chapter 2
BANQUET ROYALE
There were people every where the eye could see. Men, women, and children. And behind the people moving about were restaurants, businesses, homes, apartment buildings, and merchants trying to sell their wares. They sold food, clothing jewelry, antiques that didn't look like anything that anyone in the right mind would buy. Somehow, little Scott Brennan was supposed to find the meat vendor. (And he is little. At 16 only 5"1)
Somehow his coat had got caught on a nail and he tripped and fell on his face. People turned around and laughed at him. His face felt hot with embarrassment. He stood up, shook the dust from his jet black hair, rubbed his steel grey eyes and started walking again. It was strange. No matter how careful he tried to be, he ended up on his face. Scott walked on, but turned around as he heard a voice he recognized.
"Scott! Hey short man! Come here!" the voice called.
"Kiro?" Scott asked.
"Yeah! Who else calls you short man?" Kiro asked matter-of-fact type of tone. "I have a question to ask. You know how my parents sent me to the Ishcka Garden to train in the military right? We're having a banquet for the graduates this year. And since my parents are dead, and I have to bring someone, I want to know if you want to come," he asked Scott.
"Well, if you show me to the meat vendor, and help me find my way home as I can't find anything in this city, I'll ask my grandpa." Scott said.
"Alright, but you have to dress in an outfit of a fighter of the past. And I've got the best thing. A MAGE! You're the perfect size and shape."
"But, didn't mages destroy things with their magic?"
"Yeah, but it would be cool. And we've got mage staves at the academy. It'll be the coolest. And you have a Mage's robe at your house, so the costume will be complete." Kiro said enthusiastically.
"Alright, alright." Scott agreed. The two boys walked to the meat vendor (it was just around the corner). When they got back to Scott's house his grandpa said "look at the news," so the two sat down with Scott's grandpa.
"Early today, Elites were sent to Billney from Timar. It seems that they want Billney's pledge of allegiance. Local authorities have reported thousands of casualties, and now Billney has three days to pledge their allegiance, or be destroyed. But not easily. A young girl managed to knock an Elite off of his feet with some sort of weapon. She may be working with the Night Hawks, or on her own. But nevertheless, citizens of Tarrato are urged to be careful. As the neighboring city to Billney, this may be the outcome." A picture of Billney in ruins was shown.
"Umm, Grandpa, I know this isn't the best time to ask, but Kiro has invited me to come to the Graduation Banquet in Ishcka Garden. Can I go? There are a lot of trained soldiers there and I'll be safe no matter what. Please?" Scott asked hopefully.
"Why not. You will be protected and you should have a good time," Scotts grandpa said.
"Yeah! Awesome! Thanks grandpa! You're the best!" Scott said excitedly. "I'll have a good time, so don't worry," he said. "Anyway, Kiro's gonna be there, and he's been trained to fight so I'll be protected."
"Kiro, what weapon have you been trained with anyway?" Scotts grandpa asked.
"Pole arms and spears, so I can block weapons. It's a good strategy my trainer told me, so Scott will be fine."
Scott and Kiro got ready; washed their faces, showered, put on their costumes and got ready. But before they could walk out the door, Scotts grandpa asked, "Kiro, where's your spear. I thought you carried it."
"Nope, cadets are only supposed to use their weapons in the Garden, and we're... not supposed to leave the Garden either, but I really wanted Scott to come," he said when Scotts grandpa gave him a strange look when Kiro said the cadets weren't supposed to leave the Garden. He heaved a sigh, shook his head and said, "Go have fun."
Kiro told Scott about what would be happening at the graduation ceremony. "There's gonna be the Ceremony, then we eat dinner, the trainers and instructors will say a few words about each of the students, the students say some words, then the graduates perform a fight from what they learned," Kiro listed, " then they ask a spectator to battle them."
"But, isn't that dangerous?" Scott asked.
"No, if you're careful it's not. The graduates go very easy, they don't try at all. It's mostly instruction, but if a cadet is asked to battle, then the fight is real. We don't use real weapons, they're wood copies." Kiro said.
"Sounds awesome. How far do we have to go 'till we get there?" Scott asked.
"A couple more blocks and then we'll be there," Kiro said. Even though Scott doubted what Kiro said, the two boys made it to Ischka Garden.
When they entered, all Scott could do was gawk at the surroundings. The place was huge! There were gardens with amazing plants, the likes of Scott had never even dreamed of. There were two enormous staircases leading left and right. Scott was about to ask where they lead to, but Kiro answered before he asked.
"The staircase on the left goes to the dormitories and breakfast hall. There's also weapon storage there, but you can't get in without a key card. Only the Captain and Lieutenants have key cards. Scott was about to walk towards the central hall, but Kiro grabbed him by the arm hard. "Don't walk there!" he commanded.
"Why not?" Scott asked.
"There's a laser sensor here at the door. If a biotic mass passes through it, the alarms sound. We have to walk over to the Voice Identification System. We call it the V.I.S," Kiro explained. He walked over to the V.I.S and spoke into it saying: " Kiro Sagato Cadet number one six seven." as soon as he finished, the doors opened in front of them automatically.
Scott thought to himself, if the I thought the outside was impressive, I must have been out of my mind. This place is gorgeous! Kiro could tell by Scotts look he was impressed.
"I'm sorry I pulled you back like that, it's just that the walls surrounding the doors are made of thick glass. When I first came here I actually made the alarms sound." Scott laughed when Kiro finished his story.
"Anyway, the staircase on the right leads to the training room. And the equipment room has our helmets, padding and stuff like that. Oh! There's Captain Zyltos," Scott saw the man that Kiro was talking about. " Captain Zyltos, I would like to introduce you to my friend Scott Brennan. Not that you hadn't noticed, but he's come dressed as a Mage. And I was wondering if we could get him a Mage's Staff to complete his costume, cause he wants to get the feel of it in case he's asked to battle." Scott was bewildered at what Kiro said. He LIED to the Captain.
"I guess so, only if you use it in the training room, because I don't want the other guests to be asking for weapons. Kiro you realize that I'm only doing this because you are a top student here. Do not under any circumstances tell any one I'm letting you do this."
"YES SIR!" Kiro yelled standing upright. As the Captain led them up the left staircase, Scott just realized the stairs were made of glass, and he could see what was going on below him. As the three made it to the top of the stairs, the Captain stood next to another V.I.S. " Captain Zyltos, head of Ischka Garden." Two large doors opened and they walked down the corridor. After turning right and left a few times, they had stopped in front of another door that read:
WEAPON STORAGE
Authorized Staff Only
He slid the key card into the slot and another door opened to reveal a vast room filled to the brim with weapons and interchangeable parts. Captain Zyltos entered, and moments later came out with a staff.
"Kiro, head down to the training room with Scott. I will send Lieutenant Ken to get you before the banquet begins." As he walked off, Kiro told Scott to hide the staff in his robe.
Kiro led him down the staircase, and back up another. Kiro stepped up to another V.I.S and said his name. He led Scott down the hall. There were no turns this time. They found the door (with another V.I.S) and then they walked in. The room was huge.
Kiro grabbed a wooden spear of the wall, and started running towards Scott. By instinct Scott took his staff from under his robe and blocked the attack. "Nice one Scott, but be prepared. Always expect the worst. Someone might come right up behind you or in front unexpectedly. Always hold it in a readied stance. Yeah like that." Scott held it ready.
"Kiro! Scott! Proceed to the Banquet Hall at once," a voice bellowed through the P.A. System.
"Lets go!" Kiro led Scott back towards down the staircase.
"There's the hall." Kiro pointed towards a large room. It was elegant. Large glass chandeliers hung from the ceilings. The candles hanging from them looked like glass. There were long tables set up, and there was a battle arena in the very back.
That must be where the graduates fight, Scott thought to himself. There was also a wall covered in weapons, wood replicas, but still very real.
When everyone was seated Captain Zyltos began to speak.
"Thank you all for coming to this ceremony. The graduates this year are some of the best I've seen ever since I've become Captain of Ischka Garden. The skills and attributes these people possess are amazing. Their battle techniques are original, and they think out their strategies quickly and accordingly. There are some people I would like to say some words for. Klyde Bertrand, an amazing cadet with lots of strength, courage, and will power. This young man is quite powerful and intelligent. His skills are unmatched only by a graduate of two years ago: Taran Wilder, a fine swordsman. With further training his skills may surpass those of young Taran. Lieutenants, if you have something to say to the cadets speak now." The lieutenants each stood up and one after the other with speeches of the other cadets, they spoke. Many people applauded politely at the end of the speeches.
"Now, lets enjoy the banquet!" Captain Zyltos exclaimed to the crowd. Foods Scott had never seen flooded towards the tables on trolleys led by waiters. One of the waiters said some of the food had disappeared. Scott found this funny, and fought to stop himself from laughing. Kiro grabbed lots of food, piled some on his plate, and then Scotts. They began eating, and listening to many conversations. Some about the food, parents bragging about their children, some saying their children will soon join the academy. Scott and Kiro finished their food quickly, and decided to pay a visit to Klyde. Kiro stepped up to him first.
"Hi, Klyde? Ummm... I just want to say that even though I don't know you very well, you set a good example for the rest of the cadets here at Ischka. I hope one day to be as strong as you."
"Well thank you. I never really thought that I was setting an example." Scott and Kiro sat with him and talked about weapons and battle strategies.
"I walked by the training room when you and your friend were fighting," he looked over at Scott and said: "the way you blocked the spear like that was quite amazing. With training, you could get really good. Oh can't talk now, gotta prepare my speech." With that Klyde walked off. A few minutes later he was standing in front of the audience.
"I would like to start by saying thank you to my parents who allowed me to come to Ischka Garden. I have learned many fine arts of battle. As told by Captain Zyltos, I favour the sword. Without the teachings of the Lieutenants, I wouldn't be here graduating with the rest of my fellow cadets. It is an honor to graduate under such fine tutelage that Ishcka Garden has to offer. Thank you all for the opportunity to say what is in my heat in the ways of gratitude." At the end of his speech, everyone applauded.
As he left the podium, the captain stepped up and said "Now it is time for the graduates to show their newfound battle techniques!" the graduates left the table and proceeded towards the arena for battle. Scott and Kiro, followed by many guests, made their way towards the spectator bleachers.
"First to battle will be Klyde Bertrand and Dave Feldrich."
The two men bowed to each other, and the battle began. Klyde started with an all out attack, and forced Dave on the defense.
Dave thrust his Bo outwards to hit Klyde in the side. He had scored a hit, but Klyde quickly brushed it off, and charged forwards. He swung his sword to the side brought it down and... CRACK! Dave had brought the Bo up just in time to block, and swept the ground to trip Klyde, but he wasn't quick enough. Klyde had quickly jumped into the air and kicked the Bo out of Dave's hand and caught it. The battle was over.
"The victor, Klyde!" Applause erupted from the bleachers. It was now Klydes chance to pick an opponent. It was very surprising when he chose Kiro to battle. He beckoned for him to come forwards.
Kiro stood in front of him with his wooden spear. They bowed, then Kiro put Klyde into the defense. Kiro brought the spear from his side and thrust it in towards Klyde. Klyde had easily blocked it then slashed. A large cracking sound meant the weapons had connected. Klyde seemed to have gotten bored with the fight, as he was barely trying.
I think I'll wake him up, Kiro thought to himself with a grin on his face. He stopped dead in his tracks, met the gaze of Scott, then jumped high into the air. The onlookers let out calls of intrigue. Klyde appeared to be puzzled as to what Kiro was trying to do. Then he shot down towards Klyde at an amazingly high speed. Kiro had come down on the wooden sword breaking it in half. He had won. As he came down from the arena, he looked back at Klyde who had a sneer on his face, then quickly looked away.
Before Captain Zyltos could say anything, the doors blasted apart. People screamed and hid under the tables. The graduates quickly gathered up the spectators and took them to the bomb shelters close by.
Scott had been trampled by the people trying to get out of the way. Scott was expecting to see a tank, or a cannon. But the only thing there was a woman. She couldn't have done that, could she? He thought to himself that a woman with no weapon of sort could do this. She stepped forwards and looked right at Scott.
"Water Card! Envelope this boy and bring him to me!" she screamed, and as she did water flew from a card and hurled itself towards Scott.
"Nooo!" Kiro ran towards the woman and hit her with his spear(real one not the wooden replica). She cried out in pain as blood issued from the wound. The water had disappeared.
"Light Card! Heal my wound!" Light flew around her and the wound closed itself. But now the Captain and the Lieutenants had surrounded her and began firing rounds of bullets. She disappeared saying "I'll get you next time. You can't hide! Hahahahahaha!" The cackle made Scott shudder. Things became blurry, he couldn't see. He blacked out.
"Are you sure he is the one? How could you tell?"
"I felt a strange aura emanating from him. It was strange. The staff he held, it was de-activated. I knew because it didn't give him powers. But his sudden surge of emotion re-activated the power. Almost like the power of Trance. Only he could do that. He is definitely the one we've been looking for."
"Is he like the girl who had escaped?"
"No. Different auras. One soft and methodical, the other tough and unreliable."
"We don't have many chances. We have to find them soon."
