Several Ark Knights sat around the Ardent table, their new member now sitting comfortably in his seat next to the wooden structure, a smug expression on his face.

“I always knew I was fit for this table.” Askerian leaned back, folding his hands behind his head.

“You’ve only been here no less than twenty-four hours.” Sekke reminded him.

Askerian shrugged off the younger Ark’s words, by a flippant wave of his hand. “Same thing.”

“Now that you’re an Ark Knight, there’s a lot you need to know.” Knight said as he entered the room, carrying a wooden crate full of scrolls and books, Seraphina trailing behind with what appeared to be a scarlet treasure chest.

Both knights sat their supplies down on the long table, the other knights who were present, garnishing their attention.

“What is this?” The new knight asked, his brows pulled together in confusion.

“Your initiation.” Seraphina answered gleefully with her hands on the scarlet chest. The chest was engraved in golden filigree and held together by a black metal Askerian had never seen before.

With a click, the Hamsternick opened the chest, a bright light illuminated from its interior as she reached her hand in and fished out a tiny Renfred communicator before handing it to Askerian.

“This is yours. All Arks must be able to communicate at a moment’s notice.”

He took the tiny figure and examined it. “Thank you.”

“Now that you have that, let’s get started.” Knight removed one of the scrolls from the crate. He moved to the head of the table where Askerian sat and with one fluid movement, glaring at the Ark before removing the blue thread from around the parchment.

Askerian watched in amazement as a huge map unraveled before him as Knight flipped the scroll forward. It continued to unravel along the table in a precise wavelike movement. It took him several moments before realizing the was incomplete, but he recognized some of the landmarks.

“Is that…”

“Gaia” Knight confirmed.

Askerian stood up and leaned closer to the map. “It’s missing some parts.”

“That’s because I’m still working on it.” Seraphina replied defensively.

Askerian nodded, “My kingdom is here.” He placed his palm down on the parchment where there was nothing but blank space. “The city of Moria lies inside a mountain range, but this is its location. There are also other landmarks that I can discuss with you as well.”

“I’ll take note of that, thank you.”

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“So why the map?”

At Askerian’s question the other Arks in the room sat up more diligently, the atmosphere growing tense.

“We’re gathering an army.” Sekke answered after a stretch of silence, his voice brisk.

The dragon shifter was stricken at the younger Ark’s words. “Army?”

“Its to fight the dragon.” Pai spoke up from his usual spot against the wall.

“What- “ Askerian was appalled by their boldness. “You think you can just fight a dragon? Just like that?” His voice rose an octave as he stood from his seat abruptly.

“This realm has chosen us to do so.” Seraphina answered, a fire in her eyes.

“Allow me to explain.” Lady Rain offered as she entered the room ever so quietly, her taller brother, Sir Weslo following behind her.

“Lady Ardent made this realm with one of her wishes, and for some reason this realm follows her will.” She began, pausing to allow her brother to sit at the table.

“Go on.” Knight encouraged.

Rain nodded and continued. “You see each of us here is not here by mere coincidence. This realm chose us as Lady Ardent’s protectors.”

The elven princess’s words struck Askerian’s core. “What do you mean chosen? How can you believe that?” His mind was full of confusion. Her words defied logic.

“What did you feel when you saved Lady Ardent before bringing her back the realm?” Rain questioned with knowing eyes.

The memory flashed through Askerian immediately upon the blue knight’s words as if the realm itself and the powers that be were willing for him to understand.

He was standing in the middle of a ruined village the size of a small city, the city he now knew to be Ardent’s home, when the strongest urge he had ever felt, pulled or more like forced him into the trees, towards a field where the tower lay. The urge to protect, the desperation for an unknown urgency had been what had brought him to find Ardent on the verge of death, the anger he felt when he learned she had done it to herself and even now the urgency to keep that fact hidden all came flooding back to him. He didn’t like this, not one bit and his anger flared, forcing his aura to the surface.

“Askerian? ” Rain’s voice cut through the turmoil in his mind.

“I don’t like being manipulated by magic.” He grated out.

“Are you really being manipulated though?” Knight stared down the dragon rider with the opposing energy. “We all want the same thing. The end to that dragon. Is that really so far from what you really want? If you had the chance without the magic, would you have left Lady Ardent to her own vices or would you have saved her?”

He might be angry and hate everything that life had thrown at him, but the answer wasn’t far off from his mind. “No. I wouldn’t have.” As the realization dawned in, Askerian’s energy faded, allowing the others to breathe.

“We like to think of the magic as not as manipulation, but more like a beacon or rather our bond with Ardent.” Sekke cut in.

“If we’re close enough when she’s in danger, we’ll be alerted to protect her.” Seraphina added.

That sentence sprouted his curiosity. “What happens when you’re not close to her?”

Sekke, Seraphina, Knight and Rain exchanged looks.

“What?” Askerian demanded.

“When she’s in danger we feel it, but when she’s far away the pull is gone, but we still feel the urgency.” Pai answered, pushing himself of the wall, “Which is why you were attacked when you first entered the realm. One moment we felt it and the next minute the feeling was gone. Some of us are more in tune with the feelings the magic bestows.” He placed a hand on Rain’s shoulder then. “And then there are others who are not.” He hesitated.

“Which is why you were attacked when you entered the portal.” Seraphina finished for him. “And also why we are welcoming you as an Ark Knight. The magic allows us to feel that you are a protector and not a threat. An ally.”

Askerian looked at Knight. “When you say that some of you can’t feel the magic as well, do you mean this guy?” He pointed at the armor clad captain, earning a glare.

“Nope.” Sekke answered. “Knight’s just naturally suspicious of everyone and everything.”

“Excuse me?”

“Enough of this!” Seraphina said clapping her hands together, Askerian has a mission. He needs to get started on it.”