Caliburn Institute: Arena Battlegrounds; Coastal Federation of Avalon; 12 March 5; R4

The arena was in shambles, a random woman manifested on the field and snatched my brother away in the middle of his match. The crowds were all in a panic, but the one that was the most furious was my father.

Ever since Mother was stabbed, he’s had his head on a swivel, and takes extra care to ensure our safety. But I could tell, this had been eating him.

After a few hours though, Myrlin and our father made it back to the dorms. There was a slight shift in pressure in the air though, like something was missing.

“Hey MyrMyr, how are you feeling?”

“He can’t really hear you, he’s in a psychosis,” Professor Greenwitch chimed in.

“Will he be okay?”

“Your brother is the strongest kid I know, he’ll be more than fine,” our professor reassured me.

Two Weeks Later

Caliburn Institute; Dragon’s Chapel; Coastal Federation of Avalon, 26 March 5; R4

Myrlin made a recovery and was back in class. He’s different though, like a part of him is missing. 

As we sat in the chapel and the high priest went on with his lecture, I noticed something.

The high priest wore a scarlet robe and the stitching on it was charcoal grey and he wore a two pronged pointed hat that gave him horns. He spoke with damp, monotone voice, “The tale of the First Hierophant is one of tragedy”.

The chapel grew eerily quiet, “Simply put, the First Hierophant was a man born during the first half of the the First Rotation,” the priest continued looking down at his notes. “He was a man that dedicated his life to meeting our patron Dragoness, but alas, in his waking life, it was not meant to be. That is where most stories like this would end, however, this was merely the beginning.”

I can’t shake the feeling that I’ve heard that from somewhere before.

The priest continued, “Upon the Hierophant’s death, our dear mother did in fact grace him with her presence, and he was reborn as the first Lord, known as Lord Astaroth, the founder of the Ryudō within ShanGriLa.

“Did he say-?”

“Shh,” the people in front of me snapped.

I turned and looked at Myrlin, didn’t he tell me a similar story about dedicating his life?

My brother sat there, eyes fixated on the priest’s every movement. So much was happening, and at the same time something felt off. Something I couldn’t explain was wrong. Like I was missing something.

Two Years Later

The past two years I kept a strict school-life balanced schedule that factors in my morning training with Renata, chapel, spell weaving lessons with Professor Greenwitch. I even have enough time to spar with at least four of my five siblings.

I‘ve been on go for a while, and I should probably take a break soon.

“M-Minerva!” An unfamiliar voice shouted from behind.

“Um yes?”

The person that called my name was a scrawny little boy with reddish skin, and a protruding lower fang. He was cute, in a dorky way, “My name is Gi-Giuseppe A-Aeralis, I am a squire in service to a knight in the royal guard.”

What is he even saying? What royal guard?

“I know I may not get to see you for a while, but I must tell you before the chance is too late,” his face looked like it was going to pop from all the blood rushing to his face. “I want to give you my heart Lady Minerva!”

It was like the entire world came to a stand still when he said that, and I suddenly felt the eyes of everyone in town on me. “Um, what are you doing bookie? You’re embarrassing me.”

“My deepest apologies, m’Lady, but if I didn’t say it now, I’f regret it in the long run,” he said. “I don’t expect us to get married tomorrow, but I’d like to get to know you and build a future with you.”

I ultimately decided to give him a chance, even if I think his efforts on me are wasted, I’m not even a noble, so why was he acting like?

I eventually made it back to my room and once I get to comfortable, something always has to stir things up. This time, there was a note left on my bed, it read “To the first born daughter of Emperor Chronos, you are hereby invited to take part in the Minami Succession Ritual. Doing so and completing the ritual will raise your personal status to that of “Crown Princess,” and eventually that of Empress when the time comes. A messenger will be awaiting your response.”

Is this even real? My father may be strong, but he’s no Emperor, he just governs the little plot of land that we own; then again, he does govern land. Not to mention, he‘s often talking about a throne room being nothing but a cave.

It turned out that our late great-aunt, Lady Mammon, created a nation specifically designed to breed assassins. Minami, and I was being asked to become their new leader.

It was all starting to make sense to me, that’s why Renata asked me that two years ago…

And like clockwork, Renata opened the door and flopped on her bed, “What‘s that?”

“An official invite to take part in some succession ritual in Minami.”

Renata’s eyes lit up with excitement, “Nerva, you have to go! You don’t understand, this is big!”

“I don’t think I’m cut out for all that royal stuff.”

“Please, Nerva you always wanted to do dumb girl stuff, well, being a princess is dumb girl stuff,” Renata’s argument was sounding more and more interesting.

“And how would you know it’s dumb girl stuff?”

Renata‘s smile shrank down to a pinch as she blushed, ”Because I am one.”

“What! No way!”

“Am so! My mother happens to be the Beast Queen of Bestahlagro. So if anyone knows what dumb girl stuff is, it‘s me!” Renata folded her arms and pouted before we erupted in laughter.

“Okay, alright, I’ll consider it, just promise me one thing.”

The joy in her eyes was a priceless sight, “I’m packing my bags right now!”

It was like she could read my mind, Renata has always been there for me when I need her the most, I love my sister from a different family.

Outside there was a bicorn carriage and two people waiting by the door. There was young man olive colored skin and green fish whiskers, he had a slim and toned build and the closer we got I noticed his rainbow colored scales along his arm. The other person that was with him was little girl, she couldn’t have been any older than me. She wore her hair in two braided buns and her ebony skin made her eyes stick out like a sore thumb. Her eyes were a deep crimson with flickers of yellow and scarlet that made it look like her eyes were on fire.

The two bowed as we approached the carriage, “Greeting, you must be Lady Minerva,” the man said.

“Yes, and this is Renata from Bestahlagro, she’ll be my witness.”

“A pleasure to be in the midst of two princesses,” the man gave an over exaggerated, “my name is Sir Robfynn of the Minami Palace Royal Guard, and this little one is-,”

“My name is Captain Ayatsuki, I’m to be your personal aid to help acclimate you to your new home,” Ayatsuki said with a sharp tongue. I knew from the start that she and I were going to get along, just fine.

“The first thing we’ll do when we get you to the palace is get you fitted for your royal regalia,” Ayatsuki directed. “After which, Lady Minerva will undergo Royal Assassin Training in preparation of the Ritual.”

“That doesn’t sound too bad,” Renata chimed in.

“You two are in for ride,” Sir Robfynn chuckled. “Minerva, tell me about the palace in Garudora.”

I really didn’t know how to answer the question, “Well my dad would say that it’s just an old dusty cave. I grew up in a manor right outside the LeFey Forest.” I could tell my words struck a nerve, because Ayatsuki was fuming.

“It’s a different culture in Minami, we have a gorgeous palace and I’m sure it would be up to your liking since you are accustomed to the finer way of living,” Sir Robfynn had a way with words; he’d easily defused that would be tussle.

The carriage ride there was steady, and along the way I learned more about Minami and its culture. So, Lady Mammon had this nation made to breed royal assassins. Uncle Aether never mentioned anything about the country, he’d just say that it was the sticks.

“Welcome to Minami,” I was in complete awe once we officially made there though, the palace city was carved into a mountain. There were so many people that lived in this nation I almost cried.

“She has that effect on people,” Sir Robfynn stated. Our carriage pulled up to the palace gates and we gathered our things and made our way inside. There inside the main courtyard was a procession of people with decorative lanterns and puppets came to greet us.

”What is all this?”

“We’re excited that we have a new Empress,” Ayatsuki said with a slight grin of relief on her face.

All of this was for me? I couldn’t believe it, my father didn’t tell me any of this. It makes me wonder what else he’s hiding from us.