"Don't break formation! There's only a few of them left!"

"Second platoon, cover the left flank and don't let them advance through that!"

"They're trying to pierce through the center, need reinforcements!"

Their pleas and wails could be heard throughout the night.

It was the time of midnight, the time where people slept with peace, and the absolved their stress and worries under the comfort of their blankets.

Instead, they cowered wherever there may be protection, near a soldier, the chapel, or the palace.

The sheer numbers were enough to terrify them, but they knew how bad it was already for they have felt it first hand, and had fought for it as well.

The battle continues to rage on outside, and no one side seems to be giving up, instead making the battle a hard-fought, and drawn out one.

The tenacity of the enemy army came as a surprise to Evelyn, though she expected much because of everything that's been happening around her.

Her army's casualties skyrocketed, while the enemy had some more to spare, and looked like they were going to risk everything to enter through that gate.

It was terrible to a point where even her cavalry gained casualties, which were unprecedented given the initial volley of arrows, and the counter charge that should have left the enemy immobile and confused.

Whoever commanded them instilled discipline unlike any she has ever seen from a band of mercenaries and bandits.

"Cavalry, rally to me and follow my flag!"

She hurried off, trying to separate the enemy spearmen from her cavalry, who reformed their ranks in the ensuing chaos, just to counter her charge against their flank.

Bodies were laid everywhere, and blood covered the green fields.

The death toll amounted to four thousand on both sides, creating a mass graveyard that covered much of the entrance of the town.

Having retreated, she didn't feel exhausted at all. It was all normal for her, having taken down more than her fair share, but she could not say the same about her troops, who were exhausted and were grasping for air the moment they retreated to the safety of the side lines.

"Recuperate quickly. We'll need to attack their flank once more, otherwise we'll lose our vanguard."

Evelyn focused her sights, trying to find her friend, the one she worried about the most =, and was on the forefront of the operation.

"Please be safe, Emilia."

She muttered to herself, saying a small prayer.

Just then, she heard the sound of a horse neighing uncontrollably, hindering its rider as its body thrashes because of a spear lodged to its chest by a spearman.

The Zalphion focused on that sight, surprised to see Emilia struggling with her horse, on the verge of collapsing on the ground as a small band of skirmishers are closing in on her.

"Tch. Stay here, recover, and be ready to move when I come back."

She had made up her mind, becoming stubborn and doing what she thought was best.

"My lord, wait. Where are you going?"

"I'm going to rescue Emilia with the time I have left. Follow my orders."

Her subordinates disagreed with her, but with a good intention as one of them spoke up, then followed by another, then the entire cavalry.

"We won't let you go all alone, even if you are our Zalphion. We're not that weak. Let's go rescue the general, and everybody!"

"Yeah!"

Their voices resonated with each other, creating a strong bond within the group that made sure their strengths were still in them when they needed it, even forcing themselves if they have to.

Before they could move out, Evelyn brought her face near her horse's ear, whispering in a soft voice.

"Just a little more, friend. Let me be a bit more selfish, please."

She drew her Zalheim, her favored sword, and inscribed on its side was its name.

Simply by touching the hilt made the two entities intertwined.

"Flame renewal, shroud us with an eternal light that will never fade. I wield your fire, and I am righteous, now burn for all eternity, Aryelle!"

Evelyn raised her sword into the sky, producing a flame on the tip of her blade, then enveloping the entire sword only up to its hilt.

"I shall now pass judgement onto you. Heavens forbid that you enter purgatory twice!"

She charged, prompting his allies to follow her, having already seen this many times, but always being amazed by its beauty.

As the enemy soldiers cast their eyes, halting their movement, they echo of her words have now been etched deep into their minds, filling them with dread and fear that a Zalphion has now emerged, her fangs barred right at them.

Emilia, having got up in the midst of confusion, now stands on her two feet, cutting the enemy soldiers around her that attempted to take her down when her horse had collapsed.

"Rally! Reform the ranks and raise your shields. The cavalry will make a strong charge from the right, so brace yourselves!"

She commanded them immediately, in which her voice flowed nicely, heard by those close by, resulting in them passing along the message to the remaining platoons.

Emilia knew fully well how strong Evelyn’s Zalheim was, and that having her recklessly charge in with her own troops in will only increase the casualties.

The enemy general was unable to move his soldiers into formation, nor could they even think of going against something so monstrous, the soldiers simply did what any fighter would do in this state, to wait for their demise.

Once a Zalphion uses her pwoer in the battlefield, it is when you know that you have lost the upper hand.

The only way to defeat such a warrior is to counter it with another, thus creating the need for another Zalphion.

The maiden of the sacred flame, whose fame is known throughout her many accomplishments and battles despite her young age.

Here she fought, expelling her enemies with the flame that served as a secondary purgatory when awakened.

She cleaved, cut, eviscerated her enemies, those of which fought back only to be thrown back down to the ground, showing how truly useless they are in the face of a being that face surpasses them in every way.

Her eyes gleamed red, assimilating the divine being from within her, in which they were synchronized, creating a harmony between the wielder and weapon.

Her charge created a picturesque image of a purifying flame lighting the dark night sky, waltzing through her enemies with a kept disposition, and a calm composure.

Some were grazed by her flame, and that was more than enough to engulf them into oblivion, turning the body into ashes, which is considered lucky, and some of which were burned halfheartedly, made to suffer and endure the flames, then dying with the constant pain.

It was mesmerizing, the amount of screams and deafening yells that filled the land. It was utter chaos upon a once tranquil field.

Having wiped out most of them in a considerably short amount of time, their morale lowers, forcing those remaining to retreat, numbering from four thousand, to a thousand in less than half an hour.

Suddenly, a shout could be heard from someone on the ramparts.

"Over there, more approaching on the north east of our position!"

Evelyn focused her sight upon the army marching forth, carrying their own banner, meaning that they carry weight with their march.

"Follow me. We shall end this with another charge. Just one more!"

She smiled to herself as she saw the flag and its symbol, one that reassured her of one thing.

"We are victorious."

The marching army from the north east trampled their enemies as promised, leaving no one to spare, except their general, who fought directly with the fierce and large framed general of Ryuviel, Gideon.

The dark armored general clashed with the enemy general on horseback, ordering one of his subordinated to lead the charge and to take down the remaining fleeing enemies.

Despite being the leader of a rowdy group of bandits, the enemy general fought bravely, showing his exemplary defense with his blade, somehow blocking each strike Gideon brought towards him.

With one sweeping blow from the side to knock his weapon away.

Gideon finished the duel with an earth shattering roar and a deadly cleave using his massive arm to cut the enemy general apart from his shoulder and body, spilling blood as his collar bone shattered from the weight of his enemy's sword, instantly taking his life.

"Tch, you got blood on my armor, fool. But you fought well."

He muttered silently, offering his condolences to the enemy general for having fought gallantly, not trying to flee from him once they initiated battle.

The bloody battle came to a close, and the only sound that could be heard was the cries of the victorious, raising their weapons up to the dark night sky, where some cried after losing comrades, and some wept in joy for having emerged alive from this battle, even when they thought that this would be their end.

"I thought it was you, old man."

Evelyn came up to the man, greeting him as she usually would.

"Who are you called old man, hag? What happened here? I go out on campaign on your orders, then I come back to this... A scorched battlefield and a battle maiden covered in the blood of her enemies."

"Well, a lot of things happened, and it'll probably take a lot of time to explain."

"Enlighten me. I'm not going anywhere until this is resolved."

Evelyn and Gideon bickered, but deep inside, they got along as brothers and sister, treating each other badly no matter what.

There was no sleep for the people.

Some soldiers desperately needed help and medical assistance, while some needed to be buried.

Ryuviel suffered a large loss due to two battles that caught them off guard.

The relief operations started almost immediately, the civilians that could help reluctantly obliged to aid everyone that they could, preparing meals and beds in which the wounded could rest upon.

Those who acted as reserves inside the town became the perimeter guards, substituting in for the exhausted cavalry and vanguard that were supposed to protect the civilians who aided the effort.

They saw how brutal the battle was, and how the flames of the Zalphion consumed its enemies.

"Man, look at this. I hate to boast about our victory, but this makes me feel sorry for those who attacked us."

"Well, what do you expect? They attack our town, we fight back, and they knew that we had a Zalphion."

Those who saw the aftermath spoke about it, asking their allies what they thought as their minds conflicted about this inevitable act.

-

"What happened here?"

After the chaos died down, and the roaring voices of the victorious army covered the land, many were asked for their assistance.

I had volunteered, not having seen nor experienced what happened, as I was tasked to stay inside in case the enemy enters the town.

As I followed our group that was to guard the borders, I came across the returning army led by Emilia, who had her helmet on, thus I could not see her face when she looked at me, nodding.

Most of the soldiers had worn out breaths, weapons, and armor, while some wore bandages and slings on their arms and various parts of their bodies, covered in blood.

I've seen this before, but it just never gets old. I could feel their emotions seep into me, filing me with mix of fear, dread, relief, and many more.

In that battle, I never took anyone's life, but these men before me are experienced fighters, having participated in many battles. Compared to them, I am nothing.

"Will I be of any use soon?"

I saw their fatigue, their worries, their fears. There was something in me saying that I want to fight for those people, so that they don’t have to worry about anything like losing their lives. But that was a selfish thought it seemed.

War was something they'd rather avoid, yet they could not for they had families to protect and feed. So they depended on those who led them, knowing that it is the only thing they can do in the face of adversity.

Then came the cavalry, and their leader, the Zalphion of Ryuviel, and beside her was a large gallant man wearing dark armor, and had an adamant face as he rode with Evelyn on his dark steed.

They were hailed by the people who stared at them in awe, starting an applause that bathed them and those that fought with words of eternal gratitude.

After finally having made my way to the battlefield, I began surveying the area for any signs of those who still lived or breathed, but to no avail did I find any, nor was there any from the beginning.

I doubt there'd be some if Evelyn used her powers, which I've never seen yet. But, I caught a glimpse of its powers from inside the town, where a pillar of flame shot up the sky, illuminating the surrounding area like an artificial sun.

We were stretched thin, and most of the guard unit was aiding the civilians, even the captain of the platoon I was in became diligent in helping those in need, carrying them back to the palace.

-

"Hmm, it seems that they have failed yet again... What should I do?"

A pale white man shrouded in darkness watches from afar, licking his lips deviously as his eyes dart here and there, looking at the people taking care of the aftermath from above like prey.

"Should we attack now?"

He asks the person behind him, placing its hand on the tree while looking intently at a certain someone that had caught her attention.

"Uhm, are you alright, lord Zalphion?"

"Oh, don't mind me. Someone simply caught my eye."

She shook her head, smiling with a cunning, but enviably beautiful face, paired with her long dark hair with a hint of blue

"Who might that be? A strong warrior perhaps?"

"No, far from that. Yet, he has the potential to become one, and surpass that. Illya and I can see it in his aura."

The maiden wore a silk white dress, and inside was another dress of purple, hiding her voluptuous body and her large bosom that tempted all that saw her. She traced her finger along the curved edge of her large scythe -- that was taller than her by a few inches -- bathed in obsidian and crimson.

"I would like to test him sometime soon."

"If it catches the lord's beautiful lavender colored eyes, then he must be truly special."

The man in front of her fawned the maiden with compliments, not looking tired of it at all, in fact he looked ecstatic as he showered her with all the words she might want to hear, but not from such men.

She then walked away, disappearing into the darkness where it is now occupied by the silence, no trace of anyone to be found.

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-

“Now, tell me what happened. I need to know before I can tell you what I know.”

Gideon sits opposite to Evelyn, both having changed their attires into a regal, clean one, fit for political matters and the like.

She wore a dignified and serious expression as she looks at the serious man demanding answers in his absence.

In truth, he is a part of this town just as much as Evelyn and Emilia for that matter, so he had the right.

“We were attacked by the Zalphion of Linnia a week ago, and I was out by the orders of the king. I was forced to split my troops and leave Ryuviel.”

He does not react, not even changing a single expression on his face. Instead, he listens before voicing his opinions, thinking rationally as his demeanor dictates him to.

“We were able to recover much of the town as you can see, then this happened. We were unprepared, ready to go to bed even. We don’t have information as to who led the attack, since all I’ve heard was that they were bandits.”

Evelyn exhales a sigh as she relaxes on her chair, having finished explaining some of the details to Gideon, who does not look too pleased.

He turns to the one standing beside her superior, carrying a stoic and stern look, but one that falters under Gideon’s, making hers look insignificant.

“So, what do you think, Emilia? Speak up!”

Her body shakes as she is awakened by Gideon’s loud voice.

In this situation, he looked more like the lord of Ryuviel than Evelyn, or rather, a father scolding and lecturing his two daughters for something that had happened while he – the responsible one -- was away.

“It is just as lord Evelyn says. But, we suspected that these were not coincidental attacks. The attack from the Linnian Zalphion happened when we were away, meaning that someone might have leaked this information, or had been found by them.”

Gideon assessed their words, placing his elbow on the armrest of the chair he sat upon, placing his thumb and index finger on his chin, thinking and piecing everything as best as he can.

Evelyn interrupted his thoughts, leaning in closer as she clasps her hands together.

“How about you? Why don’t you tell us what you know while you were away?”

The man grunts, not wanting to shout for having his concentration ruined.

“Rocherforte is making moves, raiding small villages near the border of Barda. Not that the king of Barda can do anything with his vassals fighting for the throne, and a civil war nearing. At this point, we should just let things go their way and cede, but it’s not likely to happen anytime soon.”

“So it’s that bad, huh?”

Evelyn’s face changed to a frown upon hearing the state of north eastern Barda, where the port territory of Legian is.

“Don’t worry about the old man. He handled himself well in defending the villages. He asked you to send him a letter sometimes.”

“Ha, that old man, still worrying about us when he should be worrying about himself.”

Evelyn laughed as she heard about someone she held dear was faring safely in this warn torn land.

But interrupting Evelyn’s reminiscing, Gideon asked his question, still in that sitting position.

“So, I heard from the reports that Ryuviel didn’t fall because of one man. Is this true?”

He wanted to confirm his doubts after having read the reports sent to him about the state of Ryuviel at the time he was getting ready to come back home.

He didn’t believe it at all, and thought of it as their ploy to keep him calm while her was away.

But, seeing as the town he called home still stood, that must mean that they weren’t bluffing.

“Oh yeah, where is he now, Emilia?”

She faced her close friend and general, her expression changing quickly, turning to that of a child reluctant to show off something amazing that she had found and fostered.

“I think I saw him heading outside to join the protectorate.”

She answered concisely, adding nothing less and nothing more, but seem to have harbored an uneasy disposition whenever she is asked about him, as if she remembers a vivid memory from the past, one that she’d rather forget, but can’t.

“Is that so? What should I call him then?”

Gideon knew that he had no name, as was explained in the report.

“I named him Heinrich!”

Evelyn puffed her chest as she announced that, which became a surprise to Emilia, given that she did not know of that. But Gideon simply raised an eyebrow at what he heard.

“Heinrich, eh? That must mean that he’s special if you’re giving him a heroes’ name.”

“He’s been excelling after Emilia and I taught him about the basics.”

“I’ll be the judge of that.”

Gideon laughed to himself, dismissing the fact that he was angered at the attacks that wreaked havoc upon the territory in which he called home.

“But changing subjects, what do you plan on doing now?”

“What do you mean?”

Evelyn asked, feeling that this conversation of theirs is leading to something rather large scale.

“We can’t let this keep on going. We need to find the source, and expel it before it can do harm again.”

“Do you mean Valstidian and Mardun, Gideon?”

The female Zalphion hinted something to his general as her face deviously said something, as if she already had plans to do so when all her generals were assembled.

Valstidian was one of the territories of Barda, and is located to the north west of the royal capital, Ciel.

It is the prestigious territory belonging to house Mardun, their current leader being known as the duke with an iron fist, Joseph Lawrence Mardun.

It is one of the prominent houses because it is named as the largest territory in Barda, and is known to have the largest and strongest army in the country, consisting of seventy thousand active troops.

Many feared going against the noble house not only because they did not want to go against such an enemy, but because they want to stay away from the crossfire between it and another noble house.

The territory of Afalas was located at the south west of the royal capital, Ciel, near the mountains that separated Rocheforte and Barda to the east, and Austrum to its south.

It is also where the rival of Mardun resided, namely Giles Friedrich Lothbrig, another man known of his cunning, held great power within the country, and used it to oppose Mardun’s rise to the throne, wanting the country to himself as well.

Those were the two houses that fought for supremacy in the country, and that no one dared to go against either one. Given that both are in a stalemate.

“Yes, I suspect Mardun to be the cause of all this. After all, the man has riches to spare, and men to send to battle. It won’t matter to him if he loses seven thousand people to ours, rather I think he expected us to win and take casualties, wearing us down with numbers.”

Gideon tried to logically create a connection between the attacks and what he had found out on his journey.

“I don’t think we can defeat them yet.”

Evelyn hesitated, having doubts where her heart is in disarray, unable to decide a clear outcome to all this.

“If you take too much time, then we’ll be wiped out even before we mount an assault.”

“But we have no proof against them.”

“Do you seriously doubt that? There’s already a mountain of evidence to back us up, that and reason. The only thing we need to do is wait, and convince you to fight. After all, seventy thousand is nothing to a Zalphion at its peak.”

Gideon encouraged the distraught Zalphion, knowing that the only way they can even think or talk about taking down one of the strongest noble houses in the country is because they have Evelyn with them.

“Let’s not rush things. We need to plan this out first.”

Emilia interceded, also onboard with Gideon’s suggestion, but is thinking that the time is not right as of now. In her case, it is a mix of both opinions, one that could be agreed upon.

They needed to recover first, including their forces and their people.

“You’re not acting like yourself right now. You’d usually be more professional than I am. I know that the only thing making you like this is because you worry about the people, and we do as well. Take your time, and give us an answer by then.”

Gideon stood up, shifting his gaze on Evelyn’s table seeing the red royal seal on an unopened letter.

“Ignoring the king’s call? I suggest that you go tomorrow. Emilia and I will keep the place in check. You should bring your page with you instead. Should make for a good practice.”

He turned around and left the room, heading towards his quarters, where his bed awaited.

As he walked the empty hallways, he thought about one thing. That unnerving feeling that causes distress and the need for something to be answered, but cannot be at the moment.

“Heinrich, huh? I wonder where this is all headed.”

He smiled, wanting to test this man, someone who is being boasted on by the Zalphion of the country, which is considered an honor, even if Evelyn herself chose that person.

He sighed, imagining the different blunders Evelyn had pulled over the years he had served as her retainer, so his thoughts of this man were slowly becoming corrupted.

His trust in her would only awaken in the direst times, but if not, then he would mess with her, doubting and disregarding most of what she says.

Yet, he harbored no malicious thoughts of his lord, rather he imagined this farce as a gag that’s been going on for a few years now.

But regardless, he trusted her, to an extent.

"M-my lord, I have s-something to report to you."

A large build man turned with a flutter of his royal garb, looking down at the lowly servant from his great height with eyes of scorn. The only word that could describe him was a 'feared goliath'.

The servant quaked in his presence, making his report without the need for his master to speak.

"O-our attack failed, and the town of Ryuviel still stands. H-however, they suffered great casualties, an amount that would hinder their actions quite drastically."

The man took his golden cup, drinking from it, then taking a deep breath in before speaking.

"Very well. Call for my son and leave."

His low voice gave omnipotence a meaning, but his bounds were short, and only measure here, within his territory.

He took a seat on his chair, one that was specifically made to fit his large stature.

He stood in the darkness, the room was illuminated with only a single torch whose flame flickered with each passing minute.

It was filled with archives, books, papers of importance, and mostly all of his possessions.

The man named Joseph Mardun sat in front of a large table where a map of the country sat, marked with various pieces indicating his strategies and other places of interest.

He had marked much of the country itself, but there were few near the territory of Afalas, the home of his rival for the throne, Lothbrig.

"What will you do now, Giles? You are cornered."

The man smiled to himself, placing a piece on the map near Fortesca, where Ryuviel was.

A knock sounded on his wooden door, then followed by a voice higher than his.

“Father, you have requested my presence?”

“Yes. Enter!”

As the door opened, a young man with messy dark hair and a diligent and uncontaminated demeanor entered, wearing an aristocrat’s formal suit, one that indicated a man is of a distinguished position in the hierarchy.

He took a curt bow, showing respect for his father, however ruthless, he is still the one who commanded this house.

“Listen clearly. You are to take and command of ten thousand troops and attack Ciel in two days.”

Clear and concise, those were the words that left his mouth, coming across to him without mistake, yet he could not move himself to believe something like that.

“Father? I beg your pardon, but may you repeat that? I must have heard wrong.”

The man focused his overbearing eyes upon his so, shattering even his pure soul, corrupting it with his.

“You did not hear incorrectly. I will not repeat myself. You are accomplished, so I shall task you with this. Come home in disgrace, then you shall have wished of not coming home.”

He turned around, assessing his strategical board, planning his next moves mentally.

His son, Edward Bartholomew Mardun is an accomplished scholar, one that graduated early from nobility and ascended into being a renowned general, one that served the crown rather well despite being young.

Needless to say his father held a lot of pride in his son’s abilities, and what he is capable of. He took his father’s request in a harsh way, one that confused him over his morals, which were the polar opposite of his father’s.

He was opposed to the usurping of the throne, however, he could not do anything to stop that, for his father’s words were absolute, and that any who disobeyed received a terrible punishment, frequently resulting in death and torture. He thought that he was not an exception to that and his ideals.

After he was made to leave the chambers, left with the silence, and the sight of his father’s back turned to him.

He tried to muster up the courage to speak out and talk with his father, like those days when he had a smile on his face. Now looking at the man in front of him now, it’s too different, but some things do change a man, but cannot be turned back into who they were before that.

Edward left the room, closing the door as softly as possible, as to not disturb his father deep in concentration.

As he left the room with a sigh of relief, he began to lose all rational thought when he remembered the task given to him, and one that he could not fail under any circumstance.

Just then, his father’s attendant, Reginald appeared beside him in the form of an old short man who wore dark robes that covered his hunched over body.

He had often seen this man at his father’s side, serving as his advisor and close attendant, but in truth, he did not know of who he truly was, nor did anyone for that matter.

An aura of dread crept from him, filling those close by with uncertainty, and the need for trust, in which they could find non from this man for he was filled with mystery that could never seem to be unraveled. Edward felt the same, but never shunned him just because of that.

“You seem distressed, my lord. Is something the matter?”

“Oh, it is you, Reginald. Please don’t worry about me. It is nothing of the sort.”

“I happened to pass by and hear the conversation. Forgive me for eavesdropping, but I can help you succeed.”

Reginald smiled from under his robe. His eyes say a completely different story, deceiving the uncorrupted soul with his calculating words of persuasion.

“Do not worry, I forgive you. But in any case, it is not about victory I am worried about. It is of my father, and his intentions. He has changed greatly. I can’t believe he still the same man anymore.”

“Now, now. There will always come a time when one must change in order to provide a better future. It is always necessary for change.”

Reginald turned his back, heading towards the large corridor, chuckling to himself, but hiding it from Edward, who stood silent at Reginald’s remark.

“Come, I will help you in making your father proud. It would do me a great honor to be part of that.”

“What do you mean about that, Reginald?”

“There is nothing that will make your father happy as of now other than your great victory. Now come, I shall show you something truly great. Something that will help you succeed no matter what.”

Without anything else to debate with, he follows the man, mysterious as he may be, he vied for the attention of his father, wanting nothing more than to be noticed by him as his son. A spur of the moment decision.

They arrived at the stables, but not one meant for horses nor was it made with wood or concrete, but it was made with a special type of mineral, one that is able to hold something, meant for keeping something larger.

“What is this?”

Edward hesitated, seeing this for the first time, not too reluctant in entering.

“Do not be afraid, there will nothing be here that can harm you. Inside this place, you are absolute.”

They approached a large room where cages were separated, each one looking to be of different sizes, keeping something in the dark.

“What is this place exactly, and what is my purpose for being here.”

“I shall introduce you to an unkempt power, one that will force your enemies to submit through fear. With these beings, you will be heralded as a man who opposes the great Heinrich’s fame!”

Reginald raises his hands high into the air, laughing hysterically at something beyond those steel bars, holding monstrosities within them.

A loud thundering roar erupts from one of the cages, rattling it with its dark scaly head.

Edward jumps back in surprise, almost falling down, but was able to catch his bearings.

“Is that truly what I think it is?”

“yes, hahaha, it is a fabled black dragon! Part of a race of rare dragons that boasted the greatest amount of power, rivaling the white dragon’s. This is what shall make your father proud!”

Reginald rejoices, staring at the creature, who seems to eye the man down with its red eyes, not being overly aggressive, but opportunistic.

“This dragon will serve you and follow your orders. You are its master. Now, reach out your hand to it, and I shall show you what I truly mean!”

Terrified, never having seen a dragon in his entire life, Edward quakes in fear of the colossal being caged in front of him, whose head is twice his size, maybe even more.

“It shall not harm you. Your words and commands are absolute to this beast!”

Without even thinking about his actions anymore, Edward reaches his trembling hand out to the dragon, who bowed its head, letting it be petted by a mortal man.

“You see now? This monster will lead you to victory. I know that you will succeed and accomplish many great things. Now, fulfill your father’s request, and you shall find what you truly seek in him!”

Reginald retreats from within the shadows, leaving the mortal and the dragon alone, looking at each other. One filled with fear, and the other filled with curiosity.

(Mortal. You are my master. Why? My might has been kept from within, and I am put in shackles. Free me, and I shall grant thee my power.)

“You speak!? How?”

The dragon spoke with a sophisticated accent, one that seemed to understand the ways of a mortal and how it thinks, speaks, and many other things that he read from his master's mind after having formed a slight connection.

(You are my master. I know not how, but I cannot disobey. What do you ask of me, the prideful one, the one named Ator the prideful?)

“You, a great dragon, acknowledge me?”

(I have no choice but to follow. But I have not deemed you worthy of anything. Prove yourself, and I may relinquish my pride and acknowledge you as my true master.)

“Very well, I shall do my best so that you will acknowledge me. Ator, please help me… I need to fulfill my father’s request.”

Edward spoke with a voice drunk on determination, one that rotter with corruption and temptation.

In an effort to finally please his father, he asks the dragon, rather, pleads for its help, straying from his original nature of good will.

It was the beginning of a new day, and the people had just woken up from their restless slumber.

Evelyn had readied her belongings, and is now preparing to go to Ciel under matters of the royal crown.

Except she seems to be missing something.

"Where is that man?"

She placed her hands on her wait, tapping her boots to the ground as she impatiently awaited this man, who was rather late for being her personal servant, or student as she would call it.

She wore her light blue armor with her blue frilled skirt, showing more than she could conceal within some parts of her attire, yet it didn't feel as if she concerned about it at all.

On her waist, sheathed, was her Zalheim, Aryelle, who possessed the flames that purified the battlefield from yesterday.

On this day, she would need to head out to the royal capital at once since she already had neglected the request a week ago, and now she had been scolded by Gideon to take matters into her hands and fulfill her agreement with the king.

Needless to say that she was not irresponsible, but was known to be the one that brought prosperity to the once godforsaken land of Fortesca, and her town, Ryuviel.

It was only because of these matters and some other personal problems, did she become unstable, thus unable to think rationally and properly when the need for her arises.

After waiting for a few minutes, she saw a silhouette in the distance, one that showed a staggering image of someone running with a ragged, pathetic pace.

"About time. Where were you?"

He huffed and puffed, taking short breaths every now and then, trying to pace himself as he was trained, but it was not because of exhaustion that he was running raggedly.

It was because he had woken up late, and forgotten his appointment with her, which she had made abruptly before he could tuck himself into bed.

"Sorry, I woke up late!"

He caught up with Evelyn, who had prepared two energetic horses all saddled up and ready, packed with food for the journey.

He wore a clean white button up shirt paired with his brown leggings and boots.

For protection, he wore a leather chest plate and some for his legs, just enough to guard him from some attacks, but not enough to over encumber him.

With his training, he chose the sword to be his trusted weapon, carrying only as much as is needed for the journey, which he is unprepared for, given that he was unprepared, and that the request was from out of the blue.

His initial response was an upbeat yes, followed by his prize winning smile, one that he might have taken from his master's aloof and reckless grin.

"We need to leave right away. We're already a week late."

She took up the saddle and tested the reins of the horse, who breathed through its nose, its ears moving about with its brown mane.

"Isn't that because you neglected the letter for so long?"

She stopped moving as she heard what her servant had said, her eyes twitching as if trying to hold in her words, which might just come bursting out.

"Don't remind me. Just get on. We need to keep moving."

"But, I don't really know how to ride a horse properly."

"You're a quick learner. You'll get a hang on it along the way."

"How reckless of a teacher are you?"

"One that taught you most of the basics."

She puffed her chest at that declaration, proudly brimming with smiles and her overflowing energy.

His eyes were locked onto her as she smiled, her smile -- that was further enticed by the beauty of her dark silky long hair waving with the wind -- was as captivating as ever, though he thought he'd be used to it by now.

Not to mention that her body is temptation to any man already, and that having a man be your servant might be just plain torture.

"Is there something on my face?"

"Uh-no, nothing, let's go. We might be late."

He hurriedly tried to dismiss the fact that he was caught, and is now trying to get on the saddle, fumbling and failing, but ultimately getting it right for the seventh time.

With his back turned to her, she smiled with a devious face, having seen how his face turned red the moment she caught him looking at her.

She laughed softly as to not be heard by her companion, planning something within the confines of her mind.

She returned to normal as Heinrich successfully scaled the brown steed.

"So how do I make it move?"

Evelyn began explaining the how to on riding horses, riding around him as if to show and explanation, or to boast, which was hard to discern due to her now condescending smile, which masked an eviler intent, one that wanted to embarrass her servant as she found it rather adorable.

With a few mistakes and falling off, he managed to control his ride, staying calm and collected, using his teacher's words as he remembers them.

"Look at you. You're really a fast learner. I thought it'd take you a week to master it."

"I wouldn't be too confident. It feels like he'll send me flying at the smallest mistake."

Heinrich looked at his horse with uncertainty, trying to remain calm despite the many bruises he received from falling and being tossed from the back of his horse.

"Don't sweat it too much. You're doing fine. I'll meet you at the outskirts, better hurry up!"

Like an untamed entity of the wild, she storms off the town gates her frame and her horse's disappear within a few seconds.

From behind him, he hears a sound of boots making a thud on the ground, as if running towards his direction from the sounds of it.

"My lord, wait! Evelyn!"

Turning around, he found Emilia running towardswhere Evelyn was, clutching something on her bosom, jiggling temptingly with her battle gear of a light blue armor, slightly the same with Evelyn, but with variations, forcing him to avert his gaze, feeling something hot on his cheeks, mainly his head.

Emilia makes it to Heinrich's side, panting, looking down at the ground as if having failed at something.

"E-Emilia! Good morning!"

Despite having seen that brief moment of wonder, he greeted her with a smile, in which she returned a stern nod that says 'likewise'.

"Is there something you need from Evelyn?"

"She forgot her packed meal. You are going with her, correct?"

"Yes. I can bring it with me and give it to her when I catch up, if you'll allow me."

Emilia looks down, doubting his abilities, but knowing that he can do it.

"If you would, please."

She gives it to him, her expression not changing at all.

"All right, I'll be on my way now. See you Emilia!"

He tries to pull the reins once more, but this time, the horse neighs uncontrollably, but becomeing stable as if to save face for his rider, who is desperately trying to look professional in front of a girl.

He pets his horse calming before he could move.

"I'll bring you something back from Ciel!"

He gallops away trying his best to maintain control of his horse, gritting his teeth.

Heinrich said that, knowing that she wanted to accompany Evelyn, her lord, but was unable to due to her duties in guarding the, once more, recovering town of Ryuviel.

She felt nothing special in his words, looking at him from a distance with distrust, and her unrelenting stern face.

“You’re just like every other man out there, it seems. All only vying for lust and temptation.”

She mutters something from under her breath, her face looking grim as she says that. Then turning back to leave for the palace.