kamar fell through a hole with a surprised shout echoed by the others.