The Solar Lions are preparing their wagons and supplies for the journey. It's early in the morning and the sun has started to rise. The sky is painted with some clouds and morning birds flying through.
The Bishop comes out and is giving out blessings and singing out prayers.
"Oh by the Morning Sun and the will of the Judge of Life, may you be guided towards lawful expeditions and assisted in this far journey. May you bring honour and victory in the name of Serapheon!"
A light appears around the Solar Lions engulfing them for a second then embracing each and everyone of them, a warmth envelops the area as the traces of light and the smell of fragrant marigold lingers through the air.
They all bow and draw their weapons, pointing them at the sky.
"We the Lions of Light and the Paladins of Life shall accept this blessing and bring honour in the name of Serapheon!"
Sir Gregory is pulled aside by the Bishop,
"Sir Gregory a moment... now that the little heathen will accompany you, you better get rid of him."
"Understood, your holiness" says sir Gregory with a smile.
Sir Gregory then treads back to his companions and finishes the preparations.
Stan notices Aciel lifting a heavy crate and expressed a bit of an annoyance, he walks over to Aciel
"You gotta bring it closer to your body and get under it, so you don't hurt yourself", then he snatches the crate from Aciel and puts it in the cart.
He then gives a look of disapproval to Aciel, "Jump in the cart, we are leaving soon"
"WoooW, ain't he a nice guy now? Or is he not a nice guy? I'm confused" says the Voice to Aciel.
Aciel nods towards Stan and then climbs into the cart waiting for departure.
A horn can be heard and then a sharp cracking sound, the horses neigh loudly and begin to gallop. They leave the area of the Temple, it's a bright horizon with far away mountains decorating the background, the occasional tree can be spotted in these plains and birds of prey flying through the air.
To the back of this caravan, the Temple can be seen as it gets further and further away. The Bishop and the tenders of the Temple waving and saluting the caravans expedition as they begin their journey.
Two days have passed since the initial departure, the caravan has come to a halt and are preparing for another night out.
"Aciel you're on night duty" Shouts one of the paladins.
"Hmm, does this make it your third time in a row now, suspicious very suspicious, you should tell him that you are going to sleep tonight." says the Voice.
"I can't refuse their orders," Aciel responds.
"Ew, orders... I hate orders" retorts the Voice.
The caravan pulls over to the side and forms a circle, some of the Knights and Paladins gather wood and rocks while the rest set up perimeters and scout for safety.
Knight Estefan is preparing the dinner, a large pot filled with potatoes carrots and beets, the campfire is set and Estefan's hands glow red for a second and fire shoots from his hands lighting up the wood, sizzling and crackling and then the smell of boiling vegetables.
Sophia goes around to the caravan while she is praying.
"Oh Golden Lord, may you shine bright through this darkness and keep the heathens at bay so we may have a warm rest..."
as she continues to pray around golden light emanating from her and her steps leave traces of light forming circles inscribed with glyphs and incantations.
"Do we really have to eat veggie soup tonight as well?" whines one of the Paladins.
"Oi if you don't like it, you cook then" retorts Knight Estefan
"Alright then, tomorrow I will do the cooking" says the Paladin
"You can't even boil an egg, how are you gonna cook?" says another Paladin.
As they bicker and laugh they begin their feast of boiled vegetables and warm bread.
"Good we should be all set for tonight as well then, ah and before I forget Aciel you are keeping watch with Stan tonight and now be a good heathen and stay over there" says Sir Gregory.
Aciel nods and bows, then he walks over the other side of the caravan and sits down.
"I reaaaaaally do not like that pretty boy, he is so-" the Voice gets shushed by Aciel.
"Oh are you not eating tonight?" Sophia appears with a bowl of soup in her hands.
"Did you really just shush me?" says the Voice.
"Yes, shhhhhh" says Aciel mentally.
"No, I'm not hungry yet Saint Sophia" says Aciel.
Knight Seris hiding behind the caravan comes out and
"Hey! No feeding heathens go back to where you are safest!" shouts Knight Seris.
"What about Aciel? Shouldn't he get protected as well, he is only a kid!" says Sophia
"Ugh!" Seris rushes towards Aciel and hands him a dagger,
"Here now he can protect himself... and where is Stan?" says Seris
Stan, hearing his name slowly makes his way towards the group
"What's wrong? I heard my name" he says slightly confused
"You are supposed to keep watch with Aciel, so please stay near him?" exclaims Sophia
"Oh please he is old enough to take care of himself, I was just making sure everyone else was alright, we did almost lose a caravan 'cause of Jordan... why do we still let him drive?" Stan explains.
"Oh please I saw you were just drinking with your buddies" says Seris
"Yoo, your mommy AND aunty worrying bout you that's craaazy" says the Voice while laughing.
"Uhm, sorry to interrupt you guys but I am old enough to take care of myself" says Aciel quietly
"What was that you lil' shit!" says Seris
"Seris!" shouts Sophia.
"I think he said he will be fine by himself" says Stan
Both girls look at Aciel, then he nods.
"By yourself, not even us Knights stay by ourselves when on lookout" says Seris
"Great so you are taking my shift then, thank you Seris" says Stan and quickly makes his way out.
"Ugh that little sac of-"
"Watch your tongue Seris!" Sophia cuts her of.
"Hold on a second miss Holier than Thou, if you don't like my mannerism of speech you are more than welcome to leave!" says Seris,
"Hmph! Fine I will leave, Aciel with me!" says Sophia
"Uhm.. sorry but I was ordered to stay here your holiness" says Aciel quietly.
"Aciel you don't have to-"
"Listen here, he has been ordered to stay here, so if you don't mind leave" Seris with a crooked smile.
Sophia then deeply sighs then turns around to join the other Knights on their downtime.
"Please take care of him" she says on her way.
Sophia sits down with the other Knights, and is slightly slumped forwards.
"What's wrong you, holiness" ask Knight Hugh
"I'm alright, what are you guys drinking?" says Sophia
"We are drinking Wyvern Wine, would you like a glass my dear?" Says Sir Gregory.
"Yes, pour me a large one," says Sohpia.
"Uu, what's wrong my dear, what's gotten your spirits down?" says Sir Gregory
"Shut up and just pour" says Sophia,
"Yes, your holiness" says Sir Gregory
After a lot of drinks, the smell of the fiery but sweet Wyvern Wine, the hiccups and laughter continue through the night.
"Wow, you can hear them from here, huh" Says Seris
"Do you not want to join them, Knight Seris?" asks Aciel
"Nah, I don't drink and I'm a Paladin thank you very much, Knight is my title" Seris smirks,
"Sorry..." says Aciel quietly.
"WoW she is a BITCH huh, well I guess a lot of paladins can be that stuck up and what's up with the whole, uhmmm I'm a paladin acutallyyy, by the World I hate those kinds of people, but now that I look at her, hmmmm naah its fine, well I was gonna keep you company if you were gonna be alone again but guess not, good luck with that boy, toodles!" the Voice says mockingly, as if going down stairs.
"Hey I'm giving you permission to listen and talk to me! Stop spacing out!" Seris shouts,
"Sorry" says Aciel quietly,
"Oh by the Great Serapheon speak up!" Seris yells,
"Sorry!" Aciel shouts,
"Good you have a voice... use it!" says Seris,
"Why did it feel weird when he shouted at me?" she thought.
Seris reaches in her side bag and pulls out a small loaf of bread, it smells great as if it was just taken out of the oven, "Here have something, you haven't eaten yet... that's an order!" says Seris
"Yes ma'am!" says Aciel and he grabs the loaf of bread and nibbles on it.
Seris lets out a small laugh and lies down.
"Lie down and get comfy, but DO NOT fall asleep we are on night duty" says Seris
"Yes ma'am" says Aciel as he lies down, still nibbling on the bread
The night settles in and the loud laughter and belches quiet down, crickets and owls sing during this clear starry night and the grass and leaves rustle with the wind. Fireflies begin to show up for their nightly routines, as Selune, the large moon of Dartvania, overlooks the land from the sky.
Aciel is looking at this magnificent view, while at the same time trying to figure out the 'String' that the Voice gifted upon him, as discreetly as he possibly can, since it has been identified that he is that one in one hundred million chance of not having either the ability to control the Weave or Disciplina, Aciel tries to imagine and feel how to control this power.
"Hey, how can you deal with being called a heathen day in and day out or how come you haven't tried to escape or anything" Seris asks.
Aciel loses his concentration on the 'String' and almost bursts but since it isn't the traditional spellcasting no light or sound was produced from him.
"Uhm, sorry could you repeat what you said?" Aciel asks softly,
"Ugh, I said do NOT fall asleep... I said how do you deal with being a slave... I mean a-"
"It's alright I know what I am... escaping and go where? I have nowhere else to go and on the contrary I'm thankful towards the Temple, they have provided me with a roof over my head and food to fill my belly."
"You consider that food? Really?" says Seris,
"Well I can't complain, and once you get used to it, it's not that bad" says Aciel with a smile.
"Ugh, even though you are a heathen you are quite well spoken huh?" says Seris,
"I have Him to thank about that" Aciel says with a bright smile,
"You have a nice smile... also who is Him?" asks Seris.
"My teacher," says Aciel, keeping up the smile.
"Your teacher? The Bishop? Or maybe one of the other tenants of the Temple? What's their name?" asks Seris slightly confused.
Aciel lets out a laugh, "No, no one from the Temple, He is someone special and I think he is very strong" he says while smirking,
"Now I really want to meet this mysterious figure that you hold in such high regards, I wonder what they look like now." says Seris still confused.
All of a sudden aggressive rustling can be heard on the grass, Seris jumps up and draws her sword, as a large moccasin lunges at her, but she manages to deflect it back.
The moccasin then coils itself up preparing its next attack, Seris takes an upward stance and pulls her sword down. The moccasin lunges for a second time aiming for Aciels' neck, but her sword glows a faint gold colour,
"Upwards Heavenly Slash - Tier 1" Seris chants and slashes downwards with her sword, cutting the moccasin in half, blood splatters all over her armour and the ground.
"You alright over there?" Seris asks,
"Yes thank you, you saved my neck" Aciel then bows to Seris,
"Oh, uhm yeah no worries, I'm gonna go clean this filth off of me, keep a look out and be careful, you can't even deal with a rat let alone a snake." Seris says, then she heads in the caravan to wipe herself off.
A strange dark glow emanates from the now dead moccasin, and whispering hisses can be heard from the carcass of the snake. Aciel approaches it slowly step by step, he then looks at the carcass again he sees a shadow moving along with the motion of the leaves, he leans over it and the shadow stares at aciel with its glowing eyes.
"HAH I KNEW IT. Quickly grab it and say: O magna umbra me educet vires, et hanc bestiam sub mea potestate pone" says the Voice hurriedly.
Aciel gets dazed for a second with what the Voice just said but he manages to repeat the incantation which causes his eyes to glow with darkness, the shadow of the moccasin slowly evaporates and merges with his own.
Aciel, slightly terrified but also excited with what just happened, asks.
"What was that? What Happened?"
"Well that was Shadow Extraction it's a lil spell you are able to use, also you should name it, it's your first friend" the Voice says while chuckling
"But you are my first friend,"
"Awww, enough of that you-"
"Hey what are you doing to that snake?" asks Seris
"I was gonna throw it further away, don't want the smell to call for more beasts." says Aciel,
"Oh alright good thinking" says Seris
"Alrighty then have fun and be careful, you... you... uh BOY, ahem well I'm gonna go now, toodles!" says the Voice seemingly or audibly in a hurry.
Aciel then moves the dead snake further away, but the snake's body begins to meld into his body, being absorbed by it. All of a sudden Aciel feels something weird going on with his body, his stomach starts to hurt a little and he becomes dizzy.
"Hold yourself together... ah shit Aciel, oi Aciel... shit shit shit..." The voice begins to chant, but the sounds produced resonate in an otherworldly manner. No human or a being with a single mouth can produce such reverberance and pitch. Aciels' Eyes begin to glow with a strange darkness yet again, but this time the shade is deeper and darker than before.
"Crap... I did it again... damn...Aciel...Spero te non ex hac mori et non mutare" Said the Voice as his voice began to fade.
Seris notices the downed Aciel and picks him up, "You damn heathen, you fell asleep" Seris sighs... "I shouldn't be angry at a kid."
Seris then places him in the far back caravan cart and uses her cape as a blanket.
As the new dawn comes forth, the Knights wake and get in line. It takes some time for everyone to gather,
"Alright I see everyone here, let's begin-" says Sir Gregory
"I don't see Aciel" says Sophia,
"Doesn't matter he is a heathen who is not allowed to attend the ritual!... Now Begin!"
All the Knights take out their swords and point them towards the Rising Sun, and begin to chant 'Oh Great Warmth and Judge guide us so we may not get lost, aid us so we don't exhaust and so we may bring forth praise and glory in Your Name, Serapheon!"
As they are done with their morning ritual, Sophia hurriedly looks for Aciel.
She checks the area where he was staying for night duty, asks some of the Knights if they have seen him at all, but she just gets laughed at for worrying about him.
Seris then approaches Sophia and pulls her aside.
"Listen I don't know why you like him that much but you shouldn't show much concern, follow me" says Seris.
"What are you tal-" Seris then grabs Sophia by her hand and drags her to the last cart of the caravan.
"There, look inside," says Seris sternly.
Sophia, then slightly scared, enters the cart and sees a sleeping Aciel slightly paler than usual, she gets closer to him and puts her hand on his forehead, she begins to chant a blessing but Aciel's eyes open.
"Uhm.. What's wrong?" he says slightly confused
Sophia hugs him, "Oh by the Great Serapheon, I thought you fell ill for a second there!"
"Oh please he looks as pale and as sickly as he was before" says Seris
"Sorry but how did I get here?" Asks Aciel,
"I carried you here so you could rest, aaandd..."
"Thank you Knight-Paladin Seris!" he says as he bows to her
"Good boy, now get ready we are preparing to leave" she says as she grabs her cape back and goes back to the other Knights.
"When will you let me go, Soph?" asks Aciel
Sophia realizing that she is still hugging him jumps back "Sorry, I just got worried and and"
Aciel chuckles and pats her head "I get it it's alright, thank you"
Aciel stands up and he seems slightly taller than he was. He stretches and gets off the cart, Sir Gregory notices him getting off the cart and yells
"You dirty heathen, what were you doing in there huuh?!"
Sophia then climbs off the cart as well, "Oh why are you shouting now" says Sophia with a stern look on her face.
Sir Gregory approaches Sohpia and checks her,
"You alright? He didn't touch you right? You shouldn't be-"
"I'm fine and no he didn't touch me or anything of the sort just calm down, Oh by the Light, he is only a kid, now we have other things to worry about so let's get going"
Sir Gregory glares at Aciel and then heads back to the first cart
"Alright everyone, onwards!" yells out Sir Gregory
The caravan begins to move again and another day of travel begins.