WordWarrior
The Weekend Warrior
- Local time
- Today 12:11 AM
- Messages
- 14
- Age
- 34
- Pronouns
- She/Her
Cornelius stands at the window in his study. He sighs. The city was bustling with the festival taking place. It looked marvellous. He looked exasperated. Often watching from the window as the birds flew through the city, stray cats wandered. The chilly breeze of the season changing, rustling the leaves and the sun shining down on the marvellous kingdom of Celestine. Envious of their bliss. Malcom Hargreave steps in to not disturb his thoughts.
"Yes, what is it? Ah. Malcom." Cornelius looks at the door.
"Lord." Malcom says
"What can I do for you?"
"I request the morning to welcome my son and his friends, Lord."
"Of course, I will delay the trials until this afternoon. I look forward to meeting them all." Cornelius says.
***
Two animatronic horses decorated with white, gold, and blue draw the carriage. The colours of Godsword. Weiss sits next to a small round window that passes the world by. A familiarity fills his thoughts as he watches out the window. It has been too long since he returned home to Celestine. Two years passed since his initiation into the Artifice knights. The carriage stops, Milly, Gunter, and Jaro are bantering about the festival. Valerie remained quiet. Even through her blindfold, he could feel her eyes on him. The carriage stops on a white cobblestone road leading into the city behind the kingdom walls. Leanna is the first to exit, followed by Weiss, Valerie, Milly, Gunter, and Jaro.
"I see you haven't killed them yet."
"Malcom." Leanna furrows her eyebrows when she crosses her arms, tongue in her cheek. She still had to respect his position, but she didn't have to like him. She knew Weiss's story. It wasn't by chance that Malcom's eldest son had come to her. Malcom pulled strings in the assembly, treating Weiss like a marionette.
Malcom is older than her and one of the great fire mages. She was still intimidating. The green dagger stare from her eyes told him they weren't friends. Malcom swallowed hard and looked past her to see Weiss. Followed by all his friends. He only recognized one. Valerie, from her family name, Casanova. Blinded as a child. He had heard she had prosthetic eyes. She tapped with her cane as she left the carriage. The other three of them had been fresh faces. They must have been Jaro, Milly, and Gunter.
"Hello, Wei-"
"Weiss!" Nathan, now 11 years old, latched on to Weiss.
"You got big!" Weiss says, catching his brother. Weiss watched his father approach. They stood face to face for the first time in twelve years. Weiss still kept a distance between his father and himself. Unsure if he was ready to speak to him.
"Ahem!"
"Oh, Right! This is Milly, Jaro, Valerie, and G-" Weiss says, forgetting the people he invited to come to the festival.
"Gunter was it?" Malcolm interrupts Weiss, "From Toln, in Alricht, correct?"
"Correct Lord, Malcolm," Gunter says in a low voice
"Please, just Malcolm. You don't have to be so formal with me, Gunter; we are all friends here." Malcolm laughs.
Leanna scoffed at Malcolm. Weiss looked at Milly. She wasn't paying attention. Tinkering with something on her gauntlets to make them more efficient, potentially explosive. Only looking up when everyone started moving. Jaro was looking around at the buildings. Gunter bowed with his hat off and bedding at the hips. Valerie bowed less, lifting at her skirt enough to keep it from touching the ground and bowing.
"Hey wait for me!" Milly swings herself with her arms to cover the ground, using the large fragments on her hands to propel herself forward. Her light orange hair flowing in the wind. Slowing down once, she was next to Gunter and Valerie, with Valerie between them. "Valerie, why don't you use your eyes?" Milly asked her.
"I've seen everything before. I've been here many times." She had her arm laced in Gunter's cane in the other; Valerie, even if she had seen the city with her real eyes. Her prosthetics, when she uses them, show her things most people can't see. Paired with her mastery of illusions, she is content with them. "I'd rather wait until we reach the festival when I get to see decorations."
Jaro pulled Weiss away from the group. He looked upset, the way he's glaring at Weiss. "Dude, what is it with you and your dad?" He asks. "I mean, sure, he sent you away. Big deal, right? It paid off, didn't it?" Jaro complained.
Weiss thinks for a moment, "You're right Jaro, I'm sorry."
"The three families of Celestine, St. Clair, are the dragons. They have a rich history of alchemy." Malcolm leads them up a cobbled road through square buildings. "The lions represent members of the Rexward family. Known for their military discipline and courage." Malcom looks at the people at home, watching in their windows as they walk through the city.
"Our Guild house is a tavern, within the festival," Malcolm says as the streets become more decorated, approaching the business district. The central area of the city is halfway to the kingdom. "The birds, as you might have guessed, are the Hargreave family. It represents the phoenix. A bird that rises from its ashes." Malcolm smiles.
As they walked into the festival, the decorations became more elaborate. With coloured flags, the ornaments had a theme of yellow, red, and orange. Life-size yellow lions, orange dragons and red birds hung in the streets. The Hargreave guild house was no different, with a large white flag and a bold red bird in the center. "Valerie, we're here," Milly says as she, for once, wasn't thinking about fixing or inventing something. Looking at the decorative festival, her cheeks sore from the smile on her face. Weiss and Jaro catch up to the rest.
The mascots looked like balloons, floating in the air over the places they represent. She sniffs the air, her mouth salivates, and she drools from the many sweet and savoury foods. Valerie took off her blindfold and opened her eyes. The sun constricted the symbols that were on the gemstones, enchanted with magic to make prosthetic eyes for her. She, too, smiled at all the decorations. Perhaps she would shop while she was there. Gunter played with his beard and the fancy ornaments that gave him some ideas for his own clothing choice while in Celestine.
"You are all guests of the Hargreave family, so I've arranged for you to stay at our guild house in Celestine." Malcolm says, spreading his arms as he turns towards a building with the family crest. "The festival lasts the entire month, so please explore. It is the one time everyone is offering free food." Malcolm stops outside the guild house. "Here we are, the Hargreave guild house." Malcolm leads them inside. "The Hollow Crow Inn."
"Rooms are upstairs," Malcolm points. "The tavern cooks dishes from all over the continent." Malcolm says, looking at the barmaid. She was bigger and broader than Gunter. She was polishing the goblets when she looked up and saw them all enter. "Weiss, will you be joining us at the estate?" Malcolm asks.
"I am going to stay with my friends. Thank you."
Malcolm nodded, disappointed, but he expected something like that. He feels his sleeve being tugged, looking down at his side to see Nathan looking at him bashfully.
"Can I stay here a little longer?" Nathan asks.
"Of course, if they agree."
"Mal- Leanna!" a knight steps into the door, panting like he ran to the tavern, beads of sweat on his forehead.
"Gilberd!?" Leanna gasps, surprised to see him in Celestine of all people. How long has it been?
"Gilberd?"
"Right. Malcolm. Pardon my intrusion. The sage trials are beginning."
"Would you like to join us, Leanna? Allow the kids to explore on their own."
"It would be my pleasure," Leanna says, looking at Logan with a smile. "You're all here for the festival, so enjoy yourselves." She told them as though it was an order. She left with Gilberd and Malcolm for the kingdom. Weiss and the others were free to do as they pleased.
The knights looked at each other. They all went for the door, quickly talking about the things they wanted to do at the festival. Weiss smiles, seeing everyone so excited to be at the Harvest Festival. But he couldn't help but wonder if his father was using their presence to benefit him during the sage trials. He shook his head and caught up with his friends leaving the Hollow Crow, Nathan jumping on to his back from behind.
Weiss uses his arms to adjust Nathan on his back. Valerie, Gunter, Milly, Jaro, are walking through the Festival. The sky-trams and the buildings decorated with reds, yellows and oranges. Alchemists painted orange would step in and breathe fire. Mages with fancy feather clothing are dancing with fire magic in the street. The people wearing lion skins were drumming a beat.
"Isn't that Ms. Leanna?" Gunter says.
"I didn't know she had a smile." Milly laughs as watched with Gunter and Valerie.
"Who is she with?" It surprises Valerie to see Lady Thaumatan casual with anyone.
Gunter blushed with jealousy. He had been trying to get her to smile or even scowl anytime she saw her. And she remained neutral as ever. Gilberd says her name and they're laughing TOGETHER! "She called him Gilberd. Weiss! Who is this Gilberd?"
"Sir Gilberd, he is my father's warden from being at the Assembly table." Weiss notices Gilberd and Leanna having fun. Happy to see them smile. But he turns his head, squinting into the busy road, thinking he heard his name.
"WEISSE!"
"WEISSE!"
"Artemis?!" Weiss steps past Gunter as he looks into the crowd. He saw a yellow braid bouncing in the wind. Getting closer, his eyes widen as does his smile. She burst through the crowd, getting closer to Weiss and his friends. Weiss embraces her up into a hug, spinning around from her momentum.
"I see you've been making friends."
Gunter was the first to notice. He bowed, taking her and kissing it. "I am Gunter I am-"
"I'm Jaro and you are."
"This is Milly and Valerie."
Artemis looks at them mischievously before her eyes settle on Weiss. She grabs Weiss's hand and runs. Weiss runs after her, putting up no resistance. "I'm sorry, I'll catch up with you later!" Weiss disappears into the distance. His face is one of concern. He invited them to come with him to Celestine, but now he was making off with Artemis. His concerns wash away looking at her.
Weiss follows her as she guides him through the city by his hand. They arrive at a park surrounded by delicate trees. A tree atop the hill with gold fruit shimmering in its branches. A railing looked over a cliff where the ocean smashed against the rock face. Weiss remembers this place well. Where he first met Artemis.
"Last one there has to buy cherry cake!" She laughs and races up the hill. Looking over her shoulder with a smile that showed the cutest dimples.
Weiss stops at the railing, Artemis next to him. "You win," he says breathlessly. He ran further wearing his armour. Why was his heart thumping in his chest? He watches Artemis climb the railing, balancing precariously.
Weiss catches her, cradling Artemis in his arms. Her arm wraps around his shoulders. His azure eyes meet her ocean blue eyes. Her breath hitches as they look at each other and she places her other hand on his cheek. Then she giggles. Weiss places her on her feet. They are under a tree that has been there since they could remember. Artemis wraps her other arm around his shoulders and looks up at him. Her head under his chin. Weiss's hands at her sides. She gets up on her toes and kisses his lips. It surprises Weiss at first. Eventually, he melts into her lips.
"I love you, Weiss."
"I-I love you too, Artemis."
"What happened to your wrists?"
Artemis took her hands from around Weiss's neck. "N-nothing."
She separated from Weiss. Footsteps approach from behind her. Logan steps under a streetlight that had turned on as the sun fell below the horizon. "Artemis, father is waiting." Logan says, getting closer. She looked at the ground, walking away. Weiss didn't want her to go holding her hand.
"Artemis wait!" Weiss called after her. He knew the bruises on her wrist weren't nothing. Logan steps in front of Weiss, his left eye wide and bloodshot, the other is black, swollen. A grin on his face makes Weiss take a step back. "I had a match earlier with one of your knights," Logan growls like some sort of wild beast.
She looks back, her eyes tearing as though she knew this would be the last time she got to see him. Logan turned and glared at Weiss. "Logan, stop!" Artemis puts herself between Logan Weiss, his nostrils flaring, clenching his teeth. Weiss stood his ground but didn't instigate things further.
"You didn't learn the first time!"
"This isn't the ring."
"That just means I don't have to hold back."
"Jaro, no!" Weiss says, holding Jaro back from closing the distance. Not because he thought Jaro would lose, but because he knew it would bring bigger problems.
"Yes, Jaro, stay back. I wouldn't want to show you the true strength of a champion." Logan taunted.
Jaro tries to push past Weiss, trying to get free, but Weiss keeps a tight grip on Jaro. Gunter had a furious look on his face. He was just as intimidating carrying the boxes of goods from the festival as he did with his poleaxe in his hands. Valerie and Milly stepped forward. Valerie knew the same as Weiss; this would not be a good image of the group as knights. She places a hand on Jaro's shoulder.
"He's right Jaro, walk away." She says, tightening her grip on his shoulder with anger. Without her blindfold, Weiss let Jaro go once Logan had left. The four other knights followed him. Weiss struggled between telling his father and doing nothing because he didn't know the entire story. But he knew something was wrong. The knot in his stomach tightened. Weiss hoped his father would be at the guild house as he walked down the shimmering white cobble path back towards the guild house. He could hear the others whispering among themselves, but he remained quiet. Asking himself insistently, what would Gilberd do?
The group shared their concerns about both Weiss and Artemis. Valerie shushed their whispers, knowing it must've been hard for Weiss to just stand by and let Artemis go. But she didn't question his actions. She understood what it meant to keep up appearances as a noble. Especially with the volatile feud between their families that only needed a spark to ignite the fumes. They stepped into the guild house. In the time they had spent enjoying the festival, the Hollow Crow Inn had gotten busier. The prettiest girls of the staff walked across the floor serving food and drinks. Drunkards sang songs of old and new over the deafening chatter. Yet, at their table, the knights sat silently. Jaro was too furious to look at anyone. Gunter would think of something to lighten the mood, but then he would opt out of saying it as he caught a glare from Valerie. Milly returns to the table from removing her gauntlets upstairs in her room.
Valerie tried her best to ignore the noise. Focusing on the drum rhythm coming from outside, she was just as angry as Weiss and Jaro. Just as much better at hiding her emotions. As she sat there straight faced fuming knowing that a friend of Weiss's was in danger, and she could do nothing to help her. It was one thing to challenge someone who didn't have status. But the St. Clair family had more status than even her own family now. After the Totality wars, Alchemy had become industrialised using it to make fuel for the magic machines crafted by Artificers. The Casanova family, known for crafting weapons, a trade that had become obsolete since the wars had ended. Something makes her face go from neutral to concern.
"Did you all feel that?" She says. The group looks at her, confused; she knows she felt a strong vibration in the ground that disrupted the rhythm of the drums. It was powerful, like a blast. Though the others didn't have the same sense of vibrations as her, they all knew if she had felt something to make her concerned, it must have been serious. She opens her mouth to explain what she had felt. Before she could get one word out. Guards bearing St. Clair's orange colours burst through the door.
"Weiss Hargreave!" The leader shouts over the busy tavern, silencing the customers as they all look at the situation unfolding. enters shortly after the guards as they approach the table with the young knights, grabbing Weiss. They lift him from the chair he sits in and start dragging him out the door. "You're accused of kidnapping Artemis St. Clair." The leader read a warrant for his arrest. The rest of the guards approach Weiss in his chair and lift him by his arms, pinning his wrists against his lower back. He ripped his hands away from them and the guards lift his arms higher. He arched his back and went to his toes as they wrenched his arms, growling through his teeth.
The knights protested angrily, Malcom putting his hands up and trying to calm them down. He gets the knights to stop yelling and instigating the guards as they escort Weiss out of the Tavern. Weiss resists. He stops realising they outnumbered him and his father seems to figure out the situation. Leanna and Gilberd walk into the tavern, watching the guards haul Weiss to the kingdom. The guards who remained searched his room collecting his armour and sword, taking it with them.
"Malcom! What is the meaning of this?" Leanna demanded an explanation. Her voice shook with fury, curling her fingers tightly into a fist on her hips as she stood, glaring at the guards and Malcom. Waiting expectantly for one of them to tell her why one of her knights was being accused of anything.
"I am not sure. But I am trying to figure it out." Malcom says as he hurried out the door to stay with the guards who were taking Weiss.
Leanna and Gilberd look at each other. Then to the knights, they all had equally concerned and anger on their faces. "Leanna, stay with the rest of them. I will go to the kingdom." Gilberd says.
"Nonsense! Weiss is a knight under my tutelage and I will get answers!" She said, raising her voice. She looked at the knights sternly, letting them know to stay where they were. Then she leaves with Gilberd.
"We don't know that," Valerie said, trying to be the voice of reason. She looked at Jaro, Gunter, and Milly. "We should head to our rooms. I have a feeling this is just the beginning of something much worse." She says as she stood from her seat and headed up the stairs to her room. All but Gunter followed her.
Weiss enters the throne room where King Cornelius Rexward and Reginald St. Clair are talking about something amongst themselves. Malcolm, Leanna, and Gilberd followed the guards that had taken him into custody. "Father, I am innocent!" Weiss pleads, his stomach twisting painfully, knowing something happened to her. He could feel the sting in the back of his throat from the sputum as he fights regurgitation.
Malcom leans in.
"I know, son…" He says, barely above a whisper. Briskly walking. Malcom had noticed Artemis changing over the years. She often asked him about when Weiss was going to return. Malcom's resentment settles on his mind as regret sinks in.
"Step back from the Prisoner!" a Guard shoves Malcom to the ground.
Leanna helps him up, her face usually a deadpan. She knew Weiss would never do such a thing. He was so concerned with hurting people. She could see it in his body. He wants to be looking for the missing girl. Her eyes sting with tears. She looks away from Gilberd and Malcom. Weiss looks at King Cornelius. They are both upset. "I'm sorry, Weiss." Leanna whispers
"One of my guards witnessed you killing two of my guards and kidnapping my daughter!" Reginald cut off the king. He stepped towards Weiss, pointing his finger. Putting on a show, he needed the king to believe Weiss was guilty while Logan searched for Artemis. He suspects Malcom is already on to him. He didn't have time to frame Weiss to make him undeniably guilty. Reginald also didn't predict Artemis would start the mutation rapidly after two vials.
"Liar!" Weiss spat at Reginald. The guards kick the back of his knees and he falls. They drag him back to the middle of the floor. He watches another stand next to Reginald. "King, he hasn't been in a fight!" Weiss wrestles and the guards restrain him. Cornelius looks at the witness, then at Reginald.
"Lord!" Malcom steps forward. "Allow me to question this witness." He looks at Reginald with a scowl. There was something very wrong with the story. Mostly being that it would be impossible for Weiss to be in two places at once. Reginald raised his hand to reject this, but Cornelius raised his hand first. Weiss looks up at his father. Their eyes meet. "Also, allow my Warden Gilberd Gibbons to investigate." Malcom looks at the witness. Leanna and Gilberd step forward. Malcom gestures to Gilberd.
"Do what you must. I will allow Weiss to be proven innocent." Cornelius said. Leanna looks at Weiss. She is being strong to reassure him with her smile. But in her eyes, he sees how serious she thinks the situation is. Malcom and Gilberd walk away to discuss something Weiss didn't hear what they talked about, but he looks over his shoulder, watching Gilberd leave. Weiss looks back at Cornelius, his mind races trying to understand why he was being targeted like this. Does it have something to do with those bruises on Artemis's wrists?
***
In the town square, the other young paladins are trying to contain Artemis as she struggles between becoming a dragon and maintaining her human form. Artemis is on a rampage and she is stronger than anyone could have imagined. Reginald had escaped from the throne room arriving to watch his creation destroy the Paladins bringing his name back into the graces of the king once and for all. Though he still had to bring her back under his control. Artemis was strong enough to deal with four of the five paladins by herself. And without the power of the phoenix on their side, she was overwhelming the others. Reginald smirked with satisfaction as his creation made the paladins struggle. Though her rampage had caused significant damage, Reginald considered it acceptable collateral.
"Why haven't they released Weiss?" Jaro asked Valerie.
"I-I don't know, but we have to keep her from causing any more destruction or endangering the citizens." Valerie looked at the others as they nodded in agreement. "Alright everyone, take her from all sides," Valerie commanded as they got ready to launch their assault.
As the young paladins attack her, the animalistic instinct of Artemis allows her to dance around them like they had been standing still while she counters their attacks. Another stalemate keeps them locked in a duel that might destroy the kingdom if the paladins don't stop the transformation as the dragon's blood flows through Artemis' veins.
Weiss finally arrives as the others regroup. "I'm sorry I am so late, everyone." Weiss apologised to his friends. Then took command over Valerie. "Alright, Jaro, Milly, you two distract her while Gunter, myself and Valerie launch our attacks." The group split off, and they changed their strategy and even that wasn't enough to keep Artemis from overpowering them with the power of the dragon. She knocked Milly down and unconscious. Gunter takes a full forced blast from the black fire that Artemis wields an attack that is meant for Milly. Valerie and Weiss attack at the same time.
"Return to Darkness." Artemis growled, making Valerie lose power in prosthetic her eyes. In her blindness, Valerie stabs Weiss in the shoulder and Artemis strikes Jaro with an attack. Artemis charges another blast of black fire. She is going to finish the blinded Valerie but Weiss Steps in with a charge of a blue fire that isn't strong enough to stop Artemis' attack. The fire explodes as the two magics collide and break Weiss' arm. Sending him tumbling into the wall. Valerie tries her best, but in the end a kick sends her tumbling across the town square, breaking her legs.
* Inside Weiss' mind*
"Weiss... Weiss, get up. They need you..."
"Artemis? Is that you?" Weiss opens his eyes and stands in a meadow with Artemis in front of him. She smiles and moves closer to him.
"Yes, now get up and save your friends."
"I-I can't. I don't want to lose you."
"I'll always be with you Weiss... Here..." Artemis places her hand on Weiss' heart and kisses his lips before fading into the light.
In the physical world
"I am the light that banishes the darkness, the sword of justice sent to punish evil deeds, bringing retribution to the weak and oppressed. Heed my words. Seek and you will find no shelter, beg and you will receive no mercy. The great phoenix purges the wicked from this world with the eternal flames." As he speaks, the spirit of the phoenix takes over his body. The blue flames engulf his arm turning into a blue armour that also produces a shield. Weiss and Artemis clash in a fight that happens quicker than anyone could see. Their sword clashed into a bind before they separated and took to the sky. The sounds of their blades crossing echoed through the town square. Weiss blocked an attack from Artemis using the shield and kicked her down to the ground. Weiss dove his sword sinking into the cobblestone of the centre of the town square. Artemis rolls away, narrowly escaping the blade. Recovering her posture, Artemis and Weiss charged at each other once again with blinding speed.
"You were supposed to be there to help me. You told me we would always be together... Now look at what's happened." Artemis shot stinging guilt through the air that fell on Weiss' ears, but nothing was more painful to either of them when his sword pierced her heart.
"I'm sorry." Weiss whispered as the power of the phoenix fades from his body and tears flow down his cheeks. His friends were at death's door and the girl he had just murdered was the girl he had loved since childhood, when they met in the forest. As he casts his resurrection spell. Artemis places a finger on his lips.
"Shh... Do not show them your true power." Artemis could barely speak above a whisper. Weiss kissed her lips as she faded into the long dark. As tears fell from Weiss' face, the sky cracked open into a downpour of azure rain that healed the injured.
"You killed her." Reginald said solemnly.
"No, you killed her when you gave her the dragon's blood." Malcolm says standing next to Reginald with a group of guards. "Take Reginald St. Clair into custody."
"Yes, what is it? Ah. Malcom." Cornelius looks at the door.
"Lord." Malcom says
"What can I do for you?"
"I request the morning to welcome my son and his friends, Lord."
"Of course, I will delay the trials until this afternoon. I look forward to meeting them all." Cornelius says.
***
Two animatronic horses decorated with white, gold, and blue draw the carriage. The colours of Godsword. Weiss sits next to a small round window that passes the world by. A familiarity fills his thoughts as he watches out the window. It has been too long since he returned home to Celestine. Two years passed since his initiation into the Artifice knights. The carriage stops, Milly, Gunter, and Jaro are bantering about the festival. Valerie remained quiet. Even through her blindfold, he could feel her eyes on him. The carriage stops on a white cobblestone road leading into the city behind the kingdom walls. Leanna is the first to exit, followed by Weiss, Valerie, Milly, Gunter, and Jaro.
"I see you haven't killed them yet."
"Malcom." Leanna furrows her eyebrows when she crosses her arms, tongue in her cheek. She still had to respect his position, but she didn't have to like him. She knew Weiss's story. It wasn't by chance that Malcom's eldest son had come to her. Malcom pulled strings in the assembly, treating Weiss like a marionette.
Malcom is older than her and one of the great fire mages. She was still intimidating. The green dagger stare from her eyes told him they weren't friends. Malcom swallowed hard and looked past her to see Weiss. Followed by all his friends. He only recognized one. Valerie, from her family name, Casanova. Blinded as a child. He had heard she had prosthetic eyes. She tapped with her cane as she left the carriage. The other three of them had been fresh faces. They must have been Jaro, Milly, and Gunter.
"Hello, Wei-"
"Weiss!" Nathan, now 11 years old, latched on to Weiss.
"You got big!" Weiss says, catching his brother. Weiss watched his father approach. They stood face to face for the first time in twelve years. Weiss still kept a distance between his father and himself. Unsure if he was ready to speak to him.
"Ahem!"
"Oh, Right! This is Milly, Jaro, Valerie, and G-" Weiss says, forgetting the people he invited to come to the festival.
"Gunter was it?" Malcolm interrupts Weiss, "From Toln, in Alricht, correct?"
"Correct Lord, Malcolm," Gunter says in a low voice
"Please, just Malcolm. You don't have to be so formal with me, Gunter; we are all friends here." Malcolm laughs.
Leanna scoffed at Malcolm. Weiss looked at Milly. She wasn't paying attention. Tinkering with something on her gauntlets to make them more efficient, potentially explosive. Only looking up when everyone started moving. Jaro was looking around at the buildings. Gunter bowed with his hat off and bedding at the hips. Valerie bowed less, lifting at her skirt enough to keep it from touching the ground and bowing.
"Hey wait for me!" Milly swings herself with her arms to cover the ground, using the large fragments on her hands to propel herself forward. Her light orange hair flowing in the wind. Slowing down once, she was next to Gunter and Valerie, with Valerie between them. "Valerie, why don't you use your eyes?" Milly asked her.
"I've seen everything before. I've been here many times." She had her arm laced in Gunter's cane in the other; Valerie, even if she had seen the city with her real eyes. Her prosthetics, when she uses them, show her things most people can't see. Paired with her mastery of illusions, she is content with them. "I'd rather wait until we reach the festival when I get to see decorations."
Jaro pulled Weiss away from the group. He looked upset, the way he's glaring at Weiss. "Dude, what is it with you and your dad?" He asks. "I mean, sure, he sent you away. Big deal, right? It paid off, didn't it?" Jaro complained.
Weiss thinks for a moment, "You're right Jaro, I'm sorry."
"The three families of Celestine, St. Clair, are the dragons. They have a rich history of alchemy." Malcolm leads them up a cobbled road through square buildings. "The lions represent members of the Rexward family. Known for their military discipline and courage." Malcom looks at the people at home, watching in their windows as they walk through the city.
"Our Guild house is a tavern, within the festival," Malcolm says as the streets become more decorated, approaching the business district. The central area of the city is halfway to the kingdom. "The birds, as you might have guessed, are the Hargreave family. It represents the phoenix. A bird that rises from its ashes." Malcolm smiles.
As they walked into the festival, the decorations became more elaborate. With coloured flags, the ornaments had a theme of yellow, red, and orange. Life-size yellow lions, orange dragons and red birds hung in the streets. The Hargreave guild house was no different, with a large white flag and a bold red bird in the center. "Valerie, we're here," Milly says as she, for once, wasn't thinking about fixing or inventing something. Looking at the decorative festival, her cheeks sore from the smile on her face. Weiss and Jaro catch up to the rest.
The mascots looked like balloons, floating in the air over the places they represent. She sniffs the air, her mouth salivates, and she drools from the many sweet and savoury foods. Valerie took off her blindfold and opened her eyes. The sun constricted the symbols that were on the gemstones, enchanted with magic to make prosthetic eyes for her. She, too, smiled at all the decorations. Perhaps she would shop while she was there. Gunter played with his beard and the fancy ornaments that gave him some ideas for his own clothing choice while in Celestine.
"You are all guests of the Hargreave family, so I've arranged for you to stay at our guild house in Celestine." Malcolm says, spreading his arms as he turns towards a building with the family crest. "The festival lasts the entire month, so please explore. It is the one time everyone is offering free food." Malcolm stops outside the guild house. "Here we are, the Hargreave guild house." Malcolm leads them inside. "The Hollow Crow Inn."
"Rooms are upstairs," Malcolm points. "The tavern cooks dishes from all over the continent." Malcolm says, looking at the barmaid. She was bigger and broader than Gunter. She was polishing the goblets when she looked up and saw them all enter. "Weiss, will you be joining us at the estate?" Malcolm asks.
"I am going to stay with my friends. Thank you."
Malcolm nodded, disappointed, but he expected something like that. He feels his sleeve being tugged, looking down at his side to see Nathan looking at him bashfully.
"Can I stay here a little longer?" Nathan asks.
"Of course, if they agree."
"Mal- Leanna!" a knight steps into the door, panting like he ran to the tavern, beads of sweat on his forehead.
"Gilberd!?" Leanna gasps, surprised to see him in Celestine of all people. How long has it been?
"Gilberd?"
"Right. Malcolm. Pardon my intrusion. The sage trials are beginning."
"Would you like to join us, Leanna? Allow the kids to explore on their own."
"It would be my pleasure," Leanna says, looking at Logan with a smile. "You're all here for the festival, so enjoy yourselves." She told them as though it was an order. She left with Gilberd and Malcolm for the kingdom. Weiss and the others were free to do as they pleased.
The knights looked at each other. They all went for the door, quickly talking about the things they wanted to do at the festival. Weiss smiles, seeing everyone so excited to be at the Harvest Festival. But he couldn't help but wonder if his father was using their presence to benefit him during the sage trials. He shook his head and caught up with his friends leaving the Hollow Crow, Nathan jumping on to his back from behind.
Weiss uses his arms to adjust Nathan on his back. Valerie, Gunter, Milly, Jaro, are walking through the Festival. The sky-trams and the buildings decorated with reds, yellows and oranges. Alchemists painted orange would step in and breathe fire. Mages with fancy feather clothing are dancing with fire magic in the street. The people wearing lion skins were drumming a beat.
"Isn't that Ms. Leanna?" Gunter says.
"I didn't know she had a smile." Milly laughs as watched with Gunter and Valerie.
"Who is she with?" It surprises Valerie to see Lady Thaumatan casual with anyone.
Gunter blushed with jealousy. He had been trying to get her to smile or even scowl anytime she saw her. And she remained neutral as ever. Gilberd says her name and they're laughing TOGETHER! "She called him Gilberd. Weiss! Who is this Gilberd?"
"Sir Gilberd, he is my father's warden from being at the Assembly table." Weiss notices Gilberd and Leanna having fun. Happy to see them smile. But he turns his head, squinting into the busy road, thinking he heard his name.
"WEISSE!"
"WEISSE!"
"Artemis?!" Weiss steps past Gunter as he looks into the crowd. He saw a yellow braid bouncing in the wind. Getting closer, his eyes widen as does his smile. She burst through the crowd, getting closer to Weiss and his friends. Weiss embraces her up into a hug, spinning around from her momentum.
"I see you've been making friends."
Gunter was the first to notice. He bowed, taking her and kissing it. "I am Gunter I am-"
"I'm Jaro and you are."
"This is Milly and Valerie."
Artemis looks at them mischievously before her eyes settle on Weiss. She grabs Weiss's hand and runs. Weiss runs after her, putting up no resistance. "I'm sorry, I'll catch up with you later!" Weiss disappears into the distance. His face is one of concern. He invited them to come with him to Celestine, but now he was making off with Artemis. His concerns wash away looking at her.
Weiss follows her as she guides him through the city by his hand. They arrive at a park surrounded by delicate trees. A tree atop the hill with gold fruit shimmering in its branches. A railing looked over a cliff where the ocean smashed against the rock face. Weiss remembers this place well. Where he first met Artemis.
"Last one there has to buy cherry cake!" She laughs and races up the hill. Looking over her shoulder with a smile that showed the cutest dimples.
Weiss stops at the railing, Artemis next to him. "You win," he says breathlessly. He ran further wearing his armour. Why was his heart thumping in his chest? He watches Artemis climb the railing, balancing precariously.
Weiss catches her, cradling Artemis in his arms. Her arm wraps around his shoulders. His azure eyes meet her ocean blue eyes. Her breath hitches as they look at each other and she places her other hand on his cheek. Then she giggles. Weiss places her on her feet. They are under a tree that has been there since they could remember. Artemis wraps her other arm around his shoulders and looks up at him. Her head under his chin. Weiss's hands at her sides. She gets up on her toes and kisses his lips. It surprises Weiss at first. Eventually, he melts into her lips.
"I love you, Weiss."
"I-I love you too, Artemis."
"What happened to your wrists?"
Artemis took her hands from around Weiss's neck. "N-nothing."
She separated from Weiss. Footsteps approach from behind her. Logan steps under a streetlight that had turned on as the sun fell below the horizon. "Artemis, father is waiting." Logan says, getting closer. She looked at the ground, walking away. Weiss didn't want her to go holding her hand.
"Artemis wait!" Weiss called after her. He knew the bruises on her wrist weren't nothing. Logan steps in front of Weiss, his left eye wide and bloodshot, the other is black, swollen. A grin on his face makes Weiss take a step back. "I had a match earlier with one of your knights," Logan growls like some sort of wild beast.
She looks back, her eyes tearing as though she knew this would be the last time she got to see him. Logan turned and glared at Weiss. "Logan, stop!" Artemis puts herself between Logan Weiss, his nostrils flaring, clenching his teeth. Weiss stood his ground but didn't instigate things further.
"You didn't learn the first time!"
"This isn't the ring."
"That just means I don't have to hold back."
"Jaro, no!" Weiss says, holding Jaro back from closing the distance. Not because he thought Jaro would lose, but because he knew it would bring bigger problems.
"Yes, Jaro, stay back. I wouldn't want to show you the true strength of a champion." Logan taunted.
Jaro tries to push past Weiss, trying to get free, but Weiss keeps a tight grip on Jaro. Gunter had a furious look on his face. He was just as intimidating carrying the boxes of goods from the festival as he did with his poleaxe in his hands. Valerie and Milly stepped forward. Valerie knew the same as Weiss; this would not be a good image of the group as knights. She places a hand on Jaro's shoulder.
"He's right Jaro, walk away." She says, tightening her grip on his shoulder with anger. Without her blindfold, Weiss let Jaro go once Logan had left. The four other knights followed him. Weiss struggled between telling his father and doing nothing because he didn't know the entire story. But he knew something was wrong. The knot in his stomach tightened. Weiss hoped his father would be at the guild house as he walked down the shimmering white cobble path back towards the guild house. He could hear the others whispering among themselves, but he remained quiet. Asking himself insistently, what would Gilberd do?
The group shared their concerns about both Weiss and Artemis. Valerie shushed their whispers, knowing it must've been hard for Weiss to just stand by and let Artemis go. But she didn't question his actions. She understood what it meant to keep up appearances as a noble. Especially with the volatile feud between their families that only needed a spark to ignite the fumes. They stepped into the guild house. In the time they had spent enjoying the festival, the Hollow Crow Inn had gotten busier. The prettiest girls of the staff walked across the floor serving food and drinks. Drunkards sang songs of old and new over the deafening chatter. Yet, at their table, the knights sat silently. Jaro was too furious to look at anyone. Gunter would think of something to lighten the mood, but then he would opt out of saying it as he caught a glare from Valerie. Milly returns to the table from removing her gauntlets upstairs in her room.
Valerie tried her best to ignore the noise. Focusing on the drum rhythm coming from outside, she was just as angry as Weiss and Jaro. Just as much better at hiding her emotions. As she sat there straight faced fuming knowing that a friend of Weiss's was in danger, and she could do nothing to help her. It was one thing to challenge someone who didn't have status. But the St. Clair family had more status than even her own family now. After the Totality wars, Alchemy had become industrialised using it to make fuel for the magic machines crafted by Artificers. The Casanova family, known for crafting weapons, a trade that had become obsolete since the wars had ended. Something makes her face go from neutral to concern.
"Did you all feel that?" She says. The group looks at her, confused; she knows she felt a strong vibration in the ground that disrupted the rhythm of the drums. It was powerful, like a blast. Though the others didn't have the same sense of vibrations as her, they all knew if she had felt something to make her concerned, it must have been serious. She opens her mouth to explain what she had felt. Before she could get one word out. Guards bearing St. Clair's orange colours burst through the door.
"Weiss Hargreave!" The leader shouts over the busy tavern, silencing the customers as they all look at the situation unfolding. enters shortly after the guards as they approach the table with the young knights, grabbing Weiss. They lift him from the chair he sits in and start dragging him out the door. "You're accused of kidnapping Artemis St. Clair." The leader read a warrant for his arrest. The rest of the guards approach Weiss in his chair and lift him by his arms, pinning his wrists against his lower back. He ripped his hands away from them and the guards lift his arms higher. He arched his back and went to his toes as they wrenched his arms, growling through his teeth.
The knights protested angrily, Malcom putting his hands up and trying to calm them down. He gets the knights to stop yelling and instigating the guards as they escort Weiss out of the Tavern. Weiss resists. He stops realising they outnumbered him and his father seems to figure out the situation. Leanna and Gilberd walk into the tavern, watching the guards haul Weiss to the kingdom. The guards who remained searched his room collecting his armour and sword, taking it with them.
"Malcom! What is the meaning of this?" Leanna demanded an explanation. Her voice shook with fury, curling her fingers tightly into a fist on her hips as she stood, glaring at the guards and Malcom. Waiting expectantly for one of them to tell her why one of her knights was being accused of anything.
"I am not sure. But I am trying to figure it out." Malcom says as he hurried out the door to stay with the guards who were taking Weiss.
Leanna and Gilberd look at each other. Then to the knights, they all had equally concerned and anger on their faces. "Leanna, stay with the rest of them. I will go to the kingdom." Gilberd says.
"Nonsense! Weiss is a knight under my tutelage and I will get answers!" She said, raising her voice. She looked at the knights sternly, letting them know to stay where they were. Then she leaves with Gilberd.
"We don't know that," Valerie said, trying to be the voice of reason. She looked at Jaro, Gunter, and Milly. "We should head to our rooms. I have a feeling this is just the beginning of something much worse." She says as she stood from her seat and headed up the stairs to her room. All but Gunter followed her.
Weiss enters the throne room where King Cornelius Rexward and Reginald St. Clair are talking about something amongst themselves. Malcolm, Leanna, and Gilberd followed the guards that had taken him into custody. "Father, I am innocent!" Weiss pleads, his stomach twisting painfully, knowing something happened to her. He could feel the sting in the back of his throat from the sputum as he fights regurgitation.
Malcom leans in.
"I know, son…" He says, barely above a whisper. Briskly walking. Malcom had noticed Artemis changing over the years. She often asked him about when Weiss was going to return. Malcom's resentment settles on his mind as regret sinks in.
"Step back from the Prisoner!" a Guard shoves Malcom to the ground.
Leanna helps him up, her face usually a deadpan. She knew Weiss would never do such a thing. He was so concerned with hurting people. She could see it in his body. He wants to be looking for the missing girl. Her eyes sting with tears. She looks away from Gilberd and Malcom. Weiss looks at King Cornelius. They are both upset. "I'm sorry, Weiss." Leanna whispers
"One of my guards witnessed you killing two of my guards and kidnapping my daughter!" Reginald cut off the king. He stepped towards Weiss, pointing his finger. Putting on a show, he needed the king to believe Weiss was guilty while Logan searched for Artemis. He suspects Malcom is already on to him. He didn't have time to frame Weiss to make him undeniably guilty. Reginald also didn't predict Artemis would start the mutation rapidly after two vials.
"Liar!" Weiss spat at Reginald. The guards kick the back of his knees and he falls. They drag him back to the middle of the floor. He watches another stand next to Reginald. "King, he hasn't been in a fight!" Weiss wrestles and the guards restrain him. Cornelius looks at the witness, then at Reginald.
"Lord!" Malcom steps forward. "Allow me to question this witness." He looks at Reginald with a scowl. There was something very wrong with the story. Mostly being that it would be impossible for Weiss to be in two places at once. Reginald raised his hand to reject this, but Cornelius raised his hand first. Weiss looks up at his father. Their eyes meet. "Also, allow my Warden Gilberd Gibbons to investigate." Malcom looks at the witness. Leanna and Gilberd step forward. Malcom gestures to Gilberd.
"Do what you must. I will allow Weiss to be proven innocent." Cornelius said. Leanna looks at Weiss. She is being strong to reassure him with her smile. But in her eyes, he sees how serious she thinks the situation is. Malcom and Gilberd walk away to discuss something Weiss didn't hear what they talked about, but he looks over his shoulder, watching Gilberd leave. Weiss looks back at Cornelius, his mind races trying to understand why he was being targeted like this. Does it have something to do with those bruises on Artemis's wrists?
***
In the town square, the other young paladins are trying to contain Artemis as she struggles between becoming a dragon and maintaining her human form. Artemis is on a rampage and she is stronger than anyone could have imagined. Reginald had escaped from the throne room arriving to watch his creation destroy the Paladins bringing his name back into the graces of the king once and for all. Though he still had to bring her back under his control. Artemis was strong enough to deal with four of the five paladins by herself. And without the power of the phoenix on their side, she was overwhelming the others. Reginald smirked with satisfaction as his creation made the paladins struggle. Though her rampage had caused significant damage, Reginald considered it acceptable collateral.
"Why haven't they released Weiss?" Jaro asked Valerie.
"I-I don't know, but we have to keep her from causing any more destruction or endangering the citizens." Valerie looked at the others as they nodded in agreement. "Alright everyone, take her from all sides," Valerie commanded as they got ready to launch their assault.
As the young paladins attack her, the animalistic instinct of Artemis allows her to dance around them like they had been standing still while she counters their attacks. Another stalemate keeps them locked in a duel that might destroy the kingdom if the paladins don't stop the transformation as the dragon's blood flows through Artemis' veins.
Weiss finally arrives as the others regroup. "I'm sorry I am so late, everyone." Weiss apologised to his friends. Then took command over Valerie. "Alright, Jaro, Milly, you two distract her while Gunter, myself and Valerie launch our attacks." The group split off, and they changed their strategy and even that wasn't enough to keep Artemis from overpowering them with the power of the dragon. She knocked Milly down and unconscious. Gunter takes a full forced blast from the black fire that Artemis wields an attack that is meant for Milly. Valerie and Weiss attack at the same time.
"Return to Darkness." Artemis growled, making Valerie lose power in prosthetic her eyes. In her blindness, Valerie stabs Weiss in the shoulder and Artemis strikes Jaro with an attack. Artemis charges another blast of black fire. She is going to finish the blinded Valerie but Weiss Steps in with a charge of a blue fire that isn't strong enough to stop Artemis' attack. The fire explodes as the two magics collide and break Weiss' arm. Sending him tumbling into the wall. Valerie tries her best, but in the end a kick sends her tumbling across the town square, breaking her legs.
* Inside Weiss' mind*
"Weiss... Weiss, get up. They need you..."
"Artemis? Is that you?" Weiss opens his eyes and stands in a meadow with Artemis in front of him. She smiles and moves closer to him.
"Yes, now get up and save your friends."
"I-I can't. I don't want to lose you."
"I'll always be with you Weiss... Here..." Artemis places her hand on Weiss' heart and kisses his lips before fading into the light.
In the physical world
"I am the light that banishes the darkness, the sword of justice sent to punish evil deeds, bringing retribution to the weak and oppressed. Heed my words. Seek and you will find no shelter, beg and you will receive no mercy. The great phoenix purges the wicked from this world with the eternal flames." As he speaks, the spirit of the phoenix takes over his body. The blue flames engulf his arm turning into a blue armour that also produces a shield. Weiss and Artemis clash in a fight that happens quicker than anyone could see. Their sword clashed into a bind before they separated and took to the sky. The sounds of their blades crossing echoed through the town square. Weiss blocked an attack from Artemis using the shield and kicked her down to the ground. Weiss dove his sword sinking into the cobblestone of the centre of the town square. Artemis rolls away, narrowly escaping the blade. Recovering her posture, Artemis and Weiss charged at each other once again with blinding speed.
"You were supposed to be there to help me. You told me we would always be together... Now look at what's happened." Artemis shot stinging guilt through the air that fell on Weiss' ears, but nothing was more painful to either of them when his sword pierced her heart.
"I'm sorry." Weiss whispered as the power of the phoenix fades from his body and tears flow down his cheeks. His friends were at death's door and the girl he had just murdered was the girl he had loved since childhood, when they met in the forest. As he casts his resurrection spell. Artemis places a finger on his lips.
"Shh... Do not show them your true power." Artemis could barely speak above a whisper. Weiss kissed her lips as she faded into the long dark. As tears fell from Weiss' face, the sky cracked open into a downpour of azure rain that healed the injured.
"You killed her." Reginald said solemnly.
"No, you killed her when you gave her the dragon's blood." Malcolm says standing next to Reginald with a group of guards. "Take Reginald St. Clair into custody."