The open field that the large announcement took place in became a boot camp area where the 160 civilians would learn to fight and protect. Ariah took on training the archery and shield defenders while Elias was going to be training the swordsmen and rogues. It was perfect for both, those were the classes they excelled in when they were being brought up. When you look into the field, you could see many haybale-like posts with targets, barrels full of practice swords with the weight of real swords, and shields lined up on a hanging post for them to stay safe.
The only struggle the twins have dealt with was the amount of yelling and talking that they weren't accustomed to. Knowing that a majority of the people they were training had never held a weapon for battle before, also added on the extra stress to correct any wrongs. With the population of Starch almost doubling, everyone knew they could become an easy target for raids, especially without the supervision of Artos' knights.
"Ay it's my favorite twins! How is everything going on over here? Dusty and I have a very good start on the new homes, we already got the foundations and plot laid out for everyone and their new homes. Seems to be they all are okay with our bartering system over petty coin." Ivan said while approaching.
"So far so good, we got ourselves in a good position where the defenders and swordsmen train together to understand movement better. This is also getting them used to moving around with unfamiliar equipment, I just need to make sure my rogues are getting enough training." Elias replied.
Ivan could see Elias' face was filled with questions and doubt. "If I had to guess, training a technical assassin is quite odd during daytime so you focus on dawn or night time for them, right?" Ivan inquired..
"You're on the mark as usual Ivan. I got them getting used to moving through forests. Ariah and I ensure the forests are clear of any dangerous beasts or potential enemies, I don't want another incident with Gryphuars coming down to fly us into the air and plunge us to our death. The only person who can protect themselves from that type of fall is Ariah because of her Aquatic spells." Elias chuckled, he had a grin of humor with his arm and hand behind his head.
An idea clicked into Ariah's head, she knew she had to start getting more acclimated to the heavy mana spells. This was her opportunity to try one she hasn't tried since learning it as a youngling. "Elias, your guys are getting used to movement, but I doubt they have ever had an end goal for a lesson. What if I spawn an Aquatic Clone of myself and we give a prize to the Rogue who is able to catch and destroy it!” Ariah spoke enthusiastically with her arms spread out to dramatize her want to do this. “Think about it, it would be fun and I can get some practice in for myself, I'm tired of swinging swords and holding shields."Ariah exclaimed.
Ivan had one eyebrow perched up as if an idea came to mind, he began to run towards Dusty's shop, "I'll make the prize, you two make that happen!". Ariah and Elias watched as he ran and looked at each other at the same time "That settles that!" they both said while laughing. They couldn't recall a time where they saw Ivan Paine run, ever.
"All rogues create a circle around me, I want each and everyone one of you to hear me out, as well as my sister. This is the first time she will be helping us. Not only did she come up with a great idea, but you will finally be able to go on a chase!" Elias yelled. The rogues could be heard whispering among each other in confusion.
"Guys, it may sound odd at first, but you will be chasing me." Ariah said. Humorous giggles and perverted looks of some of the guys locked onto Ariah, she had black tight leather clothes with her shiny and wavy silver hair, she always managed to compliment herself in style. "I wouldn't find me attractive if I knew this girl could take out every person around her in one spell." She knew what they were doing, so she started contracting mana into the air. The rogues were starting to panic as Elias was laughing. He knew his sister was a badass, but she just made about ten of the so-called men, piss themselves.
"It's simple, if you perverts think you're gonna get a chance to lay a finger on my actual body, you're in the wrong, instead it will be another version of me, in the dark." Ariah said almost demonically. She was twisting her hands around one another, concentrating a lot of mana into one spot, a bright blue and white glow revolving around one another. "Casting Aquatic Clone, Agility Style" Ariah said softly.
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The mana lifted up without her control, it started floating from her feet to her head. What was once a light glow, turned into light stronger than the two suns up close. Once the light had faded, an exact, slightly transparent model of Ariah had formed. The rogues gasped as they had never seen anything like it before! "Now this is what you will be going up against, don't worry boys, she won't hurt you, but she sure will be damn hard to catch. It's simple, the person who finds, catches and defeats my clone, will get a prize." The talking started again, Elias moved closer to Ariah and whispered "This is gonna be fucking awesome."
The group moved over to the edge of the forest after they ensured no other entities were there that could harm anybody. Ariah's aquatic clone went to the entrance and started slowly heading into the dark shadows of the trees. A very slight glow from the two moons managed to pass through the density of the forest plants, but the twins were so used to it that nothing felt too dark for them.
Nestled on the outskirts of Starch, beyond the tranquil farmlands and winding dirt roads, lay the foreboding embrace of the dark forest. Its canopy, a dense tapestry of ancient trees, loomed overhead, casting an eerie shadow that seemed to swallow the sunlight whole. Towering oak and elm trees, their gnarled branches reaching skyward like skeletal fingers, created a natural barrier between the town and the unknown depths within.
Venturing deeper into the forest, the air grew thick with a damp, earthy scent, mingled with the faint aroma of decaying leaves and moss. Shafts of sunlight struggled to penetrate the dense canopy, casting dappled patterns of light and shadow upon the forest floor, where tangled roots snaked across the ground like twisted serpents.
Within this shadowy realm, the undergrowth teemed with life, an intricate web of ferns, brambles, and creeping vines that seemed to writhe and twist with a life of their own. A chorus of unseen creatures filled the air with their melodic sounds, a cacophony of chirps, rustles, and distant calls that echoed through the dimly lit woods.
"Alright, now that the clone made its way in, I want every rogue to line up equally. When my hand points to the woods, you go, DO YOU UNDERSTAND?!" Elias said assertively. The rogues nodded their heads once, Elias' hand slashed towards the darkness of the forest. The rogues darted off with a will to win for once, but there was one rogue who stayed back. "Hey, you're supposed to go now, '' Elias said to the man.
"Yeah, I know, I'm strategizing, and I'm going to win. You twins probably never have noticed me here in town, I'm quiet, shy and don't care for festivities. However, I'm finally feeling a sense of urgency to use my powers for the safety of this town. My name is Rokas Aros, descendant of the creator to the Aros Isles south of Saintsland. Ariah, Elias, my research and predictions are showing that a major change to the world is bound to happen, I wish to join you in making that happen. Casting Nightshade Cloak." Rokas said as he became one with the darkness, his form almost glitching and fading into nothingness.
The twins were staring at each other, Ariah still had to focus on the mana of her clone. About 10 minutes had passed and she felt her mana pulse getting weaker, she was running out quickly. With her perspective becoming that of the clone, she was using the agility form of the clone to run vertically up trees, perfect dives, and far leaps to escape the rogues whilst they chased her. Thinking she was safe in a tree branch, a throwing knife pierced the clone's shoulder, going in and out the other side, this damaged the mana focus Ariah had. However, she would manage to instantaneously jump from the branch and into the darkness once again, evading her attacker. Then suddenly, while running, Rokas revealed himself and slashed into the clone, dissipating the form of the clone completely.
"Ariah, are you o..." Elias was asking before Ariah fell to her knees.
"Elias, he got the clone already, I can see what my clone was seeing, Rokas got my clone so quickly, I couldn't even see the others. There is something different about him, being a descendant of the Aros family must be a big deal to mages. They erected the islands by pure magic will, we need his help, at least I do, bad. Alright, I’m exhausted, that’s that." she would say while taking deep breaths.
The rogues all came out and circled the twins, Rokas was standing alongside as if nothing phased him. "It seems we have a winner, a long time member of Starch who goes by the name of Rokas.
"Would you please step forward." Elias said while staring directly at him. "Rokas, you have won the prize which will be presented to you tomorrow. Everybody, Ariah was examining your performances and we both agree that you have come a long way since we have started the training. Your movement has gotten a lot better, and we even saw that Charles of Dockton managed to damage the clone, you almost won until the clone got away, good job. I want everybody to meet us tomorrow for brunch at the tavern, we have a large announcement to make."
Everybody made their way to their homes or their temporary beds, but Ariah, Elias, and Rokas stayed back to talk.
"Look, I'm sorry if I scared or worried you guys, but what I was saying wasn't false. I need your help as much as you need mine. I am grateful that you guys turned out to be who I was hoping you'd be, Starch is going to be well protected now. However, you two can not, and I mean it when I say can not stay here for much longer. The world is shifting and a great power has caused unruly things to happen. I understand you two are awaiting your parents arrival, but we need to set off and settle some serious world changing matters. Who knows, this may bring you to your parents sooner, what do you say? Wanna talk about it more while heading home?" Rokas asked the twins.
"By all means, let's do it! I'm ready for adventure and I believe Starch will do well here. We shall make the announcement tomorrow at brunch, reward you with your prize, and start getting ready for our endeavors." Elias replied. The three set off for their homes, knowing it may be one of the last nights sleeping there. This stirred up many emotions for the twins, but they were ready to become great. They sensed a change in the world, it only seemed right to find the answers to the many quirks of Xero.