Author's Note: Hi guys! Sorry it took a while. Well I won't stop you all, here's chapter three!
WARNING: THIS CHAPTER CONTAINS VIOLENCE. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED SO DON'T BLAME ME
Chapter Three: Enter Trinitarian Academy
/July 12, 2012|?|07:30 am\
~*Narrator POV*~
It was a warm, humid afternoon at the Trinitarian Academy for the Magically Gifted—the grounds filled with small children playing around while the older ones were busy discussing notes, current events, or gossip. The heat was really felt by the populace as sweat formed on nearly all of the students' brows—nearly all that is…
A pair—it looked like mother and son—walked alongside with a middle-aged woman who was showing them the facilities of school and gave them a brief history of the institution. The charcoal-haired son—adorned in an Onyx trench coat with gold trim and a black shirt underneath, grayish-looking pants, and black combat boots—was being followed by eight small black cats wearing black capes with a gold trim; the animals were walking along with their master in pairs—four on his left, four on his right.
"Here is the classroom where you will be staying Mr. Di Angelo, the Emerald Section."
The boy just stared at the window that showed him his future classroom when Monday came upon him. It was filled with at least thirty-five students, sixteen male and nineteen female, and they all glanced at the window as well; seeing the new kid, they waved at his direction but the latter just stared at them and gave a short nod of acknowledgement.
"Madam Principal, if I were to be in this classroom, there must also be eight chairs for my familiars—four on my left and right. After all, they are presents from my Grandmother before I left the Middle East."
"Ye..Yes… Well… The institution has a no animal policy but-"
"Oh that would be a shame if you wouldn't allow them to be with me. After all, they are needed for my magic," sighed the child as he looked at her with a bored expression on his face, "but I guess I just have to tell my grandmother, who is leader of the Divine Council mind you, that it is just not possible for me to have them around during class hours."
The principal was astonished and took back what she said; allowing him to have his familiars with him within the premises of campus. The boy smirked and told her that she will not regret her decision. He bade his farewells as well as his mother and they exited the institution.
One thing was certain when the principal saw the backs of the beings that just entered her school; things just became interesting here at the Trinitarian Academy…
/The Next Day|Di Angelo Haven, New York|4:00 AM\
~*Nico POV*~
No good, disgrace, a waste of space, disgusting, shameful, no use to the clan… The endless taunting echoed in my thoughts—in my dreams that slowly turned into nightmares. I woke up yet again from a hellish vision; no matter what magic I use or whatever psychiatric method possible were working. The never ending insults kept on zooming in my head even though I knew that they were as good as dead within the Giant Mausoleum formerly known as the 21st School of Wizardry and Machinery. I brushed it off and stretched to relieve some tension in my muscles. After the incident, I trained in combat with my "older brother"—Jason—to better myself in hand-to-hand as well as physical combat in general; we trained for 3 months straight—each day, no breaks whatsoever.
"Come my dears, a new dawn awaits for us."
I clapped once and sixteen Emerald Orbs appeared around me; my familiars were slowly forming to their small, cute, black cat bodies. After a while, eight of the said creatures appeared and pounced on me for cuddles. I chuckled softly, petted them all, and just enjoyed the small moment of affection until that came to halt when someone knocked on my door. I ordered them to calm down and be quiet, I asked who was it and my mother's soft reply was heard. She reminded me that school was starting in two hours. After I thanked her for reminding me, I got out of bed and began my morning routine—a few push-ups, some crunches, and a shower. Jason was really strict with my exercise; sometimes he called just to remind me that I had to do these things.
Thirty minutes later, I emerged from my bedroom wearing the school's uniform—a Cobalt colored robe with black tint along the sides. I walked towards the Hall of Reunion and Honor to pay my family some respect, I smiled warmly to any of the help that I passed by. Upon entering the hall, I saw that my portrait is among the ones placed. I was covered in blood and so was the room, I was lying down in my Onyx trench coat with a side of Gold tint, black jeans, and combat boots. I looked extremely bored yet I radiated a dignified aura on my face. I sighed and thought they could have chosen a better picture of me during the shoots we did for the painter to imitate.
"I thought they chose perfectly, to be honest, I prefer this one than the others."
"Still, it could've been one of the better pictures, Grandmother."
The elder chuckled and told me to calm down, which I did since I did not want my morning to be ruined for this small incident. I asked what she was doing here in the Hall; which she replied that she was also paying some respects to the honorable fallen and she just saw me standing in front of my own portrait. I gave her a small grin and she giggled.
"What's so funny?"
"Ah, my dear, it's been a while since I have seen a smile on your face," chuckling sweetly as she wrapped her arm around my shoulder and we began walking to the dining hall to get some breakfast, "ever since the incident, I have not seen a single smile on your face or heard a chuckle escape from your lips."
I remained silent and thought that she was right; misery has been with me ever since we left the Middle East, I was mopey the whole day when I got home. When I told them the whole event, my grandmother nodded in approval of what I have wrought to the school and also said she had a present for me; permission to turn ANYBODY, be it a civilian or a government official, into my familiars—eight to be precise—and I already have the people who would become them in mind. I remembered the day like it was yesterday.
~*flashback*~
/April 17, 2012|Deira, Dubai|01:00 pm\
My journey to the Souk City was smooth as Thai Silk—no traffic and today's weather was really pleasant. I began walking towards a building covered in gold with a white trim. The guards stopped me and questioned where I was going. I replied back that the leader of Divine Council has a message for the entire Arabian Council. Of course, they did not believe me at first and I had to "take care" of them properly—their bodies collapsed on the floor and their heads that rolled on the ground. Upon entering the building, I was greeted by an empty reception; the empty hall was not a surprising sight for me as I knew I chose a weekend day to enact this action of mine; sensing that all of the eight members of the council were present on the top floor, I began my flight up to them.
After a few minutes, I basked in the marvelous sight of the doors that led me to the Main Sanctum, a place where they hold their meetings and hearings as well as their judgements on those individuals who were about to rank up. I released a wave of force, which in turn, opened the gigantic opening that blocked my way. The assembly of high ranking magicians stood in shock as I entered the Sanctum; three of the leaders yelled at me and demanded an apology for barging in. The other members sensed on what I was going to do and they prepared themselves for battle.
"My business here is simple, leaders of the Arabian Council," I exclaimed while floating towards the middle of the chamber, "as ordered by the leader of the entire Divine Council, I hereby relieve you of your duties as Advisors of the Arabian Divine Council—thereby dismissing this assembly completely."
"This is absurd! Demeter would not have made this decree to us especially giving the task of informing us to a lowly peon such as you!"
I chuckled evilly and looked around me. I raised my hand and let out an energy blast to one of the yelling affiliates, who blocked my bolt with a barrier. The room became silent as they all faced me; after a few minutes of silence, one of them asked who I was and I replied that I am the leader's grandson. The shock was evident on all their faces; they lowered their staves and inquired on what my business with them was.
"It's simple really. You will all live as my familiars but having five men and three ladies following you around seems silly. So I shall turn you all into black cats," I replied as I descended to the floor, "of course you will still keep your powers if I turn you into your human forms," I explained the process of our power synchronization—their cat forms with myself.
They agreed wholeheartedly, an honor for them in serving a member of the Di Angelo family. I nodded and transformed them into ebony colored felines with bright, sparkling Jade eyes. They were adorned with a black cape with a golden border. As time flies—which was half an hour, we exited the building then I remembered my grandma's request; raising my hands, I defied gravity and elevated my palms in the direction of the sky. The building shook like jello; the windows shattered, the gateway crumbled, and some of the floors inside subsided at the fury of my power. I went down slowly and rejoined my underlings on our journey back home.
~*End of Flashback*~
I continued staring at my painting until I was patted by one of the cats; conjuring a clock, I saw that I only have fifteen minutes until the first bell rings—talk about a good impression on your first day of school. I turned myself into a multitude of Platinum Moths while my familiars were green orbs of light and we flew outside of the Hall. I passed by my mother, who held my breakfast and lunch that turned into moths as well, and told her that I loved her even in that form which she happily replied. My journey to the Trinitarian Academy for the Magically Gifted began.
/July 13, 2012|Trinatrian Academy for the Magically Gifted|7:25 am\
After ten minutes of flying, I arrived at the gates of the Academy. I reformed myself as well as my familiars and my lunch back to our normal forms. I composed myself and checked if I missed anything from home, I found out that my bag was not with me due to my rush in avoiding a tardy mark on my first day; chanting a few words, I materialized my book bag in front me and I started my walk to my classroom. The quad was filled with children and teenagers, the youngsters were running around, wielding small wands, and playing with their friends while the adolescents were discussing amongst themselves in their groups. I felt very out of place—being the new kid and all that jazz—and just glanced to the floor and resumed my saunter to my study hall. I saw the word "Emerald" and thought to myself that this was it—a new chapter to my story called life. New people, new faculty, and hopefully no new enemies but I would prefer some challengers from time to time.
I stood beside the door of my room and saw that some of the people there were looking me. I smiled softly and greeted them softly, they replied with a small smile and some replied to my greeting. One of the girls there even asked if they could pet one of my familiars.
"Sure, they won't bite," she carefully extended her hand to one of them; the feline sniffed at the unknown appendage that was pointed at her. She jumped on the hand, shrunk a bit, and curled up into a ball. The girl was astonished and stroked her softly as the small grimalkin snored gently. My classmate loved the creature and apparently she was enjoying it too; she always loved the attention she was getting from others.
The bell echoed around campus—signaling the start of classes. I asked her if I could have my cat back and she reluctantly gave it to me. We entered the medium-sized room and to my surprise, there were eight small chairs right beside the chair that had my name on it—up front so I listened well during discussions. I took my place and so did my familiars; they were very obedient and sat as if they were royalty. The door opened slowly and an elderly woman—somewhere on her mid-eighties— entered the room. Her gaze fell upon my cats, who hissed at her in anger until I shushed them, then unto me. She raised a brow and asked what my cats were doing inside sacred ground. I replied that they were needed for my kind of magic and I questioned on her mentioning the lecture room as "sacred ground".
"This room is where all kinds of knowledge ebbs and flows; having these insects within these walls desecrates the sanctity of this hallowed ground."
"Who do you think you are?! How dare you insult my familiars?! Have you any idea on who you are speaking with?!" I responded back furiously and my felines hissed as well, "I show respect to people, but to those who dare insult me or my familiars shall feel my fury indeed."
The woman laughed at my response and introduced herself as Miriam Delos Reyes—a Music, Arts, Physical Education, and Health Teacher or MAPEH for short. She also said that if I wanted to have my cats within the same room with me, I had to fight her for it. Question marks formed within my head as she stepped out of the room and entered the quad; questioning my seatmate about this ideal, he replied that she does this with all new students. I shrugged it off and proceeded to where my teacher was with my familiars. Upon reaching the area, a magic missile zoomed towards me but I successfully blocked it by through a simple barrier.
"The rules are simple, kill me or drive me to the point of exhaustion and you get to have them in the room. Lose and they shall be waiting for you outside of campus. Do we have a deal?"
"You do realize that you are going against what the Principal has told me that I can keep them within campus grounds, right?"
She gritted her teeth in frustration, "that woman knows nothing when it comes to the sacred rites! My condition still stands! Now fight!"
My teacher was light on her feet despite her age; her assault towards me involved two daggers that she brought up right in front of my face. My familiars and I turned into Platinum Moths and moved to the other side; they turned into Emerald Orbs while I summoned an Onyx Crystal Scythe and began dancing with my teacher's daggers. Sparks flew between the two weapons as we continued the attack on each other; crowds gathered—faculty and student alike. I threw my weapon towards her and she dodged it with ease.
"Not so fast Miss Delos Reyes!" I yelled out as I used my magic and stopped my scythe's impact to the wall and yanked it back to me, slashing her back in the process. I smirked at her cry of pain as I willed my scythe to vanish before it came to me; approaching her slowly, I was about to ask her if we were done with this pointless charade but she vanished and stabbed me from behind.
"Well Mister Di Angelo, you are as slow as you are cocky to let your guard down," chuckled the woman as she drove her daggers deeper on my back which caused more agony to me.
"On the contrary, I was waiting for that to happen and apparently you are just like me—cocky as ever," smirking as my body turns into Navy Blue ice and which froze her upon my its detonation. Cold gusts of wind blew across campus as I reformed through the remnants of my ice shards; lifting one hand up brought an end to the scuffle through an Onyx Spike that formed underneath my teacher. Nothing was heard within the quadrangle for a few seconds; cheers echoed the field and applause radiated from the students. At first, I felt like I have accomplished something worthy of their praise; until I noticed the other presence that clapped their hands slowly. I noticed that it was Miss Delos Reyes; not a shock for me to see her unscathed and her eyes were still burning furiously bright. Things were about to heat up indeed.
"So, how was the freezing depths ma'am? Should I lower it down some more and bring you back there?" snickering at her position probably was not a bright idea but I figured to entertain myself even for a little while. The teacher gritted her teeth and radiated a bright violet glow; it was so bright that even I had to shield my eyes to prevent temporary blindness. After a minute of sun-like shining, I looked to the area where my teacher stood and saw a radiant, young woman whose hair shined a pale violet and her rich pink skin shone a dull purple aura; she adorned an Onyx hued dress as well as a hat that is covered in dead roses.
"Now, the real test begins Mr. Di Angelo," echoed the woman as I felt her power increasing rapidly, "you will bow before the bell rings today!"
Her hand rose towards the sky which caused it to darken, like rain was coming to this institution. The teacher brought her hand down swiftly and lightning struck the ground in front of me. Anxiety trudged it way in my heart but I remained stoic on the outside and turned into Platinum Moths before the second bolt impacted me; reforming back, I saw that my teacher was not there—like she was just a figment of my imagination. I looked around and ordered my familiars—in their orb forms—to hunt for her within the grounds. The Jade Lights danced around campus looking for my teacher; one of them radiated brightly, signaling that her presence was on that location. I snapped my fingers and chains emerged from the ground swiftly and bound my target; the chains were linked to my right hand and I slowly tightened my grip, which in turn, made the embrace of the chains even firmer.
A woman's shriek of pain echoed the grounds of the school and she reappeared wrapped in my chains; her eyes turned orange, so did my chains. I released my ethereal grip on the metal and saw it melt before my eyes. Anxiety soon turned to annoyance and I did a few backflips away from miss Delos Reyes, who was sending magic bolts one after the other. After I returned to my bearings and blocked the last projectile she sent at me, I called the orbs to come behind me and I sat afloat on Platinum Moths.
"Let me show you a little thing I learned with my familiars," I scoffed at the witch who looked like she was preparing for my counterattack; smirked at her determination, I looked at the orbs and commanded "Initiate Constellation Formation—Capricorn Ballista—my pets," the emerald orbs flew right behind me and formed into a shape that resembled the star pattern of Capricorn; the sky seemed to be divided between Ms. Miriam and I—dark and rainy on one side while calm and surrounded by the stars on the other. Beams of moonlight shined down on the ground until eight pearly-white arbalests materialized before me and with a snap they began firing golden bolts at my teacher—who just warped to the left and right to evade my shots. I puffed a breath of annoyance and willed everything that I have to stop.
"This is rather irritating, don't you think miss?"
"If you are tired of this fight, why not just give up and send those vermin packing?"
I sighed once more and conjured eight swords to float behind me; charging once again to my instructor, we braced ourselves for another dance with my blades and the spears she just summoned. Then I felt another presence—someone whose power was equal or even greater than my own and my teacher's combined—enter the battle and increased the distance between Ms. Miriam and myself; my opponent did not look phased from the blow dealt to her—as if time froze for all except for me.
"Why do you guys have to be so loud this early in the morning?" echoed a husky voice throughout the school. I scanned the area to look for the source of the sound, "On the rooftop," the booming voice turned into a little whisper to my ear and I flew up to the location that the voice has told me. As I landed on the area, all that stood there was an imposing and well-muscled teenager—he looked like he was a few years older than me—with eyes as green as the sea and hair. The boy wore nothing but a bathrobe to cover himself, no wonder he sounded upset it must have been his time for sleep. I asked on who he was and why he interrupted my scuffle with Ms. Miriam. The stranger was glad enough to reply that he was the headmaster's son and he stopped the fight because he was in the middle of his nap when the fight started becoming more intense.
"You don't understand," I pleaded with him, "my familiars won't be able to stay here if I don't kick that woman's ass she'll—," he just raised his hand and told me to calm down but I did not listen. He explained that he will talk to her before we fight. I was about to question him when he snapped his fingers and the entire place swirled like a tornado. I shut my eyes to brace myself of any impact from the flying objects.
/July 13, 2012|Trinatrian Academy for the Magically Gifted|7:30 am\
Upon using my sight, I found myself back in my classroom; my classmates were still chatting as if the challenge never happened in the first place. The door creaked open and Ms. Miriam entered once again, she eyed my familiars for the second time; they hissed at her and I calmed them down. Just as she was about to bicker, the headmaster's son entered the room—looking a little bit more dignified in semi-casual clothes rather than a bathrobe.
"S…Sir Persues, good morning. What can I assist you with?"
"Him and its Percy," he pointed out to me and explained that his father has allowed me to bring my cats to the school due to them being a crucial part of my magic. The teacher was objecting that the creatures with me were defying the sanctity and holy ground of the institution, "well then, I hope you will be able to defend yourself against my father when he hears that you are defying his decision for him to keep his cats with him."
I raised an eyebrow to him, Perseus was his name—but apparently he liked being called Percy instead. He did not introduce himself when were we on top of the roof deck moments ago but at least I know more of the boy than just his face and title. My instructor just sighed and agreed, she then went to the teacher's desk to prepare for today's lesson. The headmaster's son looked at me and winked before he showed himself out. I shook my head to get my head back to the now—the new now that is—as Ms. Miriam began teaching. My thoughts slightly wondered to that boy—Percy. There was a feeling within me that screamed we would meet again soon.
~*9:00 am|Second Period*~
The bell echoed within the institution that signaled it was time for the next class. According to my schedule, it was Strategic Thinking 101; which did not sound that bad until I was told by one of my classmates if I have a created my own faction to command and what type of commander I should be, creating even more questions than answers. I was about to ask him when a middle-sized and slightly old man wearing a military-like uniform entered our classroom. He looked slightly intimidating but when he started speaking, I could tell that he is a good person inside despite the aura he radiates from the outside.
"Well, a new cadet? What's your name boy?" questioned the instructor as I provided him with my details—for added flare in military style. He chuckled at my response and introduced himself as Mr. Robert Delos Reyes; he mentioned that he previously served in the military as a strategist before he retired and joined the teaching business. I asked if he was related to the MAPEH teacher by any chance to which he nodded and replied that she was his younger sister.
"By the way, have you made your faction and what kind of commanding style you will do for this school year?"
"I haven't sir and I also have no idea what you are talking about too."
The old-timer laughed again and told the rest of the class that they have the period off, which he originally planned when he found out that a new student has entered the institution late. The whole class cheered and proceeded outside—leaving me and Mr. Delos Reyes alone. He then began explaining what factions were; that they were what the students created to use during his classes and certain War Games. Each faction composed of people and buildings with special attributes; it was a requirement that it must have one gatherer, at least one soldier and special unit, one commando, hero or whatever the student shall call it, mechanized troops and/or magically enhanced soldiers, and the needed structures to produce these units as well as defenses and/or walls. He also taught me that there were two styles of commanding a faction: Strategist or War Hero. The Strategist style meant that the commander stayed within a Command Center, Fortress, Castle, or whatever it is the student shall call their strongholds and if the structure falls they automatically lose the match. On the other hand, the War Hero required the student to be on field with his/her troops; it also meant that they could fall in battle but would not result in an immediate loss as long as the faction had a structure to bring their leader back. My teacher faced me and asked if I had any questions, luckily I had none.
"Good, have your faction and commanding style ready for in a week's time, I will pit you against one of the school's top strategists," ordered the teacher sternly to me, "she isn't one to be underestimated my boy and she has never lost within these school walls since the sixth grade."
I replied that I would not disappoint him but I also asked why he did that to which he answered that he saw my transcripts and my Inquisitor Rank from my previous—yet dead swam in my head—school, "I see sir, very well I shall do my best to defeat her as it is not in my vocabulary to lose as well."
"That's the spirit! Well, I shall leave you to create your faction because I have an idea on your commanding style already," cheered the man as he exited the room. He knew that I was going for the War Hero style as it was not my nature to just sit back in a stuffy room and watch my troops suffer. I began conceptualizing on my faction and swore that by the end of the school day I would have it ready.
~*A few hours later|2:30 pm*~
The bell chimed signaling the end of the day, my instructors and peers were kind enough to assist me in catching up with schoolwork as well as some of my classmates gave me tips to help in my upcoming battle against the top dog of the War Games. As far as Mr. Delos Reyes and my schoolmates told me, she had maintained her title for four years straight and not even six factions combined were able to beat her; the Matron of Light and Shadow used both Guerilla and Tactical warfare hence the Light and Shadow—one with forward charges and hidden tactics. But I have forged a faction that will be able to utilize what I like to call a Triune of War—Deception, Strategy, and Defense.
"I call it, the Legacy of the War Triune."
"Huh, catchy… But do you think it would be enough against the Matron?"
I threw crystalized daggers at the source of the sound—which resulted in a small "yelp". I recognized that voice and asked Percy what was his business here. The heir to the school told me that he would like to assist me with my faction in a small War Game. I found it odd but I reluctantly agreed to his session. We then began our walk to somewhere, he started asking questions and I answered. The process was repeated and happened vice-versa—AKA we got to know each other.
"Well, we are here Nico," gestured Percy to an Open Field. I looked around and saw a well-sized ominous, black manor began manifesting itself in front of me while a giant pearl Tree grew on the other side of the headmaster's son, "this is the field used for the War Games," he continued explaining that as soon as the players have stood on this ground the Command Centers of the respectful combatants will appear on one side of the field and judging by the black manor that would be my castle for any War Game. I glanced behind me and the headmaster's son was no longer there and the tree on the other side of the field shimmered like a star. I felt the energy within the giant structure and soon, marionettes appeared around the tree as well as different flora grew around the area of the tree—creating a makeshift forest around it; mist began to envelop the base, it made their headquarters difficult to see and locate—even though I knew it was at the other end of the grounds.
"Well? Are you just going to stand there in awe while my forces destroy your base? Well, the Matron is going to have an easy time decimating your forces quickly," a voice echoed throughout the field and I realized it was Percy—who sounded like he was already done with me. I smirked as I summoned my Onyx Scythe and charged for the puppets, different colored puppets to be exact—Red, Blue, Yellow, and Brown; they let loose a barrage of different elemental bolts—Fire, Water, Lightning, and Earth respectively based on their tone. I stepped around the bolts, like a butterfly avoiding the drops of rain on a stormy night; apparently if the figures are brought down, they unleashed a small explosion of their particular element. I glanced at my side of the field and saw my miniscule manor had transformed into a mighty fortress—complete with bats surrounding it, just the way I like it. Soldiers and sorcerers started emerging from my base and charged alongside myself but I had some other plans for this battle; creating multiple copies of myself, I ordered them to hold off the invaders while I did some preparations. Even I knew Percy will not see this coming. I heard him yet again and he asked if that was the best that I offered as well as taunting me that I would not stand a chance against the Matron at this rate.
"Quite frankly, you be a good little boy over there and wait," as I sassed the boy I entered the Altar of Honor and began my 'special surprise', "come and play my familiars. Initiate Overlord Panthers."
Eight Jade spherules flew out of my fortress and landed right beside my reserve armies; colossal black paws slowly emerged as the orbs started spinning around in place. I awaited and glanced behind me, sensing something was amiss. It was a good thing that I anticipated a sneak attack would happen, thus I had my base covered with a plethora of hidden defenses and traps. Explosions, thunder, and gunshots resonated the field behind me, I snickered at his attempt to siege my stronghold and pondered if the Matron would attempt to enter through the rear—knowing that she specialized in guerilla warfare. I distinguished huge silhouettes at Percy's base and thought that he planned a pincer attack—an attack from the front and back. The King of Marionettes must have thought that his ambush was successful and proceeded to the next phase of his strategy—unfortunately for him—I predicted this situation and prepared thoroughly. I pretended I was facing the Matron rather than the heir of the school and readied myself for any unnecessary and abrupt attacks. It was good thing too as I saw the giants were slowly moving in with a throng of puppets that are composed of various elements; their numbers escalated to the millions—probably had some hidden reserves. I watched as battalion after battalion fell from getting crushed or thrown to God knows where by the titans; which was slightly a pain in the ass as normal attacks from either my soldiers or even my duplicates could not even dent that thing. The puppets annoyed the hell out of me as well; somehow they learned how to blow themselves up and have wiped most of my forward squadrons out. I just snickered as I heard that my 'weapon' was ready.
"Well then Percy, as much as it is to play with you. But it is time to say goodbye," as I taunted him, I saw his base pour even more of those things which means I have pissed him slightly off. I grinned in a sadistic manner and ordered the gates of my walls to be opened. As they unbolted the doors hovering tanks materialized by my base; these vehicles used the latest armored material and fueled with a magic core and fired magic bolts. Battle mages adorned with state of the art armor while wielding their staves and swords were also present; bishops—masters of light and dark magic—were seen behind the formations as well as combat engineers and in front of them all were my Overlord Panthers—the true form of my familiars.
"If you think that's everything, I have more left for you," as I landed in front of the gate, I thrusted my arms upward, "Releasing all Initiation Protocols… Accessing Trans dimensional Interface Field… Opening the Gates of the Known Dimensions… Unlocking the Equilibrium Veil… Activating Tsukuyumi Unit…"
As soon as my words ended, something flashed from the sky; a large Black and Royal Blue Sword fell from the sky; it slowed down before it made impact with the ground, right behind me; a Master Unit—a machine given to me by my Grandmother. It stood at a height of seven feet and five inches; it was decorated with the Crest of the Divine Council at its guard. The Weapon vanished and I gave off an intimidating white glow for a few seconds; after a while, futuristic armor—themed after the sword that the machine was crafted on—adorned my body and a set of four blades hovered on my left and right sides that waited for my movement that triggered a corresponding set to respond. A Black Vizor with Horns covered my vision but I can see perfectly well due to its automated vision however my opponents think that I am. I gave the order for my army to move forward and hovered along towards the endless sea of Marionettes. The puppets just continued to move towards my army while the mechanized vehicles charged forward and began sending out wave after wave of magic missiles; my mages hacked and slashed the enemy forces, the bishops chanted numerous incantations of healing, protection, and some offensive spells too. I wanted to raise Shoulder Towers to back my forces up but I remembered my grandmother warning me that if I used sorcery while I had this on was lethal even to a practitioner of the Way of Magic.
"Now then, let's be done with this folly. I have a lot of homework to catch up with!"
~*Thirty Minutes Later*~
And with that, we declared it a draw; apparently we both had the same notion to go behind each other's bases and strike; we both ended it at the same time and declared a draw. I could see the exhaustion in Percy's eyes; his face also echoed that he had used up nearly all of his power to try and beat me. I was about to ask him if he was alright but he slowly raised his hand and told me that he was fine.
"Are you really sure? I could try and bring you to the school nurse, if she is still there that is."
"No no, I really am ok. I just… I just need to take a minute."
With that reply, it still festered within me that he was not fine but I trusted his word and told him that I was going to head on home and that he should do the same thing. He just chuckled at that remark and assured me that he will—his father was waiting for him outside anyway. The headmaster's son just sat there on the ground while he placed headphones on—I guessed he was trying to regain a little more energy and he looked towards the heavens; a small twinkle on his face was present and on mine as well. I began my journey home with my cats; we radiated a pale Platinum color and vanished from the school grounds in a plethora of Platinum Moths.
~*Di Angelo Haven |6:35 pm*~
As I reached home, my grandmother was the first one to greet me home—with a hug and a kiss on the cheek for a small greeting. She asked how my first day was in a new school as well as new people. I began detailing my day to her and in some part of the story, my mother listened in too.
"Well, it looked you had a very good day my boy," chuckled my grandmother. My mother just giggled and nodded her head in approval and from there I saw it; the gladness that I was fine, safe, and secured in a school despite of what transpired in the 21st Century Academy. When I ended my narrative and excused myself from my relatives, I went upstairs to my room and saw my familiars already napping—a small smile formed on my face; they worked pretty hard today from assisting me against Ms. Delos Reyes in forming the constellations needed to transforming into Overlord Panthers as well as being the vanguard of my forces. After taking a quick shower, I went to my favorite place on the —the rooftop. I stared at the setting sun and contemplated on the events that had happened today; new school, new faces to meet, new challenges to see in the future, a new friend or perhaps something more? A best friend, close friend the possibilities were endless. I hoped he was not going to betray me like what those plebeians had done to me. I sighed and continued thinking until I felt a presence forming right behind me. With my Crystalized Scythe in hand, I faced the unknown entity and lowered my guard; it was just my dear grandmother.
"Grandma, I am sorry I did that. I guess I am still jumpy even after therapy," chuckling I sat back down and willed my weapon to disappear. She, on the other hand, approached me and sat right by my side as well, "it isn't fair you know? They are now entombed and their problems are now gone while I have to continue living with this burden on me," after I said these things, I lain on her lap and felt a few tears escaped my eyes.
Granny Demeter just stroked my hair for comfort and assured me that I am a new slate here in the United States of America and no one would harm me—not while she was in charge of the Divine Council, "oh my dear, there is something that I must give you. You will need it for the coming days," she waved her hand and a black and gold lanyard appeared. She explained that the lanyard would limit the usage of my magic; so that I would not get kicked out from my school due to my high rank—Divine Bronze Sorcerer—with the lanyard on my rank was just an Endless Golden Sorcerer. I embraced her and thanked her for all the support she had shown me; she replied to my thanks and asked me just to be safe at all times—I assured my grandma that I would.
After some bonding moments with my only granny in the world, she got up and called it a night; a small good night came out of my lips and she nodded with a smile on her face. I watched as she radiated a pale golden color and vanished in front of me. I continued to look towards the horizon and began to plan for my fight against the Matron.
~*A week later|Trinitarian Academy for the Magically Gifted|12:00 pm*~
It was finally time to face the Matron, crowds gathered at the War Game Field—my relatives within the crowd— and most of them were cheering for that faction; they even had banners for her, as far as I can tell it was a girl that led this winning faction. I knew that it would be at a disadvantage since I am currently on her "home" field. I waited for the announcer as he got the crowd pumped up for the even that was happening. To be honest, I felt a little nervous; win this I would get everyone's respect, lose it and I would be a laughing stock. I sighed and stood by in the holding room; as I plotted my fight plan against my opponent, the door knob turned which signaled a person coming in.
"Well, well, well… What do we have here? A neophyte ready to get crushed under my heel, this is going to end quicker than I expected," a plummy, feminine voice said these words—I hated her already. I faced my opponent who mimicked the guise of a Japanese geisha; she wore a black and pink Kimono with Sakura Blossoms etched around the robe, her face neutral yet I knew she had an expression that could slice a man in half—figuratively and literally—by her side was a Japanese Sword, one that a samurai of old wielded, "I can't believe that I am going to waste my time and precious resources to face you. Someone who has no experience, someone who can't even defend themselves amidst the trouble and chaos," wait a minute… it was as if she knew something about me. She began to snicker and told me that she knew my "incident"; I knew the game that she was trying to play very, very well—psychological warfare. I was not going to let her spook me, kept a stoic composure, and told her that I may be the new kid but I would end her reign as Queen of these Fields. She just sighed and faced in other direction as we both waited our cue. The room shined a blinding light; my familiars altered their forms into the Jade Orbs. I had a hunch that the time was now—the grandest showdown in this school's history. When the light died down we found ourselves on the field with the master of ceremonies right behind us; the crowd bellowed when we emerged. I still felt the nerves but I kept my cool and stood proudly.
"Here are your champions for today! On my left! You all know and love her! Undefeated for 4 years now! Will her reign continue or will it end today?! Drew "Purgatory" Tanaka! Queen of the Matron of Light and Shadow," exclaimed the announcer as she stepped out onto the field and waved her hand towards the roaring crowd. Crystals grew rapidly on her side of the field until a gigantic one erected itself behind her; crystals huh? Well that made using my scythe useless for now, "And on my right! Is the new kid on block! Will he stand a chance against our Matron?! Meet Nico Di Angelo! Leader of the Legacy of the War Triune," I paced with pride as I went to my side of the field; time was on my side as it transitioned from day to night and my manor materialized itself behind me. The field looked like a glorious painting that waited for the perfect artist to create—crystalized dawn on one side while the other faced horrors of the night. The host began to explain what would go down for my opponent and me, after asking if we were ready it all began with a bang.
"This is going to be an interesting and wonderful experience , arise Shoulder War Towers," as four magic circles appeared on my left and right sides, the Jade Orbs formed the constellation of Sagittarius and a Golden Bow manifested itself on my wrist. I awaited her advance with a golden arrow at the ready, "do you honestly think a few towers and an arrow will stop me? You are even cockier than I thought kid," I heard her spitefully uttered as what appeared to be crystal automatons formed in front of her titanic crystal and began to march on the field. I smirked and warned that if she continued to move she would be sorry and would begin to regret her actions—of course I saw that she showed no sign of stopping.
"Let those who cherish the Night be cleansed and replenished by the dust and those who fear it, burn under the light of the Moon," firing the arrow towards the sky, I ordered some regiments to advance and meet the enemy in combat; the projectile reached its limits and shattered, golden dust rained down on the battlefield; its properties provided healing as well as enhancing the strength of my troops. I emitted a Platinum glow and flew up to observe the entire area; the Matron's crystal troops were slowly melting underneath the shower of golden dust while some of them were being brought down sliced up by my soldiers. I smirked and asked if she readied herself for surrender.
"I'll never yield! I will not lose to the likes of you! A neophyte and cowardly boy," exclaimed the Crystal Witch—a small nickname for me—she flew into the sky as well with a Diamond Rapier and a Sapphire Shield on hand. I summoned my Red Broadsword and Golden Longsword; we dashed towards each other and began to dance—a dance of our blades. The crowds below cheered with each blow that happened in the firmament; rapier on broadsword, longsword met shield were the steps that we did. I raised my hands and my towers began to fire towards her. The Queen of the Matron swayed around and tried to dodge despite the intensity of the bolts that were aimed towards her; in the end she was covered from head to toe with my ballistae bolts—like a human pincushion. I snickered for a while until I noticed that her form turned into pure crystal and started to fall on the battlefield, 'A clone? How foolish yet clever,' I thought as I continued to see the descent of the figure; as it impacted the ground—which was the middle of the field everyone within a fifteen foot radius of the zone turned into pure crystal. My troops and her forces charged towards my base, my Shoulder Towers began to fire once again but it only aimed for her troops while mine were able to take it down one tower at a time.
"I've had enough of this charade! Come and face me if you dare," I challenged her as I materialized in front of the gate of my base and unleashed an endless swarm of Platinum Moths towards her minions and mine; they began to push them away from my side of the field yet they resisted like a rock clashing with a wave from the sea, "that is a useless tactic," I yelled out and increased the intensity of the swarm—I also tuned my moths to burn what they touch. After a while, the field was clear once again as if we just started the fight. I sighed and called for the Tsukuyumi Unit just in case she unleashed something gigantic. The Queen of the Matron appeared and trudged slowly towards me.
"Ok kid, I have to admit you are pretty good," she paused and began to manifest the same weapons her clone had a few minutes ago, "but I am afraid this is the end of the line for you boy."
I showed my annoyance by pressing my tongue against the front of the roof of my mouth and called forth the swarm of moths from before to overwhelm her with pure force. I saw the Queen who just stood there with shield at the ready. She really thought that a Sapphire shield can withstand an endless number of moths? That was until I heard her yell out to the heavens and a beam of light expelled from her shield and my moths vanished—whatever that light did also caused me to no longer use my magic. I combined with the Tsukuyumi and prepped for combat once more.
"This is no longer a match of intellectual might my dear, it appears that we are on even ground on that," the leader of the Matrons commended—wow a compliment, that was new alright. I still had an ace up on my sleeve but I will explain that later on. We stood at our spots for a good ten seconds and then we dashed towards each other for yet another dance; sparks flew between her rapier and my swords as well as bursts of power were felt all over the field—from where we were until the audience stands. We separated after a good ten minutes of what seemed like an endless clash of crystal and machinery; she was panting from physical exhaustion while I still stood there like I just got started even though my armor showed a sign of a good beating.
"Scanning… scanning… opponent's physical and magical readings show near-exhaustion yet opponent has shown some hidden reserves of power… releasing first ordinance... Activating Tsukuyumi ," I uttered in a robotic manner as another Tsukuyumi Unit fell from the sky and landed right behind me; radiating a blind light, eight more swords appeared which gave me a total of sixteen swords. My vizor's eye glowed red and my swords whirled around me, "does my enemy concede?"
"Never…"
I bowed and went into combat mode once more, "activating the Dance of a Thousand Blades," my swords then surrounded me in a circle and then I spun slowly at first but it soon picked up speed and I zoomed towards her; she braced herself from the clashes of my technique. I noticed that I was chipping her shield bit by bit and I reveled at that fact. The Queen stopped my technique—by pushing me back with her shield—after what felt like fifteen minutes and shot some crystalized darts at me; stopping my spinning, my swords formed a diamond and blocked her attack. I pointed to her and my swords soared from my back towards her; my opponent used her rapier and parried the attacks. I flashed step—moved so fast I was a blur—and appeared right behind her, "checkmate," my blades appeared right behind me and combined to form what I like to call "the Prince's Wings"—I am a huge nerd; the structure of the wings formed its shape like ordinary wings without the feathers—like a skeletal one except this one was made from swords. I impaled her with all of might with my weapon and even lifted her up until she was above me. I looked around and saw the crowd silent—the cheers died down and their looks full of shock with some in despair.
"Go… ahead… I'll just come back to haunt you when I revive from my base," she choked and I heckled sinisterly and faced her side of the field and she got a view as well; ruin, destruction, shards of crystal all over the place, and large panthers were seen. I began to explain that while she was so busy with me; my Overlord Panthers as well as my Seven Wedges of Hell began in the decimation of her entire base. Now all that was left was their precious commander. I roared as I ripped her body into two with my wings and threw her remains on the ground. I knew that was her as I saw the blood that gushed out from the corpse. I glanced at the shocked crowd that was ultimately speechless from my action; then after a minute they erupted in cheers while her supporters were still in shock.
"Woah! In an amazing turn of events, the newbie has done it! He has dethroned the Matron of Light and Shadow! Ladies and Gentlemen! Our Winner! The Leader of the Legacy of the War Triune; no, the Blade King! Nico Di Angelo," exclaimed the host as I turned back into my normal form and waved to the crowd with a small smile. I saw that my class ran towards me; they congratulated me while others began to ask for tips and some were taking selfies. I chuckled softly and noticed my family; and judging from their looks, they were also proud of me. I felt a message being sent to me telepathically and I knew where this came from.
Well done, I knew you had it in you. Good luck with your activities here at the Trinitarian…
I just smiled to myself as I heard it and told to myself: this was going to be a great school year.
Author's Note: Victory for Nico and there's Percy!. I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter as I enjoyed making it. Please follow, fave, and review guys. Again, I accept constructive criticism a lot as it helps me in improve the story. Oh and take Note, how to end a War game must be a death and destruction of one side for it to be considered a win. So I will see you all again someday for Chapter Four! Ven Out! :3
