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Lunara
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Chapter Fifty-Seven: Musings of the Heart - Part 4
Galactic Location: Theocratic Imperium’s cluster
Ruling Government: Theocratic Imperium
Solar System: Adrius
Planet: Adrius Prime
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Six months before the destruction of Agora City
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Father hasn’t met my eye since we landed in the shuttle, on the surface of Adrius Prime. I push the stray thoughts and worries from my mind and take in my surroundings. We walk towards a building in the shape of a pyramid that stretches into the sky, piercing the atmosphere, and dwarfing every other building around it. Gravpods and shuttles soar above, the gravity on this planet is so weak compared to Raven Prime, that I feel like I would trip over my own feet, if not for them training me in varying degrees of gravity over the years.
‘A Knight of Raven must be able to fight in any environment’ Kotina used to preach to me as she beat me until I learned how to defend myself in all types of gravity and terrain. Often she would fluctuate it during the bouts to improve my coordination.
Our pace is quick through the glittering streets, with an escort of fifty Knights, they walk in column formation on either side of us. Father’s eyes scan the area as we move, always wary, or as he says often—always prepared. It is strange only seeing one sun in the sky. Raven Prime’s binary stars are a more familiar sight for me.
For once I do not have to hear my father telling me to keep pace, my legs wanting to run past him to go to the trials quicker. We walk for ten more minutes until we reach the building and board a gravtrain which will take us to the preliminary testing grounds.
I stand behind the looming shadow of my father as the gravtrain tunnels swell with darkness. Kotina is still behind on the Hyperion, having assumed command in his absence. Yekka, my caretaker, though she is much more than that really, is not with us. I thought I would have a chance to say goodbye to her before I departed for the planet, but for the first time in my life, I could not find her. I push the worry from my mind, focusing on my mission and trying to prepare myself for the trials.
The gravtrain slowly moves to a halt, my heartbeat rising higher as the door opens. I move to step through it, but Father stops me and puts his hand on my shoulder, finally looking me in the eyes again.
“Bring honor to the House of Raven.” He says loudly, the Knights clap their arm over their chest in agreement, he leans in close, and almost in a whisper he says “Above all… survive.”
I take a moment and search his gaze, I almost don’t recognize the expression on his face. He is afraid, not for himself or his honor. I see for the first time since I almost died as a girl, actual fear on his face. This titan of a man who oozes strength, and is known as one of the greatest warriors and commanders of the age is afraid for me, his only child. Swallowing deeply, I nod to him trying to find the words, wishing I could ask him what is coming, and why he is afraid. Before I can, his face smooths again, going placid and stoic.
To all of House Raven, he is more of an idol than a man, to see fear on his face before the trial shakes me more than anything, but I do not say it, and I try not to show it. Bringing my hand to my chest, my light metallic armor clinks as I say “I will bring Honor to House Raven, Lord.”
He nods to me and kisses my forehead. Standing aside he motions to the door. I exit and watch as the doors close, through the glass he gives me a nod, and the train leaves, heading to its next destination, leaving me alone. I take a deep breath and gather myself looking around at my surroundings. I am in a massive room beneath the pyramid, the exact location, I do not know. There are dozens of other trains arriving, other people leaving them as I did.
Some of them are my age, and most of them are older. Each bearing the insignia of the House they belong to. Many of them are not from the Republic of Hekat I realize.
“Finally, the trial.” A man around my age says, his hand running through his platinum blonde hair, his crimson eyes turning to meet me now.
I give him a courteous nod and extend a hand saying “My name is Lunara, it's a pleasure to meet you.”
He looks at the emblem of House Raven on my shoulder, then at the hand, and does not extend his back to me, with a raised eyebrow now as he laughs. He walks towards a small group raising his arms in the air to them, they give him a show of deference with a bow. I immediately do not like him, pulling back my hand down to my side.
“That is Gallus, the heir apparent to House Draconis, he thinks you are beneath him.” A feminine voice says from my other side, the voice is soft like lilacs in the spring, though I sense something underneath its floral tone.
He is from House Draconis, hailing from the Gallec Empire. Their House is second only to their Emperor’s.
“I gathered that.” I say, then under my breath, still looking at Gallus with disdain “More like House of pompous slagholes.”
The girl giggles which surprises me, I didn’t think she could hear me, she replies cooly “Yes, I’ve often thought that of our House before as well.”
“Sorry, I didn’t know you were…” I say as I whirl around and look at her, stopping my words in their tracks, she surprises me yet again by extending her hand.
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“I am Solara, but you can call me Sola. Would it be alright if I called you Luna?” She asks with a smile.
I take her hand and shake it, her grasp is warm but strong. Before I can answer a woman comes up behind her and yells with glee “Sola!”
She rushes between us as she embraces Solara tightly.
“Good to see you, Becca,” Solara replies, hugging her back.
“Claude—over here!” Becca yells, motioning to a man with dark orange hair, much like hers.
“Ahh glad to see you two.” He replies to them.
“So, who is this?” Becca asks Solara, now with a more flirtatious tone looking at me “She’s pretty.”
Claude rolls his eyes at this and says “You think everyone is pretty Becca.” He extends a hand to me and introduces himself saying “I am Claudius, of the House Tiana, pleasure to meet you, please call me Claude.”
“I am Lunara, a pleasure to meet you. My friends just call me Luna.” I say then extend a hand to Becca. Though in truth, I have had few real friends, often my only companions are my teachers and the Knights of my House.
“I am Becca, of House Tiana.” Then leaning in closer, still not letting go of the hand, she says “Me and Claude are just cousins, in case you were wondering.”
“I see,” I reply, prying my hand away politely before she tries to claim it.
“You never did say what House you are from.” Solara says, tilting her head sideways, looking at my shoulder now, at the emblem on it “Ah, House of Raven. Republic of Hekat, right?”
“Yes,” I reply.
“Oh, I’ve heard of House Raven, mother always said they are great in…” Becca begins, but Claude puts a hand over her mouth.
“Apologies, my cousin is less than reliable for Noble decorum,” Claude says, giving a weak smile.
Solara gives a muted laugh as Becca begins to bicker with her cousin quietly.
There seems to be less tension than I expected, them all being from the Gallec Empire, and me being from the Republic of Hekat. Historically, our governments have had many disputes and border wars, Kotina has often hinted that there may be another war brewing. However, it is usually halfway through her second bottle when she says it.
“What is your opinion of the Gallec Empire?” Solara asks me, tilting her head ever so slightly, Claude and Becca stop bickering to hear my reply.
Before I can answer though, a massive hologram appears above all of us, silencing the crowd of those gathered, all of them staring with great anticipation. There is a feeling flowing over me, one that tells me people in the room may know more about the trial than I do. People are beginning to group up silently, more people join our group that I don’t recognize, but the others I met seem to know them as they nod to each other.
“I am Inquisitor Victoria, hailing from House Balencia. I will be your proctor for the first preliminary trials.” She says, in a voice that booms over the sound projectors.
She pauses for a moment, swiping her hand, a new holo appears above us, showing a number.
300
“There are three hundred of you in this room. Only one hundred will attend the next preliminary trial.” A smile forms on the edge of her lips as the holo of her disappears.
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Galactic Quadrant: Darna Quadrant
Ruling Government: Republic of Hekat
Solar System: D-447
Planet: Ora
Location: Agora City, upon the sands of the Colosseum
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***
Six months later - Present Time
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The city of Agora rumbles in protest to the gravity which now pulls it towards the planet’s surface. There is not much time, yet Fennec has not arrived yet, and Master Dargo simply stares at the center of Kale’s chest, saying nothing. He is unnerving us all, the others dare not move against him, but they also do not flee from him. I have seen few with nerves such as those who are loyal to Kale, many who claim to be Nobility would have fled at what we just witnessed. I have seen it before, my mind pushes back the memories, and I must focus.
“Master Dargo…” I begin, working up the nerve “If you’re not going to kill us…”
“Kill you?” Dargo chuckles, his eyes still not leaving the black lines that ebb and flow from Kale’s chest “No, not you. Him though, I have yet to decide.”
Those with Kale grip his body, ready to run, weapons in hand, eyes focusing. Each of them now controls their once uneven breath.
I turn to my Goddess, The Night Mother, looking to her for answers. Her eyes narrow as she shifts uncomfortably at his words. Her jaw tensing ever so slightly. Her words fill my mind as she speaks.
You would defy me, after everything we have been through
Dargo turns to her now, it is strange, I am not used to others seeing her presence. His face straightens as he looks at her intently. She shifts a little more, her mouth debating whether to speak before him.
He points to Kale and says “That is not a simple Spark like you said, do not pretend you do not know.”
Spark? What does he mean? Why are they speaking of Kale, is it about the Black Edict? What in the fragging hells is going on? My Goddess’s lips curl into an uncomfortable smile as she begins to speak.
My dearest Dargo
Are you not as curious as I am
He turns from her, shaking his head, mumbling under his breath, as though having some kind of internal conflict. The ground tremors once more. The levelness of the city tilting further. My heart breathes a small relief as I see a shuttle above us, I can only hope it is Fennec. Maybe I can distract Dargo long enough… my hand tightens on the hilt of my Ionic sword.
The shuttle loading bay doors open, Fennec standing on the end of it. The ship is filled nearly to the brim with people.
“Oi! Hurry the frack up, cities coming down and the RSC is on the move!” Fennec yells.
Slag, I hadn’t even considered Republic Space Command. They will surely respond to this. No time to think, we need to move. Drawing my Ionic blade, the light erupts from the hilt forming a blade edge along its sides. I move between Dargo and the others, my hand trembles, but I borrow the resolve of the brave warriors behind me.
“Get to the shuttle,” I say.
They do not wait for the words to finish before they are all dragging up Kale and moving.
Dargo does not stop them. He simply chuckles, shaking his head.
“It is good to see that you inherited some of your mother’s brazenness.” He says.
My jaw tenses as he says it
“My—Lady!” Fennec yells, his tone irritated and brimming with fear.
Dargo raises his fingers up into the air saying “Sleep.” then snaps them.
Reality ripples as Fennec and all the others fall over inside the shuttle, slumping to the ground.
“That’s better,” Dargo says.
I lunge as he turns, it is my only chance. The air rushes as he moves to the shuttle, my Ionic sword too slow to even graze his shadow. In his hand, he drags Kale by the foot now. Air rushes again, he now stands above Kotina.
“She’ll do.” He says, grabbing her foot in his other hand.
I leap towards her, my blade retracting as I do. I slam into the ground where she had been, only a second before. The three of them are gone, nowhere in sight. No—no—no, not her too. I pound my hands in frustration on the sand. The city tilts further, the shuttle starting to slide with other debris. Fennec and the others are asleep, but I cannot let Dargo take her, and he will… he will surely kill Kale, I could see it in his eyes. The shuttle creaks.
My mind is racing, I can’t save Kotina or Kale, what would Kotina do, what would Father do? My legs stand, and I rush towards the shuttle. I do not know what they would do, but I will not be the reason more die. Pushing Fennec back inside, I close the loading bay doors and jump over the mound of people that lay sprawled about. Climbing into the pilot’s chair now. Please Fennec, please have left the command open.
My hands run through the holos and the gauges start appearing. My breath is heavy but there is relief as the shuttle begins to rise upwards. The shuttle rushes into the air, the city falling still towards the planet. My mind tries not to think of those who will be left behind. Tries not to think that this could have been prevented, is this all my fault?