Chapter 1

Chapter 1: Is this the future or is it hope?

I watch as my friends get slain one by one. What's their reason for defending me? At what cost? For me to just die in the end. What drives them so much that they're willing to die for me? Is it because I'm their leader? No, it's something much greater than that. It's something that you can't obtain just by asking for it. It's because we're a family and they believe in me to bring our team to victory. Sadly, I met my fate the same as my friends. A swift blade to my chest by a messenger sent from God himself. How could something so minor cause such a big problem. It's so frustrating trying to wrap my head around everything that took place. Is this really the fate that waits us? I don't believe it. I can't. Is this really the end?

~5 Years earlier~

The summer air heats the day as a man and his daughter are having lunch at a small outdoor restaurant. The father enjoying his food and talking with his daughter. He has the face of a very loving and kind man. His daughter on the other hand had a face of annoyance, anger, and disgust. She hears her father speaking to her, but her mind is somewhere else. Around this father and his daughter are men clad in royal armor keeping watch over them. Needless to say, it's the king and his daughter.

King: How are you doing today Ruby?

Ruby: Why don't you save the pleasantries for a rainy day. What do you want?

King: How rude of you. Can I not have lunch with-

Ruby: Oh would you cut crap. I know you want something. You don't come visit me unless it's one of three things.

King: Oh, do go on.

Ruby: Whatever. You either come on my birthday which it isn't or you either come on the day off and if that were the case we would be at home. Since it's not either of those two then it's the last. You must want something.

King: Ruby, I just want to spend some time with my eldest daughter. Is that too much to ask?

Ruby: Honestly, it is. What do you want? I won't ask again.

King: Fine. I understand. I'll get to the point. I'm going to be arranging for you and your fiancé to meet when your done with your royal training. So, I would like for you to be on your best behavior. You can do that can't you?

Ruby: Unbelievable. And I thought that people couldn't get lower than the low. You have for once surprised me father. I'm only going to say this, screw you and your arrangement. I'm going home.

King: Ruby, you can't change what's already been written.

Ruby: watch me. Oh, and tell your damn lackeys that they can stop following me now.

King: You heard her.

Ruby leaves her father at the table and heads home. She wasn't aware of it, but her father made the guards assigned to watch her stay behind and follow her in the shadows until she got home. The king was left to contemplate on what to do about Ruby's attitude change, but that's not the least of his problems. Little did he know that tonight Ruby was going to escape. Escape somewhere he couldn't and wouldn't look.

Ruby: The walk home is long and lonely, but it beats being followed by a bunch guard dogs.

Ruby's Mom: Ruby? Your home?

Ruby: Yes. I'm sorry to make you worry so much.

Ruby's Mom: It's fine sweetheart. Where's your father?

Ruby: He had work to do so I left him.

Ruby's Mom: Did he tell you when he would be home? He said he would.

Ruby: He never told me. He'll probably come home when he's done with his work.

Ruby's Mom: He's the king Ruby, you don't know how long it'll take him. I just want to eat dinner as a normal family for once.

Ruby: Mom, I understand. I do too, but at least we get to see him every once in a while.

Ruby's Mom: I know I know. I'll let you know when dinner is ready.

Ruby: Okay. I'll be in my room.

As the day goes on night draws closer. It brings the plan for Ruby to escape closer and closer until and unexpected fork in her plan appears. Through the front doors of the Jackson royal family estate comes the king himself. He announces himself to the whole house and demands a family meeting during the dinner. Everyone slowly but quickly makes their way to the dinner table. Ronald who is three years younger than Ruby sits across from her. The others sitting near their mother. The hall is quite for most of the dinner, but soon after some minutes of intense silence the man of the house finally says something.

King: I have an announcement to make.

Ronald: What is it father? It must be important if you came home early like this.

King: Right you are my boy. You see I have two very important things I must tell this family. The first being that the neighboring kingdom agreed to the marriage terms so Ruby is officially engaged.

Ruby: What!

King: Sit down. I'm not done.

Ruby: No, this is outrageous. I don't agree with this at all.

King: I SIAD SIT!

Ruby terrified by her father's change in attitude sits in her chair. She just sits there frozen by the thought of how fierce her father is. She's never seen him like that a day in her life. She's heard stories about her father on the battlefield during war times with other nations, but she never thought that his energy would be so intimidating.

King: Now, as I was saying, my second announcement is that I'm going to have Ronald take over the kingdom when I retire.

Ruby: Wh-

King: THAT is my final decision. There will be no negotiations. I've made up my mind and I plan to stick with that.

Ruby's Mom: Ronald, isn't that great honey.

Ronald: Dad…..I don't want to take over the throne. It's not for me.

King: Did I ask you what you wanted?

Ronald: No sir.

King: Good.

Ruby: If you would excuse me, I'm heading to my room.

King: This dinner isn't over. You're not going anywhere Ruby.

Ruby: I'm going to my room so will you excuse me.

The king and Ruby stand in front of each other with their furies lashing at one another. Although Ruby is young and doesn't have a strong decided will she is at a disadvantage, but the king is just toying with her. They stare at each other waiting for the other to make a move. The silence thickens as they await the other's move. Ruby about to break gets surprised by her father sitting back down allowing her to pass. She goes up to her room in silence and prepares for her escape.

~3 hours later~

It's deep in the night and the last airship is departing soon. Ruby has all her things packed and has the necessary materials to conceal not only her identity, but her weapon as well. She starts tying up her bed sheets so that she can make her escape. She had to wait so long because occasionally the guards would check in on her and see if she was okay. Now was her time to strike and she wouldn't get another time like this. She tossed the sheets over her balcony and began to climb down. She tossed her cloak over her and began running to the edge of the estate's wall. There were bushes along the wall and Ruby went through. She came out on the other side of the wall and started running along the edge heading to town. Once she reached town she boarded the airship and waited for its departure. As time went by the airship left and headed straight for Altera where the Academy of Skills is. Meanwhile, at the Jackson family estate, the alarm was raised. One of the guards entered Ruby's room and saw that she was gone. Everyone was woken up and confused.

King: What is the meaning of this? What's going on?

Guard: The princess has escaped the house my lord.

King: What! How could you let this happen?

Guard: She left from her balcony and found aa way over the wall. We are currently searching the surrounding area.

King: Look for her quickly. I need her to be back here. She will not mess up my plans. Search the entire kingdom if you must.

Guard: Yes sir. Alright men, we're heading to the capital. We must hurry.

The guards left for the capital, but they were too late. The airship was too far gone to turn back so their search was meaningless. Time passed, and the guards returned with news that she was no where to be found. The king furious with rage took the guard in charge of the search and threw him outside on the training grounds. He told the guard to defend himself the best he could if he wanted to live. The guard took up his sword out of fear of death by the king. The king drew his sword and began attacking. The king's sword was bigger than him, but he swung it like it was a small light blade. The guard couldn't hold his own and understood that and fell to his knees.

King: Do you realize what failure means now?

Guard: Yes-

King: It means death!

The king swings his sword cutting down the guard and instilling fear into all the remaining guardsmen. The Jackson estate was left to deal with the rage of a king and the loss of a princess. The cold nightly wind blows past all of the land leaving all and any bad feelings behind.

~1 day later~

Ruby exits the airship and starts to head to the Academy of Skills to finish her registration. She's walking and admiring the town that's built around the academy. It's very diverse with each race of people and the environment is cheerful and loving. The walk is taking a while and it doesn't seem like it'll be easy to reach either. After a couple of minutes of walking Ruby comes across a boy passed out on the sidewalk. She walks closer to him and sees if he's okay.

Ruby: Um, excuse me, are you okay?

Boy: …..no

Ruby: What happened to you?

Boy: I need food…

Ruby: I'm willing to buy you some if you'd help me.

Boy: It would be my honor.

The boy getting up removes his cloak and starts following Ruby to a nearby restaurant. He has red hair, but it's lighter than Ruby's hair. Her hair is more of a burgundy color than a bright red like the boys. They both share a similar red eye color. By the look of his weapon he uses a sword, but it looks like a standard issued sword. As they wait for their food Ruby decides to cut the silent air.

Ruby: So, what are you in town for?

Boy: The same as everyone else who comes here. Attend the Academy of Skills.

Ruby: I see. I'm glad I'm not the only one. I'm Ruby by the way.

Boy: I'm Zircon. I'm guessing you need help getting to the academy.

Ruby: Yeah, how did you know?

Zircon: It was just a guess seeing as you've never been here before.

Ruby: How do you know I've never been here before?

Zircon: Well, you didn't know about a better restaurant choice and you don't have a transmat badge. It allows students to travel instantly from the town to the academy easily but not from the dorms.

Ruby: I'm surprised you know so much seeing as it's your first year.

Zircon: Nice observation skills.

Ruby: Thank you. So, are you ready to go?

Zircon: Yeah. Let's go.

Ruby and Zircon head out and go towards the academy. Ruby having finished her registration receives her room key and heads back out to meet Zircon at the front gate. They start to head towards that direction and arrive before the sun could set. They parted ways and Ruby went to her room. She unpacked all her things and sat on her bed. She thought about how much would change if she went back, but she cleared those thoughts in her mind and focused on the next. The Academy of Skills is having it's first orientation and a new batch of teachers to go with the students. What will this school hold for Ruby?