"Now what? Are you going to consume the whole world?"
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The night was calm in Ebony, but the romantic music disk in the bedroom proved calmer.
In the high regions of the beautiful city of Ebony, a humble abode stood proudly on one of the luxurious streets. Sitting comfortably on the banks of a canal, its cobblestones splashed by the calm waters, and the interior was filled with the aroma of love.
The bedroom was dark; the music danced through the air, and the couples lay on their destroyed 6-poster beds, recovering from their quiet midnight with their loud endeavour.
Christopher Archer, the revered assassin knight, carefully opened the curtain, welcoming the setting pink light of Tsuki and the crimson rays of Edirp.
He breathed in the fresh morning breeze, his skin tingling to the refreshing cold and calm sounds of the canals.
He quietly walked back to his bed and opened a drawer beside the bed. He gripped a lilac cigarette and a beautiful lighter, dazzling purple and adorned with gorgeous crystals, with the inscription, "Ride or Die."
The lighter burnt the tip of the cigarette with a green flame, knowingly aware of the health risks it could bring, but unable to stop himself.
He took a deep whiff of the vapour, the chemicals calming his nerves and allowing his body to breathe once more. He exhaled a gust of blue vapour, the smell sweet and intoxicating.
He smiled at his treat as he prepared for the arriving Shawnforth knight cadet.
His mind, however, continued to race uncontrollably.
Would he be a good mentor to the youngsters? He lacked Divinity and substantial grace control, so he wondered if the higher-ups made a mistake choosing him to lead the excursion. Was he worthy?
Ready?
Strong enough?
Competent enough?
Has he been redeemed from the sins that haunted his past...
An unexpected snore escaped from the lips of the woman sleeping beside Archer.
His beautiful wife, Burnice Vera Christopher.
Her body seemed to sparkle under the combined light of the two moons. Her hand tattoos, cyan inks inscribed into her skin, were intricate and enhanced her beauty.
Her hair, a wild combination of red, pink, gold and burnt orange, trapped Archer in her allure the first time they met.
As Archer took another whiff of his cigarette, his eyes were magnetised to Burnice. Even though he had seen hundreds of witches, he had never seen one as jaw-dropping as her.
"I feel shy when you look at me like that, sugar." Burnice suddenly whispered.
Archer smiled, his heart burning more than the cigarette. "But how can I stop staring at the goddess in front of me?"
Burnice slowly opened her eyes, a sharp mosaic of red, gold and emerald. "You and your sweet, corny lines."
Archer moved closer to her. Burnice could smell the sweet residue of the cigarette, and he could feel her warm aura tempting him for another go.
"What a blazing night, huh?" Burnice whispered tiredly.
"Yeah, pretty amazing." Archer smiled softly. "It makes it fun before the night we are meant to be working."
Burnice's fatigue vanished. "Don't tell me it's today?"
She grunted while pulling the sheets over her head. "Why, why, why, why, why?"
Archer joined her under the sheets, her hot breath caressing his neck. "I thought you loved children."
"Children, Suger," Burnice said. "Teenagers are a different story."
Archer held her hands gently. "Are you shy of kids?"
Burnice's eyes seemed to spark. "I am never shy, and certainly not to kids, so stop your teasing."
Archer chuckled. "All I am saying is that I believe this work would be exciting, especially when we..." Archer raised his eyebrow, but he wasn't sure that Burnice could see it.
Archer, Burnice said slowly.
I know, I know, Archer quickly reaffirmed as he pulled the sheets away. But don't you want to raise children?
Sugar.
I know you love being a knight, and I adore being an assassin, but don't you want to be free from all this?
Sweetie, please stop.
We have been doing this for 15 years now; don't you think we deserve peace? We have fought strongly and we...
Burnice swiftly planted the cigarette into Archer's lips, who instinctively inhaled it.
"Better?" Burnice asked, and Archer slowly nodded.
Burnice carefully turned away, but Archer hugged her from behind.
"15 years, my love," Archer whispered as he exhaled in her face. "Aren't you tired?"
Burnice's thoughts ran wild, but she was keen to keep them under control. She must.
"My papa's coming," Burnice said slyly. "For the Water Mother celebration."
Archer's smile disappeared as he gently let go of Burnice. He childishly pulled the sheets over his head. "Why, why, why, why, why?"
Burnice turned to look at her husband. "I thought you liked Papa."
"But the feeling isn't mutual," Archer grumbled.
"Can't you folks get along, for me?" Burnice frowned, which ached Archer's heart.
"I...I'll try at least," Archer said. "But remember when he dropped into the Demon's belly just because I kissed you without brushing my teeth."
"But I like it hot."
"That's what I said." Archer took another whiff of his cigarette. "He told me that one day, this knighthood thing is gonna kill us. Do you know what I replied with?"
Burnice clampered out of the sheets, her body bare and naked, and climbed on top of Archer. She slowly leaned forward, planting her lips at the end of the cigarette. She exhaled the blue vapour, her eyes lovely and her face simply perfect.
"'That we are ride or die,'" Burnice said.
Archer pulled the cigarette from his mouth and gave Burnice a warm kiss. "Exactly."
Burnice looked outside, her seductive look slowly evaporating. "Few Horas until the Shawnforth lads arrive. Time to get busy."
"Caterine, Monica and Lucilla must have already awoken," Archer extinguished the flame from his cigarette.
"Caterine must be screaming right now," Burnice chuckled.
"And Elaire?"
"That girl is still kickin' in her dormitory," Burnice smiled. "She looked rather giddy for the arrival of the Shawnforth kids. But first..."
Burnice's seductive eyes suddenly returned. She grabbed the extinguished cigarette and placed it on her lips. She raised her middle finger to the tip, and ice emerged from it. Unlike regular ice, this one was red and sizzling. The cigarette was lit again, and Burnice took a long, deep inhale.
"Wanna do it again, sugar?" Burnice grinned wildly.
Archer inspected the 6-poster bed, noting the woodwork was cracked and the posts had fallen.
"I'm sure it can handle one more," Archer smiled as the two couples hid under the sheets.
"Sugar, what about the Silver thieves?" Burncie asked worriedly. "They have killed 30 knights and 4 nobles. Would the Shawnforth lads be okay?"
Archer arched his eyebrows. "I believe in those lads. Especially since Jacques is with them."
"Boy blue?" Burnice asked excitedly.
"We can rest assured, plus the Silver thieves won't attack children."
. . . . . . . . . .
Sorry, Archer, but the Silver thieves did, in fact, attack the children.
And they were brutal.
Mr Pierr stabilised the carrier, while the cadets faced their opposition. Their white attire and powerful creatures behind them were petrifying, but a true knight never falters.
Caesar stepped in front of his Order, donning his title of the Vanguard, leading them into their first battle as a system.
Caesar's hands shivered. He was nervous, scared even. He drew out his weapon, and the others followed suit. It was time for Caesar to prove himself to himself.
The Overhaul Ebony Order of Year 1 vs the most Wanted group in the Scynther cities.
"Chalybe, Jacques," Caesar whispered. "I want you guys to fly."
Jacques and Chalybe stared at each other and nodded.
Without a word, Jacques and Chalybe leapt to the sky as they brought out their arsenals, raining bullets and explosions down on the enemy, but the thieves disappeared.
Caesar's mind immediately went to Ms Fiah.
. . . . . . . . . . . . .
"Divide and Conquer," Ms Fiah told Caesar, both master and teacher strolling along the academy gardens. "When split, you need to analyse the enemy immediately, and counter them with your Order."
Caesar listened attentively, his brain jotting down all points he could understand, not memorise.
"And make sure to make it subtle," Ms Fiah continued. "You can open up with explosions to create a smokescreen, but you need to deploy your troops immediately and swiftly without the enemy realising. Have you mastered the Order communication technique?"
Caesar immediately stopped in his tracks. "Uh, well."
"You can't be serious," Ms Fiah sounded disappointed. "I took time out of my recreation to help you..."
"And you are doing a very good job at it," Caesar complimented, hoping to soothe the raging beast, or cat.
Ms Fiah sighed. "So divide, conquer, deploy, and most importantly..."
Ms Fiah swept Caesar off his feet and pinned him down. "Destroy!!"
Caesar struggled to breathe. "For a teacher, you got moves."
Ms Fiah looked offended. "Firstly, I am 24 in human years; secondly, I was once aspiring to become a knight."
Caesar's eyes glinted. "Really, what happened?"
Ms Fiah smiled, her smile so warm but sorrowful. "You could say life."
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The smokescreen was created, and the perfect opportunity has presented itself. Caesar only has to communicate with his group, but he needs something to connect them-
[Morning, Ebony Order.]
The group froze in fear, wondering what spoke to them.
[It is I, Sol, your automated combat armour.]
"You can talk?" Fenrir said. "That's convenient."
[I am the combination of multiple souls. So, yes, I can communicate, but you can hear my voice in your souls, not your ears.]
"Perfect," Caesar said, thanking Zida wherever she may be. "Team, you hear me?"
"Perfectly," Chaylbe responded.
"Crystal clear," Fenrir replied.
"R-Roger." Jacques chided in.
"Surprisingly, yes." Izobel sounded excited.
"Could be clearer," Aurelia complained.
Caesar grinned, his brain running wild, and his plan for victory set in stone. "I can see a way to victory. We conquer."