A round of applause filled the newly rebuilt dining hall of the royal palace.

I sat next to Luno and Caligo who hosted a dinner party to celebrate the mending relationship between Aurenia, Agna and Medelona.

Joining us were the high priests, high Lords and Grandmaster.

As for the dinner itself, it had gone pretty well and everyone looked rather satisfied with their meals.

Luno stood up, his face illuminated by orbs of light that hung above.

Orbs that repelled the moonless night’s darkness.

“I would like to thank thee all for coming. I know very well that our journey towards complete recovery is far from over, but every step counts and must be celebrated. So cheers.”

“Cheers!”

Everyone said while standing up to leave.

But before they did, they gathered in groups to discuss various things.

As for me, I remained seated next to Caligo who looked out of the windows with a thoughtful expression.

“Is something the matter?” I asked.

“Mmm?” Caligo sounded while turning to face me with dim eyes.

“Oh- mind me not. My thoughts are elsewhere.” He chuckled.

I gave him an understanding nod before gasping as Astír walked up to me.

“May I speak with you in private, ma’am?” She asked. She was not wearing a helmet meaning I could see her weary eyes and scarred face.

I turned to Caligo and he gave me a nod.

I then stood up and followed Astír out of the dining room.

She led me to one of the many grand balconies.

She gestured that I join her in looking down at Medelona from the edge of the balcony and I did.

“Congratulations.” She said as a chill wind blew by.

I looked into her unshaking golden eyes and smiled.

“Thank you.”

Astír nodded before leaning against the marble guardrails.

She looked out into the dimly lit city below and sighed.

“You know, I… I have… C-” Astír struggled to say.

I knew she wanted to say something important and so I walked up to her and offered her my hand.

She stared at me for a moment before handing me her large, armoured hand.

“Lets go back and finish diner with everyone. Then, after Caligo falls asleep, you and I can visit the royal bathroom-“

“But-“

“Do not worry. I will ask Luno.” I said.

Astír slowly nodded before accompanying me back into the dining room where Grandmaster Ferraya could be seen speaking with both Caligo and Luno.

We walked up to them and I saw that Caligo’s expression was rather stiff.

“Is something wrong?” I asked.

“Ah, our scouting legion has returned and they bore naught but bad news. Upon reaching Mt. Araena, they concluded that no dragons remained in the area but, as a final act of caution, they continued northward and eventually arrived at the land bridge that connects Therand to the northern continent of La-Alha. There they saw what they described as a sky blotting swarm of smaller dragons. These dragons had two horns, four wings and considerably thinner skin which the knights described as lizard like. Anyway, after killing a few, they returned and I plan on sending a large force to Aurenia so that we can swiftly snuff out the Hellish Horde before dedicating our resources to what could be the most devastating war this world has seen. I say this because not only are there countless new dragons, I dread to imagine just how many true dragons escaped and have reproduced from all that time ago.” Ferraya said. Her expression stiff.

“I see. Well, I suppose we will have to deal with the situation to the south as quickly as possible.” I noted aloud.

Ferraya nodded before eventually leaving the room.

“Alright. Dinner was lovely, father, but the time has come for us to leave.” Caligo said although he looked a bit saddened by this.

If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

“Oh- Luno, could I ask for a favour?” I asked.

“But of course. Ask away.” Luno said with a yawn.

“Can Astír and I use the grand bathrooms here for tonight?”

Luno raised a single brow.

“Is that all? And here I thought thee had finally decided on a day for thee to join Caligo in matrimony, haha!”

“Father!” Caligo cried while shyly running his hands through his hair.

“Although that would be lovely, the day when he and I join hands in marriage will come but that is for another time. For now, I simply want to spend some time with Astír.” I said.

Luno nodded before dismissively waving his hands while walking towards the door.

“Go ahead.” He yawned while leaving.

I then turned to Caligo and after taking his hand, we made our way back to his palace where I left him in the bedroom.

“I will be back later. Feel free to sleep without me.” I said only for the room to darken along with Caligo’s eyes.

“Alright.” He said with a pout.

I giggled before exiting the room to find Astir waiting for me.

She and I made our way back to the royal palace which was now silent since everyone was either gone or asleep.

We made our way to the grand bathroom.

A large space made almost entire of marble and lit up by large orbs of light.

I led Astir to a large table atop which sat various toiletries and towels.

I then took off my crown and dress.

I placed them on the table before looking at Astír who stood completely still.

“Well? Go on. Get undressed.” I said but Astír’s face twisted As though she was in pain.

“But I do not wish to dirty this sacred place any further.”

I sighed before crossing my arms.

“Hey, Luno himself gave us permission, right? Then would it not be disrespectful of us to nor use this place?”

Astír took a deep breath before nodding.

She then placed her lance on the table before taking her armour off, section by section.

I watched as she placed each piece of armour onto the table.

The last thing was the skin tight Mimuru skinsuit.

She tore herself out of it and this revealed to me countless scars.

Astír hid her body behind her arms and for the first time since we met, she lowered her head.

“Why have they not healed?”

“It… the deeper the well, the more water it needs to fill. My body, my flesh is made of such powerful things that rejuvenation is a lengthy process.” She said. Her voice an almost frightened whisper.

“Oh- just like Caligo.” I said while leading Astír to one of the many large bathtubs.

We entered a smaller one which we would be using to bath.

We would then sit in one of the larger ones to relax.

“Yes.” She said before joining me in the tub’s warm waters.

We then silently washed the days dirt off our body and I could not help but stare at Astír’s wounds.

“Do not pity me.” She said while washing her short white hair.

“These scars are simply echoes- hints to a time when this body served its purpose. When I protected the prince in his many battles.”

I nodded before realizing something.

“Err… when exactly was the Helma formed? Actually, since all history from before the first recorded collision was erased, could you tell me when all of the legions were formed?” I asked while uselessly pouring water over my body.

I never did much physical labour and so I never got too dirty meaning a single round of scrubbing was all my body needed.

“Mmm… the first legion was the Yilon. They were not the first knights but, as the Moon King warred his brother, he created a new generation of knights who would serve as the future protectors of Lanceberg. The Yilon were chosen from soldiers, space magicians all, who excelled in all fields from combat to strategy. We, the Helma, were not formed until much later. After the war ended and the King experienced countless tragedies, he gathered the Helma to protect his children, should any of them survive. I was a little orphan girl at the time. Medelona was recovering from being torn inside out by the Silver Prince and his goons. I was fortunate enough to have been a powerful space magician since birth and so I managed to fend off any who tried to harm me but what could not stave off was hunger and the cold of winter. One day I crawled into a temple in search of something, anything that could save me during one of the more harsher winters. I did not want to die but there is only so much a little girl can do before her small fingers lose strength. My mother and father were killed in cold blood. Our possessions were stolen and I only survived because I accidently sunk into the subspace. I emerged to find that everything I once knew and loved was gone. I stayed in that house for days until my stomach ached far too painfully. I left the house and thus began my days of begging. Some days were better than others. People would throw me their scraps or even give me fresh warm food out of the kindness of their hearts. Others… were cold, dark and painful. But… I lived on. I did not know it at the time, but it was in fact the grace of Summus that kept my small flame alit.” Astír said with a rather wistful expression.

“Anyway, upon reaching the temple, I asked if they had any food to spare but not only did they take me in, along with countless other children, they clothed and fed me. I had learnt from my days on the streets that people often reacted negatively to my ability to twist space. Some were afraid and others were intimidated by it. I kept it hidden all while the priest at the temple, Lumen, preached the word of Summus. He spoke of an absolute force of good. One who’s light could be seen every time the sun rose and so, as the months passed, I swore more and more of myself to that light. Something had saved me. When I crawled on my belly from hunger and pain and that was both the innate kindness of man and the light of Summus. A few years passed and I eventually became one of Lumen’s aids. I watched as many of my brothers and sisters died from either hunger or sickness. Those who did not but could wield magic were taken away. My time eventually came and, to this day, I cannot fully believe what happened. It started off like any other day. I was tending to the sick and feeding the hungry with what little the temple had. You see, all temples are compelled to share their surplus to those who lack. Anyway, I was shocked when Lumen suddenly burst into the dining hall with an expression that was a mixture of overwhelming joy and dread. He ran up to me and grabbed my hand before taking me to the front of the temple where the Moon King, his son and their loyal knights awaited. It is on this day that I bore witness to one of the most beautiful existences on this world. A being that rivalled even the sun in his brilliance. I fell to my knees alongside Lumen and held my breath as the Moon King and Golden Prince walked up to me. They discussed various things but the most important thing was that I apparently had sway over not one but three aspects, namely light, life and space. The Moon King shared his plans for me with Lumen. The three then turned to me and with teary eyes I accepted the Moon King’s hand and followed him to the Sunless Gulch where my body was prepared for augmentation.” Astír explained.

Her eyes then widened.

“Oh- forgive me. I went on a bit of a tangent-“

“No, feel free to continue. What happened after your examination in the Sunless Gulch?” I asked with clasped hands.

Astír weakly chuckled before sighing.

“What followed was a rather gruelling ten years of extreme training.”