Lexiana Acosta: Chapter Ten

Five years ago when I was fifteen the war started when our Emperor, the good Daxian Pavus was murdered by the brutish Green Emperor Arman Kaiser. Two weeks after his death our country is now in a full period of mourning. His body has yet to be returned to the city. So he can have a proper funeral so the royal family can cremate him to send his ashes into the sky.

I saw him on multiple occasions. I was with my father and older sister at the festival of burning. We were helping to prepare for the festival by creating our scarecrow effigy. The grand Vulkanian square was full of people and dragons building their own effigies for the mass bonfire. As we were building it all of a sudden Emperor Daxian was there with his son Prince Elias and Princess Regina. It was a pleasant surprise for all of us. He said hello to me and shook my hand, it was a real honour. I was a little girl and from then on I fell in love with the royal family…

The other time I saw him he was at an orphanage giving toys and food to the children who could not afford any. Our poor have always been better taken off in our country thanks to the royal family. We do not see our Empress as much due to her ruling the country as she is the main ruler. Same with her heir and eldest child Prince Salvador. They have all the fun Senate and political matters to attend to. Everyone knows it would have been the Emperors idea to have a peace treaty with our old enemy.

The Emperor went to Mille Voix for a peace treaty to give an olive branch of peace to build a future with them. To officially end a rival hostility that we have had with them for thousands of years. It was to be a historic occasion. But instead of peace with bells. It was the haunting bells of a royal death and an incoming war.

Arman Kaiser the leader of such a nation mocked him and he used his Great War hammer and smashed it into his chest. The town criers were very detailed of how these reports were given. So much so the Empress decreed for the town criers not to be so brutally detailed about her husband's death. I don't blame her… You can only hear of it so many times. Once Arman Kaiser killed our Emperor he immediately fled back to his home like the coward he is. He wanted to show how powerful he was… By killing a man who was not a skilled fighter and then fleeing. The man is a monster… There is even worse controversy that the King and Queen of Mille Voix have a part of his murder. Arman Kaiser escaped far too easy from their nation, of which they will be questioned.

The city and country were now in full chaos… Everyone was scrambling and the war machine has begun. Gear and machines are now being built at fast speeds. Those who once could not find a job can now easily find one. The soldiers have been summoned from around our country to fight and now can be seen training in all of our old fighting pits and race tracks. I was applying for jobs as a handmaiden now there are so many other job opportunities that I can try and do. Gear maker, miner, seamstress, blacksmith, cook, healer… So many things.

I walked in to see my father who has become more receptive over the past few weeks. He can move his head side to side and mumble a few words. Like "Hi, yer, nuh," and chuckle a bit. His burns and limbs are slowly repairing, but he has a very long way to go. I oiled his burns and tried to have a conversation with him. We told him what happened to our emperor and he tried his hardest not to cry. After all, he is physically injured not stupid, he still remembers everything… At least I hope he does.

Before the accident father said wished that he worked for him as he heard that he treats his miners with kindness and respect. But he did not need any more workers… So he had to make do with RVM which stands for the Red, Volcanic Miners. Those who work in dangerous conditions such as mining in the heart of the volcano. Which is Lahar the smallest out of the three volcanos and is the one that is the most active. All to get the most dangerous and volatile metal red draconium to make weapons and who knows what else.

Mother insists that I should never work in that environment if I took a job like that. I will probably be killed by my own family before any real accidents happen from there. Once I oiled my father's wounds, my mother comes in with a new set of bandages. She would have been a great healer if she didn't become a teacher. She wraps his arms and legs with such grace and ease. While she was tending to him I decided to head to the kitchen where Jamil was sitting at the window.

"What are you doing sunshine?"

She turns around and looks at me. "Why did the Green Emperor do this? What do you think will happen if the Green Empire wins? Will we be Green then? Will all of our draconium turn green like theirs? Please be honest." By looking at her she wants a serious answer. Knowing her she would have asked mum and she probably gave her a short and soft answer. I sat next to her near the window and grabbed her hand. I tucked in her small bits of black hair behind her ears as they always stick out.

"Well… From our history, we have always had wars with the Green Empire. We have had at least two hundred wars against them big and small. Most of the time we can't even remember what we even fought over… But it usually ended with the Gold Empire enforcing a truce. We were once under Gold Draconium rule until we declared our independence and they allowed it as long as they knew what was going on. Same with Green, though many have said that the Gold Empire regretted letting them go as they have caused so much political disarray over the years. If the war got completely out of hand, the Golden Army will show up. They had double the armies, more allies and resources than what both of our Empire's did. It was not worth going against them. They were immensely powerful, Star dragons, golden priests and soldiers who knew the ancient magic. "

Jamil looks at me. She has not yet learned any of this as she thinks history is a boring subject. But I try my hardest to explain everything to her as our history is very complicated.

"However this time, Arman Kaiser who leads Green murdered one of our leaders. That has never been done before by the Green Empire… Even worse when it was meant to be a peaceful gathering. Usually, they are held at Dragon City's Golden Palace, but since the Black Empire rules that region now. It had to be hosted somewhere else which was Mille Voix. Which was a controversial choice but then there was no other choice to be a neutral ground since they were the only ones happy to accommodate the occasion. This time both of our nations have no Gold Empire to rely on as they were destroyed years ago. Same with our old allies White and Light Green. White has decided to remain quiet over the years, to be their country and Light Green has been occupied by the Black Empire. Brown I believe will fight with us. However, this war will not be like any other war… I highly doubt that we will lose, but it will be harder fought and nastier. To answer your other question if we did lose, yes they will occupy us and the royal family and nobles will lose everything. However, our Draconium will never turn Green… As green draconium becomes brittle after a while and it breaks in extreme temperatures…"

I hope she understood what I said, it is a very heavy subject. The only way to win this long-lasting rivalry once and for all is to kill their Emperor and incarcerate their royal family. Jamil gets off her seat and jumps onto my lap. I kissed her forehead and perfected her hair. While I was holding her I was gathering my thoughts. What are we to do…? We are in the main capital we are in no way in danger anytime soon. I only made myself paranoid… Probably paranoid my sister as well but it is the way it is…

I hear mother coming into the room she seems happier now that dad is slowly mending. I smile at her as she smiles back. Jamil still smiling and I quickly blew a raspberry on her cheek.

"STOP! I'm too old for that now!" She chuckles in annoyance.

I admitted I was sad when she said that I got to remind myself that she isn't so little anymore. So instead I tickled her on the sides and she giggles uncontrollably. "You will never grow up! You will always be my little sister!" and I blew a raspberry on her face again. She laughs and my mother happily stared at us as we played and mucked around on the floor.

Mother looks at us in joy. It has been such a long time since I have seen her smile in such a way. "Take Jamil outside and try to have some fun. Jamil has been in this house for far too long…"

"You heard mum sunshine lets go outside" I gently lifted her off my lap and we quickly left the house. We both wondered around the streets for a while as everyone is busy working their trade. I have never seen the streets so busy. The smells of all the city forges and smokes can be smelt even from far away. The noises have becomes three times louder with many dragons and people rushing through the streets on errands. I have never seen the city so busy on a normal day…

As we wandered through the streets I had a spur of the moment thought to go to our old fighting pits. It has been a long time since I have been there. The fighting pits were once used to entertain the masses. It was for the people and dragons to fight for valour or a trial by combat. Fighting to the death for entertainment was outlawed seven hundred years ago by Empress Elvia. She deemed it too violent and unnecessary for our people to find such crass entertainment. It was a struggle to abandon the practice and she lost many of her supporters, but she managed to retain her crown. Thanks for her idea to race the dragons instead as a more "Peaceful" solution. The fighting pits eventually became a monument of our history. We went to the nearest one which is one of the smaller fighting pits. It was a horrible looking place that looked like it hasn't been maintained. Unlike the large Colosseum near the volcanic palace, this one was a basic hole in the ground with a small wall around it. There are no seats but if you get a front seat you have the best bird's eye view of the arena.

Keeping the pits have actually come in handy since all of the soldiers and recruits are now training in the pits since there is no more room in the barracks. As I looked down there were two soldiers fighting hand to hand combat. By looking at their dark red decorative armour they were higher ranked than your basic soldier. And as they fought I can see their general looking at their fighting form as she was shouting commands at the soldiers fighting. She was giving tips to improve their techniques as they fought. She was carrying a large helmet that was shaped like a flame with a black visor. But what I admit what got my attention was huge scars across her face… This older warrior has truly seen some battles. Her voice was also so powerful and loud that you can hear everything she says perfectly.

One of the soldiers yielded and they quickly pulled him back, the other soldier just walked back and sat on the ground next to his other soldiers. The fight was quickly over. Then the general takes to the middle of the arena and requests a soldier to fight against her. By listening to her loud voice this soldier was being cocky as the other two soldiers fought. I can hear many of the soldiers laugh and giggle down there. The soldier was quickly pushed out towards her. To my own surprise, it was a dragon. He had only the basic leather strapped armour which surrounded his chest and back. The dragon is double her size and had a full-fledged bonemark on his head. Like many of our countries dragons they are red and two-legged with long tails. The dragon roared at her and she just kept a serious face.

She put on her helmet and prepared a fighting stance. She had no weapons, no nothing. All of a sudden a mag stream came out from the both of them! Draconium energy collided and they were both at a standoff. Dragons use magnetic energy as a normal power, however, humans like us only have that power if they are trained for it.

The dragon was giving everything that he got. While the general was using her left hand and is using the power effortlessly. I also noticed as she was using her powers she restrained from using her right hand. She is very experienced and the power just streams out of her even without dragon assistance. Eventually after a few minutes the dragons mag power died out and her powers quickly hit into him. This power pushed him into the wall of the fighting pit, causing a crack into the wall of the pit. The mag energy is physical and when the power is used it can connect to living being or objects. The general used her mag powers to push him into the wall. He was alive and luckily not badly injured.

"You see my soldiers! No matter what you are human or dragon… Never underestimate your opponent! Because you have no idea what they could be capable of! Now all of you get cleaned up we will train later!"

"She's remarkable isn't she?"

Jamil and I quickly turned around. It was a soldier who is watching the fight training as we were. He had a long face, orange hair with a beard and has bright green eyes. He definitely was not young he looked like he was in his forties.

He was wearing the armour similar to her. The dark red colours with orange intricate flame designs. The armour covered all of his body except his head of which he was carrying the helmet in his left arm. His long black cape blowing in the gentle breeze. What got my attention was the flame sigil of our Empire on his left breast, it glows bright red in contrast to his dark armour. It must have been hot in that armour as it was a warm day.

"She does… Who is she?" I was genuinely curious. I have never seen her around and she definitely does not show herself as one of the court or royal guards.

"Her name is Vatren Eldig" He smiles at me and Jamil. He expects to know who she is and I certainly do. She is a dragon priestess of fire, one of the most powerful people in the country. There is little left of the fire priesthood after the war fifteen years ago. Many of them were killed or they betrayed us during the separatist and Black Draconium uprising. We know of the names of the priests but we do not know what they look like. It has been heard that they do travel amongst the people, they just don't brag about their abilities. By looking at the armour sets they are not wearing their Red Draconum priest garments that are usually required for a priest. They are still remaining low key even after all these years…

"Are you a priest as well sir?" I asked him nicely. His armour is similar to Vatren's so I just thought I ask.

"Why yes little ladies… I am… But shhh I don't want too many to people or dragons to find out we are outside of the volcano." He smiles at us but it looks sad, he is faking the smile. By looking at him he has such a soft presence, it is nothing like Vatren's. But hearing his soft voice he could be an excellent singer. It looked like he was about to leave us when I blurted out a question that I have always wondered.

"How do you become a priest? No readings or anyone I know doesn't really know how to become one." He looked genuinely surprised and he smiles at me and my sister again. "You become a soldier and you will be chosen if your records or deeds seem worthy of the job". Well, that certainly sounds simple enough. I know every priesthood varies from country to country. But ours sounds harder to get into than the others.

The man quickly farewelled us as he said that he had to finish his errands and head back to his barracks. It was a quick and random encounter, but I had no idea what effect that will have on me. I quickly turned back and saw Jamil still looking into the pit. The soldiers have come back to train some more and this time they have started to train with weapons. Vatren was back and this time she carried a huge spear with her. She looked up and saw me and my sister still here watching. She raised her hand as a hello when she saw us. Jamil was too shy but I returned the wave.

They began the weapon drills when we were suddenly interrupted by loud bells. The bells are tolling again… What for this time? There was a huge crowd of people and dragons starting to form on the street. The soldiers from the pit began to scramble out as quickly as they could in military formation. Vatren, however, used both of her hands and used mag energy to push herself out of the pit. Again another skill isn't commonly known amongst the people. She ran so fast no normal human can race after her. It was amazing… I wished I can have power like that.

I grabbed Jamil's hand and told her to keep up with me. Walking down the main street that leads to the palace the crowd really started to build. I found a cart with crates and I quickly lift Jamil on top of it. Some other people had the same idea but they couldn't fit into it. It was us two and a couple of other kids. We managed to get the best view of the street and looking to our left which is the entrance gates of our city.

Looking over I realized what everyone was standing around for. It was so quiet and solemn. The tension could easily be cut with a knife… It was the funeral casket of our Emperor. He is finally back home… Even though his life was taken to soon. His royal guards guiding him to the palace once more for the final time. I could not have imagined how they all felt. They all blood sworn oaths to protect him with their lives and here he is in a coffin and they still breathe. Two red dragons pulled the carriage, decorated in detailed bright red crystal draconium armour. It glowed as if they were on fire themselves. The casket was covered in orange and red fire flowers and the casket has been carved with fire looking designs. It looked beautiful…

Seeing all the guards with all of their heads low and deep in sadness. They were in no rush to take the body to the palace. I hear crying and sobbing around me from the crowd. I tried my hardest not to cry, it was very difficult. I loved him as many others did. It is a long road to the palace and the citizens have all crowded the street curbs in the masses. When the casket passed us we all followed behind it still in quietness and solidarity.

Jamil and I managed to sneak up behind them as close as we could since there are kings guards walking directly behind it. We all walked down the main street for at least an hour until we all reached the palace where we saw the Empress and her family. They all stood outside the volcano palace entrance. Empress Vatra stood out first and foremost, this time she wore long black regalia with dark red flames on the bottom of her dress. Her arms were exposed but she had a black shoal around her arms. Her usual red fire crown has been replaced with a black replica with a red draconium crystal jewel in the middle. Her bright red hair was tied up into a simple bun. The empress was constantly rubbing and holding her large pregnant belly. She must be ready to give birth at any moment… But it is so sad knowing this little princess or prince will never know their father. Her other children stood on her right next to her also wearing similar black and red outfits. Her eldest child Prince Salvador stood next to her, with her middle child Prince Elias and youngest and only daughter Princess Regina. The Empress's dragon Valencia stood on her left wearing her dragon crown.

The Empress walked down the entrance steps with her hand maiden's close behind her. She reached over to his coffin as it reached the bottom of the steps and touched it. It looked like the whole nation had their eyes on her. I could see a few tears streaming down her face. Unlike us, she has the most reason to cry. This was her husband, the father of her children and is well loved by everyone who knew him. He tried to bring friendship to our enemies and instead they bring him death…There was no noise only pure silence. The Empress stared at his coffin for a long time when her children walked down to their mother. I could not hear it but it looked like they tried to comfort her and each other.

After a while, the Empress stood up straight and wiped the tears from her face. She nodded to the guards and they took the casket up the stairs, slowly but carefully they walked through the palace doors. The empress followed but she stopped to face us on top of the stairs. Once they were all fully through the large doors closed behind them. The children returned to their respected formation. The empress lifted her arms up high to make sure she had everyone's attention.

"To all my people in my nation! Today is a sad and solemn day as your Emperor, my husband Daxian Pavus has returned! But not in the way that we hoped… He was a good and honest man. I loved him and we all loved him! He had small beginnings as a baker's boy. Who then opened a mining business in the small city of Ignis. After a while, his mining fortune became blissful and made him wealthy. Of which he shared his newfound wealth with the unfortunate. He got my attention during a racing tournament and after a time we fell in love. My court and family disagreed with my feelings of this man. I could never wed a commoner they said… Especially a one who was a baker's boy. However, Daxian proved everyone wrong… He persisted and never gave up to gain my hand in marriage. He demanded a race with my mother's royal guards… Guards whom he defeated and those same soldiers guarded him till the very end… He was never a fighter but he was smart… He learned how to read and write quicker than everyone else I knew. He was a man of true power and personality… Unlike the old bastard ARMAN KAISER!"

Her speech changed from sombre and sadness to immediate anger… Everyone felt it in the audience. I held Jamil's hand tighter and tighter. All we could do is look up to our Empress to see what else she was going to say.

"ARMAN KAISER! WHO RAN AWAY TO HIS SHITHOLE OF A MOUNTAIN! HE FLEES LIKE A COWARD! HE BELIEVES THAT HE HAS WON A BATTLE! WHAT KIND OF OLD EMPEROR FIGHTS A MAN WHO IS NOT EVEN TRAINED TO FIGHT! HE HAS NO HONOUR! BUT I WILL TELL THE OLD BASTARD THIS! THE WAR IS ONLY BEGINNING AND THIS TIME THERE IS NO GOLD EMPIRE TO SAVE THEM THIS TIME! WE WILL REFORM OUR ARMIES, WE WILL CREATE MACHINES AND GEAR LIKE NEVER BEFORE! HE PAYS FOR HIS SOLDIERS LOYALTY! WITH US WE FIGHT FOR THE LOVE OF OUR COUNTRY AND IT'S PEOPLE! WE WILL NOT BE PUSHED AROUND BY IRONHEADS LIKE HIM! WE WILL FIGHT THEM! WE WILL BURN HIS CITIES AND HIS PALACE! WE WILL TAKE HIM AND HIS FAMILY! HE WILL BE REMINDED THAT HE IS HUMAN AND HE WILL BURN ALONG WITH THE REST OF HIS EMPIRE!"

We all cheered as she shouted in anger! We are all excited. The quietness is gone, it is now replaced with an idea full-on vengeance. We all must play our part in this war to come. It will be a long war and like what everyone else is thinking. WE MUST WIN THIS! WE CANNOT AFFORD TO LOSE THIS!

"MY PEOPLE TOGETHER LET US RISE AND FINALLY DEFEAT OUR ENEMY ONCE AND FOR ALL! MAY THE FIRE WITHIN US GRANT US COURAGE AND REVENGE!"

Everyone applauds and cheers. The empress lowers her hands and absorbs the exciting atmosphere. She wants her revenge and we want to experience it with her. With all this excitement and anticipation. I have finally decided what I wanted to do… I know my family will not like it as it could be as dangerous as me being a miner.

But I am going to be a soldier and I will fight in this war!