"You boys are such a pain!"
In the bright and heavenly majestic hallways in the Tower of Strength, where the academe is situated, a loud and angry echo vibrates through the school halls. It was from the Prefect of Discipline's Office as its very own Disciplinary Head, Sir Kandor, one of the most terrifying headmasters to both students and teachers alike, crosses his arms and shouts on the two scared and intimidated eleven-year old student Earthlings.
"I'm sorry—" Eric explains as he and Ray's lower their head down.
"Silence, Lyndon!" Kandor cuts him off as he glares at Ray, "Mr. Bartholomew! You once again pranked one of our very own teachers! And this time you have gone too far by using your powers as well! What can you say for yourself?!" Kandor yells at him as he shows an arrow with a sticking-rubber arrowhead.
"Sir, it was just only a friendly snipe shot…" Ray explains confidently as he also feels his pressure. He was used to being the clown of the class. His jokes and noticeable pranks on others lead him more than five times in Kandor's office. "…I was –umm—practicing my hundred meter mark—"
"On a teacher?!"
"Umm—not exactly?" Ray replies as he shrugs his shoulders off.
Kandor grunts and turns to a depressed and teary-eyed Eric. It was his first time being scolded in such a horrifying way which terrifies him the most.
"And you Lyndon?! You have the highest number of tardiness in the history of this academe! And what drives my anger at you the most is the teachers reported about you sleeping during their class!"
The younger and immature Eric sniffs as he wipes his tears off from his eyes and bravely replies. "I-I'm not m-magical to relieve my tiredness…"
"So you think it's an excuse for you, since you're not magical, to do what you want to do? Is that it?!" Kandor moderately shouts at the crying and demoralized Eric.
"Sir, I think you should understand Eric's limited—" Ray bravely tries to explain on behalf of his quiet and depressed friend.
"What did you say?!" he then turns his gruff face on Ray and cuts him off
"Nothing sir…Just defending him that's all." Ray then slightly moves his head away as he mumbles to himself.
Kandor then grunts and stands back away from them and a long tension of silence comes in between them as he tries to calm himself down. He once again crosses his arms and looks at them as he thinks of the next words to say. "I thought the nephew of the Oswyn and a student of Yan Lin would be great and model students to this academe, yet I was wrong then. I am greatly disappointed on you both."
"W-We're not what you think of." Ray, once again, blurts out as a tear flows down to his cheeks.
"Then prove me wrong then." he then snaps his fingers as a door appears on the other side of the white and bright wall. "You're dismissed and I'm aware that you boys learned your lesson. I'm certain that we won't meet again like this…"
(During Issue 10: Cornelia and Will on front of Cornelia's home)
"Lyndon?! Bartholomew?!" Jolras shouts as he points at Eric and Ray in a sudden high temper. "These two are the Vanguards? Why didn't you tell me Vathek, that the new roster of the Vanguards, are these students of yours?!"
"Didn't I tell you Kandor?" Vathek explains. "When the previous Vanguard gone, Lyndon is now the new Atlas, and with him are Bartholomew and Ashcroft."
"No! I would have thought Endarno would pick out some other being from outer space who would be capable to handle the Sixth Legion! This is unbelievable!" he comments out as he finally rests and dies his anger down in long yet painful silence.
"You should calm down." Caleb says as he approaches Jolras. "I don't know what kind of relationship you both have, but you must recognize, Jolras, their great contributions to the Rebellion Army. They have fought a miraculous fight at the Battle of the Old Palace and also held 'Pasture Heights' and 'Calluna Fort'—"
"Yes, yes, yes! I know that reports already." Jolras cuts him off and starts to calm down. He then sternly observes the frail and young but experienced Vanguards. "To be honest, it's actually unexpected and surprising to see how such troublemakers in the academe could turn out to be fine legionates."
Eric and Ray bashfully crooks a shying smile in their faces from such a compliment from their former prefect. "Sir—we—" Eric stutters to reply.
"Anyway, let us now start this meeting with a roll call and introduction to our key individuals…" Jolras suddenly says in a clear and loud voice as he clears his throat. "We have the leader of the 'Old Ruins' and the Third Corps, Lt. Caleb." He checks again as he glances on the paper on front of him. "We also have the leader of the newly created Fourth Corps back in the 'Old Palace', Vathek. Then we have the leaders and trainers from 'Pasture Heights', Lyndon and Bartholomew and—who is this leader of 'Calluna Fort' Ignitus? Is he here?"
"Nigel—Ashcroft, I mean, is not here as of the moment sir." Ray explains. "We'll tell the assignment to him when we get back to Earth."
"I will too." Grantaire hisses. "Since I too am a trainer there"
"I see. I hope Ashcroft's hot-headedness will be of good use." Jolras side comments. "And myself Jolras, head of the Rebellion Army in Meridian, the 'Sanctuary' and the Second Corps. Since Commander Lamarcus, is not here with us today, I'll be in charge of this meeting today."
Jolras then proceeds to the table where the flat map of Meridian is displayed with a few tabletop pieces scattered over the board. "First of all, as you well know, the coronation of Princess Elyon is now only five days from now."
"Only four days from now?" Grantaire asks suddenly. "And I thought it's only a week from now, or was it because I was still prison to long that I missed a day?"
"Not at all, it should be a week from now as announced before, yet the people are impatient. They want the Light of Meridian already crowned immediately." Jolras explains. "Just to be sure since everyone is here, are we sure that she favors us than Phobos? We rejected our previous goal to establish a democratic system because we risked everything to the foresaid prophecy. You do know if she sided with Phobos, the worst might come to us."
"I think we could trust her." Caleb replies. "She may be confused at first, but because of the Sixth Legion's and my help, I think she knows and understands where her place is."
"She even went to the 'Old Palace' to rescue her adoptive parents, to whom she considers traitors at first." Vathek explains.
"And a while ago, she even vanished that cruel prison and started to stop a soldier from beating a prisoner." Miriadel explains. "I think my daughter knows where her heart should be."
"Fair enough, so I trust you all on this." Jolras replies as he nods his head as he takes a pile of paper from his hands from the table. "Our next problem would be Phobos then. According to Gjhoel's intel from Lyndon here, it is possible that Phobos has something cunning behind his back. As if he wouldn't just relinquish his crown on Elyon. Would you continue this matter to them Gjhoel?"
"Sure thing." Grantaire says. "As I said, Atlas has told me about what Zagan told to Atlas' colleague—Nigel about how Zagan did not recognize her as the princess or her new queen. This is implying that Phobos truly does not care for Elyon whatsoever. Also, a few weeks ago, I was caught and imprisoned when I discovered out another powerful army created by Phobos himself to finally defeat the uprising rebels ion the day of Elyon's coronation ceremony."
"More dangerous than his Whisperers?" Caleb asks with concern.
"Worse." Grantaire replies. "He called them the 'Annihilators', more magical than Phobos' soldiers and his Whisperers, who are powerfully and pyrokinetically able. If I were to describe it, his new army could even burn Meridian to the ground!"
The leaders of the room suddenly gasp and mumble to each other about the worrying news and new information. "What a disgrace! So this means Phobos has no intent to handover the crown to Elyon and has plans to extinguish us completely on the day of the coronation!" Jolras anxiously and disappointingly says. "You think our rebels can take them down?"
"If our men were legionates such ourselves and Atlas, we could." Grantaire replies. "We need extra help."
"We can call on the Guardians for help." Alborn suggest. "They saved me Miriadel and I from the scuttlers. Besides, even Elyon is friends with them. Why not call them for help again and maybe this time they could bring Phobos down?"
"Hear!" "Hear!" "Hear!" the leaders yell in agreement as they nod to each other to Alborn's suggestion
"Very well, if the rebel leaders agree, then I will too." Jolras declares the turns to Grantaire. "Atlas Lyndon, would you mind tell Galgheita about what we have discussed here?"
"I will sir…" Eric replies.
"Yet do you know when and where during the day of her coronation would Phobos make his move." Vathek asks Grantaire.
"All I know is the day, not the time nor the place." Grantaire explains. "Nor did I know Phobos' actual plans."
"Then we should be ready when that time comes on that day." Miriadel says. "Do we have a plan?"
"I do actually." Jolras says as he looks unto the table map as he drags a small piece to the north of the map. "First of, I just received news this morning from an informant that General Brujon, the leader traitor legionates and one of the top cronies of Phobos, has surrendered to Commander Lamarcus and his Imperial First Corps. His Corps, only a mile away from the north, plans to enter Meridian through the northern gate by surprise."
"Well that's good to hear." Alborn replies. "So all we have to do is provide an opening for them to enter?"
"Exactly." Jolras replies. "But at the same we must also defend ourselves from a probable Meridian Army attack. My probable solution is a simultaneous offensive counter-attack. " He says as he rearranges the tabletop pieces across the map.
"The coronation and celebration will be held at the Meridian Plaza near the 'Old Ruins'. It is likely that most of Phobos' men will largely appear in the coronation and also where they will make their first move. Our synchronized battle will begin when Caleb will start his counter-attack against them." He says as he drags three pieces along the map on the said location.
"You mean I have to handle the most of Phobos' men at the Plaza?" Caleb suddenly asks.
"Third Corps, Fourth Corps and the 'Calluna' men, will all be spearheaded by you, lieutenant." Jolras explains. "Since the Guardians will be joining the fight, I'm sure that's more of a reinforced army for you."
"I'll do my best sir." Caleb replies.
"Before Phobos will make his move, I want the 'Heights'' men to move and secure a good position on the Cadavigo Hill, where the Dungeon Rock was. Are you listening Lyndon, I think you might fall asleep again." He sternly says at him.
"Y-Yes sir!" Eric says then he annoyingly hits his elbow at Ray who hides a slight chuckle to himself to the joke.
"Ever since that prison was placed, our rebel movements have been followed. Since it's now gone and vulnerable, we must take the hill to take into our advantage." Jolras explains. "I want you boys to secure your lines on that hilltop to first, inform me about the enemy positions so I may be able to plan out the attacks and second, to hold out your position and never let the enemy retake the hill." He says as he places the piece on the board.
"And if that hill falls on enemy hands…" Eric says anxiously.
"Then our war and the plan will be lost. But you don't have to worry, you have my guidance." Jolras explains as he draws another piece across the board. "My Second Corps will help you handle the hill, once we take the position I will now proceed to northern gate to open up for the Imperial Corps. If I succeed on opening up the gates, then it's a clear win for us. Lamarcus will relieve and reinforce Caleb's united corps, Lyndon's and the other front lines, so by that time then hold on to your positions."
"Yes sir."
