Two busy weeks had passed by after the evil events of an attack which caused trauma to even the purest and most positive of minds in Bournington. Whether it had been the sheer destruction of homes, the loss of confidence within the streets, or the devastating numbers lost, the people of Bournington had been hit hard. Among the lost, Mary Dusseldorf had been buried in a gentle funeral which remembered her, and other dutiful knights, for their services to the kingdom. With the ears of widows, widowers and orphans mournfully listening to a speech, King Hammerhead had made one thing certain for them.
"I will see to it that these deaths are all avenged. To do so, I am hereby declaring a war on all sin cultists, starting immediately." His words received a pained, yet championing, cheer.
Losing Mary was no easy loss. Her expertise with a bow was so fine, that finding a suitable replacement for her ability was incredibly hard. It had been the idea of replacing her that was unsettling for her boss, General Rose. Her loss was most crushing on her husband though, Alsop Dusseldorf. He was comatose, some would come to observe, in the fact that he had shut himself out from society and friends for a considerable amount of time. He would occasionally receive a visit from Maxwell or Axel, but they were guilty in conscience and they had their own problems to manage. The streets were rotten to the core, like a diseased apple, and they carried horrific memorabilia of the attack. The King had asked for this to be cleaned up, ahead of a particular prized event coming soon.
Such an event created little time for Alsop's friends to lend him an emotional hand of support to talk to, but his own progression was not faltered because of this. Alsop knew what he had to do, his mind was set certain on his goal now as Mary would have very much wanted him to complete it. To become the respected knight he had always wanted to be, was definitely a more painful task for him in light of his loss but he was not willing to give it up at all. To pledge such allegiance to Mary, and his goal in life, he sought something which would allow him to propel his recognition. Maxwell had given him this, in the form of sponsorship for the upcoming Contest of Champions.
Although sponsored, Alsop had not given much time to his practice compared to his stronger, more favourable opposing candidates. Many of his peers competing had been busy with their work though, allowing for a mostly balanced field of time spent training for the prestigious Contest of Champions.
One such candidate, Captain Caspian Cull, had been busy prying his way through the slums of the rundown south. It was thought to have been a refuge for the poor by the wealthy, but to their surprise, since the attack, there had been almost no sound. The streets were shockingly empty. This disturbance had therefore caught the interests of the King. Caspian was obliged to investigate after being handed the job, but the background behind the reports of ghostly silence had rendered him nervy.
Naturally, though, the task suited him incredibly well. The reports indicated that a spirit had been causing acts of terror amongst the streets, and considering Caspian was a Spirit Knight, it was well within his avenue for adventure. Crucial to this task being perfect for him, was the fact that Caspian carried a divine power which allowed for him to absorb spirits, and then utilise their power under his own control.
Caspian was not unique in his trait of having a divine power. These specialised powers were the cross-kingdom term for an individual's magic that was specific to them. No divine power was alike another. Whether someone could cast it or not was a different matter, as many people lacked the talent of magic strong enough to manage a divine power. The levels of complexity on the subject were deemed unexplainable by many, as some people were gifted immensely powerful traits, while others were offered lowly powers.
Caspian Cull's use of his divine power was noted as unique by many though, as he perfectly intertwined it with his area of expertise. Instead of working with his gift, he had decided early on in life to build around his strength. Thus, his talent brought him forth to his current footing, where a dilapidated church in the slums had beckoned his power. It had been relatively clear for him that this church was likely the cause of the eery quietness of the slums, as his senses heightened by simply being in its gothic aura.
"It would be nice if I wasn't alone down here. This is quite disturbing." Sighed Caspian, his hands gently pushing a set of doors. "Hullo...? Is anyone here?" He called out in the dusty, barely breathable atmosphere.
Like a greenhouse, the ceiling of the church had channels of glass providing a choking warmth into the room, but it also allowed a glimmer of sunlight to pry in. A single beam. Laying ajar against a pillar, the light glazed over a small green orb. To Caspian, the sight of such a thing had hurt his heart.
"A spirit? My poor friend, come to me." Caspian gently cupped the orb within his hands.
Glowing spontaneously, a freeing set of lights had breached out of the rocky, charred exterior of the being. It had sparkled the panels of glass atop the captain into dust, as it sprinkled all over his rustled hair, and with this, a small cackle chirped into the skies like a free little bird. Caspian's attention had been gained, and the speck of light soon moved up close to its saviour, inspecting him with intimidation. With such shock, Caspian could only do one thing instinctively. He sought to relieve the being of its fear by capturing it using his divine power but soon after a thought had come upon him.
“Is the spirit being defensive in fear, or is it in fact offensive towards me?”
The question could not hold long in his thoughts, for his body received a blazing burn of light. Caspian had captured the spirit, but at what cost? Resistance was instant. His face crinkled at the bond formed, and his throat tightened up fiercely, forcing an expulsion of coughs. Challenged the most, had been his mental state. The spirit had begun to cause Caspian a palette of expressions, trailing through emotions like love, anger, happiness, sadness and envy. His mind had been forced into a terrific fight for power, with the Spirit storming upon him a set of memories which engraved into his skull. A glance at childhood started the burning images, and then a leap through love followed and soon after that, his mind paralleled into a trance of the present until finally setting a burning sight onto General Isaac Rose. An image that indented jealousy firmly into Caspian's chaotic mind. The spirit had certainly done some delving into its host and now it had also drained him of his energy. Caspian's body plummeted with his eyes swiftly closing, just narrowly missing the arrival of help that had captured his fall.
"General?" Muttered out Caspian, his hazy vision drifting away.
Unbeknownst to him, Caspian had, in reality, been scooped up by the tough hands of the Guardian of Fire, Chadwick Ingram. With a burly, rigid build, the guardian had swept Caspian's body across his shoulder with ease. His defying, demeaning brown eyes had seemingly ignored the calamitous Captain as he focused on the streets of the slums. Pounding the doors of the church down, he had received several glances, for the streets now carried a curious crowd. With this, Chadwick had smirked with his hand lightly refining his silky black hair.
"Let this be a lesson for you all. I am here for you all. Whatever troubles you, let me know of it immediately." The guardian exclaimed. "I want to bring you all peace here, I am not like these men." He added, his grasp on Caspian tightened.
"How can we trust him anymore though? He is supporting the general for the contest!" A member of the crowd had called out.
"He is nothing but a deceiver, he isn't one of us!" Another exclaimed.
"Enough!" The guardian shouted. "Was I not the sole saviour of the slums when those wretched sin cultists sought out your homes, your families?" He proudly proclaimed.
"It's true. Nobody else came to save us that day." A woman murmured.
"Yes, he helped us." Another woman added.
"This is my home, I will make sure it's protected." Chadwick said with his eyes growing grim at the sight of Caspian across his shoulder.
He had taken off from the crowds, his clear struts swiftly making way for his home. Despite having such a grand title as guardian, Chadwick lived in a similar manner to his neighbours. A house not exceptional, nor dwindling in poverty. It was like a small hut of treasures that carried a deep tie to the guardian, who had cluttered the home. His eyes had reached serenity at the sight of it all, for he had finally found a sense of peace once again. Dropping instantly though, his eyes were flushed with bitter annoyance at the remembrance of the thing sprung out across his back. Placing Caspian Cull onto a scrawny bed, Chadwick began meandering his way through his beloved belongings.
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Drying out across a string which traversed the length of the home, a variety of leaves had piqued Chadwick's attention. He drew his hand across a single plant, to which he instantly set it aflame, and by bringing the burning leaf to the nose of Caspian, it had awakened his senses. Perhaps too strong, his senses had risen through the roof, as he instinctively jolted upwards, whereupon his spirits all released from him. The glamouring lights bounced around the home calamitously, forcing a face of anger across Chadwick. Suddenly though, all of the menacing Spirits had returned to their master, except for one. The single spirit which Caspian had only recently captured, a spirit which plagued him like a virus. It had given Chadwick a blinding glance, before finally choosing to return to its host. Returning to Caspian had fully woken him, but it seemed the captain was still slightly dazed.
"Cull, Caspian Cull. You are an untamed monster." Observed Chadwick.
"Cha – Chadwick Ingram!" Shocked, Caspian muttered out in awe.
"Yes, who else would have saved you in these slums?" Chadwick laughed with a sense of pride. "You were up to no good in the church." He said.
"Yes. I think I remember now. Thank you, sir." Said Caspian.
"Well, what were you doing?" Asked Chadwick with impatience.
"I was sent here by the King." Confessed Caspian.
"What? Why is he intervening here? I let him know I would clean this part of the city." Said Chadwick with annoyance.
"No, no, no. He didn't send me here to clean up, sir. I was instructed to investigate a spirit causing a disturbance here." Replied Caspian reassuringly.
"Oh right." Chadwick scoffed. "You eat those things like your life depends on it." He added.
"Those 'things' must be shown more respect, sir. They are tremendous beings of limitless power." Caspian had been quick to defend his work.
"Clearly. One of them knocked you out cold. I believe you are placing far too much trust in these things. A revolt isn't hard to imagine, a violent war, waging within your young, weak body." Chadwick coldly remarked.
"I appreciate the concern, sir. But I would not be where I am today, had I not placed full trust in my spiritual friends." Said Caspian.
Caspian had risen from the bed, feeling slightly disheartened by Chadwick's unwelcoming attitude, and it allowed way for an air of awkwardness to enter the home. Chadwick was now occupied, tending to a rope that carried an illuminating glow to it, but Caspian ignored the sight as he was more focused on a poster that had been imprinted to the wall.
'To the Guardian of Fire, Chadwick Ingram. Your decision to sponsor Isaac Rose for the upcoming Contest of Champions has been confirmed. Thank you for your entry, and we wish you the best of luck. - House Hammerhead of Bournington.'
"Why, why did you have to choose the general?" The words fell out of Caspian's mouth unexpectedly.
"Huh? Are you jealous, Caspian Cull? Is it not a smart choice to choose the strongest candidate?" Asked Chadwick with a defensive stance.
"How do you know he is the strongest candidate though? The contest will decide that. I could be stronger than him for all you know! Why is it, everybody looks up to the general so fondly?" Caspian choked out with anger.
"Captain." Chadwick had stared towards his guest gravely. "Are you feeling okay?" He asked, his figure piercing Caspian with pity.
"I am feeling fine." Caspian readjusted himself. "The contest is just on my thoughts, sorry." He said.
"Who is your sponsor?" Asked Chadwick.
"My sponsor? It is Ms Victoria Magika, the magician." Replied Caspian.
"A strange selection, but it will do the job for you, no doubt." Concluded Chadwick.
With their conversation coming to a close, Caspian had given his saviour of the slums a final goodbye, but a single stroke of darkness had compelled Chadwick to halt his guest. As if his eyes were possessed by a demon, Caspian's balls of flesh had become an impure black for a slight second. It did not alarm him, but for Chadwick, it was enough to cause him an unsettling feeling. The guardian had firmly slammed the door, causing a frightening jump to hiccup out of Caspian.
"Sir?" Caspian had whimpered out.
"I'm afraid my hospitality has not been free of charge." Guiltily said Chadwick.
"Huh?" Caspian was bewildered.
"For the Contest of Champions, please refrain from using any of your spirits." Said Chadwick.
"What!?" Caspian exclaimed, but he soon thoughtfully acknowledged the request upon seeing Chadwick's cautious countenance. "That isn't fair, sir. Not at all, is it fair." He said.
"I know, but I ask this for your own good." Said Chadwick.
"Well, I will consider your words. I cannot promise I will follow through. Goodbye, sir." Caspian had pressed through the door, the wind kissing him with a fresh breeze.
Quickly gaining a distance from the guardian who had planted a seed of doubt in his mind, Caspian was soon shadowed by a figure who startled him. A tower compared to Caspian, Isaac Rose had looked down upon him with a sense of confusion. It had been Caspian's reaction of sheer shock that had drawn questions to the general's thoughts. With a complicated glare of both malice and disarray, Caspian had ignored the general, gently brushing aside him.
"Caspian?" The general called out, his eyebrows raised.
"I'm sorry general, but I know you are not real." Replied Caspian.
"Not real? I am here to see Chadwick." Said a dumbfounded Isaac.
"Huh. I see. Maybe I should go see my sponsor..." Caspian pressed his forehead.
"Perhaps you should. I wish you good luck for tomorrow's contest as well." Said Isaac with a smile.
"You too, General. Good luck." Said Caspian.
"Caspian, you may call me Isaac. We are friends, no?" Chuckled Isaac.
"Ah." Caspian's heart had taken a fatal blow. "You are trying to tempt me. I'm no idiot! Who would want to be friends with me?" He had clenched his fists with a profound, unexpected level of feist.
With a feeling of anger flowing through his veins, Caspian had blasted off with a stunning sprint. His feet had been forced to speed onwards, his eyes had soured with tears and his heart had felt foul betrayal.
"I will win that contest. They will pay for trying to sabotage my hopes." Caspian's eyes had glistened with fury. "My hopes to be regarded the same as the general." He added.
His dash had only slightly raised Isaac's interests, as he continued himself, onto his visit with Chadwick. The guardian had already been outside as he looked off into the distance.
"What a strange boy, who wouldn't want to be friends with him and his powers?" Isaac had shrugged his thoughts off. "Was he visiting you?" He asked.
"Yes, in a way. He seems to have taken off with something in him that is concerning." Chadwick observed.
"You mean a spirit? That might explain why he was acting strange with me." Said Isaac thoughtfully.
"Perhaps. I have given him advice, so just let him be. What are you doing here?" Asked Chadwick as his attention turned to his home, where he welcomed Isaac in.
"Well, I came to see if you have anything of use for me in the contest." Said Isaac with hope.
"Would you like some wisdom?" Smirked Chadwick.
"Wait, what? You idiot! You don't have anything for me, do you?" Upset, Isaac had replied like a spoiled child.
"Enough, you idiot. I am only teasing you. This is for you. From the black market." Chadwick had tossed Isaac a gift.
"What is this?" Isaac's cheeks had swelled in slight disappointment.
"A rope." Chadwick grinned with excitement.
"You are a different breed of stupid." Sighed Isaac.
"What? You idiot, it's enchanted to absorb a person's mana. How could you not tell?" Pondered Chadwick.
"Oh, I see. That seems great then. But I don't see any use for this until AFTER a fight." Said Isaac, his devastated face shadowed by his hands. "I can't believe I wasted my time to come here...for a rope." He cried out.
"Ah yes, aren't you supposed to be at that silly parade today?" Asked Chadwick.
"My new vice general is there." Replied Isaac. "Axel Astrix." He added.