[Art by AureolinFlax]

“D-dammit!” the male spat, the tip of the sword across from him at his own throat.

Clap-clap-clap, a spell of clapping from across the room. There, sat atop a high rock, a lone female who had just begun to slide down and place both feet upon the ground. The heads of the two turned, seeing the approaching figure who wore the slightest of grins as she spoke the words-

“Alright alright, that’s the match and the game!”

Hair, a long dark blond going down her back and curling over her face. The glimmer of a light green shining behind the stands, reflecting the light of the torches. A purple short sleeved shirt, black sleeves extending out down to her wrists, a dark blue coat over top with the sleeves sliced off. A black skirt with a golden trim, atop long gray sweatpants leading into boots. A book in hand, red cover with patches of black; though no writing on it however.

“You guys did great that time, much better than before,” she spoke.

“Blehhh, if you say so. Feels like I got the crap beaten out of me,” the male said.

“Hee hee, you got that right,” the girl giggled.

“Destiny don’t start with me. I still feel the tip of your damn sword, too close a shave.”

“Thomas, Thomas, Thomas, that’s what happens when you get overconfident.”

“Yeah? Well how about a rematch. None of your silly ballerina stuff just straight up striking and power!”

“’fraid not Tom, a battle is more than just being strong. A battle is being smart too. Should do you some good to think for once.”

“Heh heh- just listen to the two of you. Quarreling over nothing. Kind of adora-”

“Shut up Elise!” both barked at once.

The girl, Elise, broke into a bit of a laugh. Her hand held up to her mouth as her snicker escaped, eyes closed as she did so.

“Yeah? How about you and I throw down and see how funny it is. I’ll take you on!” Thomas howled.

“Oh, oh- no thank you. I don’t really care for combat. I’m fine sitting on the sidelines,” Elise chuckled, opening her eyes once more.

“Thomas you’re dumb. I know that you know what I know that we both know that Elise is a glass cannon. She’d beat you like a sack of potatoes on bath day.”

“Gah dammit, screw you. I quit!” Thomas barked aloud.

With his bark he turned right round and stormed away, barging right out of the hall and turning around the corner to disappear, the shout of Destiny to follow, “Oh come on Thomas. If you want you could come with me to collect water and haul it back. Maybe get laughed at by Rusty for… well, being you. I can talk to Vulper about assigning you to my teeeeeeam if you want~”

“Never again!” his voice yowled back with an echoing curl.

“Hee hee hee, oh Thomas,” Destiny giggled looking after him, soon directing her focus back to Elise, “He’s rather simple, isn’t he?”

“Heh heh, just a little; but that is our way, isn’t it? Vulfax is built on the backs of warriors, and he will make for a fine warrior one day.”

Elise’s own steps carried her forward, staring out at the entrance. Beside her stepped Destiny, crossing just behind, her sword sheathed as she moved. Their motions now carrying them from the rectangular outline and towards that very same opening in the rock. Through the halls walked several, cloaked in the outfits of the old world: of leather, of cloth, of rags and stitches.

“If he lives that long,” Destiny murmured.

“The both of you will do fine,” Elise spoke as both rounded the corner, “You should both pass the trials without any trouble. After that you can join the ranks and take to the battlefields, and once ready-”

“-Once ready we can be turned!” Destiny interrupted with a giddy smile.

“Ah, of course. The sacred rite. You get to become a she-devil, heh heh.”

“Pa-hah, oh yes of course. Then they can call me devilish. Devilish. Such silly words by those feeble humans. Ahhhh to live in such pure blissful ignorance,” Destiny giggled.

“Lest you forget friend, you are one of those feeble humans as of right now,” Elise spoke.

Both continued down another corridor alit by the torches anchored within. People did pass as they curved left and then up some stone-carved stairs leading up. It was here where around another change of halls at the top that a good few stood a distance down. A lone man with a lantern in hand, cloaked in a brown wrap, and several in black leather-like garbs.

The man in brown lifted his head and glanced outward towards the two as they entered, their steps carrying the sound of their presence. The man, his face drenched in swirling long black hair over a single eye, the other eye standing out with its dark greenish blue glow. Elise’s head perked ever so, taking in the sight of the man. Both Destiny and Elise stopped, the latter’s gaze turned to the former who in turn gave a simple not.

It was following the exchange that Destiny turned herself around and progressed the other way, whilst the man before Elise resumed his chatter with the others. They too broke way and continued on, leaving just the cloaked man and the young girl who was now moving forward herself.

“Miss Bakuuva, a pleasure as always,” the man spoke, soon turning to walk with her as she caught up.

“Likewise my friend,” Elise stated as she did in fact catch up, walking in tandem now with the man.

“I trust that our newest additions are nearly ready for their ascension?” he questioned.

“Yes, for the most part. Destiny has showcased remarkable progress. On the other hand, Thomas is… well he’s determined anyway.”

“*Huff* Take what we can get I suppose given the circumstances,” he mumbled, “Harsh times are upon us.”

“I… heard that there was another attack. Alavan this time,” she murmured while glancing over to him.

“Yes. The rogue forces laid siege to Alavan; though it seems the humans were able to repel the enemy this time without aid from the Inquisition. Their resilience is becoming rather… concerning,” he spoke calmly, almost monotone.

“Is it really that surprising though? The humans have endured a lot in recent times.”

“Oh, I fully expected it to happen eventually. It’s still troubling. The stronger they get, the closer they get to becoming a credible threat to us. And the more damage the rogue forces do, well- you get the idea. And that… that is why I intend to raise this concern at the next summit. To protect our own interests and such.”

She’d glance to him for a moment as they continued to walk and then look away, “Seems as though conflict is inevitable.”

“Such is life Miss Bakuuva. We can not live without conflict, lest we become stagnate and rot.”

“I… am aware, but- conflict should only go so far… is another war likely?”

“Hopefully not Miss Bakuuva. If anything I hope for this to be resolved quickly and quietly. Now then- speaking of the humans, I have an assignment for you my dear.”

“Oh boy,” she scoffed with a slight grin and eyes shut with a prolonged blink, “What am I to do this time?”

She looked to him once again.

“Word has it that some of the Local Lords are going to be moving through the mountain pass. One by the name of Matias is going to be with them. I won’t go into much detail about him but- we need to make sure he gets through here. Any of them dying would be a particular problem for all of the neighboring clans. Understood?”

“I understand loud and clear Vulper.”

“Good. Once the storm passes by you’ll leave with Mark’s team. Expect their convoy to be through here no more than an hour passed the storm.”

“I’ll ready myself to head out then. Thank you Vulper,” she spoke turning about with a couple paces.

“Try not to get into too much trouble young one,” he spoke as she left his side.

“Oh come on you know me!” she called back while rounding a corner, leaving Vulper with but the slightest of smirks crossing his face.

As she walked down the corner her hands drew to the sides of her head. Taking hold of the hood she flipped it forward over top. Her face, slightly obscured with the darkness and only illuminated as the torches passed her by. A few paces more and her eyes closed, a breath drawn in.