Chapter 2: The problem of the Kingdom of Gadaria, and Hermes' studies at Xelios University.
Zaiyal, Qayyim and Aquarius approached the king who sat on his golden throne
before them. They approached the king who gestured to his guards to leave them all in peace. The doors were shut and the only ones left in the room were the three warriors and the king. The king asked: "Do you know why I have asked you here today?" All of them stood in silence. The king tapped his fingers, sat up and stepped to the side to a picture of a large old vintage paper map, of some country that lay on the outskirts of the Qatari Empire. The king pointed at the map, "this is the nation of Gadaria, it's a primitive kingdom that's considered off limits to the international community. But the Qatari Empire has sought to conquer it or more accurately turn it into a vassal for years for its wealth of mineral resources. We must gain the territory if we don't, our economy could take a serious down-turn in the next 20 years or so." Zaiyal for his part stepped forward: "Why not bring Hermes into this, she's a Prophet after all, that would be a perfect justification wouldn't it." The king scoffed, taking a sip of some wine and then said: "No, we've considered that but it can't be done for two reasons. One, if we send the Prophet out she would be wasting time she could have spent in University to hone her magical abilities and too if the world governments see that she's there they will assume this is a
religious conquests, therefore, they'll assume they're all fair game as disbelievers." Zaiyal nodded, as if to say his logic was sound.
The king turned back to the map, his expression growing more serious. "Instead, we need more... delicate approach," he continued. "This is where you three come in. You are among the best warriors in our ranks, but more importantly, you are capable of operating under discretion. This mission requires not brute force, but cunning." Qayyim crossed her arms, his sharp eyes scanning the map. "You need us to infiltrate Gadaria," she stated. The king nodded. "Precisely. The royal family of Gadaria is divided. The old king, Omrath, is dying. His sons are vying for the throne, and tensions between their factions are at a breaking point. If we act swiftly, we can tip the balance in favor of a successor who would be sympathetic to our cause. Our spies have identified Prince Luthain as our best candidate—ambitious, but desperate for external support."
Aquarius tilted her head, her blue hair catching the candlelight of the grand chamber. "And if the other factions refuse to yield?" The king's expression darkened. "Then you will ensure they have no choice." Zaiyal smirked. "Sabotage, subterfuge, and a little persuasion. But what exactly do you expect us to do?" The king turned and retrieved a small velvet pouch from a nearby table. He tossed it toward Aquarius, who caught it effortlessly. She opened it, revealing a series of polished gemstone rings, each marked with intricate sigils. "These will identify you as emissaries of the Qatari Empire, should the need arise," the king explained. "You will enter Gadaria under the guise of mercenaries seeking employment in Luthain's service. Earn his trust, strengthen his
claim, and when the time is right... ensure he takes the throne." Qayyim's brow furrowed. "And if he refuses?" The king's gaze was cold. "Then eliminate him, and find another candidate. We cannot afford to fail." A heavy silence fell over the chamber. Zaiyal finally broke it with a chuckle. "You certainly don't ask for much, do you?" The king smirked. "You've never disappointed me before. I expect the same results now. Incorporate as many as your allies as possible except for Hermes and her classmates of course."
Aquarius closed the pouch and tucked it away. "We'll need resources. Contacts inside Gadaria." "You will have them," the king assured. "A merchant named Darvek operates in the capital city of Xerath. He has long been in our employ. He will provide you with weapons, intelligence, and whatever else you require." Qayyim said nervously, "But we have a campaign a few days from now, and we still have some things to do over the week and a half," the King stopped her. "That's all fine, this mission won't begin until next week." Zaiyal exhaled sharply, running a hand through his dark hair. "A week, then. That gives us time to prepare."
Aquarius tapped her fingers against the pouch, her mind already racing with possibilities. "Darvek will be useful, but we'll need more than just weapons and intelligence. What about safe houses? Escape routes? We need contingencies if things don't go as planned."
The king nodded approvingly. "Good. I expected you to think ahead. We have an informant embedded within the court of Prince Luthain—a woman named Sereya. She's one of his advisors, but she answers to us. She will be your primary contact in the palace.
Through her, you'll gain access to Luthain's inner circle. She can provide lodging and cover should you require it." Qayyim frowned slightly. "And the other princes? What do we know about them?" The king gestured to the map again. "Prince Jorath, the eldest, commands the loyalty of the military. He's a seasoned general and a brutal tactician. He won't be easy to manipulate. Prince Vadim, the youngest, has the backing of the merchant guilds and the nobility, but he lacks any real military strength. He might seek outside alliances if he feels threatened. Luthain is our best bet because he's caught in the middle—he has influence but lacks the power to claim the throne outright." Zaiyal crossed his arms. "Then it's not just about helping him rise to power. We need to neutralize his brothers before they become a threat." The king smirked. "Exactly." Aquarius let out a slow breath. "And how far are we willing to go?" The king's smirk faded. "Do what is necessary. If diplomacy works, use it. If it doesn't… then you know what to do." Silence stretched between them. The weight of the mission pressed down, but none of them hesitated. They had long since accepted that serving the empire meant making difficult choices.
Qayyim finally nodded. "Then we'll prepare. When the time comes, Gadaria will fall in line." The king stepped back, satisfied. "Good. Dismissed." As the three warriors turned to leave, Zaiyal cast one last glance at the map. Gadaria's fate was all but sealed. Now, it was just a matter of how much blood would be spilled to secure it. Zaiyal pulled
out his communication tablet and called Nova on the way back. "What do you think Nova? I don't think we need you on this expedition but you and Ungar's friends could be
invaluable." Nova replied: "I agree, I'll remain at the compound but if you need any help make sure to communicate to me whenever possible in Gadaria, if needed ofcourse." Zaiyal nodded and hung up.
Back at the compound Kai was watching the news and it covered a story that had occurred just a few days ago. The announcer stated: "It's been 5 days since the glorious Prophet has laid low the Mantis People and Heretics of Al-Gharaz and the governor of the 53rd province has announced a new city will be built in the name of and in the Prophet's honor… in other news…" Kai was irritated so he wanted to release some frustration, he called Sarah who unbeknownst to him was seeing a client. In a hotel room an older heavy-set man was taking off his shirt, "I'll pay the full-price no problem, I'm good for it." Sarah, her light eyes shimmered, said, "You got it sweetheart." She noticed her phone was ringing, when she saw Kai was calling her she instinctively hung up the phone a little annoyed and afterwards began performing oral sex on the man. Kai who was irritated thru the phone down, as he did this Noah walked by and said, "What's got you down." Kai lied and said, "nothing." Noah for his part looked at the screen viewing an interview with Prophet Hermes speaking about her latest triumphs. Noah's expression darkened, "It just makes me sick." Kai looked up with curiosity. "It's not fucking fair, you work harder than anyone I know and I lived my life on an underground colony beyond the stars, yet here we are. Reduced to third-rate mediocrity while this woman reaps all these un-deserved rewards." Kai gritted his teeth, he knew that Noah spoke the truth.
Meanwhile at Xelios University, just before class in the morning at the beginning of the semester. Hermes met with her roommates including Mira in the morning. Many of the roommates had changed but some of them were consistent, a few new recruits including a young elf girl with pink hair named Nala, the other was a young brown-skinned Muslim girl (Muslima) wearing a Hijab named Khadija. Nala and Khadija were being introduced to the homeroom and everyone greeted them warmly. Apparently there was an announcement from the Principle of the School, Zamah. Hermes greeted everyone and so did her husband, the leader of the homeroom, Alan. "It's nice to meet you Khadija, I hope we can meet all your needs, same to you Nala. Hermes chimed in, her golden eyes gleaming with friendliness. "Khadija, Nala, we're here to help with anything you need. You're part of the family now."
A ripple of agreement passed through the homeroom, and a few students stepped forward to personally introduce themselves. The welcoming atmosphere eased some of the tension, and soon, casual chatter filled the space once more. Before long, a chime echoed through the halls, signaling an important announcement. The room fell silent as the voice of Zamah, the university's principal, rang through the speakers. "Good morning, students. Welcome to another semester at Xelios University. Before we begin, I have a few important matters to address…" As the principal's words filled the room, Hermes cast a glance toward the new students. This was just the beginning, but something told her this semester was going to be far more eventful than any before.
Everyone gathered in the assembly, and the Principle Zamah who was a large breasted elf woman with long white hair spoke: "I hope everyone had a great summer, but we're getting right down to business, everyone will head of to their period 1 classes soon enough, please note that…" The speech eventually came to an end, and Hermes, Mira, Alan, Khadija and Nala headed off to their first class.
They entered the classroom and meet a Japanese woman with round glasses and long black hair. "Hello everyone my name is Xala (birth name: Tanaka), and I'll be teaching you the art of Magical Weapons and its implementation with magical spells and martial arts." As the group settled into their seats, Hermes glanced around the classroom, taking in the mix of students. Some looked excited, others apprehensive. Xala, their instructor, adjusted her round glasses and clasped her hands together, her long black hair cascading over her shoulders. "Now, before we begin," she said in a calm yet commanding voice, "I'd like to understand each of your backgrounds. Magic is a tool, a weapon, and an extension of oneself. To wield it properly, you must know where you stand." She gestured toward the first row. "Let's start with introductions. Tell me your name and any experience you have with magical weapons or combat training." The first student, a tall, athletic young man with bronze skin and glowing blue tattoos, stood up. "I'm Jareth. My family comes from a long line of battle mages. I specialize in elemental infusion, particularly lightning." Xala nodded approvingly. "A strong foundation. Next?" One by one, the students introduced themselves. When it was Hermes' turn, she stood
confidently. "Hermes. My magic is tied to celestial energy, and I specialize in speed-based combat."
Xala's eyes glimmered with curiosity. "Celestial energy? Interesting. That's a rare discipline." Beside her, Mira stood and grinned. "I'm Mira, and I work with enchantments and long-range weaponry." Alan followed, his deep voice steady. "Alan. I use reinforcement magic to enhance physical combat. My specialty is greatswords." Finally, Nala and Khadija exchanged nervous glances before Nala spoke first. "I… I don't have much experience. I was trained in basic spellcasting, but I never used a weapon before." Xala nodded thoughtfully. "That's perfectly fine. Everyone starts somewhere." She turned to Khadija.
Khadija took a deep breath. "I focus on protective magic. I've trained in defensive barriers and support spells." Xala's expression softened slightly. "A crucial skill. Protecting oneself and allies is just as important as striking down an opponent." She clapped her hands together. "Alright! Now that we know where we stand, let's move on to the fundamentals. Magical weapons are not just tools—they are partners in battle. Today, we will begin by finding the right weapon for each of you." The students exchanged curious glances as Xala waved her hand, and suddenly, the walls of the classroom shimmered. Weapons of all shapes and sizes materialized in a dazzling display—blades crackling with energy, staff glowing with arcane symbols, and bows humming with unseen force. "Step forward," Xala said with a smile. "Let's see which
weapon chooses you." Hermes felt a tingle of anticipation. This semester was about to get very interesting.
Xala asked Hermes to stand up, she asked her to come down, as Hermes walked forward she noticed some of the students, mostly girls but many boys began to murmur and make a stink about her, "Who does this girl think she is, she because she's a Prophet and she has Celestial magic she think she's hot shit," another girl said, "Yeah, I heard she's a total skank, that she takes it from all the male teachers." Hermes stood at the front of the class and after a short tense moment Xala handed her a gun that was powered by powerful celestial energy. Hermes was confused: "What the hell is this?!" Xala laughed this is a Magic Excelerator. It concentrates the magical energy in your body and fires it in a single given direction, concentrating and aim at that target." Hermes did so, but only shot a single normal blast at the target. Alan said she could show everyone how to do it. "You need to plant your feet, steady your breath and concentrate on your Chi and Mana one's it stabilized three magic rings should appear around you." As she said this three magic rings appeared around Xala, and she continued: "Concentrate your magic, and three more rings shall appear around your gun." As she did this, that indeed happened and three rings appeared around her gun. "Then concentrate on your Ying and Lao and use that to stabilize your Zeld and Yal." After this Xala began to glow with a blue flame of energy, "Now fire!" After this she shot a ray that was powerful enough to destroy the target, she set up another target for Hermes. Once Hermes planted her feet she
concentrated as hard as she could, eventually she barely managed to create three rings around her body.
After a little longer three more rings appeared around her gun. Eventually, just as she was about to pass out she conjured her Avatar, a large clawed creature sort of looking like an armored salamander. Everyone was shocked, Xala shouted: "Is that an Avatar?!" After this Hermes shot a ray from the gun which shot through the wall and needless to say destroyed the target. Hermes was panting and sweating heavily, Alan and her husband ran over to her, "Are you alright, Hermes?" Hermes needed a minute to catch her breath, "Yeah I'm fine, it just took a lot out of me that's all." Xala was shocked, and snapped out of it until a student asked: "Professor Xala, what just happened there?"
Xala began to snap out of her present shock, and announced, "let me explain what happened and why we're all here right now, you see. The average person has a Magical Core or a Magical Cell known as a Stupa inside the Stupa which can be represented by this circle broken up into roughly four parts: (1). The Qadar: the providential ability of fate driven magic, 2). Kai-Zen: Boost-Mana Ability - which causes brief increases in magical ability, 3). Zeld which is light mana and 4). Yal which is darkness mana. There is also the (Core Mana: sometimes called Geld), which concentrates all magic power and if all four categories are stabilized can be maximized in its output of power." Hermes was confused: "Is that all?" Xala laughed as she pushed in her glasses: "No, you see Qadar is attached to the Property of Ying (positive energy), Kai-Zen to the
property of Yang (negative energy), while Zeld is attached to Lang (Golden-Aura Mana) and Yal is connected to Lao (Silver Aura Mana)."
The classroom was silent as the students absorbed Xala's explanation. Even the ones who had been whispering about Hermes earlier seemed too awestruck to speak. Hermes, still catching her breath, wiped the sweat from her brow and looked down at her hands. They were still trembling slightly from the sheer amount of energy she had just channeled. Xala continued, pacing in front of the students. "Now, what makes what Hermes did so incredible is that she managed to stabilize her Zeld and Yal while simultaneously awakening an Avatar. That is an extremely rare ability, usually only found in high-level mages or those with deep bloodline magic." She turned to Hermes with an intrigued look. "Tell me, Hermes… has your family ever mentioned anything about possessing Avatar magic?" Hermes frowned, shaking her head. "Not that I know of." Alan, who was still kneeling beside Hermes, exchanged a look with his wife. "That's… very strange. Most mages train for decades before they can even think about summoning an Avatar. And even then, it's not something everyone can do." He hesitated before adding, "It might be worth looking into your ancestry." Hermes scoffed, standing up straight. "I didn't know my parents." Xala adjusted her glasses again, deep in thought. "Then perhaps, possibly… you're something new." But Xala continued all four elements are connected to the six elements: 1). Wood, 2). Fire, 3). Earth, 4). Water, 5). Metal and 6). Wind while these three elements are in turn connected to the three Chakras: 1). The Third Eye, Sora Plexus and the Root. Meanwhile the rest of the energy is controlled by
the long-lost Avatar state, but can be activated directly by correcting balancing Yin and Yang energies. Which is what young Hermes managed to pull off today."
A murmur ran through the students once more. Some of them looked impressed, while others glared with barely concealed jealousy. The girl who had insulted Hermes earlier crossed her arms and whispered something to her friend, who nodded in agreement. Hermes ignored them and looked down at the Magic Accelerator in her hands. The rings of magic had faded now, but the power she had felt while holding it still lingered in her bones. It was exhilarating—terrifying, even.
After everything was said the bell began to ring and everyone began to leave class. Every student began pouring over the textbook, thankfully the magic diagram and everything Professor Xala was located at the beginning of the book. Everyone was about to go to their rooms. Hermes for her part knew she had a big day tomorrow, she was excused from school and had to fight the Pagan Ogres of the Western Hills.
The following day Nova picked up Hermes alone at her University, Mira and Alan were left behind. In the ship were several of her friends including: Zaiyal, Qayyim, Ungar, Talus, Barabbas, Sir Rhyme, Tatu and Sarai but also two new figures. A large anthropomorphic Pangolin that stood at 7 feet tall, another a man in green ancient armor with a powerful broadsword who looked as if he was made of wood. "Who are these two?" said Hermes. Nova flying the ship smirked: "The big Pangolin, this is my friend, Crockus." The Pangolin said, "Nice to meet you little girl, Cha!" Ungar pointed at the other individual "and this is my good friend of Arthurian legend, the Green Knight." The Green Knight quietly waved at Hermes. Hermes waved back and cleared her throat, " so how is the army fairing before our arrival, I know a couple thousand Ansari are currently handling the Ogres." Zaiyal sitting there with his arms crossed and his eyes closed, "They're doing fine so far, in fact the government has equipped your followers with several gundams and Mechs. The thing is the Ogres are extremely versatile. They seem to survive everything." Crockus screamed out with excitement: "NO MATTER! I WILL BREAK THROUGH THESE HEATHENS OGRES, CHA!" Talus looked over, "Yeah, sure. In any event, we should be arriving in less than five minutes, so make sure
the hit ground running, everyone was sent the file on the battleplan, I'm assuming you read it Hermes." Hermes nodded: "Of course, I did, you should know what."
After a few minutes passed Nova's ship landed on the battlefield, Hermes' followers began to scream, "She has come, the Prophet is here. The Messenger of God-Almighty." Hermes stepped out of the ship cracking her neck with the rest of them behind her, she cried: "You know the drill, kill them all and let God sort the heathens out!!" The battlefield was chaotic. The sounds of gunfire, clashing steel, and monstrous roars filled the air. The Pagan Ogres of the Western Hills were relentless, their massive, brutish forms cutting through the Ansari forces like living battering rams. Their thick, stone-like hides made them difficult to kill, even with the advanced weaponry the government had supplied. Smoke rose into the sky as explosions erupted across the field. As Hermes marched forward, her followers cheered, their morale boosted by her presence. The Ansari soldiers, clad in their high-tech armor and piloting towering mechs, rallied around her. The Prophet had arrived, and with her, the tides of war would shift.
Nova, standing beside Hermes, surveyed the battlefield with a calculated gaze. "The eastern flank is holding, but the western front is getting overwhelmed," he said, gripping the hilt of his sword. "We need to push through fast, or they'll break our line." Zaiyal, ever the strategist, added, "The Ogres have some kind of regenerative ability. Standard energy weapons barely do anything to them. We'll need to use celestial magic or sheer brute force to put them down permanently."
Crockus let out a loud, guttural laugh. "THEN I SHALL SMASH THEM UNTIL NOTHING REMAINS, CHA!!" Without waiting for an order, the towering Pangolin warrior charged forward, his massive fists cracking the earth beneath him as he tore through the battlefield. With a single punch, he sent an Ogre flying, its body crashing into a nearby rock formation. Ungar shook his head. "Damn brute's got the right idea." He cojured up a sword and went after him. The Green Knight, silent as ever, raised his broadsword. The ancient blade glowed with an emerald hue as he stepped forward. "We should not delay," he said in a deep, almost ethereal voice. "War waits for no one." Hermes smirked, raising her Magic Accelerator. "Alright then. Let's end this." She planted her feet, steadied her breath, and focused. The three rings of magic appeared around her body, followed by three more around her gun. She felt the surge of celestial energy coursing through her veins. The air around her shimmered with divine power as she aimed at the largest Ogre on the battlefield, a hulking monstrosity wielding a massive bone club.
She fired. A blinding beam of celestial energy shot from the Magic Accelerator, tearing through the Ogre's chest. The beast let out an earth-shaking roar before its body disintegrated into nothingness. The surrounding Ogres hesitated for a moment, stunned by the sudden and absolute destruction of their strongest warrior. Hermes turned to her followers. "No mercy. Push forward!" The Ansari forces roared in response, surging ahead with renewed vigor. Nova and the others joined the fray, cutting down Ogres left and right. Talus weaved through the battlefield with precision, his twin pistols firing off
precise shots that found weak points in the Ogres' thick hides. Barabbas and Sir Rhyme fought back to back, one wielding a heavy chain sword and the other unleashing devastating spells.
The battle raged on, but with Hermes leading the charge, victory was inevitable. As she cut down another Ogre, a strange feeling crept into her mind. Something wasn't right. Then, she heard it—a deep, guttural laugh echoing from the mountains beyond the battlefield. The ground trembled beneath her feet as an enormous shadow loomed over the horizon. It was some kind of mutated ogre, but in reality it was a troll. "The fortress will not fall to you puny elf, stand down it's over. Give up." Ungar stepped forward crouching in a battle stance. But Hermes asked him to step down, "Don't worry, Ungar I've got this." Ungar did as he was told, "You got it kid." Hermes threw off her black letter jacket and exposed her black tank top, which made Talus smile; it was something he had adopted from him, her adopted uncle from the Demon Tribe.
"You want me, you've got me," she said. The troll let out a deep, guttural chuckle, its grotesque, moss-covered form towering over the battlefield. Its eyes glowed a sickly green as it gripped an enormous rusted axe in its clawed hands. The air around it was thick with an unnatural energy, the stench of decay and ancient magic radiating from its very being. "You are brave, little elf," the troll rumbled, stepping forward with slow, deliberate movements that shook the earth beneath its massive feet. "But bravery is not enough. Your kind have fought and bled on these lands before, and all have failed. You will be no different." Hermes rolled her shoulders, cracking her neck as she gripped her
Magic Accelerator tightly. "Yeah? Well, there's a first time for everything." The battlefield around them fell silent as the Ansari forces and the Ogres alike paused, watching the impending duel. Even Crockus, who had been roaring with excitement moments ago, remained still, his fists clenched in anticipation. Nova narrowed her eyes, gripping the hilt of his sword in case things went south. The troll sneered. "I admire your confidence. But confidence alone will not save you." It raised its massive axe, pointing it at her. "Come, Prophet. Show me your strength before I grind your bones into dust!" Hermes wasted no time. She planted her feet and took a deep breath, centering her magic. Three glowing rings appeared around her body, pulsing with celestial energy. The air around her shimmered as she activated her Magic Accelerator, and three more rings formed around the gun.
The troll roared and charged, swinging its axe with devastating force. Hermes barely managed to dodge, rolling to the side as the weapon cleaved into the ground, sending a shockwave of earth and debris into the air. She countered with a precise shot, a concentrated beam of celestial energy blasting toward the troll's head. But to her shock, the troll raised its free hand, absorbing the blast into its thick, corrupted skin. The energy fizzled and dissipated, leaving nothing but a faint scorch mark. Hermes' eyes widened. "What the—?" The troll grinned. "Celestial magic? Foolish girl. My kind have feasted on the divine for centuries. Your tricks will not work on me." "Well, that's new," Talus muttered from the sidelines.
"Shit," Ungar cursed. "That thing's got anti-divine properties. Hermes might be in trouble." Hermes gritted her teeth, realizing she would have to change tactics. If celestial magic wouldn't work, she'd have to tap into something deeper. Something raw. She took a deep breath and focused, this time drawing upon her Zeld and Yal mana. The rings around her body shifted in color, taking on a dark, ethereal glow. Her veins pulsed with power as golden and silver flames flickered to life around her.
The troll's expression darkened. "Ah… I see now. You are not just some petty elf. You are something far worse." "Yeah?" Hermes smirked, her voice laced with defiance. "Then let me show you just how bad I can be." She surged forward, moving faster than before. The troll swung its axe, but this time she didn't dodge—she parried. Her energy-infused hand met the blade mid-swing, and with a burst of magic, she redirected the attack, sending the troll staggering backward. Then, with a roar, she unleashed a devastating close-range blast from her Magic Accelerator, infused with the full force of her Zeld and Yal. The beam struck the troll square in the chest, bypassing its defenses and searing through its flesh.
The beast howled in agony as it was thrown backward, crashing into the remains of a ruined fortress wall. Smoke and embers rose from its scorched body as it struggled to move. Hermes stepped forward, leveling her gun at its head. "Looks like you were wrong," she said coolly. "Confidence did save me." The troll coughed, a deep rumble echoing from its chest. "You… are different." Its glowing eyes dimmed as its body slowly began to crumble into ash. "Perhaps… the Prophet is real… after all…"
And with that, the massive creature disintegrated, leaving nothing but dust in the wind. The battlefield erupted into cheers. The Ansari forces chanted Hermes' name, their voices ringing out in victory. The remaining Ogres, seeing their leader fall, fled into the mountains, their morale shattered. Nova smirked, sheathing his sword. "Not bad, kid. Not bad at all." Crockus threw his fists in the air. "CHA! THE PROPHET WINS AGAIN! CHA!" Hermes exhaled, finally letting her body relax. The battle was won. The soldiers asked Hermes what should be done with the ogre women and children, Hermes replied: "Take the women and children as slaves, after all they are your war booty."
Hermes began to disembark in Nova's ship, she had to be taken back to Xelios University, and the rest of the others had work they had to do as well.