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LUNARA
Chapter Forty-Six: Musings of Duty - Part Two
Galactic Location: Theocratic Imperium’s cluster
Ruling Government: Theocratic Imperium
Solar System: Adrius
Location: In orbit above Adrius Prime
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***
Six months ago
***
My head still aches from passing through the Gateway, even with the dampeners on this massive craft. Soon it passes, and my eyes take in the majesty of the Adrius system. We are not far from Adrius Prime, a marvel of engineering, one of the crown jewels of the Theocratic Imperium’s cluster. It is where the preliminary trials are held. Buildings rise from its atmosphere into space, seemingly in defiance of logic, creating massive networks of flowing lines across the surface, allowing for large ships like ours to dock in space.
Hundreds of Dreadnaught-sized spaceships line the shipwrights’ areas around Adrius Prime. Whether they are in for repairs or being built, I cannot tell which from here. There are thousands of large spherical command stations that orbit the planet and the moons, providing a defense for its surface. The entire surface of the planet is awash in artificial light, home to more than a trillion of the Theocratic Imperium’s elite citizens. It is one of the largest centers for trade in our galaxy, one of three, all belonging to the Imperium. Their tight fist squeezes every Deca it can, or so Kotina tells me in her drunken ramblings.
Shuttles stream from the webs of interconnected metal towards the two moons that orbit Adrius Prime. The moons are the place where those deemed non-elites are allowed to dwell, also serving as storage grounds for the raw materials and goods that are traded. The moons all glitter with bright lights across their surfaces, masking the dark truth of the Imperium's prejudice.
A man now appears upon the holographic display, pulling my focus to it. He is wearing the white and gold uniform of the Imperium, not a single hair out of place as he says “Please identify your commander, vessel, and give your access codes.”
“I am Knight Commander Arkon, Primus of House Ravena. Vessel moniker Hyperion, Dreadnaught class battleship, hailing from the Republic of Hekate. Access codes AZ9447FI-5669-RA.” he replies with a straight face, no inflection in his tone.
It is the second time he has had to give identification since arriving. When we first exited the Gateway, the system defense armada was waiting, as they always do. The wreckage of ships surrounding the Gateway serves as a warning to those who enter. This is the Theocratic Imperium’s domain.
“Access codes and manifest all clear. Welcome to the Theocratic Imperium Primus Ravena.” The man then continues with “Docking instructions are being sent now, Hail the Gods.”
“Hail the Gods.” My Father says returning the customary greeting of the Theocratic Imperium, now cutting the link.
***
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 Ravena 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 Ravena 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. Ravena 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.
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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 my father stops me and puts his hand on my shoulder, finally looking me in the eyes again.
“Bring honor to the House of Ravena.” 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 Ravena, 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 Ravena, Lord.”
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 behind. 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, but most of them are older. Each bearing the insignia of the House they belong to. Many of them are not from the Republic of Hekate 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. His eye color is a little unnerving, not quite in the shade of Netheric mana poisoning, but still eerily reminiscent of it.
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 Ravena 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 Dallus, 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.
If he is from House Draconis, then he hails from the Gallec Empire. Their House is second only to their Emperor’s. It does not surprise me he is so… pompous. Most Nobles are, their houses reign over their systems often stretching past millennium. There are few that show any humility.
“I gathered that.” I say, then under my breath, still looking at Dallus 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.
“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 Ravena. Republic of Hekate, right?”
“Yes,” I reply.
“Oh, I’ve heard of House Ravena, 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 Hekate. 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. I only fully trust her ramblings after the third, but never the fourth.
“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.