Author's Note: Here's chapters 3 & 4 to keep people occupied until I get the next few written
Chapter 3
A grand social event had been arranged to celebrate the marriage of Dzhura, Jaden's opponent in his final trial, to a house Princess. As not only a fellow House royal, but as a Warrior of high rank, Jaden Korr received his invitation in good time, along with a period of leave to recruit replacements for those either lost to battle or retirement. Jaden Korr had already thought about adopting Balthamos into the unit before training him as an apprentice. But first Jaden had to attend the wedding celebration; such were the trappings of rank, especially as Jaden had remained as introverted as he was in his youth. Large social events were not to his liking, he was more suited to small encounters with fewer people. During the actual ceremony, the lavender eyed house prince kept catching glimpses of a golden haired beauty sitting near the front of the Temple. Just who was this beauty who kept floating in and out of his life?
All through the ceremony, Jaden found himself paying less and less attention to the actual ceremony and more and more time looking at the golden haired noble at the front of the temple. Also catching his gaze was his soon to be pupil, Balthamos, who was seated a row or two behind this beauty....
As a former pupil, Dzhura was permitted to use the great hall of the fighter's academy for an occasion such as this. As such, celebratory dances were conducted beneath carvings of martial exploits and sacred weapons, graduation presents for former masters. Once the guests had settled into their seats, Jaden approached the young Balthamos with the offer to join the Lúcar with a view to becoming his apprentice. As the two warriors discussed terms and future missions, the golden haired noble observed from a distance...
Jaden Korr had barely begun to educate Balthamos in the running of a unit when a distress call was received from the outermost colony in Laicaryn space, one hundred and ninety one colonists dead in a surprise attack from the forces of the Creator Empire. Deep Space satellites showed the scale of the attack force to be far beyond the scope for a single unit, even one as gifted as the Lúcar. At the request of his Father, fast approaching retirement from public affairs. Jaden was selected to lead the counter attack. Hours were spent consulting with his protégé concerning attack methods and tactics. Balthamos would lead the rear attack whilst Jaden would coordinate the main assault. Warp jumps lead Jaden's cruiser the Emerald Fire to the beleaguered colony, arriving with weapons charged, scanners selecting targets. At first his force seemed outnumbered as the Creator Warships fired salvos of energy beams ripping through space towards the Fire, only for Jaden's ship to return a surprising amount of fire. The main Creator Warship suffered massive damage and began to fall towards the Colony planet. As Balthamos' attack group reverted to real space, Jaden personally led his craft to the surface, ready to face this attack in hand to hand. Challenges were sent to the leader of this attacking force but without reply. With Balthamos in control, Jaden took the fight to his enemy...
As the Fire set down and her soldiers disembarked to begin the ground assault, a horrific sight waited to welcome them. Humanoids of varied forms and sizes flooded towards them, some sporting no more than sharp claws and monstrous strength, others firing energy beams from their shoulders. At the rear, a lone demonic figure stood wielding a long scepter, directing his troops. The Lúcar swept into the enemy ranks, firing bolts of energy to cut down their foes while Jaden Korr danced through the Zoanoid ranks like a knife through butter, his Tjúr Blade slicing through chitinous hide, ever closing on the demon leading these beasts. Balthamos' victory blazed across the skies as Jaden found himself face to face with the Zoalord Dazark. That wicked scepter crashed down towards the Laicaryn General, crashing into the ground where he had once stood. Jaden flipped through the air, black mesh armour speckled with dust from the impact, until he landed on both feet with his blade held in a mid guard. Dazark lunged, only to be met with the cold blade against his fingers, severing several. The Zoalord howled in pain and rage as Jaden hefted his weapon one handed and launched it like a javelin. The black platinum blade slid into the gaping maw of the beast, slicing into flesh and piercing the brain. Cries of agony fell hollow as blood seeped from around the blade, the giant demon slumping to his knees. The lavender eyed General stepped forward and wrenched his weapon from the beast's mouth, twisting as he did so to remove the head. The Laicaryn had survived the first assault of the Creator's...
In the days following his return home, Jaden was rarely found anywhere but the secluded beach which he owned. This had become Jaden's private sanctuary, his training ground, his escape from the pressures of his life. A monolith of Black granite stood tall in the serene sands, seeming out of place to a passerby but once a soul had sat and watched the sunrise around this tower of cold stone, the world seemed a beautiful place.
A festival had been organized for two main reasons. Firstly to celebrate the retirement of Janus, the father of Jaden, as he stepped down from two centauries of civic leadership. Secondly, this celebration was to congratulate the returning warriors on their victory. As heroes, the two commanding officers were awarded with promotions, before their due time. Jaden Korr was promoted to the rank of High General while Balthamos was awarded command of the Lúcar
As the band struck up, Jaden crossed the dance floor towards the girl who had been haunting his dreams.
"Most beautiful of ladies, may I have this dance?" The Laicaryn General bowed his head, partly to hide the blush in his cheeks "I would be honoured if you would accept Lady...?"
"The lady Tinuviel would gladly accept such an offer from the heroic Jaden Korr" she said as she took his extended hand before being swept onto the dance floor. The tall slender warrior slid his agile frame through the steps of the popular dance of the time, his breath taking partner matching his steps with her eloquent movements, golden hair shimmering in the pale light, blue eyes sparkling when she looked at him. Only one thing marred the moment, the chilling glare from Balthamos...
Sun was setting across the sand and the ocean waves as Tinuviel sat watching Jaden train, trying to perfect a new technique: the Kzárk Strike. His blade had just clashed against the black granite when a messenger strode into view, bearing a ritual challenge for the rights of marriage...