Chapter 2 - Two Years Earlier

House Mercury had stood as an enduring pillar of the academy's history, a house ingrained in its very soul for centuries. Through the changing tides of time, their culture thrived, unyielding. It was a place where the legends of the past met the heroes and heroines of the present, destined to carve their names into the annals of the solar system.

Through revolts and wars, House Mercury had been unwavering, serving their emperor with distinction and pride. Their glory had resonated far and wide, as the planets of the Deacon System offered climates similar to Earth, transitioning from the warmth of summer to the encroaching chill of fall, both under the sun's gaze and the enigmatic cloak of night.

The heart of House Mercury, their main house, had withstood centuries, its architecture reflecting the passage of time while retaining a core design that carried the weight of tradition. It was a vast structure, an interconnected series of buildings resembling an expansive apartment complex, its red brick façade punctuated by numerous windows offering glimpses into the lives of the house's inhabitants.

Yet, one window loomed larger and taller than the rest, more akin to a tower than a mere dorm room. It was from here that Zephyr, the president of House Mercury, surveyed the scene within.

"Is she almost here?" Zephyr inquired, his gaze wandering from the room to the individuals gathered around him.

Two distinct reactions met his question—a scoff and a sigh, each originating from a different source, and each, Zephyr noted, revealing the respondents.

"Margaret," he called out to the pair.

Piper was the one to scoff, her wild orange hair cascading in unruly locks that reached down to the juncture of her neck and back. She clutched herself tightly, her blue eyes fixed in a fierce glare as one leg crossed over the other, a display of impatience.

Margaret, on the other hand, exhaled a weary sigh, less annoyance and more the fatigue of one worn down by anticipation. Her long black hair was pulled back into a ponytail, draping gracefully over her chest. Her skin, pale and cold like a porcelain doll's, contrasted Piper's warmer ivory complexion.

Both were petite, Margaret slightly taller than Piper, and freckles adorned their features, scattering across their chest and shoulders, though their identical uniforms concealed these subtle variations. These uniforms were in the colors of their house, the colors of Mercury.

They donned jumpsuits reminiscent of old astronauts, the harmonious blend of orange and yellow hues reflecting the spirit of their house. Pockets adorned their coats and pants, and black military boots encased their feet. But a single detail set the three apart: a patch worn proudly on their right shoulders.

They all wore patches, crudely sewn into their uniforms. Piper's patch bore an eagle descending upon the moons nestled among the rings of Mercury. Melissa's patch featured something similar, but with a significant change: the eagle morphed into a mechanical cog, entwined within the rings of the planet. Zephyr's patch was distinctive, a lone figure hovering over the planet. The pilot, the mechanic, the leader—each of them brought together to confront impending threats.

"Did you really need us all here?" Piper quipped, skepticism lacing her words.

"Take it easy, Piper," Zephyr dismissed her concern with a casual wave of his hand. He left the window and moved to his desk, pulling out the chair and taking a seat. Piper and Margaret turned to face him.

Zephyr lingered in his chair for a moment, his gaze returning to the window, which was perilously close to his desk, almost as if it were about to swallow the furniture. Through the glass, he could see the sun descending over the academy, casting its warm glow over the mountains of the world on which they found themselves.

Settling into the plush red chair behind his desk, he ran his fingers along the real wood surface. The entire room was furnished with genuine wood, from the table and the chair to the flooring. The lights were dimmed, offering a toasty atmosphere with a fireplace attached to the right wall.

Margaret and Piper observed him in silence. His fingers tapped rhythmically on the wooden desk, and his deep brown eyes measured the pair.

Finally, Zephyr spoke, his voice deliberate. "Yes, I did." The weight of his words hung in the room, permeating the air. Though Piper scoffed softly, her annoyance felt more subdued this time.

Piper queried, "What do you need both me and Margaret here for?"

Zephyr shrugged nonchalantly. "I imagined this was going to get a bit...complicated."

"A bit complicated?" Margaret repeated, her voice now tinged with exasperation. "Stella, the president of House Neptune, is pacing toward our halls as we speak, followed by her champion, Zephyr."

Her words carried a frigid chill, but Zephyr responded with a smirk that seemed to irk her more than she initially realized. "Let them come," he declared with a flick of his wrist.

Piper didn't hide her concern. "You're not worried? You basically gave them a blank check to bring all their firepower and muscle."

Now Margaret joined in with her own dose of sarcasm. "Yeah, how generous of you, letting them bring their full arsenal into our house."

Zephyr waved off their worries once again. "...and they only brought their president and Logan."

Piper and Margaret shared a questioning look. "You're really not worried?" Margaret inquired, her voice laced with disbelief.

"If I was worried, our people would've had it under control," Zephyr stated with an air of confidence.

Piper chuckled at his response. "You really think our guys could handle Logan?" she quipped.

Zephyr grinned. "With enough of our people... we can take on anyone."

A moment of silence settled in the room as both Melissa and Piper turned their attention back to Zephyr. He brushed it off and shifted his gaze to Margaret. "Did you do what I asked before coming here?"

Margaret nodded. "Every door is closed and locked," she responded with a resigned sigh. "I don't know how you plan to get out of this one, Zephyr."

Zephyr shook his head. "We've been through worse. Having everyone lock their doors for a couple of hours won't do much."

Piper scoffed. "It will if some of them are stuck in dorms without power, running water, or even bathrooms, forced to share a two-person room with six others."

Zephyr shrugged. "We all had to go through it, Piper," he said, casting a meaningful glance at the two girls. "We all had to endure it. This will pass, but to forewarn..."

Piper rolled her eyes. "You already know the pilots won't be happy about this."

Zephyr turned to her, a note of frustration in his voice. "Spoiled brats."

"Hey," Piper shot back, her tone sharpening at Zephyr's comment. "Try telling everyone to stay in their rooms when some of them have to endure dorms without power or bathrooms. You're asking us to support this?"

Margaret nodded in agreement. She turned to Zephyr and said, "You know how you live, Zephyr. It's easy for you, and it's easier for me and Piper. But for some of our senior mechanics, they'll be forced to share rooms with freshmen. We need a better solution to bridge the gap."

Zephyr leaned back in his seat, sighing. "Look, this is all we can do for now. They can keep their doors closed for a few hours."

Margaret hesitated but eventually nodded in agreement. "Fine. But why is Stella even here? What's going on?"

Zephyr's silence was unsettling. Piper repeated his name, her voice tense. "Zephyr, what happened?"

"Remember Simon?" Zephyr finally spoke.

"Simon?" Margaret repeated, looking puzzled. "I can't say that I do."

Piper stood abruptly, her eyes wide and alert, focusing intensely on Zephyr. "You can't be serious," she began, directing her words at Margaret, but her gaze remained fixed on Zephyr. "He was one of my people. He left a few days ago for a different..."

Piper fell strangely quiet. Her eyes widened, and she fixed Zephyr with a piercing glare. "You didn't," she uttered, the words laden with a potent mixture of anger and menace.

Margaret was caught in the tension between the two. Her black hair spilled over her face as she tried to make sense of the escalating situation. "Piper, what's going on?"

Piper's eyes grew wider, her temper flaring. With a sudden burst of energy, she pushed her chair back, sending it clattering across the floor. She stormed toward Zephyr's desk, her gaze locked onto his. "You didn't," she repeated, her voice trembling with fury.

"I did what I had to do," Zephyr replied, his tone deceptively composed.

"You heartless bastard!" Piper shouted, pointing an accusatory finger at him. "I wrote his transfer papers for Neptune."

This revelation drew a chuckle from Zephyr. "What's so funny?" Piper snapped, her anger unabated.

But Zephyr waved her off. "And you didn't discuss this with me?"

Piper's blood ran cold, and her eyes darted between anger and confusion. She wrapped her arms tightly around herself. "I didn't think I needed your permission for a transfer."

Zephyr scoffed, leaning back in his chair and pointing at Piper. "Don't you understand how we operate?" He extended his hand, forming it into a clenched fist that quivered. "We are House Mercury, an unbreakable fist. But to remain strong, we need numbers."

Piper shook her head. "Even if they're just average?" She scoffed. "I found us a recruit as good, if not slightly better than Simon because he's from Neptune."

Zephyr leaned forward, his smirk intact. "You want me to be pleased? If you truly wanted my approval, you could've traded Simon for two new recruits."

Margaret interjected with a hint of skepticism. "Is it all about manpower to you, Zephyr?"

Zephyr nodded, his eyes locked on Piper. Her look of disdain bore into him, her lips trembling with pent-up irritation.

Piper jerked her head back and let out a laugh, the sound more bitter than amused. "You're a damn fool, Zephyr," she spat, raising her fist and extending her fingers in quick succession, as if each raised finger was a punch aimed at him. "There are hardly enough beds or rooms to go around, the lower floor bathrooms are useless, and I've been hearing reports that some boys have taken to using the girls' bathrooms. Don't get me started on our mech situation."

Zephyr's smirk remained as Piper continued her tirade. "There's a severe shortage of mechs, and the parts we need to repair them are even scarcer," Piper declared.

She paused, pressing her fingers to her temple, and her voice softened. "Zephyr, what are you thinking?" She inquired, her frustration barely contained.

Zephyr rose slowly from his seat, his eyes locked on the two girls. He let out a heavy sigh before he spoke. "Have you lost all faith in me?" he questioned, the weariness of his voice permeating the room.

Piper's eyes widened at his words. Her lips quivered as anger flared in her gaze, but she held her tongue when Margaret chimed in. "Never," Margaret declared, her tone laced with loyalty. "But you can't keep us in the dark, Zephyr. We're your division leaders, and you've left us in the dark about why Stella and Logan from Neptune are coming here."

"You can't blame us for having questions," added Piper.

Zephyr nodded, acknowledging their concerns. "Alright, fine," he conceded with a dismissive wave. "Stella and Logan are coming because of what I believe happened with Simon and his girlfriend, or more specifically, Simon's girlfriend."

"What happened with them?" Margaret inquired.

A bead of sweat rolled down Zephyr's temple as he hesitated. His hand instinctively went to the back of his neck, and he avoided direct eye contact. "What happened, Zephyr?" Piper pressed, her annoyance flaring again.

"Clive and his gang spotted her," Zephyr uttered softly. He strode over to his desk and retrieved a bottle of ale he kept for moments like these. As the bottle thudded on the desk, he noticed the two girls with open mouths, their stares of shock locked onto him. He popped open the bottle and poured himself a drink.

"Clive!" Piper exclaimed, her voice thundering as she lashed out at the desk. Her palms slapped against the wood. "You fool!" she snapped.

"Careful, Piper," Zephyr retorted with a cold, calculated tone. "We may be friends who've known each other for years, but I am Zephyr, the president of House Mercury. Don't forget that."

"You speak highly of yourself," Margaret snarked. "Even though your position was granted by those who surround you. You still don't heed the advice of those who care for both you and this house you hold dear."

Piper looked at Zephyr with concern. "What did Clive tell you?"

Zephyr let out a weary sigh. "He told me that he and his gang were out drinking or whatever they do. They saw her walking back from class, and they..."

"Jesus Christ," Melissa interjected, rising to her feet. "Did they..."

"They didn't rape her, if that's what you're asking," Zephyr clarified.

"Christ, Zephyr," Piper exclaimed. "That's beside the point."

Zephyr turned toward her, his voice gaining an unexpected intensity. "You understand the price of leaving Mercury."

Piper's words erupted in a shout. "Logan left because I approved it!" she screamed back at him.

"...and that's not the primary issue here," Melissa chimed in, redirecting their attention. "Logan's girlfriend had no part in this. She's a true descendant of Neptune, isn't she?"

Zephyr sighed, and his sigh said more than words ever could.

A rare smile played on Melissa's lips. "So that's why the president of Neptune is coming with her champion," she mused, taking a determined step forward. "Clive's really done us in."

The weight of her words hung heavily in the air, and Piper clutched her head with both hands. "We'll have to hand over Clive," she declared.

Zephyr's fist came down hard on the desk, causing both girls to startle at the sound. They snapped their attention back to him.

Zephyr raised a finger. "Clive is a loyal son of Mercury. True, he may act..."

"Monstrous and nearly psychopathic," Margaret interjected, her sarcasm evident.

Zephyr shot her a warning glance and continued. "He's a formidable warrior, a true son of the planet. He craves a challenge."

"Some challenge," Piper remarked. "A challenge that led Clive to beat a girl half his size. Such a big, proud man," she sneered, her smirk revealing her scorn.

Zephyr sighed. "I've already imposed a punishment on Clive," he explained, gesturing toward the empty chairs. "That's why he's not sitting with you now."

Piper inquired, "Where is he?"

"Out on a mission with the rest of his group. I've sent him and his crew to the far reaches for a more demanding mission along the rims. They won't be back for a while."

Melissa and Piper both breathed sighs of relief, but Piper couldn't help but confront Zephyr. "So, we're dealing with all this... and he's not even here to face the consequences."

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

Melissa scoffed. "You're protecting him."

Zephyr turned back to them, took a sip of his drink, and savored the fiery sensation on his tongue and lips. "Things are going to change this year," he declared, drawing the full attention of the girls.

"What do you mean?" Piper asked.

Zephyr looked at her, raising his fist and dropping a finger with each word he spoke. "This year, I plan to fortify our house. Manpower, comfort, weaponry, mechs—everything. I believe we can strengthen House Mercury."

Melissa and Piper exchanged glances, one of curiosity and the other, suspicion. "How so?" Melissa inquired, drawing everyone's attention. "What makes this year different? What has changed?"

"First off... Clive," Zephyr began, and he anticipated their groans of annoyance, but he dismissed them. "I know you two don't like him, but Clive serves a purpose."

"Doesn't every tool have a purpose?" Margaret interjected.

Zephyr shook his head. "This one does." He extended his hand behind him, and the girls' eyes followed, gazing out of the window into the endless cosmic abyss. "Clive may be a beast, but in this power struggle, he's a valuable asset. Since he arrived, he's been a fierce warrior and pilot, leading countless successful missions into the depths, bringing back treasures and knowledge. Everything you see around us, the reason our lives aren't in shambles, it's due to this."

He paused, gesturing around him. "Listen, this is a challenging time with the new arrivals looming, but we can't just discard someone who's trained and capable of handling level five missions." His gaze sharpened on Margaret. "Come on, Margo," he said softly, and she felt a moment of weariness but strengthened her resolve. "Remember how hard it was for us in the beginning. We can utilize his skills to achieve our goals. He's eager and willing to take our house's banner to the stars. He's willing to—"

"Harm, kill, steal," Piper interjected, her voice dripping with acidic disdain as she confronted Zephyr. "Quit sugarcoating the kind of man Clive is. You know perfectly well why you keep him around."

Margaret sighed. "Zephyr," she spoke softly, her eyes locked onto his. "You're very focused on what a person brings to the table, but not on the nature of their soul. You're too afraid to let go of these broken or dangerous individuals who do more harm than good."

A heavy silence settled in, and Zephyr offered a smirk. "Thanks for your advice," he retorted. "But I know what I'm doing."

With those parting words, the trio was on the verge of responding, but they heard a knock at Zephyr's office door. They exchanged knowing looks, recognizing who had arrived.

Zephyr turned to them with a purposeful gaze, and their previous arguments quickly faded. Piper's annoyance, Melissa's skepticism, and Zephyr's warmth were replaced with an icy chill. Their adversaries had arrived, and there was no time for discord.

The envoys of the ocean planet sought them, and they had come with demands. Zephyr pressed a button on his desk and spoke into it. "Let them in," he commanded, and within moments, the door swung open.

Piper observed Rahiel, the vigilant guardian stationed by Zephyr's door, as he watched them with a firm grip on his rifle and clad in rugged protective gear. Following them, Logan and Stella entered the room, and the door snapped shut behind them.

An uneasy silence settled over the five occupants. Stella and Logan, the Neptune intruders, had arrived. Piper's gaze shifted to their forms, taking note of Logan in his full battle armor, the metal of his power suit gleaming, and the trident firmly gripped in his right hand. But it was their composure that seized her attention. Logan exuded confidence, and his power-armored boots creaked ominously on the wooden floor, far more pronounced than Stella's delicate steps.

Stella, with her long black hair, donned a deep blue pilot uniform. Every cuff meticulously arranged, and each crease and seam painstakingly ironed, all framed by her cold blue eyes. They both wore the unmistakable blue of Neptune.

"Stella... Logan," Zephyr greeted them, resettling behind his desk.

Logan approached the table, his gaze briefly scanning Piper and Margaret, then fixing on Stella. Meanwhile, Stella neared his desk, her arms wrapped tightly around herself, her eyes piercing as she gazed down at him.

But it was Logan who broke the silence. "Clive isn't here," he declared.

"Indeed," Zephyr responded. "Clive left on a mission quite some time ago."

Stella's laugh, forced and ironic, echoed through the room. "Really?" She questioned, her gaze shifting away from Zephyr to focus on the girls by his side, the weight of her scrutiny palpable. "You understand the difficulties we'll face with the incoming students, I assume. The need to cover expenses for food, necessities, and utilities, and the most efficient way to do that is..."

"Yes, yes, I'm aware," Stella's interruption cut Zephyr short. "But you sent out Clive on a mission just hours ago, when he and a few members from your house attacked one of my female members."

Zephyr fell into silence. His hand moved to his chin, and he turned to Logan and Stella. "What's all this about?" he inquired, his finger pointing toward Logan. "Why is your champion armed and prepared for battle?" A forced chuckle escaped him, even more strained than he had realized. "Let's have a conversation..."

"I believe it's far too late for a conversation in light of what has occurred," Stella remarked.

Zephyr nodded in agreement, but he felt a slow trickle of sweat along the side of his face. "It seems like you're protecting him," Logan suggested, taking a seat on the bed's edge. "Seems like you've sent him on a lengthy mission to keep him occupied until this blows over."

Stella's smirk returned as she turned back to Zephyr. "Zep, you know what I detest most in this world?" She inquired.

Zephyr met Stella's defiance with a casual shrug. "How about you enlighten me," he suggested, placing the bottle on the table and beginning to pour drinks. "How about you enlighten me, but over a drink."

Logan's eyes widened, forming an intriguing 'o' at the proposition. "I wouldn't mind a drink," he said, raising a hand to signal his agreement.

Stella, however, promptly shot him down. "You will do no such thing," she asserted.

Logan sighed heavily and dismissed the idea with a wave of his free hand. Although the gesture was subtle, everyone in the room caught it. Zephyr's thoughts held a faint trace of a smirk at Logan's reaction. "Something for later," he whispered under his breath.

All eyes remained locked on Zephyr, but there was one person in the room who differed in her approach. Piper asked, "Is Simon and his girlfriend okay?"

Stella scoffed in response. "How would you feel if you got attacked in the middle of the night by a gang of boys?" She clicked her tongue and shook her head. "Zephyr, give us Clive, now."

Zephyr shrugged his shoulders. "Stella, he's on a mission deep in the core. You know how challenging it is to reach people out there..."

"Try it," Logan interjected.

Zephyr scoffed and attempted to brush it off. "What do you intend to do?"

"Administer justice," Stella declared, gesturing around the room. "I'm not going to let the academy, especially as new students are about to arrive in the coming hours, perceive us as weak just because when a house struck us, we didn't take action."

Margaret's eyes widened at Stella's words. Her gaze settled on a particular chair, and she scowled at the spot. Clive, the rascal, had caused them countless problems before, and now he was gone, leaving them to face the consequences of his actions.

Zephyr mused aloud, "What would hypothetically happen if I didn't give you Clive..." He paused and gestured around them. "What could Mercury House offer Neptune House to make amends for this transgression? Trust me, I sympathize."

Logan chuckled. "Your sympathy means nothing, Zephyr."

"I'm actually being quite generous considering you poached one of my teammates," Zephyr retorted.

Stella winced. "You have the audacity to talk about poaching teammates, roster-stealer," she fired back at Zephyr. However, a heavy sigh escaped her. She leveled her gaze at him. "Enough of this," she commanded, sweeping her hand around the room once more. "Give us Clive, and this is the last time I will ask you."

"...and what if I don't?" Zephyr dared, his tone unwavering.

Stella's countenance darkened, her features etched in steel. She leaned forward, resting both hands on the desk, and her gaze pierced deep into his eyes. "You want war?" she challenged.

Piper and Margaret watched in disbelief. Their eyes darted to Logan, catching the sharpness of his words, but it was the frigid acceptance that sent shivers down their spines.

"Are you willing to go to war with Mercury?" Zephyr parroted her question, his own eyes narrowing as he saw something. A subtle flicker of wavering resolve, and he knew he had her. He rose from his seat, now towering over Stella, and he had her right where he wanted. "You think you can win a war against us?" he asked, surveying the room. Logan's frozen expression caught his attention. He wondered if their champion had drawn blood—a useful leverage.

Logan sneered, his voice laced with sarcasm. "We've heard tales of House Mercury. Rumors that you're doing some strange things to your house to cope with your bloated roster. I wonder how many of your members are any good."

Zephyr quipped back, a mischievous glint in his eye. "Funny, I've heard things about you, Logan of Neptune. Strange things with your housemates, especially the men."

Logan's eyes widened in fury, his grip on the trident tightening. He pushed off the table he had leaned against. "You have something to say, say it!"

Piper and Margaret were ready to defend Zephyr, but Stella intervened, running toward Logan. "That's enough!" she shouted into his face, leaving Logan stunned and staring back at Zephyr's triumphant smirk.

Margaret couldn't help but marvel at Zephyr's talent for riling people up. She had known him for years, with all the facets of his personality, but she couldn't deny that he had an uncanny ability to provoke others.

'Get them angry, point out their weaknesses, and coax them into exposing themselves. That's the key to campus politics and, more importantly, our survival.'

Hot-headed, impulsive, and perhaps harboring secrets. Zephyr now possessed newfound insights into Logan's character. He briefly regretted not taking the time to get to know Logan. After all, one should understand their friends as well as their enemies.

"What's your decision, Stella?" Zephyr asked. Stella paused, and Logan began to regain his composure. Zephyr wrapped his arms around himself, a sardonic grin reappearing on his face. He spread his hands wide. "We can do whatever you want," he taunted. "War, beatings, or brawls... the choice is yours. Mercury will endure, and you know you can't afford this battle."

Stella lashed out at him, her words sharp and biting. "How do you know our strength?" She snapped. "You have no idea what we're capable of, you dogs of Jupiter!" Her furious gaze swept around the room, locking onto the two girls. "What about you two? Aren't you his advisors?" She yelled at them. "Do you have no shame for what Clive did to her? They found her... not with Simon, they just recognized that she and Simon were together. They hurt her, gave her black eyes and a beating."

Stella took a breath to compose herself, then turned her anger back towards Zephyr. "You're lucky she didn't end up in the hospital," she continued. "And if she had ended up dead... you'd have an army on your doorstep right now."

Zephyr nodded solemnly. "Exactly," he agreed, turning his gaze to the two girls. "There's been far too much bloodshed, pettiness, and disagreement. We shouldn't be pointing fingers, but seeking a solution."

"Solution?" Logan scoffed. "You think you can just fix this mess?"

Zephyr shot a glare at Logan, still harboring anger over his earlier comments. They could use Logan, but not at the moment; it was too heated. They'd deal with him later.

"What do you want, Stella?" Zephyr asked again, his patience wearing thin.

Stella grew exasperated. "You keep asking," she retorted, pointing at him.

Zephyr sighed, determined to get to the heart of her anger. "I want to know the real reason you're angry."

Stella's eyes burned with fury. "You still don't get it," she spat. "Imagine being a girl in the middle of the night and having a bunch of men beat you. For what? For nothing!"

"So, you want consequences for Clive," Zephyr deduced.

Stella fell silent, her gaze shifting to Logan. Logan returned her look. "Is it what I want?" Stella spoke, sighing. She then turned her attention back to Zephyr. "I want peace, but my house won't accept it... and you can't change what Clive did."

A sudden knock on the door disrupted their conversation. "Who is that?" Margaret asked, and the door swung open on its own.

All eyes locked onto the newcomer. Simon, taller than most, had a slender but muscular build, wearing a Neptune pilot suit with a sense of identity. Glasses rested on his nose, and his chestnut skin complemented deep brown eyes. Curly hair adorned his forehead.

Simon surveyed the room. "I want revenge for what he did to my girlfriend," he declared, striding inside.

"Hah, the traitor returns," Zephyr taunted, but Piper shot him a warning look.

Simon simply shook his head and approached Margaret and Piper. Zephyr extended his hand toward Simon, snarling, "I didn't realize you brought lowly pilots to such important meetings."

Stella shook her head, frustration written across her face. "Unlike you, I believe that my 'lowly pilots' have a right to be heard, especially when it pertains to what's happening."

Simon stayed silent for a moment, and Zephyr's piercing gaze bore into him. Eventually, Simon shook his head, exclaiming, "Traitor!" His voice dripped with disdain. "Even after all these years of serving you and this house, all the people who've died, friends along the way, you call me a traitor?"

Zephyr casually shrugged his shoulders. For a brief moment, Simon's gaze drifted toward Piper, but he sneered and redirected his attention to Zephyr.

Simon let out a sigh, the weight of his proposal hanging heavily in the room. "Me and Clive," he announced, the words landing like a thud. "A trial by combat, a duel to the death."

The room fell into stunned silence, then erupted with shouts. Zephyr shot up from his seat, and even the typically apathetic Logan was momentarily taken aback. Simon had delivered a heavy blow, and the message was clear: Clive's fate would be decided through deadly combat. The question now was who would emerge victorious?

"Christ, Simon," Zephyr muttered, and Piper sneered at the sight of Logan munching away in the corner. Zephyr always had a tray of food on the table, mainly for show. But it appeared they had bitten off more than they could chew.

Logan joined Simon's side, who still maintained that unwavering, cold expression of truthfulness. Everything was out in the open now, and it was understood that Clive's destiny would be sealed in a battle to the death. The only remaining question was: who would come out alive?

Zephyr whipped his head toward Stella, who appeared just as dazed as the rest. "Did you put him up to this?" He stood and slammed both hands on the desk. "Do you really want bloodshed? Do you want the newcomers to witness Neptune's brutality?"

Stella was about to respond, and Logan was as well, but then Stella shook her head. "What do you mean?" Logan inquired.

Stella sighed, recognizing the determination etched into his features. "It's his choice; they should have thought twice before attacking one of our own," Stella concluded.

"And if he refuses?" Zephyr asked Simon, his confidence wavering as he gestured with his hand.

Simon rolled his eyes, nonchalant. "This is Clive... he's practically itching for a fight."

Zephyr's face lost some of its color, and Piper and Margoret exchanged knowing looks of concern. They had believed, if only briefly, that they had won. However, they knew the true nature of Clive. Who was Simon to believe he could challenge such brutality heroically?

"So, you'll just wait for him to return?" Zephyr inquired, attempting to put on a brave front.

He clapped his hands together with a resounding thud, silencing the entire room. "Well, if that's it, then..."

Stella raised both her hands, a scoff escaping her lips. "Hold on," she asserted. "You're not getting out of this one, that's for sure."

She extended her fingers emphatically. "I want a third, no, half, of whatever Clive hauls out from deep in the core, my choice. Then, I want to see a substantial amount of cash."

Stella concluded her demand with a self-satisfied smile. Zephyr was about to voice his thoughts when the resounding clank of Logan's spear striking the table echoed through the room. "If you feel that strongly about it," he spoke in a grave tone, "we can always bring the whole of Neptune down upon you. Fill this place with bullets, cut you all down with swords."

Logan scoffed, clicking his lips and shaking his head as if reprimanding ignorant children. "We could always carry out a house execution. Mercury, like Mars, knows a whole lot about that."

Zephyr, Piper, and Margoret winced at his words, contending with deep pain and intense anger, yet burying it beneath the surface.

Following that, silence settled over the room. Zephyr reluctantly nodded, the gesture visibly causing him pain. He slowly knelt. "I accept these terms," he conceded.

Stella's smile widened, and she clapped her hands in delight. "That's what I'm talking about," she declared. She gestured for Logan to join her side, with Simon trailing behind. Simon, however, spared Piper a final, fleeting glance, but she concealed her face, grappling with an overwhelming sense of shame. Her fist clenched momentarily before falling uselessly.

Logan's voice reverberated through the room. "Nonetheless, we can't simply leave it at that. A show of force is necessary; we don't want people thinking Neptune can be pushed around."

Stella chimed in, her voice laced with venom. "Yeah, and I have an idea." Her eyes fixed on Piper and Zephyr as she raised a pointed finger.

With a wicked smile, she continued, "A duel. Not one to the death, but a true academy-style victory."

She turned to Simon, who exchanged a quick glance with her. Then, Stella swiveled her gaze towards Zephyr, who was grappling with the situation. "Our ace," she pointed toward Logan, who responded with a smirk. "Your ace," she concluded, turning her attention to Piper.

Piper clutched her arms around herself, her eyes locked on Zephyr. "We'll settle it in the field of battle. Logan and Piper will face off amongst the stars for the new recruits to witness. Whoever wins will undoubtedly earn far more fame than the other."

"Isn't that right?" Zephyr retorted.

"Absolutely," Logan added. "You won't be able to rely on that inflated roster, you Mercury dogs."

"Easy with that!" Margoret snapped back.

Stella shot Logan a meaningful glance, who played along with a mock irritation. She sighed and shook her head. "So, what happens if I win?" Piper inquired, taking a few steps forward to underscore her challenge.

Logan couldn't help but chuckle, his voice tinged with a mocking tone.

Piper's sneer deepened. "What's so funny?" she retorted.

"Well," he leaned in closer to her, dropping down on his knees, a wicked grin dancing across his face. Piper felt a vein pulsating on her forehead, his taunts grating on her last nerve. "Do you genuinely believe that a core world girl from Mercury," he continued, his tone condescending, "can defeat the pride and joy of Neptune?"

"Such arrogance," Margoret growled, wrapping her arms around herself. "Have you no shame?"

Stella dismissed their objections with a casual wave of her hand. "You're fortunate we're even still talking. I was half-tempted to act, and your decision to send Clive away says a lot."

Simon intervened, his voice commanding. "Enough." He sliced his hand through the air and pivoted back toward the Mercury trio. "I will offer my father's shield to Mercury, if they win," he declared. His gaze shifted to Piper, who attempted to muster a smile, but he swiftly averted his eyes. "Forged during the time of Old Night, and Old Men. It possesses a unique mechanism—fully retractable."

Zephyr turned to Piper, then to Stella. "Is this truly necessary?" he inquired once more, a plea in his tone, but Stella had her hands raised in finality.

"Duel, money, a share from the raid, and Simon and Clive get their duel," she stated as she addressed the other Neptune members. "It's time for us to go, as well as the rest of you."

Logan rose from his chair, draping his trident over his back. Clive moved to stand behind Stella as she conversed with the others.

"Zephyr, and all of you, used to be honorable," Stella began, placing a hand over her heart. "I've heard the rumors of how things have deteriorated within these walls, Zephyr. People are suffering, and your willingness to accept anyone with a sob story only deepens the problems."

Zephyr remained uncharacteristically silent, prompting Stella to continue.

"Have you ever considered that the academy implemented the rosters and admissions process for a reason?" Stella's voice grew impassioned. "This rigorous selection process separates the champions from the undesirables. But what are you doing? Allowing the emperor's domain to be overrun by undesirables and scum."

"Lowlifes and scum!" spat Zephyr, pointing a finger at her.

"Should've expected no less from a high lady of Neptune," Piper snarked. Stella could only offer her a look of utter disgust.

"Zephyr, you bear the true blood of Mercury, of the core world, and yet you fill your house with these wretches," Stella shook her head, her eyes closing briefly. "Perhaps that's why we have despicable men like Clive sullying the halls of what's supposed to be an esteemed institution."

A heavy silence enveloped the room. The prestige was undeniably misplaced, but the man had a point.

Stella seemed about to speak again, but the room's occupants could only gaze at her in wordless contemplation. "Why do I even bother?" she muttered, and with a flick of her cloak, she exited the room. The Neptune group followed suit, and Simon lingered for a moment before finally departing.

Zephyr and the others remained in contemplative silence for a moment, their thoughts lingering in the heavy air of the room. The echoes of their heated discussion still resonated, the remnants of a turbulent negotiation that held the fate of two houses in its grip. But now, as they delved into the intricate political machinations of the meeting, a sense of dread settled over them, like a dark cloud casting shadows on their uncertain future.

Meanwhile, beyond the walls of their house, the members of Neptune gathered to dissect what they had learned and to strategize for the months ahead. The impending duel with a notorious member loomed like a specter, an ominous foreboding of potential doom. The stakes were high, and the cost was honor itself. The arrival of new recruits added yet another layer of complexity to the already intricate power dynamics. None among their peers, the initiates of the year, could fathom what lay ahead. The death of innocence was a cruel awakening, a harsh reality in the cutthroat game of houses, and they knew they had to be hungry to survive.

For within the vast galaxy, there were champions aboard this vessel, their destinies woven into the rich tapestry of legends and tales. This was the story of Edward the II, and at its heart stood Henryk.

Loyal friend, valiant warrior, and bearer of a great lion's heart, Henryk was a man of many facets. But there were those who would describe him as a villain, a mutant, a cold-blooded killer. A human man, yes, but within his hands lay the power to shape the destiny of Mars and its people. This was the legend of Henryk of Mars, known as the Martian Eviscerator, or perhaps, 'The Druid of Mars.'