A/N: This chapter contains 'heavy'(not too heavy) alcohol usage, and also more swearing than is probably appropriate, as a result of said alcohol. Still, it's nothing that would require the story to have an 'M' rating which is all well and good, so don't worry too much. If this story does require a rating change I'll let you know.
Osmond can be serious and do his job, it is canon that he went about slaying unruly dragons and was an altogether "noble" guy in his youth, no pun intended. A few characters get sidelined in this chapter, which stinks but there are a lot of characters.
Chapter 2: Panzers, Halt!
Point of View-Feldwebel Arthur Schmidt, Gandalfr
"Dolan!" Arthur cried out to the tank from it's side, after having inquired and found that he was likely to be here. Maximilian Dolan was someone he knew was a good driver, but even as a part of his crew the trust didn't extend too far. Dolan tended to be...disagreeable at the best of times.
"Huh? Wha-...Oh! It's good to see you're not dead!" came a lazy voice, the german tinted by a thin french accent that was very distinct. He'd found his driver. the drivers hatch popped open to reveal a younger man, barely a few years older than the 'magical' students here. His boyish features and thinner build left him looking younger than most of those around him, but his cynical nature helped him get himself ignored. Arthur sized up what he noticed himself.
"Where'd you get a pipe? Better yet...are you drunk?!" He stormed up to the front of the vehicle where Arthur fumbled around from inside, looking down from outside the hatch before pulling out a shiny flask, and holding it upside-down with the cap open and frowning.
"Nope! See, not nearly enough left to get more than a buzz. Fucking kitchen stocked tobacco but they insisted the wine was only for special occasions!" Dolan scoffed in contempt before focusing on his superior. "So you're awake, mon Dieu! Here I was hoping that we'd be trapped here forever, but of course you'd want to get back to fighting right away..." the last bit was said in a mumble, but he'd been able to hear it and his eyes narrowed. Climbing aboard, Arthur snatched the flask from his hand and glared.
"You do not have permission to drink when you have a job!"
"Pfft, so you'd prefer me sitting here wasting away? Sitting on my arse quoting Mien Kampf?"
"Do you think I tolerate this? You have a duty. That kind of talk is borderline insubordination, Dolan, and even if I don't do anything that kind of talk will get you in all sorts of trouble with our superiors." Maximilian seemed to contemplate these words before spitting.
"Yeah, Erich'll report anything to get noticed! That Nazi lapdog 's always plotting...always plotting how to lick his superior's boots," Maximilian smiled dumbly, and Arthur wondered briefly how long it had been since Erich or Frederic had actually checked up on him. Arthur was very conflicted over this…
"I'll not have that kind of talk! Erich's political beliefs are his own, and I don't care who hates what; we are a crew and you need to show the proper respect to those around you," Arthur glared at him, before taking the pipe and putting it out. "I'll let this slip once, from now on though I wont smell a whisk of alcohol on your person!"
"Wha-?" Maximilian looked to see his commander had taken the pipe and frowned. "Fine, whatever!" Maximilian pouted and swayed, and if Arthur was a betting man he'd say the young man would be asleep before long. Closing the hatch with a bang, his driver disappeared angrily with what sounded like a 'fucking krauts' being mumbled.
Arthur decided that he'd have him replaced by a magical student tomorrow if he should find even a trace of urine in the tank. The smell would never leave.
Point of View-Feldwebel Arthur Schmidt, Gandalfr
"Ah, there you are! Finally!" Arthur heard loudly, an annoyed tone from a voice he recognized to be the young Valliere girl's. His 'master'.
"Greeting young lady, do you need anything? You're classes for the day surely are not finished yet," he replied, already not wanting to deal with trouble after having to deal with Maximilian's...behavior.
"Yes I need something, you're idiot subordinate has gotten himself in a duel with a noble! Not only will he probably be crippled, but he might just cause an international incident! You need to get him out of there now!" Well, knowing Frederic he would rather sit and enjoy a calm day that get in a duel so it was far from difficult to guess that this was Erich's doing. He didn't blame Louise for her 'explosive personality' at this point, only that it was directed at him.
"Then let's go, I'll not have anything happen to my crew especially from some magical brat!" he saw her eye twitch at that comment but immediately started to lead him away. They went through a few marble archways but he didn't take the time to appraise the simplistic, gentle architecture that seemed to hint at a mixture of aristocracy and utility.
Yet Erich, who was always caught up in the glories of the past and future, was instead getting himself into a fight with a child.
Making their way wasn't difficult despite the distance, and Louise was running as fast as her petite body could carry her, whereas he set himself into a brisk walk so as to keep up and not leave her behind.
Some cheering and general rowdiness could be heard in the distance, and his fears were confirmed when they looked upon a congregation of students surrounding some sort of event, and after making their way through, he laid eyes on the spectacle.
A young, thin blond boy, who's upper shirt was unbuttoned, waved an intricate faux rose about dramatically, looking across at Erich. Erich had abandoned his hat and was smiling competitively, bearing a sword in his hand with a dull bronze sheen. He twirled it with equal flair, while the younger boy seemed to focus and smirk aggressively.
"You shall regret your actions, Erich von Adler. Now, en garde!" the boy raised his wand, muttering under his breath and to his surprise, the soil between the two combatants seemed to glow, before that illuminated area shifted and writhed as if rose up, slowly taking the shape of a tall knight wielding a spear. It seemed only a second later that it hardened, details and shapes more defined on the set of armor and the spear, though he could now see the armor was empty and seemed to work on it's own.
Erich hesitated, and Arthur saw he was holding a sword of the same dull bronze that the knight was. He shook himself of hesitation a second later and smiled with the kind of foolhardy confidence that someone might have if they'd been caught committing a crime, and decided that they may as well commit a dozen others since they couldn't go back.
He spun his sword in his hand and readied himself, as Arthur tried to think of a way to stop him. It was too late, and the armor stepped forward slowly before spinning it's spear in a dramatic arc that Erich was able to jump back from with unexpected ease.
"I've been been taught swordsmanship since I was 8, and you think you'll beat me by using a trashy replacement! Guiche de Gramont, hiding behind toy soldiers!" Erich mocked. Since when had he known swordsmanship? Ah, Arthur remembered; Erich had mentioned that trying to chat up a girl in Poland, but had shrugged it off and thought Adler'd been making it up. Apparently not, but he needed to stop this before Erich got stabbed, or he got fed up and ended up stabbing the kid.
The armor swiped again, this time back and fourth swiftly, the first one was dodged, the reverse blocked. Erich however stumbled under the force and had to step back under the pressure.
"Stop!" he shouted loudly, stopping the altercation and garnering the attention of everyone. Storming up to Erich as the Knight lowered it's spear, he grabbed the shoulder of Erich's uniform. "What are you doing, getting into some duel with a kid? I expect better from you!"
"I-I...Arthur? Was that in French?" Erich shook his head, "Nevermind, this brat insulted us! Blamed me for chatting up his girlfriend, then insulted our heritage! He called germans barbarians!"
"He's a child, who cares? Were you actually chatting up a minor anyway?" Arthur questioned. That wasn't something he'd let pass.
"Of course not!" a look of distaste, if not disgust, passed over his face momentarily, "I was letting her know that blondie over there was skinny dipping in another pond!" Erich defended himself, futilely. An angry 'Hey, how dare he accuse me of such things!' could be heard while some laughter and chatter passed through the audience but he ignored it all.
"I don't care if you were defending her honor, it's not your business. We are guests here, and that aside you don't have the authority to get into duels to the death with students!" Arthur released his hold and made eye contact with Erich, who then averted his eyes in guilt, mumbling 'crap'.
"Get out of here, and give me my sidearm. Go make sure Dolan isn't drinking more, and then I want you to start doing maintenance on the the IV with him. Understood?" Erich sighed, seemingly over his fear before nodding in understanding and pulling the Walther P38 out of his belt and handing it to him. Sticking his sword into the ground, Erich slowly walked away, a humiliated air surrounding him.
"Hey! It is dishonorable to interrupt a duel! You have no right-" the blonde boy started, having approached and his Knight puppet having walked to the side.
"No, you have no right getting into fights like these," Arthur glared at him, "Erich is a soldier. Even as part of the Panzertruppe he is trained to kill people. If he hadn't been humoring you he would have pulled out this," Arthur held up the gun, "and shot you without regrets."
"It is his fault for disrespecting his betters, and he had the chance to redeem himself by showing courage in a duel you nullified not moments ago! You have done the same, and as his superior it's only right you take his place!" The boy was gripping his rose tightly in anger and his face was flushed with emotion.
"Get over yourself, I cannot imagine the trouble you are causing for your better who educate you daily!" Arthur was ashamed to admit he was angry now too, "You shouldn't be so arrogant-" Arthur's speech was cut off as he saw the boy's wrist flick motion, and the Knight lunged forward with it's spear.
"Schmidt!" that had to be the young Valliere, calling out his name. He could hardly comprehend it, as he reacted with pure human instinct to avoid being impaled, and threw himself to the side, roughly landing on hard earth. He opened his eyes a few seconds later and spit out tufts of dirt, using a hand to lift himself off the ground.
Instead of regret, as he might expect, the boy looked with only the smallest hesitation down upon him, and then nodded self-assuredly.
"It is too late to ask for forgiveness, and tradition dictates that until blood is drawn the duel must continue. My family's honor demands that you fight!" Standing, Arthur took in some breaths before glaring at the boy and raising his pistol, forcing himself to think rationally before he really did shoot this boy, something he'd surely regret later.
"See this? I could shoot you with this eight times in seconds," the boy seemed to find that funny based on the look on his face, and the audience laughed. He realized that the were in a place with swords and where horses were efficient transportation. "Nonetheless, I am not because I am showing restraint. I would ask that you do the same lest I be forced to use this," If the boy had any hesitation before, 'Guiche' no longer was held back by such feelings and ran fingers through his hair with confidence.
"Oh? You've yet to prove you can do much of anything besides roll in the dirt with the pigs," He twirled his rose wand in a complex movement, and another knight shifted and rose from the earth to stand just ahead, holding itself defensively. It seemed that he did see the possibility of him shooting him, even if he wasn't very afraid of it. Seconds later, a spin of his fingers and Erich's sword rose slowly before throwing itself slowly hilt-first for him to grab, which he only did so reflexively. "Now, you shall face greater challenge for your interruption!"
So this, was the power of magic.
The first knight rushed him while the second remained protectively before it's master. The aggressor moving with more swiftness and grace than it had before, Arthur swung the sword back and pushed forward as an instinctual force took him over and he deflected the spear to the side with a rush of sparks, then slammed his shoulder into the armor with precise force.
To his surprise, it stumbled back, and he blinked. What was that rush? That skilled movement? He had no experience with a sword, but he felt the runes on his hand throb with a warm sensation.
"Oh, so you are capable of competence? What a pleasant surprise!" Guiche smiled and moved his hand intricately, starting to mumble under his breath. The second knight rushed in to stab him and Arthur felt that force overtake him again, it was exhilarating and frightening simultaneously.
He deflected the spear to the side before pirouetting around and slicing as he turned back on his foe, the harsh shearing of metal cutting the air as he sliced through the gauntlet and dismembered the enemy with unnatural strength.
Shuffling to the side, he saw that the first attacker had returned and crouched low as it swung it's weapon in a deadly arc. Rushing forward as it's guard became open, Arthur ran it through with the sword before wrenching it free moments later with barbaric ferocity.
"What? What sort of foul trick is this? Such strength is inhuman!" Guiche growled, and Arthur turned to him, before his vision blurred and he blinked repeatedly. It was inhuman. Whatever he'd just done...it wasn't natural, he'd cut through metal plate with as much ease as air.
"Hocus Pocus, Bloede D'hoine!" Guiche commanded, and the kinghts seemed to crumble into dust, metal seemingly becoming sand as the fell into the surrounding ground. "If you continue such insolence, I shall form before you my Valkyrie!"
"That enough! If that's not enough courage, you'll have to cut up somebody else to see blood," Arthur tossed the sword away and was immediately assailed with intense fatigue, but forced himself to stand, and looked around at the students, who seemed a little uncomfortable and unsure of themselves. Louise stood timidly, but smiled in pride, perhaps at him trying to avoid conflict?
"He is right, you know. There is honor in victory, but pursing conflict isn't a very wise decision," spoke a voice, and any chatter was silenced, only accompanied by a few gasps. From out of the crowd emerged Headmaster Osmond, who seemed to have lost his usual cheery attitude, and the Teacher Colbert who seemed tired but still managed to radiate disappointment to any student who met his gaze. "You will all return to your rooms with the exception of Guiche de Gramont, Louise Francoise, Miss Tabitha, and Arthur Schmidt. Any further disciplinary action will be handled by Professor Colbert in the morn, and none of you will be receiving an evening meal for your passiveness in letting such a spectacle go on.
"It is my firm reminder that this is a fine establishment for the advancement of learning and it is your duty to uphold not only the values of honor and tradition, but dignity as well. You are all hereby dismissed." The students started to grumble, but they all started to disperse and those remaining gathered near hesitantly.
"Headmaster, I was merely disciplin-" Guiche started, words tumbling out of his mouth, be the headmaster stopped hi be slamming the tip of his staff on the solid ground.
"You do not have a duty to discipline another Master's familiar. To interfere with a master and familiar's connection is to step on a fine boundary, Gramont," He glared until Guiche refused to meet eye contact, before turning to the others.
"Young Lady," he shook his head, "Miss Tabitha, you had the foresight to alert us as to the dangerous ongoings, and since Miss von Zerbst is with you, I can only assume it was her familiar that delivered your message?"
"Yes, sir!" replied Kirche von Zerbst, who seemed to have stayed behind without permission, but he let it slide. Tabitha nodded firmly as well.
"I am most impressed. Rest assured, both of your actions have not gone unnoticed. You may leave, though you are free to do as you will for the rest of the day. Jean?"
"Hmm?" the professor looked toward the headmaster.
"Please escort the Gramont boy to his room, and I trust the consequences for his actions to be left to your wisdom," Professor Colbert nodded solemnly before gesturing for Guiche to follow, an act he put up no resistance to.
"Whatever punishment you have for me, I accept! It wasn't the fault of Herr Schmidt!" Louise suddenly spoke up in German, as if she'd been stewing over what to say for awhile. Arthur decided it was likely the case. She probably switched languages for his benefit, though in his drowsiness came the realization he had understood everything said in French as well.
"I'm glad you realize that Louise. While you were not the aggressor, it is your duty to educate your familiars in order to avoid conflict, and in other cases step in to take responsibility for them. By all rights, a formal duel between a master and familiar is not allowed and you should have demanded to take up arms in representation by law."
"You m-mean to fight in his steed? B-but that's preposterous!" he let out a chuckle, and Arthur fought to keep hi eyes open and stay standing as the tension and excitement faded away, further increasing the effect of his fatigue.
"Of course it is. Fetching Adler's Commandant you did the smart thing, and a duel between students in the Academy is very firmly against...don't worry too much, but for the purpose of appeasement and precedent it's best you be confined...to your quarters as well," he looked at Louise, as if waiting for an objection, but received none. "it seems you, Herr Schmidt, may need to head back to the infirmary, and we have things...to discuss besides. How do you feel?"
"..." What? Why were Osmond and Valliere looking at him so strangely.
"Feldwebel?!...Familiar!"
"..." So tired. Sore.
"-an you understand u-...-rthur, respond!"
Then, he collapsed.
Point of View-Dragon Knight Saito Hiraga, Vindalfr
Hiraga Saito gazed down at the runes upon his hand, those that allowed him to control the minds of animals. He was no longer Hiraga Saito however, as he had once been to the Imperial Japanese Navy.
Saito Hiraga, Dragon Knight of the Second Pillar of the Holy Church of Romalia's Inquisition. Despite a relatively low ranking, he was spoken about quietly in a great many circles, a foreign teenager with no magical ability, yet he worked alone and held the ear of his Holiness the Pope of Romalia; St. Aegis the 32nd, previously known as Vittorio Serevare. Any complaints about such things were quickly silenced however.
This was his fate as a the 'Right Hand of God', familiar of the Founder Brimir, Vindalfr. The Lute of God.
At first, he had resisted, but that had passed over the weeks, and soon he even found friendship with his Master and summoner. Friendship being used lightly, of course. Mostly, he'd realized his purpose.
Saito was an enforcer, confidante, and spy for any need his Master may have for him. They were on amiable terms at worst, and understood one another on a deeply personal level. Their misgiving were arbitrary when there goals had aligned and it was his duty to help Vittorio do what was necessary. In doing so, he only awaited his next task which had arrived in the form of Courier only yesterday.
Saito brought some of his black hair out of his eyes and gently unsealed the envelope. Eyes drifting across as his master's smooth script unfolded before his eyes.
Saito,
Mission of the utmost priority. Third Void user identified.
Tristania Academy of Magic. Petite, fair hair and skin.
Scout and Gather information only, maintain distance.
Recommendation on situation req. May the founder guide your path.
Regards, V.S.
It was brief, extremely so, and carried very little detail on the subject in the case that it had been intercepted. It was also probable that there was very little information on the subject as Vittorio likely viewed the subject through magical means, and did not know of the mage's names or connections. Assumptions wouldn't get him very far at this point, but a plan had formed.
He was Vidalfr. From what Vittorio could surmise, the Gallian bloodline also possessed a void user, who had already summoned a familiar that was being hidden. Now, the Tristanian one as well. The four aspects of the Founder were manifesting...
Saito held the letter over the candles that lit the room he'd been staying in, and watched as the parchment curled and blackened, before dropping it into a waste bucket and watching to make sure it was thoroughly destroyed.
He was in the steeper areas of the mountains on the southern border of Gallia and northern border of Romalia. The courier needed to be sent elsewhere lest he be followed and questioned. Afterwards he would make his way into seclusion northwards, call his mount, and be on his way into Tristain within the month if he made good time.
He had a duty, and it would be done.
Point of View-Myozunitonirun, Mind of God
For years, she was watched things go by. In her home, people were gripped by a fever of nationalistic pride...yet she'd watched it grow from the sidelines.
Her brother went to fight in China, and she had watched passively as he was sent off, only to be killed.
Her family had grieved, yet she watch with a cold detatchment. An otherworldly force always leaving her feeling out of place.
Her niece had been wed, and she watched soundlessly as the family moved into a new generation.
Her parents died, and yet she watched as everyone fell into grief, yet she drifted, knowing something called for her, yet unable to grasp it.
Then she found purpose. She found what she'd been destined for, what had eroded her attachments and called out to her. It was a cruel fate, a destiny of desolation and death.
Her master had called upon her from beyond the veil, beyond the mirror, and had kissed her. A lovely gesture to seal her fate to that of magic and blood.
Now, she participated with regret. She spectated as The Lute of God and The Shield of God were summoned, both warmongers fated for bloodshed at the behest of their masters.
Once The Heart of God was summoned, and the last aspect of the void awakened in a master, her own master would act on his needs. His desires. His ambitions.
She would watch, in silence and regret.
A/N: Well, I really wish I could have given Louise more parts in this chapter, but I'm trying to balance her canon personality with that of a girl who was raised to social standards, and after summoning both a foreigner and an adult(s?) realizes she isn't in control. Thanks for reading, if you see any errors, or have any thoughts or comments feel free to review or private message at your leisure. Until next time!
A/N2:Updated, merely inserting some spelling and grammar corrections. Also fixed a dialogue error.