The common room, usually buzzing with the energy of the children, felt unnaturally quiet. A flickering oil lamp cast long, eerie shadows across the walls, illuminating the faces of the children, etched with a mix of anticipation and unease.
"Wohoooo!" Jack shouted, raising a glass of fruit juice, pretending it was beer.
"Jack, stop it," Celeste said, her voice tinged with annoyance.
"So tomorrow's the day, huh?" Justus added, his gaze fixed on the table where a feast of treats lay spread out.
"Yeah, we'll meet more people like us there," Terra chimed in, a hopeful glint in her eyes.
Aethra, usually quiet and introspective, surprised them all. "And we'll see who's the best there is."
The room fell silent. Even Aethra seemed surprised by his own statement.
"Yeah, we'll see who's the best soldier there is!" Haldrin roared, his enthusiasm infectious.
The room erupted in a chorus of agreement. Rethrus, normally stoic, felt a flicker of excitement as he joined in the cheering.
"Okay, kids. Eat whatever you want," Father Henry said, his voice warm and reassuring. "I'll leave you here. Enjoy the night, alright?"
"Yes, sir!" they shouted in unison.
Geoffrey, a mischievous glint in his eye, silently beckoned the others. "Come here," he whispered. He pulled out a bottle from his pocket, holding it aloft. "Look what I got from the village earlier."
The children gasped, a mixture of excitement and apprehension on their faces.
"Isn't that bad?" Mark, one of the orphans who had chosen not to join the war, asked, his voice hesitant.
"It'll be bad if you tell on us," Theo warned, a playful smirk on his face. "It's decided. We only taste one cup each, alright?"
"Okay!" they all agreed, except for Rethrus.
"How about you, Rethrus?" Elizabeth asked, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.
"Uhm, no. You guys enjoy. I'm gonna take a leak."
"You're not gonna tell on us, are you?" Aiko asked, her eyes wide.
"No, I'm not like that. Besides, I've already tasted alcohol once. For me, that's enough." He chuckled, remembering the single sip he'd taken from Father Henry's flask years ago.
As the children prepared to sample the forbidden drink, Rethrus retreated to the hallway, the weight of the coming battle pressing down on him.
"I don't want to join this stupid war," he thought, his fists clenched. "But it's not my dream. This path is not for me."
A wave of frustration washed over him, leaving him feeling trapped between duty and desire. "Damn, it's so frustrating!" he muttered to himself, the words escaping his lips as a barely audible sigh.
"Rethrus, what are you doing?"
He turned to see Lyra, her face a mixture of concern and curiosity.
"Ah, Lyra, I'm taking a pee," he said, trying to lighten the mood.
"I'm sorry," she replied, her voice soft.
"No, it's fine," Rethrus said, returning her smile. "What are you doing here? Didn't you drink alcohol too?"
"Oh, yes, but I didn't. I don't want to," she replied, her gaze fixed on the floor.
They both sat down on the steps, the silence punctuated by the occasional rustle of leaves from the trees outside.
"So, you're all going tomorrow, huh?" Lyra asked, her voice a soft whisper.
"I'm gonna miss us. I'll miss all the eating, laughing, crying, and sharing every moment."
Rethrus smiled, warmth spreading through him. "I'm gonna miss it too, Lyra."
"Sometimes, I envy you," she said, her eyes downcast.
"Why?" he asked, genuinely curious.
"Just like the other kids, I want to fight for our country and serve it," Lyra said. "It's my dream."
"Is that your dream?" he asked, his voice gentle.
"Yes," she answered. "Unfortunately, some of us are born who aren't capable of what you do."
Lyra's words were a reminder of her heart condition, a condition that had prevented her from joining the fight. Five of the orphans, including Lyra, had health issues that prevented them from joining the war, while the others chose not to participate.
"I'm sorry to hear that, Lyra," Rethrus said, his voice full of empathy. "But war is not something easy. It's not just about fighting."
"What do you mean?" she asked, tilting her head slightly.
"People die in war," Rethrus said, his voice serious.
"Some come back without hands, eyes, trauma, and become slaves. Worse, they never come back alive."
Lyra was shocked, her eyes widening in disbelief.
"I know all of that," she said, her voice barely a whisper.
Rethrus was taken aback. He couldn't believe she knew, but he also couldn't imagine her facing the horrors of war.
"It's just that I want to fight with you guys. And serve our country, the country that's protected me all this time," she followed.
Rethrus knew that he couldn't do anything to change her mind.
"Lyra, you can still fight different battles, you know," he said, choosing to focus on her strength.
"So, I hope you win your battles so that in the future, we can still see each other."
She smiled, her eyes filled with determination.
"Rethrus, you're strong, and I always feel you're a genius too.
Please protect us from the enemy, okay?"
"I will," he promised.
As they walked back inside, they found the common room filled with the snoring forms of their friends, passed out from the alcohol.
Lyra and Rethrus exchanged a laugh. Rethrus used a common shadow technique, conjuring a small, shapeless dark cloak to carry them, his mastery over dark magic a secret he kept to himself.
"You're a genius," Lyra whispered, her eyes twinkling with admiration.
They carried the sleeping children to their beds, their hearts heavy with the weight of their dreams, their fears, and the uncertainty of the future.
The sun climbed higher, casting long shadows across the road as the five chariots rumbled forward. Each team was a mosaic of talents and personalities, bound by the shared purpose of serving their nation.
The journey, though, wasn't a straight path to the battlefield. They traveled through diverse landscapes— rolling hills, dense forests, and bustling towns, each a tapestry of new sights and sounds that both excited and unnerved the young soldiers.
-Chariot 1: Aethra, still stoic and unreadable, focused on navigating the terrain, his mind already strategizing for potential encounters.
Jack, ever the entertainer, regaled his comrades with stories of past battles, his words fueled by a bravado that masked a deep anxiety.
Leo, ever alert, scanned their surroundings, his senses heightened by the anticipation of conflict. Finn, a steadfast presence, silently absorbed the lessons of the journey, preparing himself for the trials to come.
Chariot 2: Hans, the Earth Mage, found solace in the familiar embrace of the earth. He used his magic to create paths through rocky terrain, his power a source of both security and awe for his companions.
Rina, the Water Mage, offered words of reassurance to anyone who faltered, her soothing voice a balm for their anxieties.
Eliza, the warrior with sharp claws, practiced her attacks in silence, her movements fluid and precise, honed by years of training.
Owen, the skilled swordsman, silently honed his skills, his movements fluid and precise, his gaze sharp and unwavering.
-Chariot 3: Jestus, the Wind Mage, preferred solitude, his silent strength a force of nature. He drifted through the world, his thoughts a whirlwind of strategy and cunning.
Suryu, the master of the wind, constantly tested his abilities, harnessing the wind's power to propel them forward.
Celeste, the versatile Wind Mage, sought out the wisdom of older warriors, her hunger for knowledge as strong as her yearning for adventure. Haldrin, the Earth Mage, silently observed the world around them, his earth magic always at the ready.
Chariot 4: Rethrus, the Dark Mage, sat deep in thought, his eyes reflecting the shadowy depths of his soul. His mind was a battlefield of conflicting emotions: duty, fear, and a desire for a life beyond the conflict that gripped his world. Lumine, his young apprentice, eagerly absorbed the lessons of the journey, her gaze fixed on Rethrus, hoping to glean the secrets of his potent power.
Elizabeth, the Water Mage, found beauty in every passing landscape, her heart a swirling sea of emotions. Silas, the determined Non-Magic User, kept a watchful eye on the horizon, his hands resting on the hilt of his sword, his spirit a beacon of resilience.
Chariot 5: Theo, the Non-Magic User, his hand resting on the handle of his axe, his muscles tensed, his face a mask of determination, was ready to face any challenge. He was the warrior, the one who would protect his allies. Aiko, the chain-wielding Non-Magic User, practiced her movements, her chain a fluid extension of her body, her spirit a fusion of strength and grace. Terra, the Earth Mage, her earth magic an extension of her own determination, absorbed the lessons of the journey, her eyes fixed on the path ahead, her heart a reservoir of strength and resilience. Geoffrey, the dagger user, silently observed the world around him, his dagger an extension of his hand, a weapon honed for precision and speed
The chariots rolled forward, leaving behind a swirl of dust and the fading echoes of farewells. The children gazed back, their faces a mix of excitement and melancholy as they watched their home shrink in the distance. They were leaving behind a familiar world, a world of childhood memories, to face the uncertain future of war.
"It's funny," Rethrus mused, his gaze fixed on the receding landscape, "that in a world of magic, we still rely on horses for transportation."
He sank deeper into his seat, his hand resting on the smooth, polished wood of his staff, a conduit to his shadowy powers. He was lost in thought, his mind wrestling with a multitude of questions.
Why should I fight in this war? he wondered. Why do countries still wage such destructive wars? Don't they have their own problems to deal with? What is the point of it all?
"Rethrus!" Lumine's voice, a gentle whisper, broke through his musings.
"Hmmm?" he replied, turning his attention to the girl who sat beside him.
"My head hurts," she said, rubbing her head with her hands. "Can I sleep on your lap?"
"Sure," he replied, placing his sling bag, filled with his favorite books, on his lap. "Come here, sleep."
Lumine snuggled closer to him, her head resting on his bag on his thighs. He gently brushed his fingers through her hair, his touch as gentle as the summer breeze. He continued to comb her hair as he fell into a deep contemplation.
Elizabeth, seated across from him, watched the scene unfold. Her gaze was a mixture of jealousy and admiration.
She couldn't help but be drawn to the kindness that Rethrus showed toward Lumine.
It was a trait that he always displayed with others, a rare glimpse into the depth of his character.
Rethrus's thoughts returned to the question that had been plaguing him: Should I fight in this war? What is my place in this conflict?
"It's not what I planned," he murmured, as if to himself. He closed his eyes, a tired sigh escaping his lips.
The rhythmic rocking of the chariot lulled Lumine into a deep sleep. Rethrus watched over her, his mind a battlefield of conflicting emotions.
"It will be a long journey," Xavier informed them.
"Ahh," Jack groaned, his voice laced with weariness.
The journey continued, each passing hour filled with a mix of anticipation, uncertainty, and a deep longing for the familiar comforts of home.
"Wow! Justus, who had been lost in thought, blinked in surprise as a small, pulsating blob of blue slime oozed onto the road in front of them.
"A slime!" Theo exclaimed, his eyes wide with wonder. The other kids stared at the creature, its eyes blinking innocently as it wiggled its gelatinous body.
"Master Xavier," Aethra asked, "Why didn't we see any weird magic creatures in our village?"
Xavier, with a twinkle in his eye, smiled. "Because of the Church. It repels monsters away from it."
He paused, allowing the weight of his words to sink in. "But now, you'll see the whole world full of mystical creatures."
Their journey continued, the anticipation of the unknown fueling their excitement. But as they reached a narrow passage through a dense forest, a guttural roar sent a shiver down their spines.
"Goblins!" Jack shouted, his hand already reaching for his wand.
A horde of goblins, their faces twisted with malice, emerged from the trees, blocking their path.
"They're so aggressive!" Eliza hissed, her claws extended, ready for battle.
The chariots screeched to a halt. The children, their faces grim, leapt out, forming a protective circle around the vehicles.
The goblin leader, a hulking brute with a jagged sword, sneered. "Give us your money and food, or face the consequences."
Xavier, his eyes glinting with amusement, smirked. "Okay, kids. Show me what you got."
He knew these goblins were no match for his students, but this was a valuable learning experience.
The children, their movements fluid and instinctive, formed a formation. "It's your first time having a real battle!" Xavier announced, his voice a mix of excitement and caution.
The goblin leader, enraged by the defiance of these youngsters, shouted orders to his troops. Thirty goblins, their faces filled with aggression, charged toward them.
Elizabeth, Rina, and Terra, the mages, took positions at the rear, their spells ready. Haldrin and Hans, the earth mages, stood ready to defend.
The rest of the children, their weapons drawn, prepared to engage in their first true battle.
Rethrus, his heart pounding, felt the darkness stir within him. He raised his hand, his fingers tingling with power, and unleashed a Dark Blast.
Without his staff, he relied on his innate ability to channel the shadows, his movements fluid and precise.
- Dark Blast: Pulling Sensation: The moment the dark blast hit, it wasn't just a burning sensation, but a pulling sensation, like a powerful force was trying to drag the victim inwards. It's not just a physical pull, but a feeling of being pulled apart, like the very fabric of their being is being stretched and torn.
- Tearing Pain: The pain wasn't just a burning or stabbing sensation, but a tearing pain, like something is ripping through their flesh and bones. It's a visceral, agonizing pain that feels like their body is being pulled apart at the seams.
- Darkness Consuming: The darkness of the blast wasn't just a visual effect, but a feeling of being consumed by darkness. It's like a black hole is opening up inside them, sucking away their light and energy, leaving them feeling empty and hollow.
Aethra, his eyes blazing with fiery energy, charged forward, his sword a blur of motion. He accelerated his movements with fire magic, his every strike a fiery inferno.
Jack, his face a mask of determination, spammed fire blasts, the air crackling with his power.
The goblins, caught off guard by the sheer power of their attacks, stumbled backward, their initial aggression faltering.
But they were still a formidable force, and the battle raged on.
The children, their fighting styles as diverse as their personalities, moved with a grace and skill that belied their youth.
Aethra, Leo, and Rethrus, the fastest of the group, moved with a speed that left the goblins bewildered. They danced between attacks, dodging blows with ease and grace.
The goblin leader, his face contorted with rage, watched as his troops fell one by one. He roared in frustration, but the children were relentless.
Rethrus, his movements a blur of shadow, disarmed a goblin, his dark magic a silent whisper of death.
Aiko, her chain whipping with deadly precision, snagged the arm of a goblin, pulling it into the fray.
Theo, his axe a blur of motion, cleaved through a goblin, his strength a testament to his years of training.
The battle ended as quickly as it began. The goblins, their ranks decimated, fell back, their leader, humbled and defeated, bowed before the young warriors.
Xavier, his face a mixture of amusement and pride, watched the children regroup.
"Ha ha ha," he roared, his laughter echoing across the battlefield. "It's fine. It's like training for my students too."
"Wow, Rethrus," Xavier said, his voice filled with admiration, "You already use magic without a wand or casting spells, just like Aethra."
"Only with the basics," Rethrus replied modestly.
"I never thought you were that fast," Aiko said, her eyes wide with astonishment.
"You're fast too," Rethrus told her, his smile genuine.
"Are you okay, Lumine?"
Rethrus asked, his concern evident as he looked at the younger girl. He'd seen one of the goblins lunging at her, her dark blast deflected at the last moment.
Lumine, still a bit shaken, nodded. Rethrus, seeing her fear, placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder, his touch a silent promise of protection. He knew that Lumine, though powerful, was still young and vulnerable. He'd always be there for her, his loyalty to her as strong as if she's related to her.
"They're fast and strong," Jestus said, his voice filled with respect.
"Yeah, but they lack fighting style," Suryu replied, his expression thoughtful.
The children, their first battle behind them, climbed back into the chariots. They were weary, but their spirits were high.
They had faced danger and emerged victorious, their strength and unity a testament to their training and their unwavering commitment.
As the chariots rolled into Elderwood Village, a wave of relief washed over the children. They'd been traveling for a day, and the sight of a bustling community was a welcome change from the open road.