Aina
The fire around Aina burned brighter and brighter, consuming the wood and wallpaper of her home as it filled the air with ash and smoke. Her mother's labored breaths filled her ears as she ran down the hallway, clutching Aina in her arms. Her mother's golden hair trailed behind her as she ran, stained with soot but its luster still shining through in the light of the surrounding flames.
Looking over her mother's shoulder, she could see the semi-transparent and glowing orange blades of their pursuers through the smoke. Pushing through the burning hallway behind them, they carried various kinds of Circuits and were wearing her uncle's emblem emblazoned across their chestplates.
"She's got the girl! Watch your aim!" One of the men shouted, his voice reaching Aina's ears as one of the men summoned their longbow Circuit with a metallic twang.
She could feel her mother try to run faster as the Circuit's glowing arrow soared towards them. Ducking down, she tripped over the extravagant carpet on the ground, falling on her back to take the brunt of the landing instead of Aina.
"Mommy!?" she shouted, looking back to see the armored man draw his longbow Circuit again, pointing it at her mother's head.
Hugging her mother close, Aina buried her head in her bosom, crying out loud for help. Suddenly, she heard a defiant roar from somewhere behind her, followed by the sound of her father's Circuit forming, like crackling flames. Keeping her head down, she could hear the sounds of battle nearby, her mother wrapping Aina in her arms once more as she stood to continue running.
"Luise! Get to the Palace!" her father shouted, raising his magnificent greatsword Circuit to fend off their pursuers, "Come on you bastards! Too afraid to fight me head on!?"
His hair was a golden blonde, like both Aina and her mother, but with a shock of white across the sides. His muscular build was covered in a bright red suit coat, golden scales sewn into the sleeves and shoulders as decoration. Across the back of his jacket was a beautiful dragon insignia, embroidered in gold, the symbol of Aina's family. His clothes were covered in soot, and he had a number of bleeding wounds across his back and limbs, making him unsteady on his feet as he confronted the group of twelve men.
He swung his blade down at the man with the longbow Circuit, who cowered before him. At that moment, his blade struck true. With a sickening crunch, his blade cut through the man's Circuit and his flesh, embedding itself in the floor below him. In that same moment, one of the men rushed forward, plunging his rapier Circuit through her father's chest. Aina screamed, and began thrashing against her mother as the other men descended on her father, tearing at him like a pack of wild dogs and coating the orange glow of their Circuits in crimson.
"Damn you! You stubborn old fool! You should have listened when Lord Cäsar warned you!" they shouted, drowning each other out as they stabbed and swung wildly into her father's corpse.
Her mother turned a corner, leaping down the main stairway three at a time. Stumbling as she reached the bottom, she continued to run while Aina struggled.
"Daddy! Daddy no!" her screams echoed through the mansion, her mother quickly covering her mouth with one hand as she continued to run.
Holding Aina to her chest, her mother looked down at her with tears streaming down her cheeks. She was beautiful, with regal features and sky blue eyes. Her hair was braided back in a flowing design, and she had a kind smile on her face despite the tears in her eyes.
"I love you, Aina," she said, hugging her close as she continued to run, "I'm sorry I didn't say it more, I hope you can understand how much we loved you when you're older"
Skidding to a halt, she grabbed onto one of the many sconces in mansion. With an audible click, she flipped the light upside down, causing the wall to slide open and reveal a hidden crawlspace within the building's foundation. The sound of their pursuer's voices rang out down the hallway, closer to their position than before.
With a panicked expression, Aina's mother reached into the crawlspace and produced what appeared to be a perfume bottle. With shaking hands, she held it up to Aina's face and squeezed the plunger. There was a burst of mist around Aina's nose and mouth, smelling of mint and bitter almonds. As soon as she breathed in the scent, she felt her consciousness begin to slip into darkness. She tumbled back, landing softly in the crawlspace as she continued to drift into sleep. The last thing she saw was her mother's face, tears in her eyes as she shut the secret door and plunged Aina into her life of solitude.
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Aina's eyes opened, tears streaming down her face as she examined the now familiar ceiling above her. Sitting up, she allowed her gaze to sweep over the room beyond the extravagant four-poster bed she laid in.
It was massive, far larger than a single person's room ever should be. The walls were decorated with paintings of various cities within the Empire, without any windows anywhere within the room. The floor was a light colored wood, stained and polished to a perfectly flat and shining surface. Intricately designed and soft carpets covered the floor around her bed, preventing her from catching a chill in the morning. The ceiling above her held a crystal chandelier, one that automatically began to glow with a soft white light when she opened her eyes.
Examining the white gemstones as they glittered and gleamed, Aina used the cuff of her nightgown to wipe the tears from her eyes.
"That damn dream again," she said, the nightmare playing through her head again as she sat up, "I don't think I'll ever be rid of it"
Falling silent, she climbed out of bed, walking towards a set of double doors and opening them. Behind the doors sat another, smaller room. Lining the walls were dresses and cloaks that were magnificently made, but had never been worn. Moving to the right as she entered the room, she stopped in front of the familiar dress.
It was far too small for her to wear anymore, over twelve years since the events in that house. It was a beautiful teal, which was once Aina's favorite color. Dark soot stains lined the hem, and parts of it were torn from the struggle before the fire. Running her fingers down the cool silk, Aina reassured her mind that those events were more than just a nightmare. This ritual she performed whenever she saw that nightmare, it was meant to steel her resolve, and ensure she never forgot her hatred.
"Miss Aina? Are you awake?" a voice called from her room, muffled by the door that he spoke through, "Breakfast is ready, would you like to eat in the dining room?"
Moving to the door, Aina gripped her nightgown with both hands, her knuckles turning white from the strain.
"Of course, you have my thanks as always," she said in a kind voice, "Please inform Her Majesty that I will be joining her shortly"
"Of course," the guard said, the sound of his armor audible through the door, "One of my subordinates will be here to accompany you when you are ready"
Damn, still leaving his dogs nearby? Aina thought to herself, silently cursing the man for being so diligent at his job.
"Oh please, I wouldn't want to trouble you or your men any more than I already have!" Aina responded, the door still shut as she spoke.
There were a few moments of silence before she heard his response, "...I'm sorry Miss Aina, but the Empress gave us orders to make sure you were being watched closely. I'm sure she hasn't forgotten your last attempt"
"…I understand Captain, I'll gladly accept the guidance then," she said, turning away from the door and moving back into the closet's gaudy embrace.
They'll be diligent for as long as they need to, or at least as long as Tyrsyss keeps them on a tight leash, she thought, moving to the small collection of clothes that she had deemed appropriate.
The collection consisted of the least extravagant of her closet's stock, as well as a single simple dress and apron that was meant for working or cooking in. Even so, the clothes were still far nicer than anything she felt comfortable accepting from Tyrsyss. Picking out a simple dark blue one-piece, she quickly got dressed and ready for the day. Turning and facing the opposite wall, Aina inspected her appearance.
Her golden hair was identical to her mother's, curly and falling down to her lower back. Her light blue eyes contrasted with her dress, and had a sharp and dangerous look that didn't quite match her attire. Her face was somewhat round due to her age, the edges of her eyes still red from the tears she had shed earlier. She didn't wear any makeup, for she never knew what Tyrsyss might have slipped into it. Even so, her mother's beauty still shone through whether Aina wanted it to or not.
Quickly looking away from her reflection and clearing her mother's visage from her mind, Aina stepped back out into her room. She approached the side of the bed, looking over her few possessions. Her sheets were thick and fluffy, one side stitched into the mattress so they couldn't be separated. The room had been cleared of anything that might be dangerous, like sturdy beams or sharp objects. The guards would check her belongings regularly, to ensure she had no tools to harm herself with. At least, they had begun searching her room after her last attempt. Sighing aloud, Aina turned to face the door once more and put on the nicest smile she could manage, putting her macabre thoughts away for later. Right now, she had an appointment to keep.
Approaching the door, Aina knocked on it and waited for it to open. The door lacked a handle on the inside, and opened after a series of metallic clicks from the other side. The dark wood slid away from her, revealing the armored guards that stood outside her room. Each wore shining armor crafted from the same brass and gold alloy as the palace itself, their helmets designed in the form of a dragon's visage which looked down at her. Their armor was decorated in dragon or demon designs, the various bestial patterns jumping out due to their masterful craftsmanship and embossing. They carried no visible weapons, but Aina knew better than anyone that they were not to be underestimated.
"Good morning, Miss Aina," the right guard said, his voice cheery and inviting, "I hope you slept well"
"I did, thank you for asking," she answered, bowing her head slightly as she did, "I believe one of you fine gentlemen will be escorting me?"
"Of course, if you'll just follow me," the guard on the left answered, stepping away from the door while his companion closed and secured its various locks.
The guard led her through the long and tall hallways of the Gilded Palace, their pristine marble walls shining with accents of gold and bronze. The white stone floors shone due to their polished surface, and the ceiling was populated with small intermittent chandeliers. Their gold and brass surfaces sparkled in the light of their gemstones, illuminating the halls in a faint gilded light.
The guard's armor was silent, oiled, and maintained to perfection. Aina had long learned that this particular Draconian Guard took pride in their equipment, and often appreciated when it was complimented.
"My, your armor is so silent!" Aina said in mock surprise and interest, hiding her true emotions behind the veil that she had perfected, "You must take excellent care of it"
"Of course!" the guard responded, his pride and smile audible even through the armor, "I maintain it twice a day! Once in the morning and once before bed! To be honest, I'm glad that my hard work's been noticed. To be honest, the other guards always say that twice a day is too often, but I disagree."
Feigning interest, Aina continued to question the guard on the intricacies of armor polishing and maintenance, while carefully examining her surroundings. She had long memorized the interior of the Gilded Palace, but she was always looking for any new information. Watching the various guards, maids, servants, and nobles continue their daily routines, Aina tried to memorize each face as they passed.
"Alright Miss Aina," the guard said, interrupting her train of thought, "We've arrived. I'll be waiting outside, so just let me know when you've finished so we can head back"
"Of course," Aina responded, bowing her head while silently cursing the man for moving so quickly, "I will do my best not to take up too much of your time then"
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With a short nod, the guard opened the large set of double doors that led into the dining hall. They were made from dark wood, decorated with strips of gold and brass that appeared like flames surrounding the dragon insignia of the Empire. They were large, and likely very heavy, but silently slid inwards on expertly balanced hinges. The guard bowed politely to the Empress before stepping aside, allowing Aina to enter and closing the doors behind her. The room beyond was just as magnificent as the doors that led into it, if not more.
About two hundred feet long and with a domed ceiling high above, the dining hall housed a single massive polished stone table at its center. Over one hundred high-backed chairs sat around the table, each crafted from the finest oak, silk, and gold. The ceiling had a trio of brass and gold chandeliers that illuminated the room with soft light, the light mana crystals that populated their surfaces emitting a soft light. At the far head of the long table sat Tyrsyss, her tall figure occupying much of the chair's embrace. Her glowing eyes were closed, and her hands sat folded on the table in front of her. A steaming loaf of freshly baked bread had been placed in front of her, as well as a collection of different jams, meats, and cheeses. Even from the entrance, the delectable aroma overwhelmed Aina's senses.
"Good morning Aina," Tyrsyss said, unfolding her hands and opening her eyes, "I'm glad you decided to join me today"
Aina didn't respond, silently moving to the seat closest to Tyrsyss, sitting diagonally across from her. Silently, the two began to eat. Selecting a slice of meat and cheese, Aina spread butter and apricot jam across a slightly steaming slice of bread. The silence between them almost felt palpable, the only sound being the clinking of Aina's gilded silverware on the porcelain plates. As usual, Tyrsyss ate gracefully and silently, showing no expression of enjoyment or distaste at the meal in front of her.
She almost looks... tired? Aina thought, looking at the thin dark lines below Tyrsyss's eyes, I wonder if something's happened?
"Aina," Tyrsyss said, cutting the silence with her powerful voice, "Highmaw's Champion will be selected in today's game"
Aina didn't respond, continuing to eat the food in front of her.
"I will invite them to the palace tomorrow night, so I'll have your dinner sent to your room while they are here," she continued, setting down her utensils as she spoke, "Afterward, I hope you will agree to begin your education with the-"
"I have no intention of learning anything from you, now or ever," Aina said with venom in her voice, her eyes never straying from her plate as she spoke.
Tyrsyss fell silent, and Aina felt the Empress's eyes boring into her before she began to eat once more. Feeling the chill of Tyrsyss's gaze slip away, Aina managed to resume eating her own breakfast. They both remained silent as they ate and finished their food, Aina wordlessly standing up from the table and heading towards the door.
"Please tell the chef that I am grateful for the meal," Aina said, not looking back as she opened the door and exited the dining hall.
Slamming the door behind her, Aina took a deep breath as she straightened her posture once more. Turning around, she looked up at the guard who had waited for her.
"Miss Aina…," he said, sounding cautious, "I understand how you feel, but Her Majesty simply wants-"
"Please," Aina interrupted, "I don't wish to hear it"
The guard hesitated for a moment, then nodded. With a gentle yet firm hand on her back, he began to lead her towards her room- no, her cell once more. The two walked in silence, Aina no longer examining the people around them as they walked. They quickly reached her room, where the remaining guard had already begun unlocking the door. Eight dark steel locks had been bolted into the reinforced wood, each one with a different key or code to unlock it. Aina had long learned that they changed the keys and codes regularly, making it one of her greatest obstacles to overcome.
As the door opened in front of her, Aina felt the same urge she usually did. To hit the guard and run, to escape, to try anything to avoid being locked up again. Even so, she obediently entered the room and listened as the locks were engaged behind her, one by one. With each lock, Aina felt her sanity slipping away bit by bit. Until finally, as the eighth lock slammed into place, she fell to her knees and wept aloud, making sure the guards outside could hear her.
Shifting her hand, she allowed the small gilded butter knife within her sleeve to slip into her palm.
Smiling to herself even as her well-practiced tears fell down her cheeks, Aina began to prepare for her forty-fifth escape attempt.
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Aike
Aike carried a simple burlap backpack, which had been stuffed with a spare set of clothes for Claire as well as the two books they owned. One was a history of the Astus Empire, and the other was an academy guidebook on the different types of demons. In his arms he carried a simple paper bag with a few buns of honeyed bread, each carefully chosen and wrapped with care. Jogging through the streets, he watched the surrounding crowds as they celebrated the tournament's end. Many of them hung banners from their homes or businesses, and many others used the event as an excuse to get wasted. Turning his attention away from their merrymaking, Aike ran down the road and quickly located Lillian's manor.
The house was large, with three floors. The exterior was surrounded by a small courtyard and wrought-iron fence. Numerous windows populated its exterior, the black-tiled roof missing more than a few of its pieces. It was settled in a neighborhood of similar buildings, each one more extravagant than the last. Approaching the building worth more than his life, Aike slid the iron gates open and entered the courtyard. Bushes and trees across the area were overgrown and sloppy due to Lillian's lack of care. Stepping over the cracked and dirty stones, Aike turned the silver handle and stepped inside.
A wide entryway greeted Aike as he closed the door behind him. The manor's interior was covered in dust and lacked any lighting. There was no sign of life aside from the track of footprints leading up the main staircase and to the second floor, the path leading to Lillian's room and laboratory. The floorboards creaked under Aike's weight as he moved, climbing the stairs and stepping into the hallway on the second floor. Twelve doors sat on either side of the hallway, leading to various empty rooms. Choosing the fourth one on the right, Aike opened the door and stepped inside.
"I'm back," he announced, closing the door behind him as he slid the pack from his shoulders, "I brought Claire's stuff, is she awake?"
Looking inside, he saw Lillian sitting on a stool by the bedside, Claire now awake and sitting up in bed. They both looked towards him as he entered, a slight smile on Claire's face. Looking them over, Aike noticed the slight redness around their eyes.
They were crying, he realized, approaching the bed and placing the paper bag of treats in Claire's outstretched hands.
"Are you feeling better?" he asked, setting his bag on the bed and sitting on the stool next to Lillian.
"I'm doing alright, just a little tired right now," Claire answered, "Lillian already gave me an earful about being more careful from now on"
"You mean like the last eight times you ended up in this bed?" Aike said, his voice deadly serious as he looked his sister in the eyes, "You always say you'll be more careful, then end up here the next day"
Claire dropped her gaze, silently taking a bite of the dessert she had retrieved from the paper bag. She slightly nodded her head as she did, a slight smile on her face as always. Sighing aloud, Aike leaned forward and grabbed a piece of bread as well, biting into the treat as he handed the remaining coins he had to Lillian.
"Wait, you paid for this?" Claire asked, looking towards Lillian as the coins changed hands, "I should pay you ba-"
"Not hearing it!" Lillian interrupted, snatching the bread from Claire's hands and eating it in one big bite.
She tried to say something afterward, but could only manage to mutter and spill a few crumbs due to the size of the bun. Taking a few moments to chew and swallow, she repeated her earlier unintelligible words.
"I don't want to hear it," she said, wiping glaze from her mouth with her sleeve, "You don't get to decide when I do or don't do you a favor. If you have to, consider it payment for always treating your injuries!"
"I don't think the doctor is supposed to pay her patients," Claire said in a defeated tone, retrieving another bun from the bag.
Snatching that bun as well, Lillian stood and walked away from the bed.
"It's fine," she said, before taking a smaller bite of the bread, "I get my funds from the palace anyway, so it's not like it's my money I'm spending"
Claire sighed as she looked into the bag, finding only one bun remaining. Aike finished chewing the bread in his mouth, then held out the half-eaten bun to his sister. With an apologetic look, Claire took the bun and began to nibble along the edges.
"That reminds me, the Empress invited me and Aike to the Gilded Palace tomorrow," She said in between bites, "I think it's an award ceremony or something? I don't know."
Lillian spun around, leaning back on the glass countertop that lined the room. She took another bite of the spiral-shaped bread, a pensive look on her face.
"Tyrsyss, huh?" she wondered aloud, "I've met her a couple of times when she had first invested in my research, but we've never spoken outside formal business deals. Her eyes freak me out."
With a shiver, Lillian finished her second bun in a few quick bites, chewing and swallowing it as quickly as the last.
"Well, I don't really have anything fancy enough to wear to a meeting with the Empress," Claire declared, finishing the half of Aike's bun.
"Neither do I," Aike said, taking the empty bag from Claire as she bit into the last bun.
"You two can take something from one of the other rooms," Lillian offered, "Nobody's going to wear them these days, so feel free to pick whatever you want. It should all be ritzy enough for dinner at the Gilded Palace."
"Are you su-," Claire began, Aike speaking up before she could finish her question.
"Thank you, Lillian," Aike interrupted, not allowing Claire to deny Lillian's kindness anymore, "We'll take you up on that"
With a smile, Lillian stood from the countertop and headed for the door, "I'll pick something that suits Claire, take your time looking through my brother's stuff"
Nodding towards Lillian's back as she closed the door behind her, Aike turned to look at Claire. She had the honeyed bread in her mouth as she checked over her bandages with her hands. Looking over the wounds, Aike saw various dark red stains across the bandages. He felt his heart twist at the sight, averting his gaze and staring at the dark floorboards of the room.
"You really did it, huh?" he said, his voice quiet as he recalled the last few hours.
"Yeah, I guess I did," she responded, removing the bread from her mouth as she did, "Honestly, it doesn't really feel real"
"Do you think they'll…" Aike began, trailing off. The question lingered in the air like a persistent stench, driving them both to silence.
They both had seen the crowd's reaction even after Claire's victory. They were unlikely to change their views of them even after she had won. Even with the Empress's personal decree, Aike had no doubt that those people would continue their mistreatment of his older sister. As Aike balled his fists, clutching the sheets in front of him, he heard Claire begin to laugh.
It was a bright tone, full of joy and hope. It was infectious enough to make Aike's anger melt away, causing him to smile and look up at his sister as she continued to laugh aloud.
"What is it?" Aike said, laughing slightly, "What's so funny?"
"I just realized," she began, wiping a tear from her eye, "I don't think they'll ever accept us, no matter what we do. Even so, they couldn't even say a word once the Empress spoke up!"
Lifting the sheets and sliding to the edge of the bed, Claire used the bedpost as a support to stand. Aike jumped up from his stool, rushing to her side and shifting her weight onto his shoulder to prevent her from falling.
"What are you doing!?" Aike yelled, "You're in no state to-!"
"I'll be fine!" Claire laughed, a wide smile on her face as she looked down at Aike, "I'm the Champion of Highmaw, which means I work for the Empress now! Those bastards can say whatever they want to, but I've already won!"
Aike smiled, looking up at Claire. She was the strongest person he knew by far. She had always seen the best in every bad situation, or at least she had always tried to appear like she did. Aike knew that Claire was putting on a show for him, trying to reassure him that she was alright. Aike couldn't help but feel pessimistic, but he wanted to believe in her infectious optimism. Suddenly, she wrapped her arms around him and pulled him into a hug.
"You and me Aike! We'll take on the whole of Highmaw if we have to!" she shouted and laughed as she spun him around, suddenly collapsing to the ground. Catching her before she could hit the floor, Aike set her down on the edge of the bed as she held the side of her head.
"Sorry, got a little light-headed," Claire laughed, a smile across her face.
"You need to be more careful!" Aike reprimanded her, "We still have to attend the meeting tomorrow, you need your rest!"
"Alright, alright," she said, shifting back into the bed and pulling the covers over her legs, "I'll be alright by dinnertime tonight, just you wait"
"I seriously doubt it," Aike answered, grabbing the blanket and tossing it over her head, "I don't want you out of this bed until just before tomorrow's meeting!"
Giggling to herself beneath the covers, she gave a muffled yet exaggerated, "Yes sir!"
Sighing aloud, he moved towards the door of the room, "I'm going to go pick something out for tomorrow, I'll be back in a bit"
Stepping outside, he carefully closed the door behind him. Turning to the left, he saw Lillian leaning against the wall by the door, likely listening in on their conversation.
"Hey, I thought you were looking for Claire's clothes?" he asked, a confused look on his face.
She looked into his eyes, the green color strikingly bright in the darkness of the hallway. Her expression was deathly serious as she stared at him, but she suddenly turning around and began walking down the hallway.
"C'mon, my brother's old room is this way," she said, her voice quiet.
Feeling confused by her sudden change of attitude, he followed. Aike had never spent much time with Lillian, so her mannerisms were still confusing to him. He was sure that Claire could decipher her expression just then, if she had seen it.
Looking around, each door's handle had dust across it, untouched for the last few years. He hadn't heard the entire story, but apparently Lillian's family had been arrested for the distribution and sale of illegal substances. She was spared from judgement due to her age at the time, leaving her as the family's sole inheritor. At least, that's what he had heard from rumors around the city. For all he knew, there was an entirely different reason for the manor's current state.
"In here," Lillian said, breaking the silence as she knocked on one of the doors, "Like I said, pick whatever you like. Feel free to keep it"
Looking at the door, Aike saw a collection of childish scribbles across the lower half of the door. The drawings were in different pastel colors, as if done with an array of pigmented wax crayons. One of the illustrations showed a group, likely a family, gathered together and smiling under an orange sun.
"Ah, yeah," Lillian said, following Aike's gaze and smiling, "One of my best works, if I do say so myself"
"Yeah," Aike whispered, looking at the two parental figures with interest and envy, “Looks nice”
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Claire
Claire listened as the door shut behind her brother, hearing his muffled voice from behind the wood. Sitting up in the bed and pulling down the sheets, she looked down and examined her hand. Closing her eyes and focusing inwards, she attempted to call forth her Circuit. The heat of the energy within her moved outwards, reaching her skin and spilling forth. It formed a handle and guard, extending into the single-edged and slightly curved blade that had become familiar to her. It hummed with power as it formed, but was thin and slightly more transparent than before.
Sighing aloud, she allowed the Circuit to dissipate and seep back through her palm. Looking down at her fingers as they trembled, she grasped one hand with the other. She fell back, her head striking the pillow as she rested her shaking arms over her eyes.
"Damn it," she whispered, quiet enough that only she could hear.