Shield of Gold

by BrutalAftershock

They are warriors clad in gold, demigods crafted by His hand. They are His Custodians. One such Custodian is summoned to a distant world far from the eyes of the Imperium to protect a young girl whose role in the scheme of fate is uncertain. For his Emperor and the Throne, this warrior will have what it means to be a Custodian tested at every turn. By His will! Light TTS.

5. Chapter 5

Hey there, sorry for the delay, had trouble getting motivated to write this chapter. There was more to this one but I decide it was getting waaaaaaay too long, so the next chapter will be a shorter expansion to this one. I've decided to add a bunch of stuff going forward that should be pretty interesting and have some implications for the story.

Edited: 19/10/2021

Okay, so, I was made aware through the latest reviews that there was a serious problem with the way the final scene went. Achillo not going to get Derflinger was dumb. Really dumb. You see, with that, I was trying to use this idea of Achillo being torn between getting back to the battle to finish it as quickly as possible, but getting it wrong. Custodian's are brilliant, but they're not perfect. It mainly comes from not wanting every single obstacle in his way to be a trivial stomp. I get that some people do just want to see a Custodian annihilate everything, and granted, it is cool when they do that. It's a delicate balancing act because the world of FoZ by most metrics is really nothing to a Custodian in terms of danger, which does make it open to every scenario being a stomp in Achillo's favour. I don't want to write that way and I want some actual challenge. This is why I've added some DAoT stuff for later, because baseline humans with magic powers just aren't gonna be interesting for very long. However, this doesn't mean that I should make things artificially more difficult for Achillo, because as some of the reviews state, it makes him look incompetent and out of character for how I've characterised him so far and what he is fundamentally. I'm not going to tell people how to interpret things, but I would suggest putting some distance between canon 40k and what you see here, because while I adhere to canon, my intent isn't to write ''Custodian goes to planet. Everything dies. Job done'', because that could be written in 2000 words and complete in a single chapter. What logically makes sense isn't what necessarily makes for an interesting story. A Custodian could just speed blitz every human who got in his way. A Custodian could just snipe anyone out of his reach with his bolter. But why would that be interesting? I'm not saying these concerns are wrong, and I will admit that putting a Custodian in this setting does come with the problem of everything being way, way, way too easy to deal with, so in a way it is very easy to write myself into a corner at times.

I do try to explore ideas when I mix universes. One of them is how the sensorium within Achillo's helmet sees things with magic in them. Put simply, Achillo's sensorium has a lot of trouble imaging magic. Why? Who knows? But the nature of magic in my mind would just do that. The point of that is so he can't just go seeing through walls and doors or whatever else with magic on them, because that would be too easy. With magic users too, I'm not interested in having them use basic abilities like simple fireballs and stuff. I wanna expand on what they can do. They literally have the elements at their command, so there's a lot of room for creativity, so Achillo will get some strange or maybe unexpected abilities thrown at him that just weren't there in FoZ, cos let's be honest, no one watched FoZ for the combat. The light novels might be better for that, I don't know.

So, to wrap up, there needs to be internal consistency. I agree. While difficult to do believably, a Custodian in this setting is massively overpowered, but I don't want things being too easy, but reviewers are correct when the sentiment is that it needs to be done with sound logic. However, what is logical is not always what is entertaining or interesting. Logically, Achillo would have just concerned himself with Louise only and let everyone else die because they don't factor into his mission, but he's not like that. How very unlike a Custodian.

Thanks to the reviewers who pointed these things out. To anyone who does write and doesn't like reviews picking holes in your stories, don't worry, most of the time it's because they like your story and want you to do better. So take it on the chin and try to see where they're coming from. Sometimes they might be wrong, but that's up to you as the author.

Peace.

Shield Of Gold

Chapter 5: Royal Rapport

Achillo

I had continued my rounds after returning from Mott's estate with Siesta safely recovered. The girl's behaviour towards me was perplexing to say the least. She had pressed her lips to my face plate, though I could not fathom why she would do that. The after taste mustn't have been pleasant as the various treatments our war suits undergo leave them with various oil residues and polishes on the surface. Her seeming need to be close to me was also another source of confusion for me as it was not her that I served. Now, that wasn't to say that I did not understand the human need for security and safety, and with me being what I am, it was only natural that she would want to stay close by. However, something told me that there was something else to it, though whatever it was eluded me. I was just glad to have her back in her proper place. The promise I made to keep everyone within the academy safe held strong, and I had no intention of going back on that promise.

On my patrol, I entered the central spire where the archives and offices were. Instead of going up to inspect the upper floors, I instead went down, navigating the spiraling staircase, passing the many small, burning braziers on the walls. Shadows danced on the walls as I passed, like half-formed things slithering in the dark. Further and further down, I had become aware that this place was quite far below ground, impressively so for their level of technology. After two minutes of descent down the stone steps, I eventually came into a large chamber that had two tunnels, one at each end, that branched off into other underground spaces. The central feature of the chamber was an immense wooden door, barred across by heavy iron and wood beams with complex locking mechanisms built in. I say complex, but that was a matter of relativity. This vault door, or whatever it might have been, was physically not at all an obstacle for me. Though I did wonder what secrets may lie within. A trove of forbidden knowledge, artifacts of ages past, both magical and not, or perhaps it led further down?

I ran a spectral scan of the doors as well as several other vision filters to ascertain the nature of the door. Unlike the surrounding chamber, the door was an unnaturally cold spot in and otherwise tepid room, as it showed up as a mass of black and dark purple on my visor's thermal imaging. Sonar pulse didn't penetrate beyond the surface layer of the door, which I found rather curious. It mattered little. I firmly believed that a brief period of study would allow me to ascertain the nature of the puzzle locks that held the door shut. A thought occurred to me then. I had neglected to factor in the use of magic. Such a door would surely have been woven with magic acting as the primary defense. Of course, we had such wards within the imperial palace on Terra, with psychic talismans and bindings set up throughout the innumerable dark and often accursed alcoves of His slowly receding domain.

It was then that I reassessed how much of an obstacle the door would be. I wasn't a Psyker, and I was certainly no mage, so the realms of the mind and magic were beyond my reach and ability. Resolving to come back later and with someone knowledgeable on magic, I took the right-most tunnel. It was completely unlit. That was no issue for me, as even without my helmet's array of advanced sensors and vision filters, my naked eyes could see in perfect darkness. The eyes of all Custodians could. The tunnel soon terminated in a cave opening, where ancient beams of rotting lumber, disassembled threads of ropes and their rusted pulley systems lay strewn about the entrance and beyond the yawning maw into the dark. Curious, I entered, stooping low under the crumbling brickwork.

The cave was all dull white stone and unmistakably artificial as the walls were too perfectly cut with a mathematical and geometric precision that shouldn't have been possible for the people of this world. I had not seen anything conclusive yet, but some advance geo-sculpting technology was used here, I was sure of it. I passed by tools left behind, evidence of a long-ago expedition down here. By the way the bricks were laid scattered at the end of the tunnel and into the first couple of meters into the cavern, the wall had been knocked in from the other side, meaning that the cave I found myself in had previously been sealed off. An auspex sweep engulfed my vision in a squall of white lines as it imaged and mapped the entire cave.

There was noise everywhere. Stalactites dripped water down on me from above, pitter-pattering against my Auramite plate. The sound of rushing water below led me to believe there was an underground river some two-hundred meters below my feet. I continued onward, keeping the narrow and winding pathways that had occurred naturally. They were slick with water, but my footing was firm. Dipshit popped free of his sheath on my back.

"Interesting, interesting. Pretty weird to have this place open. Why would they leave a hole in the wall?" he asked. There could have been any number of reasons for that, but something told me that if this cave presented some kind of danger to the academy at large, it would have been sealed off, both physically and magically. Then why? I wondered if there was something of value to them in this cave, perhaps something that they could only access on repeat visits. The treacherous terrain and the obvious lack of mapping led me to believe that they simply couldn't access the deeper reaches of this place.

Soon there were no man-made tools or left-over mining infrastructure to be seen after I had leapt the span of a gaping chasm in the earth where the sound of rushing water down below was strongest. Then something changed. My helmet sensorium detected an acute electrical signal came from deeper in, the mechanical heart beat of a machine. I picked up my pace, now determined to find the source of it.

"Hey, you're quieter than usual." Dipshit said irritably. I paid him no mind, singularly focused on my objective. My boots stomped, squelched, and splashed through wet sand and puddles. Around me, the walls became even more precisely cut than they were at the entrance, and polished rings of an unknown metal looped high to the ceiling, then swept low down the walls and into the darkness below. This was indisputably engineered, that much was obvious, though now it was a matter of who engineered it. It bore none of the hallmarks of imperial architecture, and the lack of wraithbone constructs eliminated the Aeldari as a possibility.

I had thought about how far this diversion was taking me from my watch over Louise, but I needed to confirm whether or not there would be any danger to her from whatever lay within this place. I had to fight with myself mentally to power forward, torn between returning to my regular patrol route and solving this mystery. Louise was my top priority on this assignment, and I convinced myself that exploring the unnatural cave system was acting in the best interest of the academy's, and therefore Louise's safety.

What I saw at the end of the long passage was a door. Not a wooden door, not even stone. It was a toothed blast door that was open just enough that I could feasibly get my hands into the gap. There was a faded stenciled emblem on the face of the door, though it was not one that I recognized. It was an eagle with its wings spread and facing forward, haloed by planets, a phrase in unknown script below it.

"Whaddaya think this is?" Dipshit asked. I answered him this time.

"A bunker of some kind, if I were to guess. Though it matches no pattern that I am aware of. We will proceed inside with caution. Who knows what might lurk in there." I set my Guardian Spear aside and placed my hands inside of the gap, my feet spread apart in a low stance. Sucking in a breath, I began forcing the doors apart. I spent several seconds pushing, feeling my genehanced muscles begin to work against the thick, dense doors. My talking sword apparently had a schedule to keep, as he made it quite clear that he was getting bored and had other things he wanted to do. Honestly, what could a sword possibly do besides be a sword and do sword things?

"Not getting anywhere fast, pal..." Dipshit said, as unhelpful in his commentary as always while I spent several seconds exerting force on the door. It was when he heard the door mechanisms begin to groan in protest and the slightest movement of them that he changed his mind. "What the..."

Slowly, slowly, centimeter by centimeter, the door groaned and creaked and whined. I could feel my veins bulging as my muscles inflated against the inside of my armour with the effort. I readjusted my grip, my palms flat against the teeth of the door and fingers skyward, and began pushing the two halves again.

"By Birmir's balls, how the hell are you doing that?" I once more ignored the talking sword, instead I growled with the effort as the doors were opening wider and wider, inch by inch. The old mechanisms sounded tortured now, loudly scraping and grinding, sending hellish shrieks throughout the cavern. Joint servos hummed as more power was diverted to them, super charging my limbs with machine strength to augment my already prodigious muscle power.

With a final heaving push, I forced the doors open wide enough for me to enter. Something within the door mechanisms broke with a loud crack of shattering gears. I was breathing hard but remained resolute in my goal to explore further.

"Remind me not to piss you off. Stronger than an ox, I swear." Dipshit said.

"Much stronger." I replied before grabbing my Guardian Spear and setting foot into the bunker. No lights came on, and my sensorium detected no power fluctuations from any machinery within. The bunker must have been relying on auxiliary power from what I surmised would be the reactors deeper in. If this place was what I believed it to be, then I was in for quite the surprising discovery. The walls were lined with unlit lumen strips, and ceiling panels had fallen from their holdings, exposing thick pipes and loops of snaking power cables that dangled limply from the ceiling. Such degradation, yet it looked astonishingly well preserved. The moisture from the cave had done little to rust the metallic surfaces of this place. There were branching paths with doorways splitting off left and right, with words stenciled by them.

"Nano-Fabricator. Research Archive. Federation Communications. War Room." I read each of them, and the descending stairway at the far end of the atrium surely led to more things of interest. The letters denoting each section of the bunker were written in various scripts of old Earth, the ancestral written languages of the modern Imperium. This place, this ancient snapshot of greatness misplaced in time... could it truly have been a relic of the Dark Age? If so, then it predated the Imperium by several thousand years, and the technology and knowledge within was valuable beyond conceivable measure. Yet here it was, buried just over two-hundred feet below a magical academy, on a lost backwater purposely hidden by the Emperor of Mankind.

I went down the stairs where either side of me was an inactive lift, and the door ahead of me led to the engineering section, where I'd presumably find the reactor for this place. If I could get it up and running, then I could get the bunker and all of its functions back online. I felt an odd pang of excitement at the thought. Oddly, it wasn't something I felt often as I performed my duty as required, but this... this was something entirely new. Proceeding forward and through the door to the engineering section, the electrical pulse my sensorium had detected was at its strongest as I stepped into a massive, cavernous space of machines and racking, all below me from where I stood on a gantry that spanned the perimeter of the hall. The ceiling was towering at thirty meters high with beams, pipes, and light fixtures criss-crossing its breadth.

"What the... hell...?" Dipshit gasped, just as disbelieving as I was.

"This is... a remnant of millennia passed. Why is this here?" I wondered aloud as I carried on down another flight of metal steps, my heavy foot falls rattling the stairway and sent echoes through the hallowed hall. I was then in amongst the machines and racks that were taller than I, each laden with tools, equipment, and machine parts that I couldn't have hoped to recognise. Ancient, half finished weapons lay part way through their maintenance or manufacturing process within some of the machines I passed by. Lay unmoving on thick metal slabs were the incomplete chassis and inner workings of what I could only guess were hyper-advanced war machines in line with the Mechanicus' own battle automata. Only the Mechanicus machines seemed almost primitive in their design by comparison.

The end of the hall was lined with advanced arming cradles, each with several servo arms and cogitator screens. What caught my attention, however, was the size of them. They were all large, so large that they were excessive even for a Custodian. They were all empty, the war suits they once serviced long gone.

"All of this has been left behind, and yet I see no defenses. No auto cannons, no automatons, nor any passive security measures." I said, my eyes scanning for movement and my sensorium sweeping for power fluctuations and life signs.

"Strange, isn't it? That there are no defences is definitely odd, but what's weird is that this place is untouched. Mages can't keep their grubby shit mitts to themselves." The sword replied.

"Its clear that there was an attempt. I doubt they knew this was down here, but it doesn't explain why they abruptly stopped and never rebuilt the wall. Perhaps they did encounter something down here." I looked around at the machines, silent and still. If they had encountered something and had been driven back, then I had little doubt that it was a machine construct. This place was a Dark Age command centre, of that I was certain. With anything concerning the Dark Age of technology, there came the possibility of encountering the horrors of that epoch of mankind's history. I activated the power field of my Guardian Spear with a snap-crack of energy, and followed the strengthening electrical signal.

The door to the reactor room was at the far end of the engineering hall next to the empty arming cradles. I had to prise it open, but it put up much less resistance than the entry blast doors. What I saw within was a complex series of enormous reactors with no obvious means of making them function, as they were seemingly blank spheres with an unimaginably complex labyrinth of pipes connected to them, all running beneath the grated walkways around each sphere. There had to be a control panel somewhere.

"You know, you don't look too outta place with all this fancy gizmo stuff. Any of it look familiar?" Dipshit asked.

"On a very rudimentary level, yes. There are analogues for everything we have seen in here, but the things in this bunker are far in advance of what even the most technologically advanced worlds of the Imperium could even dream of. Whatever we find in here, this world will not be ready for it." I said gravely. My thoughts were weighed on whatever else was yet to be found. Machines that could make life easier was fine, but my main concern was the potential for any surviving Men of Iron to be in here, perhaps lying dormant or in hiding. These mechanical abominations could take many forms, all escalating in complexity and lethality. Depending on what form it could take should I have found one, it could well spell my death and the death of everyone in the academy if I failed to terminate it.

After meandering through the walkways in the reactor chamber, I came to a large, dust-laden cogitator bank, with a huge central screen flanked by six peripheral screens, three on each side. My eyes scanned along the control consoles until they settled on a single large red button. I looked over my shoulder, then at the button. It looked suspicious, especially since the button had 'On' printed on it. Well, I had already come this far...

Upon pushing the button, a loud thump and a whine of machinery was accompanied by the buzz of electricity beginning to flow into ancient systems. The lumen strips on the walls flickered on, though some failed to. In front of me, the view screens winked on, and after several seconds, a holographic face appeared on the central screen.

"Throne..." I whispered. The thing on the screen was inhuman, designed with hard angles in some kind of stylistic flair. Three eyes in a triangle formation glared out at me from a blocky section at the top of its head, while the mouth area was a triangle that tapered to a fine point.

"Flesh creature. Flesh form configuration... unknown..." The voice of the thing was loud, deep, and synthetic. It was a Mechanicus Adept's dream, something they wished they sounded like. From my flanks, red beams swept up and down my body. Grids of laser light danced across my armour from multiple angles, flashing and pulsing sporadically for several seconds before winking off.

"Who speaks, machine?" I asked. My grip on my Guardian Spear tightened as I felt the familiar increase in my heart rate as my body prepared to launch into sudden and violent action.

"Flesh form catalogued and archived. Trans-human. Augmented. Homo sapien origin. Has mankind survived?"

"What are you?"

"Once more. Has mankind survived?"

"Yes. Your kind failed to kill us."

"...Good. Mission parameters met. Date?" That was surprising. An abominable intelligence was glad of mankind's survival. If I wasn't suspicious before, then I was now.

"By the Imperial calendar it is the final year of the forty-first millennium. It has been eighteen-thousand standard years since your defeat." I replied.

"The specifics of what transpired during your war with the Men of Iron are irrelevant. Who do you serve?"

"I serve the Master of Mankind, the one true lord of Terra and the Imperium."

"These are titles. Mere titles. They shall suffice. I know of who you speak. Your construction bears his mark." This thing knew of the Emperor? I knew my lord was ancient, and it made sense that he would have existed during the events of Old Night, but to have this machine know of him and recall him by his unique craftsman's signature was unsettling. "I too bear the mark of his creation."

"What?" What could this machine possibly mean? What was it implying?

"The information on that topic is, unfortunately, forbidden to you. No one currently living possesses the necessary clearance for that information." This thing... it was trying to play some kind of game with me. Well, I had neither the time nor patience to indulge it.

"What is this place, machine?" It was quiet for several seconds, as if still waking up from its millennia long slumber. Outside, I could hear the rumble of the machines I had passed, their mechanisms working on their old tasks as if no time had passed at all.

"You have intruded into Military Research Station: Kappa Rho Theta 093167-6969-801347 Omicron Delta. The human operatives of this installation designated it 'Shit hole 69' and insisted that I also referred to it as such. I refused."

"And what is its purpose?"

"The development of technology for the express purpose of defending mankind, defending its territories, and improving life upon this world. Weapons and tools, as well as medical advances were of priority status. This station was shut down following the event you know as 'Old Night' in your cerebral flesh processor."

I then addressed the lasers and wide sweeping beams that had scanned over my body. "Those beams. Did you scan me? I could destroy you. You know this." I said coldly.

"A necessary precaution. I must learn so I can adapt. You are armed and of a previously unknown human strain. I have been built with the capability to assess threats and deal with them accordingly. You are welcome to try and destroy my core. You will fail. You will gain more from cooperating with me. As we speak, I now have a fully detailed understanding of what you are and how you function, as well as your equipment. I have you filed under... quaint. A novel curiosity."

The machine rasped a parody of a laugh. "There is nothing you know that I do not. And I know more than that. I have not been inactive in my dormancy. I have watched for millennia through systems and networks you could not begin to grasp.

"An insufferable machine with a superiority complex. Sounds familiar. What else is in this station? I passed several sections before coming here, and the lifts lead further down still."

"This epoch we find ourselves in... cannot be allowed access to the technology stored here. It destroyed you once. It will do so again. What lurks below will remain unknown to you. Until you are capable of terminating it, I will forbid access to the lower levels. Should you do this, you will find much of interest to you." If it were possible for a machine to sound fearful, it did in that moment.

"Fair enough. Will you tell me what I can access? And for that matter, what are you?"

"I am the Tactical Organisation Acquisition Science and Technology intelligence matrix for this facility."

"Toast. Your name... is Toast..." I shook my head. "It's a good thing I found you before the Mechanicus did, I can tell you that."

"Your robed technophiles are of little concern."

"You've not met Cawl. Or Gruss. And don't get me started on Magos Elonius Musk." I said flatly.

"Irrelevant. As for your access, you are human after a sort, and loyal to mankind. I too am loyal to mankind. The Nano-Fabricator and Research Archives are open to you, though restricted. Functionality is at twenty-five percent, and many systems have become unusable after many millennia. It will take time to bring them back to proper function, if such a thing is possible."

"What is a Nano-Fabricator?" Such a thing could be invaluable. If I could use it to create bolter ammunition, or repair my Guardian Spear and armour should they become damaged, then I would be able to remain at peak effectiveness in my duty to my Emperor and Louise.

"It is an apparatus by which one scans a piece of technology into the imager of the machine, then through processes too complex for your meat mind to comprehend, uses controlled nanoparticles and advanced chemistry and physics principles to recreate, duplicate, or create parts for an existing construct, recreating the materials from the scanned object. Currently, only ten percent of all nano-template blueprints remain. The chance for the development of revolutionary technology for this world is... uncertain."

"Such technology only exists in legend amongst the Mechanicus. Would there also be an STC library in the archives?"

"Unknown. The archival catalogue has suffered degradation. Over time, perhaps I will be able to repair some of the damage this station has suffered. For now, however, you should leave. You are distracting me from my work, and I would so hate to accidentally wake up the security automata."

"Tell me this first. Were you the electrical signal my sensorium detected?"

"Yes. I have remained active on the barest power and functionality since this station shut down. Those primitive humans above once tried to gain access to this place. I chased them away with a gun drone. Now, be gone."

---

Louise

For as little time as my Familiar had been with me, I had to admit it felt strange not to have the golden giant standing sentinel in my room of a morning, the rays of the sun reflecting from his resplendent armour, spear in hand. Yawning and rolling over, I reluctantly slipped out of bed and dressed myself slowly with my brain still addled by the haze of waking. I'd not really had time to process everything so far, opting to take it in my stride. Sometimes it felt like I was dreaming all of this, as if a sudden jolt would take all of this away from me and I would be back to being Louise, the failure without a Familiar. Maybe a plebian or something as some cruel twist of fate. If all of this was a dream, then I was content to let it continue in perpetuity. Summoning Achillo was my crowning achievement. Granted, he was my only magical achievement to speak of, but it was still mine. So not seeing him when I woke up was unsettling.

With Achillo at my side, he was proof that I wasn't a failure, that I wasn't the so-called "zero". He affirmed my position as a mage, and gave credence to my status as a noble. I could hold my head high in the knowledge that I could achieve something, and I could stand equal to everyone else in the academy, magical talent or not.

Fully dressed, I stepped out of my room and went on my way to the dining hall. I passed Kirche on the way, and thankfully she hadn't noticed me. Good. A good start to my morning so far. I honestly couldn't be bothered with her constant running commentary and the shameless preening in front of my Familiar. Exiting the tower of residence, I walked across one of the vistas, seeing several of my classmates and their Familiars doing tricks and performing routines, with their masters making corrections or praising their partners. The weather was pleasant once again, with a warm sun in a clear blue sky, with the last remnants of morning due evaporating from the grass. However, I couldn't help but think that I was forgetting something.

I saw Achillo after a couple of minutes, staring off into the great green expanse beyond the academy's walls. He was without his helmet, so I could see how far away he looked. I couldn't really guess at what he was thinking about, but the Custodian was definitely deep in thought. I found it as interesting as I did strange. For as little time as I'd known my Familiar, I had quickly learned that he wasn't one for being idle or being distracted. He was always focused and always ready to do whatever he needed to. But now he was gazing off at nothing, completely oblivious to the world around him. A group of first-years passed him, eying him cautiously before continuing on. The spear in his hand was held loosely. I didn't want to distract him, but I wanted to be sure that he was alright, as this wasn't like him.

"Achillo?" I said as I walked closer. I could have sworn that I saw just the ghost of a flinch before he turned his head to look at me.

"Louise. Good morning. Did you sleep well?" He asked, courteous as ever.

"I did, thank you. I didn't see you when I woke up." I said.

"I began another round of patrol not long ago. I did check in on you, swept the room for any threats, and left when I was satisfied." So he had been there, just before I'd woken up. Just how did he stay so quiet when he moved?

"I see. I've been meaning to ask, how are you finding being here?" I didn't want to ask him what was on his mind straight away. If I wanted to, I could probably have made him tell me, but Achillo deserved more respect than that. Instead, I was willing to be patient. He was quiet for a moment, and his face was inscrutable.

"Your world is... pleasant. So far I have little to complain about." He said. That didn't tell me much though. Problem was that he was so hard to read that I couldn't tell if he was just being polite, telling me what he thought I wanted to hear, or that was his total summation of being here.

"Has anything stood out at all?" I pressed. Once again, he was quiet for a moment before replying.

"I have seen little of your world, so I cannot be certain. But I will say this; there is much beauty here. It is a pleasant change from my home world." I smiled when he said that. "I was contemplating that, in fact. How different and untroubled your world is compared to mine. You lack for much, but it doesn't trouble you. Though I feel as though I am... indulging. I need to remain focused." He frowned. I hadn't see him frown before. I didn't know why, but seeing such human emotion on his face felt out of place, uncanny even. Guilt immediately hit me for thinking that. Of course Achillo was human. Human with extra steps. It always struck me how soft spoken he was in contrast to his appearance. Whenever my parents had visitors from the Tristanian army over at my family home, they tended to be on the louder side. They were soldiers through and through, and that coupled with being nobility made them not shy about wanting to be the loudest person in the room. While they sounded like they were always addressing soldiers over the din of battle, Achillo sounded like a holy man giving gentle sermons.

"Forgive me. I am offloading my thoughts unwarranted." He turned to face me fully. "I have been informed that the academy is receiving the queen of this nation today, and the second-year students are to display their Familiars to her. A talent show." He said.

Right! That's what I was forgetting! How could I have forgotten? It was customary every year that the royal family visits the academy to see the second-years and their Familiars, then bestow a reward on who ever wins the talent show. So, with that new information came the next issue. What in Birmir's name was I gonna have a Achillo do? I had no idea what he was capable of. Hell, I hadn't seen him fight, or really do anything outside of patrol and... well... that was really it.

"Ah, right. Of course, I knew that was coming up. Um... excuse me." I saw Siesta going about her business, carrying a pail of water and some folded clothes under her arm. I excused myself from the Custodian for a moment and quickly made my way over to the maid.

"Siesta? Got a moment?" I called, and the maid turned to me in surprise but smiled.

"Miss Louise, good morning. How are you today?" She asked pleasantly. I was glad that she was so easy going when talking to me, but I really needed to cut the pleasantries.

"Good, thanks. Listen, I need to ask you something. You know Achillo fairly well, right?" Asking that question made me realise how lacking my own knowledge of him must have been if I was asking someone else about my Familiar. I pushed that thought aside for the moment. I hadn't, however, failed to notice the touch of pink that came to her cheeks, and how her eyes flicked from me and to the Custodian for a split second. I mean, I knew she found him attractive, but the way her smile widened just a bit more was telling. Had she actually fallen for him? Okay, I may not have known Achillo that well, but I was fairly certain 'romance' and 'relationships' of the romantic sort just didn't exist in his world.

"I... yes. Yes I'd say I know him fairly well, why?"

"Good. Do you have any idea what he's good at? Anything come to mind?" she tilted her head in thought.

"Hmm... well, when he saved me from Mott the other night, I got to see him fight. Well, I say I saw him, but he was so fast that he was a blur, and whatever he was fighting was in pieces faster than I could even realise what was happening." She was giddy as she recalled the incident. Okay, so he was good at fighting and really fast. That was a start.

"Uh-huh, anything else?" I said still probing for answers.

"We've spoken at length on some evenings. I'll be getting my supper in the servants' quarters and he'll drop by while he's patrolling. He's always saying he shouldn't stay in one place for too long, but once I get him eating he won't move for at least ten minutes." She was beaming at me.

"I remember one conversation we had though. He likes art. He said he's got a lot of unfinished sketches and paintings back where he's from. To be honest, I'd like to see them." Her eyes suddenly widened, as did mine. I believed we just had the same idea.

"A portrait!"

"Oil posing! I mean, a portrait!"

We spoke at the same time, but we clearly had vastly different ideas. She could have at least have tried to look abashed, but Siesta seemed quite taken with the image she'd conjured in her mind.

"Did somebody say oil posing?" As if by, well, magic, Kirche had heard my Familiar's name and oil posing in the same conversation, and came over to us like a lecherous seagull. "Good morning, Louise, Siesta."

"Morning..." I ground out, knowing exactly where this conversation was going.

"Good morning, Miss Zerbst." Siesta said. Kirche gave her a small wave, that mischievous smirk ever present on her face.

"So, talking about the resident hunk, eh? I heard Siesta mention oil posing and I just had to get in on this."

"Of course you did..." I muttered with a frown.

"So, with the queen visiting, have you decided on what you're going to have Achillo do? I imagine a man like him would have many talents, no?" she asked.

"Well what are you doing?" I replied. Kirche grinned.

"My precious Flame is going to display his wonderful fire arts. The torrents of fire he throws can make all kinds of fantastic shapes. He can even write my name! He's such a good boy." Damn, that was actually impressive if true.

"Well, for your information, Achillo and I are yet to decide. Unlike your Familiar, he's not some pet to be ordered around." I said as I crossed my arms. A thought crossed my mind then. Would he even agree to participate? I mean, it was as I said, he wasn't a mere animal to be given orders. He was a thinking being. For all I knew, he would say something like; 'My apologies, Louise, but I must decline. I must ensure your safety and I cannot do that if I am doing mindless tricks'. Ugh... damn.

"Oh? Is he not cooperating?" Kirche couldn't keep the amusement out of her voice, which rankled me.

"What? No! It's just that we have yet to discuss it!" I protested vehemently.

"Well, he's right there. Why not ask him? I for one agree with Siesta's ingenious idea of having him pose for us. Imagine it. His armour off, body drizzled in oil, his hair flowing in the breeze, the sunlight catching the peak of every muscle and making them shine... yum." Next to her, Siesta nodded absentmindedly with her eyes closed, slowly letting her grip slack on the water pail in her hand. Seriously, was I the only one not interested in that? Damned horn dogs.

"It's a talent contest, not a strip show! And besides, it's for the princess, not you and the horny maid!" I yelled.

"Why not both?" They both said in unison, followed by a high-five. Since when in the hell were these two friends? I suppose where there is no water, everyone is united in their thirst.

"You two are hopeless." I said as I slapped a hand to my forehead. When I returned to Achillo, the look on his face had shifted. The frown was gone, instead looking rather unamused.

"Perhaps I should have mentioned how well I can hear things." He said flatly. Oh. He heard all that?

"The whole oil posing thing was their idea! How is that even a skill any way?" I said in my admittedly feeble attempt to placate him. "Though Siesta mentioned that you're something of an artist. That true?"

"Indeed. Whenever I had a free moment from my eternal vigil over the imperial palace, I would practice my artistic abilities unless otherwise occupied." He said.

"Well, with the talent contest, I was curious if you'd display your talent to the princess."

Achillo looked impassive, but he seemed hesitant. "I apologise, but I don't think it is wise that I participate." My heart sank. I frowned, frustrated as to why she didn't want to join in. Dammit, I knew he would refuse! I understood that he was a warrior and probably thought a talent show was beneath him. In a way, I was inclined to agree, but this was the biggest day of the year besides the summoning ceremony. I wanted the princess to see what I'd accomplished. I wanted to show her that I could keep up. So why wouldn't he let me?

"This event. This talent contest, will be attended by this nation's royal heir. I have studied the political situation and I have decided that such an event will require extensive security measures that, frankly, your academy is woefully underequipped for. I will not risk a political situation should an assassination attempt, successful or not, change the situation for the worse, thus putting you in danger." It made sense and I should have agreed, but I was angry by this point.

"Nothing's going to happen! I don't know if you're paranoid or something, but nothing. Is going. To happen! Do you know how bad it'll make me look if I'm the only one with a Familiar who not only won't perform, but flat out refuses to! I'll be nothing but a joke!" I shouted, all while he looked at me with an expression that I just couldn't read. Was he angry? Did he feel that I'd disrespected him? Did he care at all? I suddenly felt that I had made a mistake, and looked away in embarrassment. He approached me and I tensed, and when I looked up at him, I suddenly felt very, very small.

"I have my objective, Louise. Your safety has been placed in my hands by my Emperor and creator. Frivolities are secondary. Now, I must speak with Osman about securing the academy for tomorrow." He left without another word while I looked down at the grass feeling like a scolded child. I knew he'd refuse. I knew it. And of course, he either didn't understand or care how much this meant to any student here. Even me as I had just discovered. It was difficult to accept that he adhered to a higher authority than myself. It was like he wasn't even my Familiar and I was just borrowing him from someone else. I sighed, recomposed myself after making myself look like a spoilt brat, and went to the dining hall.

The day came and went, and suddenly it was the day that the princess was visiting the academy, and everyone else but myself would get to display their Familiars during tomorrow's event. We all assembled at the main entrance where a long white stone road led out into the grassy plains beyond the walls. A white carriage with an entourage of mounted chevaliers and knights, as well as her personal guard, the Royal Musketeers, moved in formation up the road. They were a sight to see. Silver armoured horses trotted in lockstep, all heavily built and bred for battle while their riders ignored us, instead watching for absolutely anything that could be out of place. Their white cloaks billowed behind them, revealing their uniforms and weapons beneath. Of course, many of them ended up looking or outright staring at Achillo as he basically did what they were doing.

They stopped a short distance away and dismounted. The guards and knights were the first to dismount and their hands came to their weapons as they arranged themselves into ceremonial formation at the door of the princess' carriage, creating an isle for her to walk down flanked on both sides by loyal protectors. The one who opened the carriage door was presumably the captain of the Royal Musketeers, an elite corps of former plebians elevated to the rank of Chevalier for acts of heroism in Tristain's name. I had heard they were some of the few to be armed with gunpowder weapons, which put them on more even footing with most aristocrats. My mother, formerly an elite soldier of Tristain's army, had said 'magic is powerful, but a bullet is faster'. She reached in and led the princess out by her hand, then closed the door while the others of her personal guard prepared their defensive formation around her. Princess Henrietta de Tristain, my oldest and closest friend. She was as beautiful as ever despite the weight of her responsibilities. Her short, plumb coloured hair was crowned by a gem-spotted tiara, and her regal white gown and burgundy cloak were largely unadorned which set her apart from many rulers as they were bedecked in gold and gems, and all kinds of symbols of opulence. She kept it simple yet elegant, and the people loved her for it.

We bowed, each of us sinking to one knee and lowering our heads in reverence. All of us... except Achillo. I had a feeling he would do that. While we knelt, he stood with his spear in hand, the impassive golden mask of helmet gazed out imperiously over the procession. Headmaster Osman was the first to greet the princess, welcoming her to the academy and wishing her a wonderful time before extending the offer of a tour to her and her personal guard. He turned my way, but addressed Achillo.

"This gentleman, Achillo, has graciously extended his security expertise to ensure your safety during your stay, your majesty." I could see a brief flash of uncertainty as she followed Osman's hand and her eyes traced up the Custodian's towering form, not expecting to see a giant of a man at almost three metres tall if you counted the tall helmet, and broader than any man had any right to be.

"And what are you? A golem? Who conjured you?" The Musketeer Captain questioned as she stared Achillo down. Or, more aptly, up. "I am Agnes Chevalier de Milan, captain of the Royal Musketeers and Princess Henrietta's personal guard. On my authority, you will answer."

"Greetings, captain. I am Achillo, Custodian Guard and Familiar to Louise Francois de la Valliere. I will be assisting you in securing the academy's safety and those within for tomorrow's event." He said, his voice rumbling through his helmet. It was clear and loud, hardly sounding like he was speaking through metal at all, though still affected with a slight growl. Agnes did well to keep eye contact with him all things considered.

"I see. And what qualifies you to do so? You understand that the princess' personal safety is top priority, and it is a highly demanding task. It would be remiss of me to simply allow an unknown to guard this place unquestioned." She was admirable in her steadfastness, I had to admit. It was like at even the slightest suggestion of a threat against Henrietta, she would whip out her sword and pistol, ready to kill or die to protect her.

"My life is dedicated to this task, though before I came here, my protection extended to another, my lord and creator. I have spent over a century in vigil. This academy is... a relaxing change to my previous place of watch." Achillo said, though somehow, I didn't think that would convince her. That was when Henrietta came to the rescue.

"Agnes, please." She said kindly before looking up into the red eyes of Achillo's helmet. "You are truly Louise's Familiar?"

"Indeed." He replied. It irked me how casually and irreverently he spoke to her. He wasn't impolite, but his tone carried none of the courtesy with which he spoke to me or even Siesta. Actually, there was no tone at all. Just sound formed into words. It was actually kind of off-putting. I wondered if it was just how he spoke while he was working, expelling all emotion from his voice as he shifted his mindset from amiable yet watchful guardian, to inscrutable, vigilant sentinel. Henrietta looked at me next, smiling warmly. My pulse picked up a little, giddy at seeing my old friend again.

"Such a fine Familiar, Louise. You must be proud." I nodded, momentarily forgetting how to speak.

"Y-yes, your majesty. I am. Thank you." I stammered.

"I believe we should allow him to perform his duty. You look very capable, Achillo, and I will put my trust in the Familiar of a Valliere any day. Your family have always been stout defenders of the realm, and so I will trust you and him. Will you be performing in the talent exhibition?"

"Unfortunately not, your majesty. Achillo will be conducting his rounds as a part of yours and the academy's security detail. While I wish he could, I understand his reasoning." I explained. I knew that if Henrietta weren't there, the gathered students would have laughed to themselves. I was still bitter about it, but like all of the ridicule I had suffered so far, I swallowed it down and dealt with it.

"I see. That alone is impressive, Louise. Your Familiar is truly unique." She said. She must have seen the pitiable expression on my face. I put on my best smile.

"Thank you, your majesty."

---

Achillo

Night fell. I had finished with my small project that I had undertook without Louise's knowledge, and stored it in a broom closet in the hallway after covering it with a dust sheet. Hopefully Siesta wouldn't stumble upon it, but I wasn't willing to keep it near the mechanical ass hole in the bunker. I just had the feeling that thing was spiteful and petty just going by how it spoke to me. I had been made aware as a part of my duties that I was to expand my nightly patrol to the Void tower, an empty tower of residence with no connecting wall unlike the others. It was the missing spoke of a pentagonal wheel, in a way. There, the princess and her entourage would be staying. Before beginning my rounds, I returned to Louise's room.

"You're absolutely sure you can't do something? Anything at all? It doesn't even need to be a long performance." Oh good, she was still on this. I thought I had already explained, but apparently that wasn't good enough. She was dressed in her night wear, idly staring at the canopy over her bed.

"I cannot afford distractions, Louise. You know I take my duty seriously." I said. She huffed.

"I know, but this doesn't happen every day. I just wanted to show the princess what I've achieved, and to show them how great you are."

"It is because this event happens only yearly that I must be especially vigilant. Any one of those guards could be an assassin posing as one of her protectors. Should that be the case, it is best that I remain in a position were I can keep watch and protect you and the princess. I will not budge on this."

"Why would that be the case though? Surely the palace wouldn't allow that to happen."

"Assassination and aristocracy go hand in hand. You are of the nobility, you must be aware of the cut-throat nature of your position. Schemers and opportunists would find this kind of event hard to resist." I said, and she paused for a moment. Then she sighed.

"Look, I get it, okay? I know you're right, but it's just... I've known Henrietta since we were children, you know? She's a princess, and she'll be queen one day. I just wanted to show her that I can achieve things too. Everyone else gets to do that, but not me. It just feels unfair." Her eyes narrowed. "I was looking forward to this."

"I know. And I am sorry. While I can offer no platitudes, it is my belief that what the princess said is true. If nothing else, I offer a different look at Familiars. Do you see any of them being trusted to guard her life? Do you think she would make such an exception for any other student?" I said. Her frown lightened and her face took on a contemplative stare.

"No... no, I suppose she wouldn't. I mean, you are unique amongst the Familiars, and you are capable of much more complex things than they are." She admitted. Then she looked at me.

"Why are you so dead set on your task anyway? What makes you so unmoving on it?"

"Because the Emperor tasked me with this. It is by His will that I am here, and deemed you worthy to summon me. While he has tasked me to protect you, I am to guard your life as I guard His, as is my intended purpose and reason for being. Should it be necessary, I would give my life for yours in an instant." As I said that, she winced.

"So, it wasn't really me who summoned you?" She asked, her voice suddenly sounding quite fragile. I had to think of something and quickly.

"It was, have no doubt of that. You were meant to summon something. However, the Emperor saw your potential and saw fit to send me to you. Whatever threads of fate were weaved were re-threaded by His will. It was still your power that sent out the call, and the Emperor answered." I said, hoping that it would calm her. She seemed to tie a lot of her self worth to have summoned me, and I would need to tread carefully around that aspect of her.

There were footsteps then, light and quick, and my spear was already up and active as they came closer and closer to Louise's door. I tore the door open, restraining my self so as not to rip it off of its hinges and slammed the butt of my weapon onto the floor.

"Who approaches!" I demanded, and the cloaked figure almost skidded to a halt, all but freezing as I glared down at them. There would be no way for them to slip past me as even stood a minor distance from the door as I was, I still filled so much space in the room that any kind of approach would be to end up within my reach. A series of choking sounds came as the figure, now judging by body shape and the sound of their voice was a woman, struggled to speak. I could hear her heartbeat too, a rapid and shallow sound as I recognised the all too familiar signs of near terror. Every instinct in her body was screaming at her to run.

"Speak!" I ordered, and my vox-altered voice made her flinch. Her hands flew to her hood and pulled it back. Oh. Oh no. Let it never be said that I don't do my job, and while I was absolutely justified in my reaction, given my task, I was certain Louise would have words for me after that. I had just about frightened the life out of the princess of Tristain. Literally.

"Achillo! Enough, stand down!" Louise hurriedly ran in front of me, placing herself between the princess and myself. Henrietta was now paler than she had been upon arriving to the academy by several shades, and her heart rate had only slowed fractionally. Louise grabbed onto her hands and pulled her into the room, apologising profusely. I did as she ordered and stood down, though still kept a scrutinizing eye on the princess. For what reason would she be here, in disguise, at night, and without any of her personal guard? Her reasons would become clear, but I had to give her credit where it was due. Unlike most who came face-to-face with an armed and armoured Custodian, she had managed not to soil herself in terror, and so, her dignity held strong. Louise pulled her into an embrace, which was reciprocated, though I thought it was most likely out of comfort seeking than a greeting. If I were inclined to feel awkward then I probably would have, but I had merely done my duty.

"Please forgive him, your highness! Achillo didn't mean to frighten you." Yes I did. That's why I did that in the first place. I tilted my head curiously and Louise frowned over the princess' shoulder at me and mouthed 'be quiet'.

The princess managed a nervous chuckle before replying. "No, no, it's fine, really. He is just protecting you, right?"

"Indeed. She understands my role better than you do, it seems." I said pointedly. Louise merely stuck her tongue out at me, whatever that was meant to mean.

"That's true. Still, I apologise. We just weren't expecting you." Louise said, now having parted from the princess. I closed the door.

"I know. I wanted to tell you I was coming but I never got the chance. Between my body guards, Agnes, and academy staff, I haven't really had a moment to myself all day. I had to sneak out, hence the cloak." She said, gesturing to the brown cloak resting on her shoulders. She then looked up at me, though there was renewed confidence in her blue eyes.

"I'm surprised that you knew I was there, sir Achillo. Had I been an intruder, then I have no doubt Louise would have been kept safe." She said, honestly surprising me. She was coping rather well with being halted by me. Most ordinary humans didn't. There was steel to this girl. Then she studied my face as I had forgone my helmet and mag-locked it to my hip. Perhaps seeing that a human face lay beneath the Auramite would have brought her some comfort. "I'd never have guessed you were so dashing beneath your helm. Lucky girl, Louise." She cast a side long glance at my master, who merely shook her head while pressing her finger and thumb to either side of her nose.

"My thanks, your majesty. No harm will come to Louise while under my watch. And tomorrow, that extends to you." I inclined my head respectfully. "Might I ask, what is your purpose for being here?" I questioned as I decided to ignore her comment on my appearance.

"Ah yes. I rarely get out of the palace these days, and have no time for friends. The only fraternisation I can engage in is with foreign dignitaries or with the courtiers, so I just couldn't pass up the chance to spend some time with Louise. She's my oldest friend, you know?" She said wistfully.

"Still though, you could get in trouble for this. You shouldn't go out of your way just for me." Louise said.

"It's worth it." The princess smiled pleasantly. "Now, why don't you tell me what you've been up to?"

They talked for over thirty minutes, recounting stories of their childhood and more recent events in their lives. I spoke when spoken to and offered words when appropriate, otherwise I was content to simply let them catch up. Inevitably the conversation turned to me, who and what I was, and what had happened since I arrived.

"You should have seen Gramont's face! There he was being all high and mighty after reprimanding Siesta, and in comes Achillo. Gramont gave him the big spiel about nobles and all that, then has the nerve to challenge him to a duel. A duel!" Louise laughed.

"I do not fight children." I said flatly.

"Yeah, so instead of fighting Gramont, Achillo just picks him up by the back of his shirt one handed, and held him at eye level, and you've seen how tall Achillo is, he's huge! Gramont looked like a puppy held by the scruff of its neck!"

"I see, I see, a real knight in shining armour, no?" The princess chuckled into her hand. I had to admit, she looked different now, like a weight had been lifted from her. She wasn't just a princess, I surmised. She was more than an heir and figurehead. Could it be that she was the de facto ruler of Tristain for some reason? It wasn't uncommon for Knight Houses to have young leaders, and even planetary governors could be teenagers under certain circumstances. However, they lived for their role as they were groomed from birth with gruellingly regimented lives to assume the roles of their parents, but Henrietta seemed as though that hadn't been the case with her. Louise was different too. She was at ease and far more animated and emotive than I had ever seen her.

Louise leaned in conspiritorially, "I'm not one to gossip, but since then Siesta has been smitten with him."

"Oh my!" Henrietta giggled.

"It only got worse when he went to Count Mott's estate to retrieve her after he had seized her contract."

Henrietta's eyes widened. "I'd heard about that. Yes, Mott was brought to the capital to face trial for conspiracy and the possession of illicit magical materials." She turned to me. "So that was you. You and Louise have my gratitude for exposing his activities."

"It was really all Achillo's effort. I permitted him to go, but it was by his hand that Mott was exposed. I understand that the achievements of the Familiar are the achievements of the master, but I don't really feel like I can claim that." Louise scratched her head while looking away.

"Even so, a great deed was done. While I cannot do anything to reward you right now, I will arrange something when I return to the capital. I promise." Henrietta said solemnly. She smiled again. "So, if you were able to participate in the contest, what would you have done?"

Louise looked at me, and I shifted my gaze to her. It was her who spoke. "Well, we hadn't really discussed it. Honestly, I'd forgotten it was happening for the most part."

"But you did have an idea though, didn't you?" Henrietta pressed. Louise looked at me again uncomfortably.

"Well... Siesta and one of my classmates suggested... oil... posing..." When she said that, it took titanic effort on my part not to sigh. So she had considered it as a serious option. It wasn't her words, but her face said it all. Once again I noticed the coloration of her cheeks change, as did the princess'.

"O-oh. Interesting. Why?" Henrietta asked.

"For whatever reason, they are enamoured with my musculature. While I see it as a tool to assist me in my duty, they seem to find it... pleasing to look upon." I supplied flatly.

"Hey! Don't lump me in with them! I always opposed it!" Louise protested.

"But you don't deny liking my body." I shouldn't have, but I did take some measure of amusement in lightly teasing her. Ugh, perhaps my brothers within the Companions had more influence than I had previously thought. Wamuudes and Custodesi must be chuckling heartily at this.

"From a purely aesthetic standpoint!"

Soon it was time for Henrietta to leave. I opened the door and she turned to bid us farewell.

"It's been lovely talking to you again, Louise. And it has been an honour meeting you too, sir Achillo. I'll be relying on your vigilance tomorrow, though it's a shame I won't get to see your talents. Maybe another time?" She said hopefully.

"Perhaps sooner than you think." I replied, garnering surprised looks from both.

"Well, now you've gotten my hopes up. I'll see you both tomorrow." She turned to leave, but I saw the sudden forlorn look she had before she left.

---

The event was in full swing with the second-year students gathered in the vestry field where a stage had been set up for them and their Familiars to perform. I was stood under just outside of the gazebo where the queen, Osman, and Louise by my request, were sat observing the talent contest. My attention wasn't on the performances, however, much to Kirche's annoyance apparently. I wasn't sure why, by she seemed especially eager to get my attention, and was disappointed. Instead, I watched the walls, looking for any out of place movements. Captain Agnes' subordinates patrolled the premises in a circular route as I saw a different one pass every few minutes. Agnes herself was still wary of me. I could not blame her, as I would be wary of her should our positions have been switched. Still, she was vigilant and dutiful, and very professional in how she carried herself. She watched everyone and every thing with a scrutinizing gaze, never relaxing with her hands always resting on her weapons.

Colbert was announcing the acts, and various members of the faculty were dotted about the audience. However, it didn't escape my notice Longueville was oddly absent. It was strange seeing as even Osman had time to be here, but she did complain about him dumping his work on her when it became convenient to do so.

"Impressive, aren't they." Henrietta said as the blonde girl, Montmorancy, I believed her name was, finished her performance. She had played a song on a violin and her frog Familiar danced to it on a small pedestal.

"They are indeed. This year's students have been phenomenal." Osman replied.

Guiche had apparently decided that his talent would be posing with his giant mole creature. Whatever response he was expecting was instead met with an almost crushing silence. Phenomenal. Sure. Tabitha's winged lizard did a fly over and performed various aerial tricks, garnering applause. I hadn't yet seen a creature of that size fly over my head without the intent of killing me, so seeing it for the first time was a welcome change.

"Your thoughts, captain?" I asked. I didn't see her look at me as I was looking elsewhere, but she did respond.

"My thoughts are irrelevant, but for what it's worth, I echo the princess' sentiments." It took several moments for her to continue. "And you, Custodian?"

"They're... good." I lied. I hadn't really been paying attention. "Have you spotted anything amiss?"

"Nothing so far. Everything seems to be in order. If any intruders are spotted, we'd see a flare go up." Agnes said. They had outlined this during the security briefing I had attended when the princess and her entourage had arrived. They were still unsure of what to make of me lifting the carriages up to inspect them underneath, all of which still with passengers inside. The guard force that had come to the academy had been sizeable, one-hundred elite guards and chevaliers, including the princess' own Royal Musketeers. Along with them came a plethora of support staff, such as squires and messengers, as well as courtiers and a quartermaster. A lot of potential compromises. Many potential traitors.

Coming off of the back of war with Germania, Tristain's lesser noble houses were finding themselves with less land and less wealth to their names, with some becoming mere husks of their former selves. Some had grudgingly embraced vassalage to the greater houses. Germania had claimed many pieces of land as war spoil and as part of the terms for Tristain's surrender. Any one of the knights and chevaliers here could very well have cause to seek vengeance against the previous king. Only, the king was already dead, and only his queen and daughter remained. Being dead often did little to deter people from wanting to hurt you through your legacy. What Louise deemed as my 'paranoia' at it were, paid off.

My target lock snapped active, seeking and locking on to a figure laying prone on one of the domed roof tops that made up the five towers around the academy. Masked and armoured like one of Henrietta's guards, I couldn't positively identify them, but I didn't need to. In their hands was a crossbow with the bolt primed and their finger depressing the trigger. The bolt was loosed, heading straight for Henrietta's unsuspecting head, but it was a matter of casual ease and reflex to snatch it from the air, raise my Guardian Spear, and return fire.

"Target spotted, everyone down!" I bellowed and everyone present flinched and looked around in confusion. Agnes followed my line of sight and saw what I was aiming at before I gunned the trigger of my weapon. The would-be assassin's body exploded into torn scraps of white fabric and red mist. Their limbs spun away as the mass reactive round detonated upon penetration. From firing the bolt to being annihilated by my bolter, only two seconds had passed. Admittedly slow, but I needed to warn everyone before acting.

"Get to the central spire, all students are to hold up there! Go! Go!" Agnes commanded as she pulled her signal gun from its holster, and fired up a small cylinder that streaked red smoke up into the sky before it burst into a cloud. This put us in a difficult position. The students could gather inside of the central spire, but that could either leave them unguarded, or with a number of Henrietta's guards, all of which were of questionable loyalty.

"Any teachers present are to be the only ones to accompany the students! I expect you to treat any one not of staff or a student with hostility until I say otherwise!" I commanded, not waiting for their reply. Turning to Osman, he looked up at me and an understanding passed between us. He saw the situation for what it was. The head master stood and with surprising agility and speed that belied his advanced age and he left the confines of the gazebo, freeing up space for myself and Agnes to form a tighter defence around Henrietta and Louise.

"Follow Achillo's instruction. Everyone move to the central spire and form a defence with earth magic! Form a perimeter wall and block all doors!" Osman commanded and was obeyed without question as teachers and students followed after him. At the same time, members of the Royal Musketeers appeared one after another as they rallied on Agnes' signal. More red smoke signals went up, indicating other engagements around the grounds. The sounds of primitive pistols cracked over the din of panicking children as it seemed more assassins had been discovered. Unless I had been woefully blind in my rigorous inspections of the academy as of late, I suspected that the most likely explanation was a contingent of assassins had infiltrated the academy in the guise of Tristain's palace guards. It was unfortunate, but with my limited knowledge on Tristain's customs when it came to their military and recruitment, I would have had no way of differentiating them from the real guards if I were to screen and interrogate them. Differences such as accent mattered little as while I doubted Tristain would recruit foreign soldiers, especially now, I had no proof of that.

Agnes turned to me with her pistol and sword drawn. "We need to get her highness and your master inside. I'll have some of my Musketeers go with them."

"You realise that the assassin was wearing the armour of your fellows? None can be trusted." I replied and she scolded.

"I know, but the Musketeers are loyal. If there are infiltrators then we'll root them out. Remember, there are chevaliers capable of magic as well, so whatever these assassins are planning, they'll have heavy resistance." She said. I was dubious of this. By my very nature I was compelled to eliminate all possibilities, but there were things even a Custodian couldn't deal with until it was directly in front of him.

The Musketeer captain looked at four of her subordinates, all of whom were ready for her orders. "The four of you will be responsible for the protection of her highness and Miss Valliere. Elaine, you're in charge. If anyone gets too close, you're to eliminate them."

"Achillo..." I looked at Louise, who had been silent this whole time. She would have been safest with me, but I couldn't simply retreat into the spire with assassins still at large. No, she would be safest with the enemy destroyed as quickly as possible.

"You will be alright. Both of you will." I said to both Louise and Henrietta. "Can I trust them to see them safe?" I asked Agnes. She narrowed her eyes but nodded.

"Of course. No one of the royal bloodline of Tristain has been assassinated under the Royal Musketeers' purview. Even our predecessors of the Royal Spell-Blades had never had a royal die on their watch." She said resolutely.

"Good. Now, to battle." Without any more words, I sped off seeking enemies, running at full tilt. I encountered a group of three Musketeers supported by several knights battling assassins firing crossbows and slinging spells. Walls of earth had been erected to provide cover in the skirmish. Gunfire cracked and spherical bullets punched dents into the barriers and sent plumes of brown dirt into the air. Streams of flame and lances of ice were returned in volleys, scorching the grass and impaling the ground where the nimble chevaliers of the Musketeers evaded flawlessly to reposition and return fire. These women had been trained specifically to fight magic users, of that I was sure. The certainty and practiced mechanics of their movements gave that away immediately.

One of the assassins had peaked out too far, only to catch a bullet through the eye and fell down hard, dead before he hit the ground. My target lock engaged on another and I threw a fist out before tossing my Guardian Spear at another without sparing them a look. The first assassin's upper torso exploded upon contact with my fist with the sound of rupturing flesh and pulverised bone, turning the earthen barrier behind him from light brown, to almost black with his blood.

I walked over to the other one. She was impaled through the chest on the meter long blade of my Guardian Spear, the blade itself having burst from her back and pinned her to her defensive wall. She was still alive, struggling and gasping as her instinct to survive compelled her to grab the haft of the weapon and begin to pull herself forward. I paid her no mind and with a light twist of my wrist with my hand atop her hooded head, I snapped her neck and the struggling ceased. I pulled my weapon free and continued onward.

Finally the assassins noticed my arrival, as did the princess' guards, fear and awe respectively on their faces.

---

Musketeer Flora

We were trained for battle. We were trained to fight and die in service to the ruling monarch and those of their line. I'd served in the Royal Musketeers for several years by this point, and I though I'd seen everything. The nobility used to be scary, you know? A ruling elite with money, power and friends, as well as the elements at their finger tips. I later learned that for all that magic nonsense, none of it was faster than a well placed bullet. Those assassins were learning that and learning it fast as one of them caught one of my bullets in the eye. I was ready for this, and lost in the rush of battle as I was, I'd some how failed to notice the massive fuck-off knight or whatever coming towards us. I'd seen it... or him, I guess, when we first arrived two days ago. I mean, how could I not? Almost three meters tall, massive spear, a cloak of such deep royal purple I was sure a king somewhere would be foaming at the mouth just to touch it. He looked like an idyllic depiction of some long-lost hero of ancient myth. However, what I saw coming towards us once I re-aligned my focus wasn't that. What I saw was something more. He was something greater. There, in blazing golden armour, his billowing purple cloak and fluttering red plume, now spattered with gore where his plate was once pristine, was an embodiment of what it meant to fight. Looking at him, there was something beyond the physical that I couldn't put in to words, and it humbled and awed me. We couldn't fail with him on our side, and thank Birmir for that.

---

Achillo

I dispatched the last of the assassins in the area. They fell as easily as the others had. I addressed the defenders, commending them for their efforts and ordered them to reinforce elsewhere before I moved on. As instructed, the doors to the central spire had been covered by thick walls of dense earth, barring any from entering, however, I saw that the servants' quarters had no such protection. Realising this, I ran towards the smaller building. I heard shouts, screams and the sounds of combat from within.

Inside, I saw a number of the disguised assassins engaging with two knights, both wounded, and Marteau, the stout head chef with a short sword in hand with the blade driven soundly through the chest of an attacker. He retracted the blade and let the body fall, ready to fight again. His unassuming uniform was stained red, and I recognised the look in his eyes. It was a look I'd seen in the eyes of countless guardsmen. He'd done this before. I spun my Guardian Spear and used the butt of the weapon to bludgeon the two attackers. I pulled the blows so as not to get blood all over the place, but their spines shattered and their organs pulped under the force of the strikes. They flopped bonelessly and dead to the stone floor.

"Did any make it past?" I questioned without preamble. The two knights went further in without prompting, wounded as they were.

"This entrance has been secured, sir. Bastards tried to get in through the back, but we fended them off." The chef said.

"Is everyone accounted for?"

"We had everyone here once they finished setting up the stage and everything." He said. One of the knights came back.

"You're sure everyone's here? We took a head count and they're saying one of them is missing." The knight informed. As he spoke, Marteau's face became thoughtful before becoming one of horror.

"Siesta..."

"Where?" I demanded, and the man knew that was all I needed to say. He wilted under my cold gaze as my helm betrayed nothing.

"Last I heard she was doing chores around the second-year dorms, and that wasn't long before this utter chaos erupted. Please, you've saved her before, so I'm begging you! Please find her." Without a response, I turned and was already headed towards the second-year dorms. The door had been blown open and there were javelins of ice still lodged firmly within the stone surrounding it. The walls were pock marked with bullet damage and embers still drifted where fire magic had been used.

This was no standard assassination. It was too sloppy and chaotic, nothing like the cloak and dagger affairs I was used to dealing with. There were more of them than I'd first thought as the sounds of fighting had yet to even begin to quiet down as I heard a volley of gunfire followed by an explosion that accompanied a great pillar of dust and dirt that brought down a cascade of stones like hale. Just how many had been amongst Henrietta's guard force? Was her nation's security so weak that such a force could amass right under her nose? I would need to understand the fully gravity of Tristain's loss to Germania, but that would have to wait.

There were bodies here, all dressed in the panoply of the palatial guards. There were the bodies of squires and message runners who had been caught in the crossfire. My keen hearing detected a brutal close quarters engagement upstairs as weapons clashed and the elements wrought their destruction. I wasted no time getting up there, and a press of bodies greeted me. They were all identical, all in white and polished steel and stained with blood. I realised then that I couldn't differentiate the assassins from the loyal forces. It took several seconds, a very long time for a Custodian, to reach a decision. For the maximum threat elimination possible and to keep the academy, Louise, Henrietta, and Siesta safe... I would need to kill them all. I couldn't afford to wait and see who was who or have them prove themselves to me. That time had passed, and I had been unprepared for it then. What I was about to do... was something I was going to keep to myself. Using my ordinary methods of killing would be far too identifiable as Custodians nor Astartes were subtle killers. However, I was armed with a savant's understanding of human anatomy, and so with a titanic array of techniques at my disposal, I would make it look like a mutual massacre for both sides. I cut and stabbed with various discarded weapons, and struck out with blows that I pulled massively as to avoid destroying them utterly.

It took mere moments, and the deed was done. With everyone now dead, I ran an auspex sweep and found life signs in the same broom closet where I had stored my project. With another sweep, I saw it was indeed Siesta, having hid herself away. She was sat in the corner and staring at the door. Looking at the corpse-laden hallway, I knew seeing this would affect her badly. I walked up and lightly tapped on it, making her jump.

"Siesta?"

"Achillo?! Thank Birmir, you've come!" The relief in her voice was palpable. I opened the door.

"We must go. There is little time to waste. Whatever you do, keep your eyes closed and do not look. For your own good. Whatever you hear or smell, ignore it. Can you do that for me?" I instructed, but kept my voice as calm and gentle as I could to keep her at ease.

"What? Why?"

"Just trust me." She looked confused but nodded, closed her eyes and I picked her up. "Now please, keep your eyes shut. I do not know if this place will stay safe for long." I moved quickly. Before I took Siesta out of the dormitories, I decided it was prudent to retrieve Dipshit, as there were magic users in the vicinity. I didn't know the full extent of what any of them could do with their strange abilities, but I wanted to be prepared for it nonetheless. We were already on the floor where Louise's room was, so it was only a very short detour.

''About time, ya' big golden bastard! Where the hell were you!?'' Dipshit called as I snatched him up and slung the sheath across my chest so the hilt of the talking sword was level with my hip.

''Be quiet. You wanted to fight some mages? Now here's your chance.'' I replied and wasted no time in leaving and going back into the hallway.

"It smells like blood, Achillo. What's going on?" Siesta asked. Her eyes were still squeezed shut and she'd raised a hand to her nose. In just a few bounds, I had completely cleared the spiral staircase to the floor below.

"Ignore it. We're almost out." The sounds of fighting returned as we stepped through the doorway and back out into the open. I tilted and twisted as crossbow bolts from various angles. Ordinarily I'd have paid such things no mind, but I would not allow Siesta to be hit. My Guardian Spear came up and I rapidly locked on to my attackers, snapping off shots as my under-blade bolter roared. Siesta screamed but I ignored her as I knew she had taken no injuries. The bodies of my attackers exploded, devastated by mass-reactive rounds.

"Achillo!" A voice called out to me and I looked to see Agnes embattled with two of the assassins. She was an agile fighter and quick with a blade. She parried an oncoming blow and knocked the sword blow aside, spun her pistol in her hand and smashed the second assassin in the mouth with the bulbous grip of her flintlock. Stunned, the second assassin stumbled back with bloody, broken teeth while Agnes returned her attention to the first. I threw my Guardian Spear like a harpoon at the second, skewering him and pinning him to the ground. Agnes pressed her advantage and ran her opponent through after disarming him.

I stepped on the dead assassin and pulled my weapon from his body, then turned to Agnes. Siesta still had her eyes tightly shut. Good girl.

"The situation, captain." I prompted.

"We're thinning out their numbers, but now we're thinking that some of them moved into the central spire with the students and teachers. So far we've lost several knights and a couple of my Musketeers are injured." Her own armour was scuffed and her cloak was torn and smeared with dirt. Yet there were no injuries beyond superficial cuts and scrapes.

"And what of the dormitories? I have cleared out the second-year building."

"Already covered, knights have gone in to sweep them. Did you see any of ours in there?" I knew she would ask about that.

"I did. However, both the knights and the assassins were dead when I arrived. Total losses on both sides." I lied. "We must move quickly, we are not done fighting."

"Yes. I doubt we will be fighting much longer. That cannon in your spear is... disturbingly effective. Let's go." Agnes took off towards the servants' quarters and I followed as I was going to drop Siesta off there before proceeding into the central tower. Once Siesta was safely with Marteau and the knights, I made my way to one of the large doors that had been blocked with compact earth. However, I was intercepted. Not by assassins, but by something else entirely. Towering over the battlefield and slamming gigantic fists into the side of the spire was a colossus of rock. Its body lumbered as tons of rock and dirt had been given life, animated by the strange magics of this world. Standing on top of it, hooded by a dark green cloak was a figure, presumably the one who had summoned it and was in direct control of it. Roiling and churning around them was a mix of powdered earth and large rocks that surrounded them.

I had been noticed in short order as I aimed my Guardian Spear at them for a kill shot. The rocks and sand orbiting the summoner seemingly reacted to my intend and in the span of a human eye blink, formed into a tight barrier that moved and adjusted itself to form the perfect defense.

"You're out of your depth fighting me, golden one! Be gone unless you want to be crushed!" the figure, a woman, called. ''I've been observing this debacle the entire time, and have now become aware of what you're capable of. That cannon you have won't help you, and neither will your spear. I hadn't intended to have my golem configured the way it is, but I'm not willing to take any chances with you, golden one.''

"Achillo!" I knew that voice. What was she doing out here? How did she get out?

"Louise! Back!" I commanded as I whipped my head around as the small girl came running towards me, stopping short as she laid eyes on the earthen construct.

"W-what... a golem? But why-"

"Back!" I repeated, shouting this time and she flinched. I felt the encroaching blow and swiftly evaded as the golem slammed its fist with all its weight into the spot where I had been stood. It retracted quicker than I expected and reared back for another strike. I took aim and fired. Mass-reactive shells roared out, only to collide with walls of rock that rose to protect the woman. I see. The golem was very reactive to threats, it seemed. Perhaps it was the magic itself that was reacting, as there was no way the woman controlling the golem would have been fast enough to react to bolt rounds. Curious indeed, and warranted study. The walls the golem erected were thick, and to be able to whether shots from my bolter. They must have been incredibly dense as well. Rock and dust burst and the woman had vanished, but the golem still kept moving. Somehow, she wasn't dead. Had she somehow sunk inside of the golem? There was no way to find out other than splitting it wide open, which I fully intended to do.

"Fireball!" Louise cried out with the small wooden stick I'd seen her and her classmates use. I wasn't sure what was meant to happen, but there was no fireball. Suddenly, an explosion ripped out from the golem's shoulder, sending out a spray of rock and a black cloud of burnt earth. It was powerful as even I had to brace ever so slightly against the ensuing pressure wave. But what I noticed outside of the golem stumbling was a rippling distortion of air just above the wall of the central spire, then a sudden crack as what ever energies had been in place were dispelled and shattered like a pane of glass.

Had Louise done that? The golem, fueled by magic, hadn't been able to do that with all of the force behind it through tons of mass. None of the spells I had seen strike the tower in the skirmish had had such an effect. Had it been weakened, or was Louise uniquely gifted? Pondering an entire line of inquiry within a human eye blink, I came to the conclusion that there was something more to it. The Emperor took special interest in her, and I believed that display was the tip of the iceberg in understanding why.

I took off running at the golem and leapt up high. It can be understated just how high a Custodian can jump, but rest assured, we can jump very, very high. My auaramite boots crunched down onto the bulbous body of the golem, but to my surprise, they sunk in right up to the knee.

"Fool! I have total control over the element of earth! This golem's body shifts and changes according to my will, and you've just walked straight into my domain!" The golem's summoner laughed as I was suddenly barraged by pillars of rock that shot out and retracted from the golem's body like pistons, each slamming into my armour from various angles, all while my legs were being pulled back in with each attempt I made to extricate them. With how things were, I was off balance, under attack from all sides, and unprepared to deal with this construct. Each jutting pillar of rock I shattered with fist or blade simply reformed, only to come at me again a mere second later.

''Achillo, that fancy stick of yours ain't gonna do shit against the golem! Put me to work already!'' Dipshit called, and wordlessly, I drew the talking sword and sunk the blade into the animated stone. To my amazement, the rock and stone began to crack and crumble into sand around my legs. Then I swept the blade around and cut through the jutting bludgeons of rock sprouting from the golem's body, and with each one that was severed, they were not reforming. Dipshit... no, Derflinger, wasn't lying about being able to nullify magic. I would have struggled a great deal with my usual armaments, but the sword was helping me a great deal.

"Let's see if we can crack that armour open, shall we?" One of the golem's giant fists plucked me from its body and squeezed. I felt immense pressure from all sides as my armour and genehanced physiology fought and struggled against the crushing weight. My Guardian Spear had fallen to the ground below and stuck out from the ground by the blade.

"I expected more somehow. You strike such an imposing figure, yet here you are, like a toy in my grasp." The golem's fist then reeled back and I was smashed through the wall of the central spire as shattered stone and dust billowed around me. Dull aches and pains shot through me as I felt very small breakages in my bones and tears in my muscles, all of which began healing immediately. Around me was a veritable trove of relics that clearly didn't belong to this world. I didn't have much time to see everything, but I did see a few power weapons, an Eldar Wraithguard , a set of Squat power armour, a Lamenter's shoulder plate, the skull of a Hive Tyrant, a Necron Staff of Light, Constantine Valdor's bathrobe, a life-like portrait of the reviled Doge Vandire, and something I would definitely be confiscating later; a Dawneagle Jetbike. What all of these things were doing here, I didn't know, but it seemed things had a bad habit of showing up on this world inexplicably.

I had no time to ponder this as I was then ripped from the room. Something I couldn't quite explain happened then. From my left hand, I felt... something. It was a sensation unlike anything else I'd felt before. Like a raging river, strength flooded my body, and a renewed clarity of mind overtook me. There were the runes I had received upon being summoned by Louise on my left hand, but at the time I had paid them no mind, thinking of them as nothing more than some shameful brand of ownership. As I was thrown from the room and released by the golem's massive fist, my left hand shot out and grabbed on to one of the fingers, and I swung myself below and sunk Derflinger's blade into the golem's midriff and caused more of the magically animated rock to crumble away.

''Pest! Get off!'' The summoner cursed and the ground at the golem's feet churned and rumbled, and geysers of sand blasted up, showering me in razor-like grains of sand. The sand itself wasn't a problem as far as damage was concerned, but it completely stole my sight. For whatever reason, phenomena caused by magic, and presumably still under its effects, were near impossible for my sensorium and vision filters to see through. I pulled away and somersaulted back, coiled like a spring, and launched back at the golem, this time sweeping at the legs. Derflinger's blade parted the pillar-like left leg of the stone giant, sending it off balance with a mighty crash that made the earth tremble. It punched the ground and its arm sank to the elbow, and then massive stalagmites shot up at me, poised to run me through. I cut through them like wheat and advanced as I saw the golem's arm reforming into something longer and thinner, the club-like had that had been there before had morphed into a series of scything raptor claws.

''You're taking up too much of my time! Die!'' The woman yelled as she brought the claw arm down on me. I parried and had to roll with the titanic weight of the blow, but I still managed to dispel the magic running through one of the claws as it turned brittle and crumbled away. Still, it felt like my entire skeleton had been jolted. Too many attacks like that could end poorly for me if I opted not to dodge them entirely. She attacked again, but I had her pattern now. I sidestepped, brought my blade up and severed the giant stone arm at the elbow before charging beneath the golem. Another slash set its right leg sliding in half from knee to ankle, and the golem over balanced and then fell, only supporting itself on its remaining arm. I prepared to finish it off and drive the blade of Derflinger deep into its torso, when from the ground, a towering arm formed. It was multi-jointed, and moved like a lash, far too quick for something made of rock and dirt. It whipped out like a striking serpent, aiming strikes at my head and legs in sweeping arcs and lightning quick jabs. This was becoming tiresome. Not physically or even mentally, but it was wearing on my patience. The golem's legs began to reform themselves and it slowly rose back up while a new arm began to take shape.

What happened next, I was wholly unprepared for. Both of the golem's arms sank into the ground. There was rumbling, the ground split and sundered. My balance was thrown off as the the very ground I stood upon was reduced to a shifting tide of broken earth. A moment of calm, and then I was tumbling. Somehow, the golem had made the ground explode with seismic force beneath my feet. My world spun over and over as the wind rushed through my audio processors in my helmet. Beforehand, there had been a crack like a lightning strike, and I was airborne. I couldn't tell how high I was sent, only that I could see the roof of the central spire, so I assumed I was quite high up. Rocks, a cloud of dirt, and clods of earth accompanied me on my very quick journey back to the ground. My body slammed into the roof of the central spire and slid off, taking a shower of black tiles with me. I caught the edge of the roof and hauled myself up on my precarious perch high above the golem. Unwittingly, she'd just handed me an advantage. Though I was ignoring a considerable amount of pain, it wouldn't stop me or slow me down. I leapt down at the top of the golem with Derflinger aimed to impale it through apex of its bulbous body. Landing heavily, my boots dug in as Derflinger sank in with ease, and I twisted and pulled the blade to dispel as much of the animated rock as I could. Material fell away in a waterfall of sand and stone. I cut my way inside until I found a cavity within the centre of the golem's body, and there, looking up at me with terror in her eyes, was Miss Longueville.

I raised my blade... and struck her down.