The Fall 5

    Her eyes widened. She rose from the bed into the blackness of the room and listened. Ringing filled her ears from the lack of sound, her body feeling a sense of urgency. Relinquishing all thoughts of safety, she relished in the absence of all within the darkness. Suddenly she fell through the floor. Panic took her in its grasp and laughter filled the empty chamber. Younger versions of herself could be seen in the center of a crowd, their fingers pointing accusingly toward her.

    “I didn't mean to! I had no choice...!”

    “You failed us as a Szene. You failed all of the Szene this day!”

    “No, I didn't!”

    Sven.

    The name felt familiar. She felt strangely compelled to ask who it was, but she found her voice locked within her throat.

    “There is a prophecy. One told of Arden...you, my dear.”

    “You let that Delacroix escape you. In the duel, you were supposed to destroy her. She was the one who was to fall at your hands as testament for your right to rule. You let her escape and now she will tell her family of one who is weak. How dare you show your face among us when you know full well the crime you have committed.”

    I remember this. Arden's thoughts dispelled the imagery before her. I released a Delacroix assassin who dared to attempt my life. Yet, I couldn't allow myself to slay her. My hands were dull to the art of death.

    “Enough! My daughter didn't wish to kill her for the sake of showing the Szene's mercy. At any moment we could go to war with them. At any time they would attempt Arden's life for the sake of destroying the hope of the prophecy's fruition. To be a calamity or salvation is much to bear for a young soul.” Ovelia's voice called for the crowds to cease. At the command of their Sanguine Overlord they fell silent. The silhouettes all backed away from her and they lowered their heads in a sense of self imposed anger. “Arden...death isn't easy to bear at any age. For the sake of all, remember this one lesson we teach you. Remember the faces of those you slay. They have families who love them, children to adore, lovers to hold and friends to tend. Every one of them dreams of living to an old age...by stripping them of their lives, you take away their lovers, their children, their family and their friends from them. By taking a life you must one day return what you have taken.”

    Arden awoke with a start. Cold sweat beaded down the side of her head as she turned her head in the darkness. Reaching for a small light, the glow of warmth dispelled the darkness from her sight. A small bed and a desk with a bookshelf were in the room. The shelves were empty along with the desk. Somehow, Solstice was propped against the bookshelf, seeming to coo at her with its warm glow. She shook her head. Her eyes lowered to the floor and she took a step onto the cold, lifeless wooden floor. Exiting her room, she entered a hallway. Lights in both Eloise and Deifel's rooms shown from underneath their doors. She slowly made her way to the end of the hallway to the bathroom.

    Inside was a marvelous bath, the water was warm and already prepared. Mist veiled the chamber with lover's embrace. She removed her nightgown and set down the device. She rested herself in the water, taking in a single breath.

    “...Seems almost surreal to be here. Everything here is just given to us without a sense of worry over the outside world.” Arden lowered herself into the water, making bubbles with her mouth. Diving her head underneath the surface for an instant, she brushed her hair back with her hands. “What worries me is how easily I am separated with the other two.”

    “Oh, you too, hm?” Eloise's voice caused Arden to rise in alarm. Her bright azure gaze widened but eased when she saw the other woman disrobe and take her place next to her. “I sensed distress and wished to see whom it belonged to. Strange that you held to it.”

    “Why did you come here?” The Szene and the Delacroix faced each other now. Eloise disrobed before her and took her place nearby, tying her hair into a bun. She smiled slightly at the warmth.

    “I wished to keep you company, is all.”

    Arden had no words to apprehend her. All she could variably attempt was banter, but she held no energy to do so. Slowly she took in a small breath.

    “You have such long, beautiful hair.” The other woman attempted conversation.

    “A gift from my mother.” Arden smiled and took the bait.

    “She is probably beautiful.”

    She remained silent. Another set of footsteps reached them, but halted at the door. A candlelight was held in one hand while the other held a book. The young Deifel stood near the doorway and never attempted to glance their way.

    “Look who it is.” She laughed and leaned up on one arm. “Please, come here. We have much to discuss as it is.”

    “I have no qualms to speak. Only to listen...and learn.” His response surprised them. Though the book was held in his hand, he gave no attempt to speak further.

    “They say that the weapon you hold is something short of legendary.” Eloise then turned to Arden. “Something which only appears in times of dire need.”

    “But it was forged only recently.” She frowned in disbelief. “How can so many know of its existence so quickly?”

    “A duel is won between two fighters when one is disarmed...” Without a glance toward them from his book, Deifel chimed in from behind his book. “Solstice destroys the weapons it encounters which are of lesser make than it so as to ease the burden of its wielder. Holy magic imbued into any weapon by a smith does this to a degree...whether to weaken or otherwise render it too heavy to wield. With Solstice the case is exemplifying a sort of love in its design and make, thus enabling it to destroy any weapon which is forged in a lesser fashion than itself.”

    Arden lowered her head. A woman with pale skin, blazing ocean eyes and full, moist lips returned her gaze. She seemed to be incapacitated by the knowledge she was given, though Eloise appeared puzzled. Accepting it as fact came simply. The blade itself rested in her hands without any difficulty, as if it were forged for her alone. Even if others may attempt to wield it, the blade will reject them...

    “Accalia held my sword.” She muttered.

    “...How? Many who tried to aid Ovelia in moving it to your quarters earlier couldn't touch it...”

    “I believe, in my mind, her magic renders her immune to most spells. She is protected through dark enchantments... Every time she is near me...I feel weak, as if I couldn't have any will of my own...”

    Deifel however remained silent. The realization in his mind stifled itself and he stood upright. Muttering to himself, he exited the bath.

    “...Well, I suppose we should all head back to bed. Tomorrow should be a big day, you know.” Eloise smiled a little before she climbed out of the bath.

    Soon, Arden was left alone. Sleep, however, never settled onto her. A body of worry and regret seemed to be filled with restlessness. Slowly she stood in the water and channeled her magic. Waves around her formed into a tunneling vortex which settled easily into the stagnant pool of warm water once again. Instantly the liquid evaporated and formed a thick mist. Through every pore she absorbed the deep fog until finally her body felt the rush of power and released it. A small explosion echoed through the chamber as the water bellowed from her being before it finally settled into the pool.

    A mind as clouded as mine... Arden thought to herself. Is a hopeless mind... Why do I feel this way? Am I...doubting myself?

    “WAKE UP, MAGGOTS.” The dorm door erupted with magical energy before it burst open. Arden found herself shaken from the stupor of sleep as the other two were rounded from their chambers. She stood in her hallway without realizing she had escaped her room.

    “Good, I'm glad all the princes and princesses here decided to awaken. Today is a day of assessment. We do not know your physical and mental prowess...so you shall face our Instructors in a duel. This is the first group to be assessed...as a team. You can't win the war on your own. Everyone knows that wars are won through teamwork and cooperation.” Uribae stroked his beard before he grinned. “I know there are already threads of doubt in this chamber. One is sensible and smart, knowing he full well could outmaneuver any team of Instructors if the others cooperate. Now, let us move on.”

    He reached into his satchel and retrieved a small cross which resembled his own.

    “Strip, all of you, save for your undergarments. Including you, Deifel.” Uribae stood in the center of the hallway, his stone visage intent on his decision. Eloise obeyed without question, yet Arden and Deifel's faces exploded in a rush of color. “...You don't have time to feel embarrassed. Hurry up or I will burn off your clothes.”

    Before she objected, she found her arms moving on their own accord. Her clothes were thrust to the floor and a chill surrounded her naked form. Eloise smiled to herself, but remained silent.

    “These are the Blessed Stars of Sanctuary. This is your uniform, whether you choose to discard it and wear armor forged by a smith is your business; however, you will never find an armor sturdier. This will protect you against the sharpest steel, the deadliest magic and the most harshest of vampire bites. Yes, in this uniform, you will fight the vampiric monsters roaming the cold outskirts. You may get the chance to venture from within the Main Square into the Districts, where they are more active. As we speak, your friends and comrades are fighting them to their dying breath. They are either winning...or losing, I cannot say. But surrender your heart to this armor...and you will have the strongest chance of living.”

    Each of them retrieved their Stars and frowned. Eloise was the first to press it against her chest. Her eyes shone bright as she was enveloped by a small light, armor taking form about her body. Supporting her back and chest, she began to giggle softly as she felt the shirt knit itself with invisible needles. Armor of black, crimson and gold, she looked down at herself, the pauldrons, vambraces and gauntlets forming around her arms. The joints fit perfectly around her and enabled her to move freely.

    Arden settled the Star against her chest, followed by Deifel. Similarly they were granted armor, but both of them exchanged glances. Theirs were purple, blue, gold and green. Uribae merely smiled at this and turned away.

    “...Now, on to the main event.” He whispered, almost to himself. “Arden...fetch your blade.”

    “But, sir... Am I not to be trained using another?”

    “Solstice cannot be wielded by any other and will not leave your side.” Uribae glanced over his shoulder. “...Take a look.”

    A humming stilled silence into them as the holy blade hovered toward her to settle itself against her side, the fastenings securing themselves around her belt.

    “Let us move quickly. We have wasted enough time.”