Guards, soldiers, nobles, palace staff and many others are present as prince Gram trains in hand to hand combat against general Marduk, a man largely built fitting his full beard and his rough demeanor. 

The time to instruct has come, and the general is prepared. "I shall teach you first and foremost on how to take down an opponent. You seem to be well versed in basic hand to hand combat after all."

Behind general Marduk lies a row of guards with various bruises, some are knocked out while some are reeling from the blows that  they took requiring them to receive medical attention after basic hand to hand combat against the 11 year old prince Gram. 

"You seem to be experienced for someone wanting to be taught. But you have clear flaws in your battle tactics. You go all out in every fight, be it a single enemy or in groups. It gets the job done, but what happens when you're out of breath and unable to fight back?"

"We shall refine that, but first I shall redeem my reputation. You seem well versed now. I'd like to request a duel against you young prince. Do you accept?" 

Gram grins in excitement followed by a soft chuckle. "Interesting. You seem to have let go of the fact that I am no mere child. I shall accept then. If you hold back you might just be out of commission for the rest of your career. Just a friendly reminder."

They get into position. General Marduk prepped and ready, taking off his top, displaying his well built body. To intimidate? Unfortunately it does not faze Gram one bit. 

King Lazarus head to the barracks hearing about the commotion. Curious, he takes a look. To his surprise it is prince gram who seems to be facing off against one of his generals. "Wha-what is the meaning of this?"

The young prince notices King Lazarus now in attendance. "Oh well if it isn't the esteemed King. Thank you making it here." He faces general Marduk, intimidating him. "Well general it seems that the king is here. Better not disappoint then."

"Don't get too cocky. You might be a prince who has a witty mouth, but that's all you'll be after this." 

"Feisty. Good. Now I'm ready. Let us Start!"

For a second the entire barrack plaza is silent. Everyone watches intently as they square off under the scorching heat of the early morning sun. The soil is dry and fresh. The refreshing wind wafts through the air. Inhale... Exhale... He tries to mask his smile for excitement, but is unable to hide it. 

Prince Gram shouts to signal the duel to begin. The general breaks off into a sprint, not hesitating on taking down prince gram to teach him some manners. 

Gram stands there with a fighting stance. He does not move, planning out his course of action. Marduk closes in on him, his arms are up, covering his face. He move in close to uppercut the Prince standing in front of him. He can do it!... Or so it seems.

The crowd becomes nervous as it looks like the general might land a blow on the treasured prince. The women cover their eyes while the medics stand ready in case of an emergency. 

The child becomes agile using all of his strength to jump backwards with his right leg, putting all weight on his body. He retreats a good distance, but the general become relentless, rushing him right away, moving left and right, his arms still up defensively. 

Gram enters Marduk's circle of attack, baiting him into a fast right hand jab on reflex. Marduk bites on the bait, Gram moves to Marduk's side delivering 3 sharp jabs to his right rib cage in the same location in a split second. Gram retreats a fair distance once again, taunting Marduk who's trying to figure out what had just happened to him. 

He feels nothing, but Gram promised that he wouldn't hold back. Or is just because his build is too much for the young prince to break through. He tries to intimidate the young prince. "We'll young prince it seems that's you've underestimated me. Your attack made no effect on me whatsoever. After all that talk, all bark but no bite? ha-ha-ha."

Instead of becoming intimidated or aggravated the prince grins instead. Gram thinks to himself.

What a fool. I thought you to be a great general, but it seems that your ego has gotten ahead of you. Just keep laughing while you can for it might be the last laugh you will ever make in your life. 

Gram slowly approaches Marduk. The general becomes impatient, attacking once again with great brutality, but again falling into the cunning prince's trap. 

He closes in on him, they are inches away from each other. Gram strafes his upper body dodging Marduk's right straight jab. Gram delivers a swift left swing onto the same spot as before then retreating once again. 

Marduk tries to follow him, but falls to his knee. The right side of his chest begins to hurt, his body feels slightly numb. He looks forward, trying to find prince Gram but is unable to. He looks to his right... Nothing. He looks to his left and there he sees Gram rushing him with his right arm ready to strike. Unable to move despite his best efforts, he tries to stand as best he could. 

"The moment you noticed what I've been planning is the moment that you lost the duel." Gram closes in on Marduk who's face looks up on him. He smashes his fist into the general's face using the momentum that he's built up from his rush, also turning his body improving the strength of the punch. 

The general is blown back as the 11 year olds bare first smashes square into his face. He is knocked back, crashing on the ground unconscious. 

The young prince dusts himself off. Clenching his bloody knuckles. The blood comes from Marduk's face. The crowd stays silent as they are surprised to see the outcome of the battle. 

Gram approaches the stand taking a towel to wipe himself down with. "Don't worry about him. I just broke a rib bone, but I suggest that you give him medical care before it swells up. Idun leaves located west of here is the best type of medicine to mend those bruises. The recovery will depend on his cooperation. Now get to it if you don't want to lose a general."

He exits the scene his next agenda is a rest in his room. He leaves the people gathered in the barracks speechless. The king regains his senses. "H-hurry and give general Marduk medical attention at once! And you men, no slacking off. Continue your training. The rest of you, back to work now."

The people scurry off to their own individual agendas as general Marduk lies on the ground, unconscious and being treated. Some are still wondering on how a kid was able to trade down someone who was 3 times his size. They instead take this as a reason to train harder, boosting the soldiers's morale.

The day passes instantly as another eventful day for Gram. Is it enough for him? Has it sated his hunger for excitement and growth? He thinks to himself as he lies on his bed. He can do anything as long as he puts his mind into it, but what else? In his mind comes a flash of memories. 

Find your brother... You two share a terrible fate that you cannot avoid. Fulfill the demands of the future. I have seen what is to happen in the far reaches of time. It is Beyond my power to stop fate, but shouldn't we fulfill it instead. It pains me, but we have no other choice.

"Why father? Why must we be puppets dangling upon the strings of fate. I shall defy this request of yours. I shall change the future myself. It doesn't have to end like that. I'll make sure to change everything... I shall find you brother, and together we shall challenge the puppeteer called 'fate' and we shall be triumphant."

He puts his hand out forward, plans open into the ceiling. He clenches it into a fist, grasping the air. 

The chirping of the birds and the soothing blow of air calms him, and he closes his eyes, falling into a deep slumber.

A week passes and everyday waking day Gram strives to become stronger and stronger. He exceeds King Lazarus's top generals in the blink of an eye, but rumors say that he lost to general Luke Galehearth in every challenge Gram requested. 

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Dubbed as a prodigy to many. He would sometimes walk around the city helping people he comes across, aware of the fact that he is the prince successor of the throne. He made an adjustment to the taxation system of the kingdom, and the result became plentiful. The people relieved their fair share and the kingdom received equal to that, creating a utopia like system. 

He revised a new rotation to the guards, and within a few days the apparent crime growing rampant inside Atlas-Azure became less than a mere whisper in the wind, never spoken about again for it became non existent. 

He made a special adjustment that became popular to those who wanted to become known. The first ever 'heroes guild'. A place where great names would soon arise from. People who wanted to become stronger without becoming a soldier are eligible to become members. under the supervision of prince gram, it would ensure that the heroes guild would flourish.

Regulations of goods, building improvements, repairs from the battle against Vasantria, structure erecting, creating more work that any person would be satisfied with. You name it. He made the biggest difference to the kingdoms overall improvement in just a few days. The entire palace was surprised, but grew to accept it. 

The people grew to like him. A great King in the making as King Arthur once was, some might say, but maybe even greater. The title King was suitable for him even though he is a mere 11 year old child. 

2 weeks passed during these events that had happened. The other kingdoms grew jealous of how Ardrasthrur advanced. They tried to copy its techniques, but failed miserably. 

Because of this, rumors started going around that the other kingdoms are trying to find alliances to takeover Ardrasthrur. 

Prince gram is the center of attention as he stands in front of the general's, discussing the apple rent rumors surrounding the alliances. They listen intently to a him. Some who would look at it from an outsider's angle would be confused to see grown men with serious expressions, listening to a child wearing normal civilian clothes rather than the standard royal clothing.

Gram leans on the conference table. Only half his body can be seen as he is short on height, but he is the biggest presence nonetheless. 

The grand conference room. A room where all great decisions concerning the kingdom are discussed. Mostly about war strategies and anything concerning war with the kingdom. 

He mumbles to himself as he thinks. "7 kingdoms, 1 country. The 3 main kingdoms competing in the frontier are us, Ardrasthrur, Vasantria and Rodovierre. The rest is irrelevant for now in this discussion."

He faces the generals, tapping on the table to catch their attention. King Lazarus sits on the throne to oversee the discussion and will intervene when he deems it necessary. The decision will be up to him, not gram for he is only a prince. The authority is for the king.

You would be surprised on how he speaks to people older than him. It's as if he's not a child, but a man's consciousness inside a child's body. 

Gram catches the generals attention and they all now face him. He speaks. "This is a discussion about a counterattack against Vasantria proposed by a handful of generals who's identities I shall not reveal. I am merely here to arbitrate and aid you with your decision making. Speak whoever wishes to suggest something for the plan."

The generals all suggest their plans, and debates are waged here and there where some oppose a plan and the others agree on some. Chaos ensues as the discussions are being held, and this goes on for a good 20 minutes. 

Gram silences them all. "I've heard of all your plans through your discussion and debates with one another. Each plan has its individual strengths and flaws, but the flaws have great risks. I disapprove of all of them."

An uproar begins to erupt as they hear Grams rejection. "Preposterous! The plan I suggested is surely ingenious." 

"Have I taught you all nothing? You become irrational once you realize that you receive nothing in your dedication. That is how weak people think. Do not take what I said to heart. I will merely suggest a better plan of action. Listen to it, then decide whether you should implement it or not."

The room goes silent. The king looks quite satisfied with how Gram handled the fuss as he sits on the throne with a proud grin on his face.

"I propose that we split everything. I know your doubts very well. You feel that if you initiate an attack then you are inviting other kingdoms to attack you with a higher chance of succeeding. I have a countermeasure prepared for that." Grams takes a wooden pointer stick and turns his attention to the map of the country posted on the large table. 

"This will require great timing and precision, but if we train our horsemen with the timing, then there will be little to no bloodshed at all. I will need two generals to command the fastest horsemen in our lands for each kingdom. My plan is a scare tactic upon every kingdom in our country."

"The plan is to send a general with a well known banner pertaining to a certain kingdom. If one general here has a reputation of being feared in a certain kingdom, then its effectiveness with be higher. The 2 general's that I suggested were just in case they retaliate."

"For this to work. We will need to send the 'terror generals' as we attack Vasantria so that each one won't have a chance to plan a counterattack since they are all being attacked. 

If one kingdom allied with another kingdom questions if it being attacked, then i predict that they will say the same thing as the other. 50/50 chance that we take Vasantrias capital in our attack. Only if what I've heard about Vasantrias corruption going rampant is true."

Gram retreats to his original position. "Well then. Any objections?" 

The generals all look at each other, searching for someone who can find a flaw in the plan, but they see no one. One general steps up. "We are in favor of your plan." He faces King Lazarus. "My lord. What do you think about prince Gram's proposal?"

"Implement it at once! Gram will oversee the deployment and division of men himself for he will be joining us in the assault on Vasantria. There he will fight his first real war. Now if that is all. I dismiss you all!"

The generals all clear out and only Gram and King Lazarus remain. King Lazarus asks Gram. "What happens when it all goes badly?"

"I have a countermeasure for that as well, and another counter measure if my countermeasure fails. Rest assured that the only way we will lose is that if some great general intervenes, but I doubt that Vasantria has someone like that considering how corrupt the are currently."

3 weeks pass after all these events happen. Another week passes and Ardrasthrur has prepared for this day to come. The plan ready to be initiated at any moment. The army, all ready to march. 

A great army made up of 50,000 men. 25,000 footmen, 10,000 Bowmen and 15,000 horsemen forms up on the Great Plains of Ardrasthrur, some carrying the banner of the kingdom. 

The 'terror generals' bring with them 5,000 horsemen for the plan. In the midst of the wide array of soldiers there sits prince Gram upon a well armored horse. He wears an imposing gold armor, his sword raised to call upon his army. King Lazarus is beside him wearing his own battle armor. 

The army marches under the darkness of the night. They shall arrive to their destination at the peak of morning, ready to clash. 

Horns begin to sound as prince Gram brings down his sword. "Ardrasthrur, We march to Vasantria!"

They depart. A great battle is nearing, but most importantly. Where is Fafnir and how does he fare as all these events transpire?

Fate sets the stage. The cast of his play come one by one. What does he have in store for us?