CAPITAL, THE GEMSTONE CITY.

The Capital of Hituh is North-West of Cragg, situated in Crystal Plains. The city, Capital, was built by the children of ‘Ston’s eldest child, while his younger child remained in Cragg as protectors of the mountains. Whereas the homes of Cragg were created by the elementals who could craft stone, Capital’s elementals were talented in crystal and gemstone arts. The roads paved with granite, and buildings lined with pearls and opals, the glittering city was practically blinding if the sun came through on the wrong angles. The palace is in the middle of the city with a simple wall around it — made to protect the castle from civillians, not war. Whenever the city is under extreme duress, its people retreat to the safety of the mountains of Cragg.

Ares moves quickly through the city towards palace walls, ignoring the civilians who scurry away or hide their faces at the sight of his insignia. As he reaches the gate, two squires come to greet him.

SQUIRE 1: Good day sir! Do you have an invitation?

Ares hands over the letter.

SQUIRE 1: Very good, sire! If you would like to follow us…

The squires begin to lead him inside. Inside the palace is vast, with large gardens decorated with crystal trees and sparkling mineral stones. The entire place is glittering, with several noble folk strolling the gardens or practising their instruments. As they go on, Squire 2 begins to joke around with Squire 1, nudging and jumping at her.

SQUIRE 1: Shh, stop!

SQUIRE 2: Why, what’s wrong with you?

SQUIRE 1: *He’s a Saber.*

SQUIRE 2: So?

SQUIRE 1: *Shh…*

We’ll stable your goat for you, sir, and attend to anything you need while you’re here. You’ve been asked to report to the training grounds — do you know where they are?

ARES: Yes, thank you. Please bring some tea once you’ve put my goat away. And be careful, she bites.

SQUIRE 1: Certainly, sir. I’ll make it right away.

Ares dismounts and with a nod to the squires’ heads around the corner to a large pit where several knights warm up with some sparring. A gruff, short man approaches him.

BRANSON: Ares Saber! Long time no see. What are you doing here?

ARES: A summoning from the queen. I imagine I’m here for the same reason as you.

BRANSON: What, for magic? I didn’t know you were gifted.

ARES: I’m not particularly. I have no idea why she’s summoned me. Have we learned anything more than what’s on the letter?

BRANSON: I’m afraid not. We’ve just been told to run some drills until everyone arrives. There can’t be too many more coming, surely.

ARES: Well, perhaps you’ll do me the honour of a friendly wrestling match while we wait.

BRANSON: So long as it stays wrestling. I hope never to enter a sword fight with anyone from your family.

They spar for some time, until Squire 1 shows up with Ares’s tea. They stop while she brings it over.

SQUIRE 1: Your tea, sire. Can I bring you anything else?

ARES: No.

SQUIRE 1: Very good, sire. I’ve sent your bags to your room and your goat is being wiped down now.

ARES: I expect nothing less. You can go now.

The squire squeaks and runs away. Branson laughs at the sight.

BRANSON: What did you do to her?

ARES: Nothing. Apparently the family name is back in circulation.

BRANSON: Hardly surprising, given what happened between your brother and Baron Chuff.

ARES: What happened? I didn’t hear.

BRANSON: It was a few weeks ago. Horus was here on business and happened to overhear Chuff saying he was going to start inching on the outskirts of Cragg, expanding his farms into your territory. He’s still on bedrest the beating was so bad.

ARES: Sounds like he had it coming. Did Horus get punished?

BRANSON: Not a chance. He had his name cleared before anyone even found the body. Anyway, that explains the squire’s reaction.

ARES: In that case, I guess it’s lucky for her the tea is so fantastic.

The captain of the guard, Pearce, approaches the training yard. As people notice him, they stop what they’re doing and stand to face him.

PEARCE: Attention, soldiers! If you would please follow me!

Pearce leads the group away from the training yard and into the palace. They go into a sizeable meeting room where they’re told to take formation and stand to attention. The room goes quiet as people wait patiently until Queen Jade enters. Everyone in the room takes a knee save for Pearce, who bows and greets her at the front. All around the room, knights and mages look at each other worriedly. It must be bad if she’s meeting with them personally.

PEARCE: Thank you all for gathering on such short notice. I won’t sugar coat the truth, which is that an evil spirit has broken through the barrier and is lurking in the mountains somewhere close to the city… if it gets any bigger, it will start attracting civillians. We have, of course, deployed a significant number of our military mages, however at their current power levels, they are barely enough to keep this beast at bay.

Though few of you have any sort of training or experience fighting evil spirits, we call upon all of you to offer assistance. I understand you need time to prepare, and our mages are confident they can hold off the beast for another three months. This gives you until just after the Solstice. We ask that you do not take your training lightly. Spirits of this power have extremely high mortality rates. We have shamans available here for anyone who would like to undergo training in Capital. For now, we will host some sparring matches so we can make plans based on how you use your powers.

QUEEN JADE: Loyal subjects, your country needs you. Please understand the need to keep this matter secretive. Causing panic will do nothing to help anyone. All who fight the spirit and survive will be greatly rewarded, and any outstanding crimes forgiven.

PEARCE: Any questions?

Very well. Please rest until you are called to sparr. Hail, Queen Jade, and glory to the mountain dragon.

ALL: Hail, Queen Jade. Glory to the mountain dragon.

The attendees are dismissed and make their way out. Branson elbows Ares on the way out.

BRANSON: An evil spirit. It must be huge if the castle mages aren’t enough to hold it off.

ARES: Sometimes huge just means it’s hard to destroy, not that it’s powerful. Besides, when people die from evil spirits, things can get pretty crazy, so they’re probably just being proactive.

BRANSON: Well, good to know what we’re doing the next few months. Will you stay here to train?

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ARES: No. My wife is waiting at home for me.

BRANSON: Who do you have there to train you?

ARES: Just my dad.

BRANSON: Ah… his magic isn’t like yours, though. He’s an elemental.

ARES: He taught me everything I know so far.

BRANSON: Hm. Well, I look forward to seeing what you can do. There’s that squire of yours with more tea. Did you ask her to bring you more?

ARES: I didn’t. I suppose sometimes its good to have a bad reputation.

*✧₊ ༉✧*‧₊˚✧*

The rooms where castle mages train their magic are vast and empty. With five mages standing in a circle, Area waits patiently, eyes closed, for them to attack. Magic of a high level generally takes the form of a circle of light, and although they are more powerful with a broader range, they generally take longer to form than a more juvenile style. Ares is quick to attack once they begin summoning, but his magic isn’t strong enough to block all their attacks. Though he deals many attacks, they don’t do much damage, and at the same time although he takes many hits he stays standing and continues to fight. As the attacks continue in a never-ending onslaught, Ares gradually begins to stress and lose control. The colour of his attacks darken, and a glow seeps onto his skin. Before the mages have time to recognise it, Ares releases a giant wave of magic that knocks three of them off their feet. Left completely breathless following the attack, Ares barely hears the whistle dismissing him.

Still covered in a negative energy, people in the waiting area gasp as he passes by. He barely makes it halfway to the showers before collapsing against the wall, where he remains until Pearce finds him.

PEARCE: Oh dear. Come on, lad…

Pearce helps Ares back to his room. When they get there, he lights some incense and gives Ares water. Ares drinks it greedily.

ARES: I’m not used to such long training sessions.

PEARCE: Fighting with Spirits isn’t usually a quick battle. We appreciate your efforts, soldier.

Pearce leaves. Ares lies in the dark, listening to the voices in his head. Late that night, he is summoned back to the training room. It’s been cleared and only LEN, a high-ranking castle mage, remains. He welcomes Ares as he enters.

LEN: Lord Saber. Or has your title changed since marriage?

ARES: I suppose since I’ll eventually be moving to her estate, I should get used to people calling me Lord Costa.

LEN: As long as you’re on Hituh soil, I say you’re a Saber. About your performance, your magic is incredibly powerful, but unless you learn to control it, we cannot guarantee your safety for the mission.

ARES: That’s okay. I won’t go on the mission.

LEN: You will. Stay here with us until it’s time. We’ll give you special access to the priests and shamans, to ensure you’re as protected as you can be.

ARES: I’ve only just got married. I need to go home to my wife.

LEN: You won’t survive if you go the way as you are now.

ARES: Where am I supposed to find someone who can train me?

LEN: …Moonie lives in Cragg territory, doesn’t she? She’s here somewhere, and I’m sure she’d be happy to help you train. You’ll receive a summons in the mail when we’re ready for you. I suggest you work hard. With the right training, you could become an honourary queens guard.

ARES: Thank you, Len.

LEN: Thank you, Lord Saber. See you in a few months.

*✧₊ ༉✧*‧₊˚✧*

Ares is waiting outside, squinting against the afternoon sun. He looks tired and poorly rested. As he waits, Branson approaches him.

BRANSON: Hey there, soldier. Didn’t see you last night, even at dinner.

ARES: I wasn’t feeling well. I’m not cut out for this magic stuff.

BRANSON: Is that what they told you?

ARES: …Not in so many words.

BRANSON: What sort of words did they use, then?

ARES: The kind that suggested if I want to survive this spirit, I’ll need to go insane.

Sorry, I’m being rude. How did you go?

BRANSON: As expected. They told me I was old beyond my years.

ARES: Insults like that are hard to move on from without some serious action, aren’t they?

BRANSON: Certainly are. So, you go a bit mental with magic, do you?

ARES: I thought most people did.

BRANSON: It was definitely something I had trouble with as a teenager, but we spent a good year learning to protect our minds at magic school. Your father never taught you?

ARES: Not as such… He’s a ‘push it down’ kind of guy. Some of my most impressive magic has been thanks to such advice.

BRANSON: Sounds dangerous. So, how do you intend to deal with this, then?

ARES: …Len suggested I ask Moonie for help.

BRANSON: Moonie? Didn’t she…?

ARES: Date my brother? Yes, yes, she did. Should be a delightful conversation coming from both directions. Given where she lives, it would make sense for me to invite her out to stay with us for two months. We could accomplish a lot working together.

BRANSON: …Actually, I was going to ask if she was the one who managed to put a curse on the ancient statue by Lake Fortuitous.

ARES: Oh, that. That was Horus’s idea, actually. Damn, they made such a good couple while it lasted.

BRANSON: What happened?

ARES: He said she was crazy, she said he wasn’t crazy enough. Something like that.

BRANSON: Well, she’s engaged now, so hopefully that will alleviate some tension. I’d best head off, there’s a lot of ground to cover before I get back home. I suppose I’ll see you in a few months’ time. Feel free to write if you need any help.

ARES: Thank you, Branson. Perhaps you’d like to join our family for our Solstice party.

BRANSON: I shouldn’t think so, my wife runs cold, and those mountains aren’t good for her arthritis. I appreciate the thought. Travel safe, I hear there’s ogres up your way.

ARES: They’re more than welcome to greet me.

Ares and Branson wave each other goodbye. Ares sighs and leans back, closing his eyes. The sound of footsteps approaching brings him back to attention.

MOONIE: I hear you summoned me?

ARES: Hello, Moonie. It’s nice to see you again.

MOONIE: Mmhmm. What do you want?

ARES: …Len asked me to speak to you. I didn’t realise you held so much contempt for the family.

MOONIE: I don’t… ah, fine. Sorry for being short, young master.

ARES: …

MOONIE: …Right, you’re all grown up now. Lord Saber, what can I do for you?

ARES: I need your help training for this evil spirit.

MOONIE: Oh? You and I haven’t played with magic in almost ten years.

ARES: No, but you’ve been a magic user your whole life and never had so much as a psychotic hiccup. I have control issues, you see.

MOONIE: Following in the family footsteps, huh?

Uh, right, so you want me to teach you Sense Aegis? Honestly, I don’t think I can. I need to do my own training… besides, I’m not sure your brother would like…

ARES: Oh, come on, Moonie! I need help with this. If I don’t find someone to train me, I don’t stand a chance. You’re engaged, surely you can appreciate the position I’m in with my new wife. Besides, as you say, you have training to do. Wouldn’t it be nice to have a familiar sparring partner?

MOONIE: You’re not familiar. Not anymore.

ARES: I know you were hurt when you and Horus split, but I thought you and I always liked each other. I used to think you’d become my big sister.

MOONIE: So did I.

…Fine, alright. I’ll do it.

ARES: You will? Thank you, Moonie. I really appreciate it.

MOONIE: You said you’re married now?

ARES: Yeah. To a Tijoran tribal princess.

MOONIE: Oh, well… I’m happy for you. Be careful, though. I hear those Tijorans can be pretty emotional.

ARES: Nah, not Primrose. Anyway, in five or so years we’re due to move back to Tijora and run her estate there… Can’t wait to live on the beach.

MOONIE: Can’t wait to get away from home even more, I’ll bet. You were certainly keen as you were growing up.

ARES: Was I?

MOONIE: In the time Horus and I were dating, you ran away from home three times.

ARES: …I suppose I did used to run away a lot.

MOONIE: And now, you’ve married a woman who lives in a different country.

ARES: That was arranged.

MOONIE: You’re what, twenty-five? You could have refused.

ARES: And what, upset my father?

MOONIE: Why not? Lord Kur is the whole reason Horus and I broke up, you know.

ARES: He is?

MOONIE: He said I wasn’t noble enough to marry your brother.

ARES: Wow. That’s surprising. He’d probably change his tune now, he’s desperate for Horus to get married.

MOONIE: Really? Good. That makes me happy.

ARES: Still, you shouldn’t speak against him.

MOONIE: Hmph. This whole thing is so stupid. Why does the queen want you, anyway? Doesn’t she have enough soldiers without involving a Saber?

ARES: Took the question right from my mouth. I don’t know, but Len made it sound like fighting wasn’t optional.

MOONIE: …You know, if I’m training you, that makes me your Master. I have superiority over you.

ARES: Yes, while we’re in training. Which we aren’t currently.

MOONIE: A technicality…

Ares and Moonie reach the stables where both parties are brought their goats. They make their way out of town, exchanging some pleasantries, and as they reach the outskirts they’re stopped by the gatekeepers.

GATEKEEPER: Apologies. But this road is closed for now.

ARES: Why? I came through here two days ago.

GATEKEEPER: Ogres. We’ve sent for the castle mages, but apparently they’ll be a while. I’d go back to where you were staying and try again tomorrow.

ARES: …let’s just set up camp here. I don’t want to stay at the castle.

MOONIE: We could be here for days, Ares.

ARES: Then… we’ll fight them ourselves.

MOONIE: …look, I know you’re gifted with the sword—

ARES: And you’re gifted with magic, right? We can take on a hoarde of ogres. We don’t have to kill all of them, just get through them.

MOONIE: …Alright, we can assess the situation and see.

ARES: Well, what are we waiting for?

MOONIE: Morning. We’re waiting for morning. Go to sleep, Ares.

Moonie sets up her swag and lies down. Ares starts a fire instead and stares into it. Darkness comes over, and he continues to watch the flames, heavy circles under his eyes. A whisper from across the fire draws his attention.

ARES: Who’s there?

LUMOS: It’s me. You ran away from me, again. Why do you keep running?

ARES: I… don’t understand you. Who are you?

LUMOS: We waited for you, Ares. You promised me you’d come to us.

ARES: I did?

LUMOS: We all suffered because of you.

ARES: I did some really, really bad things.

LUMOS: More than you remember.

MOONIE: Ares?

The apparition of Lumos disappears in an instant.

ARES: Hm?

MOONIE: Who are you talking to?

ARES: …myself.

MOONIE: Go to sleep, Ares.

Ares settles down, but he doesn’t stop watching the fire.