Kings and Queens Chapter 1: Dawn and Rising
A/N: Enjoy the first chapter of my terrible writing. Now, since this is a story originally written on the Elsword forums, you may be familiar with it. I was told that uploading it here would be good as well. This is heavily saturated with OCs and is quite AU-ish, so you have been warned. Also, slight crossovers may also occur but none are noteworthy enough to the point you have to know the series.


The royal doors swung open, the heavily decorated marble slamming against the equally ornate walls as the wall that sealed off the throne room from the rest of the castle was lifted. The regal empress stood, her glossy, powder blue hair streaming behind her as she descended the stairs of the throne's altar. A gown spun from silk covered her average frame as she grasped a glittering scepter in one hand, and a fine ring on the other. Her benevolent gaze fell upon the messenger in the room.

"Rise," she instructed, raising an arm before the young child shakily rose to his feet, holding out the parchment scroll in his hand.

"Your majesty," he addressed, his voice carrying a slight stutter, clearly not used to the presence of royalty. "Here is the research from the magical department. Head Researcher Lex reports that astounding progress has been made." The child finished, handing the scroll to the queen before skittering out the room.

Carefully unwinding the tightly wound scroll, she began to read the neat text inscribed in pitch-black ink. The eloquent handwriting was unmistakable as that of Lex's. But the contents of the scroll concerned her more.

'To Empress Fluvial,

The research on the Anastasis Aiseiri is complete. The grand war will be beginning soon, according to the strategical branch of the current investigation. With the secret contained within the Anastasis Aiseiri, I will ensure that Velder stands no chance. Hamel will take the world.

As the war one-hundred eighty years ago proves, only the most powerful and ruthless take victory in battle. The tactician of legend deployed the Codex of Alto Mare, a forbidden strategy book since locked away in the treasury. I would like to request usage of this tome once more, since it was what brought upon the absolute victory in the war nearly two centuries ago.

I will see to it that the militaristic and magical branches exchange information and data to support one another. The most powerful weapons can only be fueled by the most powerful magicians. Hamel's magical academy has several promising graduates coming soon, and I will take full advantage of that.

The Navy and Army are both gathering their resources, preparing the best forces they can in this short time frame. The first move in the war years ago placed us at a disadvantage. We do not have the luxury of making the first move this time.

Velder may attack at any second, any moment, any day, any hour. Please be on guard, for you are one of the few forces keeping Hamel intact as of now.

May Hamel claim glory in this upcoming conflict.'

The queen let out a sigh, rolling the parchment back up and setting it on a table along with the other reports. The first thing she always heard about in those was the progress made on the Anastasis Aiseiri. She didn't even know what it meant, yet so much emphasis was being placed on this one project…

Although the name itself was an ancient language of sorts, from her knowledge. Ana was a character that meant 'turn', but she was clueless about the rest.

Regardless, it was time to inquire further about this strange, elusive project ran by the head director. While she didn't doubt the others' superhuman intelligence, she did have to worry slightly about whatever went on in Hamel's heavily guarded laboratory. It was located in the outskirts, as to not place the main city in danger should an accident occur.

-Some time later-

The brilliant white marble that constructed most of Hamel's structures made up most of the grand building she now stood before. Gold swirls and arches covered the otherwise dull design, a domed glass roof sheltering the huge research facility. A large telescope was situated at one corner, the huge lenses sticking through a built-in hole on the roof.

Guards stood all around the building, silent and wordless. If one had not known better, someone could have easily mistaken them as realistic statues. Through the few windows that the building possessed, one could see the hustle within. Scientists and researchers alike, all dressed in the same pristine garments, rushed back and forth, carrying vials of unknown substances or reports of the latest experiment. And sitting above it all in a secluded office, was Lex, the head researcher of the magical department.

Hamel's researchers were spilt up into three main offices. Militaristic, Magical, and Technological. Each of them had their own area and main building, known as their respective hall. Though by far, the magical sect was the one that was shrouded in the most mystery, and answered by far the most questions.

Upon recognizing that the queen was present, the door was slid open for her, the guards bowing formally to their ruler. Once she stepped inside, the hustle was even more apparent, since it was accompanied by the noise of deep conversation and the exchange of ideas and theories.

Quickly making way to the eastern wall which held the elevator to the upper floors, she stepped inside the compartment and watched as she slowly ascended to the next floor. The building was designed in such a way that the head of research could see the entire laboratory at once. The central office was a small, circular room located in the center of the second floor. Surrounding it were six more offices, reserved for the heads of each branch. Panes of reinforced glass were installed in the ground, allowing whoever was above to view the lab below.

She knocked on the door to the central office. There was a moment of silence before a response was given to her.

"Come in."

With a click, the steel gate unlocked and slid open, much like the door for the entrance of the laboratory.

The heads of research over the years had decorated the room according to each of their preferences. It had been filled with endless pictures of an egomaniac who had died before he even started his greatest project, fascinating creatures from a head who loved to research genetic traits, and dozens upon dozens of artifacts from an archaeologist who took office only a few years back.

But Lex's room was simple. There was a neat stack of detailed documents sitting on his desk, along with a lamp. Resting underneath the currently dim lamp was a quill pen, dipped inside an ink well. Behind the desk was a chair and a file cabinet, presumably for storing important information. Across from said cabinet was a glass case, containing a book and several mounted jewels that glistened with a blue light that was unmistakable as that of Water El. He also seemed to have gone the minimalist route, seeing as there was not even a framed photograph or any kind of personal item in the room.

Sitting in the chair was the head researcher, clad in a white coat, free of any wrinkle or stain. In his hand was a clipboard, glasses resting soundly on the bridge of his nose. His pale hair stuck up in all directions, as if it simply refused to be tamed by any comb or brush.

"Just say it," he sighed. "You'd never come here without a good reason. If you have something to tell me, you might as well spit it out." That was the instant response before Fluvial even said a single word. Considering it was being spoken to the queen of all people, it could have been considered overly direct.

"Alright, then." The empress took a moment to compose herself before conversing. "What is this Anastasis Aiseiri that you've been mentioning on countless occasions?" She stated directly. There was no point in beating around the bush.

"Anastasis Aiseiri is a project that we've been working on for the past two years," he responded curtly. "It is a weaponry project started and developed to crush any kingdom that dares even attempt oppose us. Anastasis Aiseiri is designed to be the ultimate fighting tool, something that can easily send even Altera crashing down into the ocean once unleashed."

Her eyes narrowed. "Just how do you intend to accomplish this? There is no outward hint of some superweapon or tool of ultimate destruction." She had to pry out more information without letting it seem like she was trying to.

The head researcher's stance relaxed in his chair as a staff was summoned into his hand. It seemed to be composed of woven spectral strands, bright golden in color, twining together to form the main shaft. The design loosened at the tip, unwinding into a delicate, elaborate sigil that embraced a single azure jewel. With a single wave, the glass case was lifted from the pedestal that held the book and several sapphire-colored gems, along with a small box.

A single mounted orb and the box were lifted over. "You do know what this is?" He inquired. "As part of Hamel's royal family, I would assume you do."

She gently hovered her hand over the jewel which pulsed with a pale light, the power of water being reflected in it's gentle surface. Energy was being radiated, and it was pure, powerful, and potent. The feeling was akin to that of refreshing water on a blazing sunny day. "This is concentrated Water El. Made only by refining crystal shards found on the wings of ice dragons. It is then solidified and further processed using the tears of water dragons." She finished, lifting her hand, "And what does this have to do with the Anastasis Aiseiri?"

"Relax, I'm getting there." He sighed, opening the box. Nestled inside was a fragment of what seemed to be a carmine metal. But when tested, it was harder than any material that could be mined from the earth. "This is a fragment of the horn of Perkisas, the incarnation of greed. Recent experiments have given me a surprising conclusion."

The sphere of concentrated Water El was lifted, and tapped against the fragment. Instantly, energy surged from the orb into the material, transforming it into another material entirely. And that material shone with a silver sheen comparable to the light of the moon, glowing with the strength of frost. "Concentrated Water El will interact with the horns of Perkisas in a very strange way." He finished. "This material can be used to forge weapons on par with the legendary swords said to have been made with the horns of the dragon Perkisas. Except that the power of it is reconfigured into a more controllable form, and given the attributes of water."

"I find it hard to believe that this is the Anastasis Aiseiri you've been looking into." Fluvial said bluntly.

"It's only one small part." He confirmed, closing the box and setting the gem back onto its stand. "The rest isn't quite ready to be shown, but I assure you that it will be very soon."

"…What is your goal with this?"

"To crush all opposition. What else is there, Fluvial? Are you trying to accuse me that I may be using this for my own purposes?" His eyebrow rose. "I hope you do not think of me that lowly, empress."

"…If you say so." She sighed. This was enough for now. "I do expect results once it is complete, however."

With that, she exited the room, somehow more nervous than ever.

As the door closed behind the ruler of Hamel, the head of the department sighed, allowing the staff in his hands to dissipate into nothingness. "Think what you will. I will bring victory that none has ever comprehended before. Velder, Sander, and every other kingdom shall fall."

"The legendary tactician from the war over a century ago was not hesitant to throw away his humanity for victory, and I am wholly prepared to do the same, Fluvial. Not even the binds of morality can stop me. I won't allow them to. Anastasis Aiseiri is a project meant to bring an end to the fear of the grave and the fear of failure. No terror can consume Hamel. No divine law can stop it."

"This is the birth of a sun, and the death of a dream."

-Somewhere else in Hamel, Hall of Warfare-

Clangs resulting from clashing steel echoed within the barracks where the army and navy resided. The forces of the sky were elsewhere, for their base was established much later by the general who destroyed Velder long ago.

A swift sword slash pierced through the air, clashing with another blade. Around the crossed weapons was a fierce air that could be on par with any real battle. The draw was quickly broken apart before reengaging, the sound of the weapons reverberating throughout the camp. Several of the army's members had gathered close by to spectate the mock duel between two commanders.

Drawing back quickly was a sharp knife, the lock being broken once more as the commander pulled away. His coat billowed in the wind, hanging precariously on his shoulder. Standing opposite to him was another individual, clad in a murky, dark steel that seemed to radiate ominous energy. Fragments of frost power could be felt from the gemstones embedded in select places on the heavy plates. In their hand was a blade, glimmering with dangerous power and engraved with mythical runes. Each of the engraved designs seeped the energy of ice, but burning with the ferocity of fire.

Not even a moment passed before another strike was delivered, this time an overhead swing. It was narrowly blocked by the knife, the general stumbling backwards slightly from the sheer force.

The other's pure strength was clearly no joke, considering that he was no pushover himself. Seeing the chance, the knight-like figure dressed in heavy armor rushed forth despite the additional weight that the metal should have added, delivering a second quick slash and strike.

He barely retreated backward fast enough to dodge the deadly swings. A second later, and he would have been bleeding on the ground from the wound that slash would have given.

Another clash occurred soon after, the edges of the two blades pushing against one another as the commanders battled. The spectators had grown in number, quickly gathering about to bet about the results of the duel.

Firstly, Auberste was already tiring, and his opponent didn't even seem to have broken a single sweat. His opponent's eyes stared into his own with a cold, detached fury. He didn't tire even in the slightest, while he was already a bit worn out from the drawn-out duel.

Not to mention, the amount of counters he was receiving was ridiculous, and the strength his opponent possessed was easily enough to rival and defeat his own.

A sudden upward jab, and the knife he was pressing was forced out of his grip and sent up into the air, landing a short distance away. He didn't even have time to take a single step back before he found the tip of the other's sword at his throat.

Tense silence remained before it was broken, the weapon being lifted away from him. He let out a sigh of relief he wasn't even aware he was holding. After picking up his knife and sheathing it, he offered a hand to the other. If this was really to be another commander, it couldn't possibly hurt to break the ice.

"I'm Auberste, Auberste Leiterin. AL for short, though," he introduced, watching the other sheathe his own weapon before his gesture was returned.

"Sol Nivaldien." was the prompt response. No further words were exchanged as he went off, presumably to take care of his own business. Auberste did not follow, for it was not his job to interfere in others' lives anyways.

"Hilarious." Another voice sounded as the armored commander took his leave. Steiner was sitting on the sidelines, with his arms crossed. His dark navy uniform was of similar design to Auberste's own, although he lacked the large coat that Auberste kept on his shoulder. "Can't believe that you just got busted like that."

"You try taking him then." Auberste rolled his eyes. "That guy has some serious strength going if he can throw me around like that and still charge in that armor. He didn't even tire in the slightest… Steiner, don't tell me that you can beat him here and now, I won't believe it until I see it."

"Means you need to train harder." Steiner chuckled, shooting back a poking insult of his own. "It was pretty impressive though, but I just lost a hundred thousand ED from a bet I put on you. Better not lose next time."

"I'll try." He grumbled, adjusting the skewed pin that was set at the front of his uniform. "Wonder where a new general came out from though."

In the distance, the sun set.