Téa Gardener - Parliamentary Citadel/ Spire of the Kings
"If you add any more sugar to that tea, you're going to make yourself sick," Tristan confided to Téa, who was in the middle of adding a fifth spoonful of sugar to her already sweetened tea.
"I can't believe they'd start to bicker at a time like this," she said. She picked up her mug and sashayed to the window with the view of the Capital. Usually, whenever she had to speak in the Senate, she wore bright colors speckled with flowers and ornamented with metalwork depicting the White Dove of her House. But today, she chose to wear all black and the circlet she wore was just a plain ring of silver.
"The Millennium Tournament has only just begun and already people are fighting over what to do with Yuri when he gets here."
"They're afraid," said Tristan. "They demand action now but that's going to be tough. The Naralians now have that superweapon on the table now. That changes everything. Three theatres of war have gone to the Naralians because of that thing. This…Engaion as they call it."
"Who could build them such a thing?" Serenity wondered.
"Who cares who built it?" said Joey. He was leaning against the wall, fully clad in his black dragon armor. "All dat matters is dat it's there. Once we find a way to take it down, den we can look into the guilty party behind dat monstrosity."
"I'm afraid he's right," Téa said. She took a long, nervous, gulp of her tea. "I just hope I can be the voice of reason in there." She finished her tea with one big gulp. "All right, let's get this show on the road."
An hour later, Téa's anxiety was justified when the Termnnian Senators started yelling at each other not even thirty minutes into the session. The League of 100, a band of Senators pushing to have Yuri brought him at once, were fuming, rising out of their seats on the balconies surrounding the Table of the Chancellors below. They did everything they could to try and convince the Chancellors not to listen to the proposition of one Senator Baegon Therattius, who hailed from the Principality of Stagheart. He claimed he had no influence from the Dragonhearts for the bill, but everyone could clearly see past that ruse.
"Order! Order!" shouted High Chancellor Pegasus. He smashed his golden gavel five times and the bickering died down to a few murmurs and whispers. "Let Senator Baegon finish his proposal, please. I will ask the Senators to keep a cool head in this session. I have Black Luster Soldiers stationed outside the doorways to your seats. If you pose a problem, I will order them to escort you out. This is your last warning, all of you. Senator Baegon. Continue please."
"Please, everyone, please," the senator confided with his fellow delegates. He was of the Bayne, the dog-raced beast folk of the Termnian Isles. He had the head of a red Doberman with piercing blue eyes and wore green and gold senatorial robes. Once they all calmed, he smiled and continued. "There is no need for all this bickering. We have to stop living in these fantasies that everything will be okay if Prince Yuri came back so soon. They won't be. Our enemy is strong and Yuri is still just a boy. It's time to face reality. Even with all the heroes, Master Yu-Gi-Oh has mustered with his so-called Alliance, the war is not going in our favor. No more conscriptions can be sent out. Every able-bodied young man in almost every country on the continent has called to fight but it is still not enough. It is unsafe for the prince and more troops are needed! We cannot afford to let the Naralians or the Confederacy in the south gain the upper hand. We must agree to accept my proposal for extending Yuri's time on Earth and asking the Temple of Ødrenzya to acquire five million additional Black Luster Soldiers for the army."
No one in the League of 100 saw reason to that. They all stood up from their seats and shouted at him to be quiet and see reason.
A girl named Tori Meadows, the young queen from Middlesex and the newest member of the Senate leaned toward a watery glass orb to speak. When she talked through it, her voice was amplified so all in the Tower of Parliament could hear her.
"Our officers are reporting that our troops are fighting valiantly on the field and continue to hold the line despite the power of the Engaion. It's a devastating weapon, yes, but it has its flaws. We have Intel from Zane Truesdale confirming that the one needs at least forty-eight hours to be charged before it can fire again."
The Senators who aligned themselves with the Dragonheart Party and other groups against the rushing of Prince Yuri's return stood up, raised their firsts, and argued with her.
"Forty-eight hours is not enough time to recover from such an assault!"
A senator in red robes stood up. "Aye! And there's no telling when or where it could strike. Our troops will have no time and no warning to prepare themselves for such an assault. And as they recuperate, the Naralians and their CUIRASS mechs will hit them with full force and all the ground we've gained is lost in an instant."
Tori retorted saying: "And make an astronomical payment for more Black Luster Soldiers to die on the field? Not even they can do anything to stop the Engaion. We cannot afford to be irresponsible with our funds. The entire continent is on the verge of bankruptcy due to the cost of this war with King Forrest and Hector Delgado's confederacy down south."
Senator Mirabelle Oakbar, owner of both the East and West Termnnia Trading Company spoke into her orb with a cunning smile. "Bankruptcy? Our newest colleague is clearly too young and too naive to be thinking clearly."
"She's too young to even be here in the Parliamentary Citadel!"
"Yes! Little girls should not be senators!"
"How dare you!?" Tori's friend Yuma shouted. He had to be held back by their larger friend, Gronk.
"Tori's age is not the subject of this session," Senator Oakbar continued. "Listen, everyone. The Termnnian Kingdom does not need to head down such a path. If the senators blinded by the return of the High King weren't so fearful of the war, they would listen to what Senator Baegon has to say. His bill will open fresh new lines of credit with the Big Five. They will give us the funds we need to acquire our new troops and then some."
"We cannot agree to their terms!" shouted Tori. "They're going to want to loosen restrictions to not only the Termnnian Bank but all other banks across the continent?"
Senator Oakbar laced her fingers together and her smile broadened. "Deregulation is a small price to pay for Prince Yuri's return, my dear. You are young, so you obviously don't know much about the bill that was proposed long ago to keep Yuri safe. We agreed to let Yuri return when he was strong and he has indeed gotten strong. As a duelist and with his bond with the Spirit of Norman the Conqueror. But a safe and secure Termnnia were also the terms of his return. And Termnnia is anything but safe and secure. Our enemies are equipped with weapons and lead powerful warriors of their own who could kill Yuri with one fell swipe. That is not what we want, is it?"
The other Senators nodded and agreed, some from the League of 100.
"We want Prince Yuri to return as much as any of you do. We want a High King to sit on the Diamond Throne and lead the God Cards and our armies. But if more time is needed for that to happen, so be it. We must delay the Prince's return and continue our efforts against the Naralians and the Confederates. Whatever the cost!"
"LET THE WAR GO ON!"
"WE CAN NOT AFFORD THIS!"
"FOR THE HIGH KING!"
"THIS BILL IS PREPOSTEROUS!"
"AYE! THE BANKS WILL GET POWER! THEY WILL SCAM US ALL!"
"I SAY KEEP THE WAR GOING!"
"YOU WILL DESTROY US ALL WITH THIS WAR!"
Téa could take it no more. Without even announcing that she wanted to speak, she stood up and used a charm to make the orb in front of her grow bigger and make her voice even louder. "JUST LISTEN TO YOURSELVES!" she shouted, to which everyone stopped talking and looked at her. "This is an absolute embarrassment. You people were elected to serve the citizens of your countries. And yet here you are, yelling at one another and demanding impossible proposals like children begging for candy. More money! More soldiers! More bloodshed. More, more more!"
She slammed her fist on her desk. "Listen, we don't need to ask the Temple of the War Goddess for additional Black Luster Soldiers. The Confederacy in the south has more than ten million capable fighters we can rely on. Hector knows his goals to be High King are all for naught and he also knows the threat King Forrest poses for him. Forrest is as much Hector's enemy as he is ours."
Senator Baegon pointed at her. "Young lady! Are you saying we should just surrender to that young fool!?"
"Never! But we need their military might to help us against the Naralians. Look at our options right now. Negotiation is the best thing to do right now."
"Hector hates Yuri!" shouted Baegon. "He took the south of Emboldor and rallied them against Yuri's claim to the throne. He's not going to want to negotiate. And even if he did, there's only one thing we have that he wants. And that's the Diamond Throne."
High Chancellor Pegasus stood up and held up both his hands to silence the senators before they could start yelling again. "Tensions are high today. You all have proven your points, but I think Lady Téa has once again been the voice of reason, thank you, my dear. We could at least try to negotiate with the Confederates and discuss terms that Hector can agree to that don't require the Diamond Throne or the Heart-EartH crown. I suggest we filibuster any proposals until we can determine whether or not delaying the prince's return is the right course of action."
"I agree," said Chancellor Chricton. "Let us cool our heads for now and discuss this at another time. Only calmness and reason shall prevail in this matter."
Rio Kastle - Halls outside the Parliamentary Citadel
And with that, the session ended and the Senators made their way out into the gilded halls of the spire of the king. Standing outside the doorway to Tori's balcony was a blue-haired girl draped in a brown cloak. She played around with some apps on her phone waiting for Bronk and Yuma as they let Tori gather her things before coming out.
Yuma was the first to barge out of the sliding glass doors to their balcony. "What is with those guys? Man, it's no wonder this world is so screwed up. People like them are running the show."
Rio put her phone back into her pocket. "So I take it the meeting didn't go well."
"That's an understatement," Tori replied. "If it wasn't for Lady Téa calming everyone in there, I fear the banks would have been given total control in the continent's finances. Deregulation is a surefire way for them to scheme us out of all our money. Interest rates would no doubt skyrocket. Who knows what the Big Five might charge us for a loan to fund the purchase of additional Black Luster Soldiers. Why does the Goddess of War allow this?"
"The Goddess of War is the Goddess of War," said Rio. "The Temple would never ask her to duplicate her finest warrior without cost. I don't know what it is they're offering her for those soldiers, but she must be happy with it. It must be something of great value if they're asking for so much money for the Black Luster Soldiers."
"What do you think they're offering her?" Yuma asked.
"I don't know. But if her Temple is asking for so much money for it, then it must be expensive as hell. And if they're able to make the Goddess happy with whatever it is they're offering her, I don't think she cares about the hows and whys. It's strictly business."
"War should never be about business," spat Gronk. "That's how so much evil gets spawned."
"Preach it," said Rio. "So what's our next move?"
"I really don't know," said Tori. She nervously placed her fingers over her mouth. "What's the point of being a Queen if nobody will listen to me? I thought I gave out good policies."
She slowly walked down the hall and her friends followed.
"Tori," said Rio, "they're not attacking your policies. They're attacking your age."
"I'm twenty-two years old!" Tori pouted.
"Yes, but that's still a child in the eyes of these people. Add the fact that you still look like you're a little girl, and they have every reason to want to walk all over you."
Tori stopped and held her arms over her sides as her fists balled up. She wanted to scream, she wanted to pout, she wanted to laugh at the madness. But she didn't know what to let out first and let it all come out as a mess, making her sound like a horse whinnying. She straightened herself up when she spotted Téa and the others standing at the top of the escalators leading out of the Parliamentary Citadel.
"Téa!" Tori called out.
Téa waved and waited for Tori to climb up. They hugged. "I'm so sorry I couldn't be of more help."
"Hey, it's not your fault. It's just politics. How are you holding out?"
"I don't know. I feel so helpless. I'm not sure if I have what it takes to be here. I mean, a Queen shouldn't be a senator, right?"
"No one else wants to take the job," said Yuma. "Tori either ousted or executed everyone in Middlesex's House of Parliament after taking power."
"Yeah and it's not cuz they don't like her," said Gronk. His armor squeaked and clanked and his giant war hammer smacked around as he moved. "No sir, they're afraid of her. Almost everyone in line for the job was corrupted beyond belief. After seeing Utopia execute 150 corrupted officials, yeah, it goes without saying that it's just us and a few loyalists running the country."
Joey laughed and placed his hands at his sides. "Really? Man, talk about power."
"What did I tell you?" said Téa. "It's unwise to underestimate this little thing. And don't be discouraged by the other senators, Tori. Many of them are grumpy old men who don't like the idea of women in power." She winked.
"I won't let them deter me," said Tori. "But what are you going to do now?"
"I'm going down to the Confederate Kingdoms and see if I can't make peace with them. Seto Kaiba's daughter tells me there's one woman down there who can make Hector see reason. A senator in the Confederate Parliament by the name Maxima Griffonwing. Word has it that she is trying to get Hector to see reason and bring an end to the war."
"How influential is she in all this?" Joey asked.
"Very. She was the one who convinced him and the other members in parliament not to take the Gates and march against Forrest or the Seven Kingdoms of the Alliance. He's settled with what he has gained in the South for now thanks to her. She's also responsible for the ceasefire at the border since the Engaion blew up Hector's Navy and half his kingdom weeks ago. He's going to want payback. Maybe that can be our bargaining chip."
"I hate the idea of having to make deals with dat little pervert," grumbled Joey. "But if it means we can use his forces and avoid having to give total freedom to da Big Five and the Banks of Termnnia, den I guess we got no other choice."
"You shouldn't go alone," said Tori. "May I suggest taking Rio with you."
"Rio?" Téa asked looking at the blue-haired girl cloaked in brown.
"She's more than qualified to join you into the Confederate Kingdoms. She's an Estarí," said Tori. "You know, that order Master Yugi wants to be restored. She is their first student."
"An Estarí!" exclaimed Joey. "No way! He's gonna restore the order? And you're just gonna give up someone with that much power, Tori?"
"It's okay. I've got Gronk and Yuma with me. And Utopia, too. Trust me, I've got more than enough help alongside me. Trust me, I'll be fine. Really. I mean, if that's okay with Rio."
"I'd be more than happy to go with Lady Téa," said Rio. "My Anjai and my skills are yours." She bowed. "If you would have me."
Téa lifted Rio's head with her hands and kissed her forehead. "Of course, I will. Thank you, Rio. Come on. I'll get you a key card to my quarters. We have much to discuss."
Somewhere over the Mountains of the Storm Coasts
After a long journey, the skyship was making its descent into the Erebonnia Mountains where a monastery the size of a mountain awaited them. Before flying into the mountains, they picked up Prince Ven of Atlantea and Jasmine, the tamer of Daedalus, and their companion, Mindy, along with her steed Therondor, the Stallion of the Kings. The group couldn't wait to hear about the story about how it allowed her to be his rider once they were fully introduced to The Master of Blades, the wise and powerful leader said to run the temple.
Stas and the other Princes of Termnnia, along with the members of the Kingsblade admired the temple from the floor-to-ceiling window of the skyship. Even though the inky bluish-blackness of the storm, they saw it in all its glory. Towers standing hundreds of feet tall on the top of the most stormy mountain in the world. None dared traverse here. However, the pilots of Stas's skyship were blessed by monks and had an easy passage through the storm. Still, the storm pummeled the ship. The hull shook violently and rain splashed harder against the window as they got closer to the monastery.
"This is it," said Jaden. "No telling what awaits us in there."
"Whatever trials they have for us, we'll face them together," said Stas. "Besides, I have a feeling we've faced tougher obstacles than whatever these monks have prepared for us. We'll survive their trials but only if we work as a team. That goes for you, Black Thunder."
He was referring to Chazz, still leaning against the rail on the second floor of their lounge all by himself. He said nothing and stirred his drink around in his hand. He didn't need their help, so he thought. He had Light and Darkness Dragon watching over him as his guardian angel and Armed Dragon LV 10 was outside, flying around in the storm, ready to aid Chazz in any way possible.
Stas told everyone to go get their things and to meet at the main entrance of the ship. Chazz was already out by the time they started to leave the lounge.
The ship finally landed on a cliff just beside the temple. A monk in gray armored robes walked out of the monastery with a staff shaped to look like a sword. He held up his bladed staff and shielded himself in a white sphere to protect himself from the violent storm. Another walked outside and did the same, then a third one came out and created his own protective ward.
All three wards then merged together, making enough room to fit all the heroes on board the ship. Yami Yugi slowly came out of the temple accompanied by and wizard. He was clad in white steel-plated robes and a skirt made of belts and swords. His long white beard went all the way down to his belly and his bushy eyebrows were formed to look like swords. He had a large wide-primmed pointy wizard's hat and his staff doubled as a javelin.
The twin doors slowly slid open and revealed the young heroes to the Estarí Monks as they were called. The three monks creating the wards walked to the ship, holding up their staves to keep their wards up. Rain violently splashed against the spheres of light, washing down their surfaces as if hitting glass.
"They look rather young," said the wizard, the Grandmaster of the Estarí Knights. They were all clad in their Eastern city clothes. They carried duffle bags, backpacks, sleeping bags, and rucksacks. He flicked his beard with three of his fingers and stroked it with his thumb and middle finger.
"Who is that guy?" Alexis asked. She set her backpack over her shoulder and grabbed her duffle bag with her other hand.
"Maester Espadian Pentas," Zane answered. "He's the grandmaster of the Estarí Order. Well…what remains of it. Master Yugi hopes that we can be the ones to restore the Order."
"What?" Alexis started to grow cold with wonder and excitement. Her legs began to feel like they were made of rubber and her baggage seemed like they were weighing her down as though she were carrying a mountain. "You mean we're going to be Estarí Knights! Then that means….we're going to get our own Anjai?"
"Unreal," said Syrus. "I've only read about Estarí Knights in my books. But to actually become one. I…this is unreal."
"You've certainly earned your place here, soldier," said Hassleberry, equipped with a heavy rucksack.
Ethan gulped, shivering in his boots. "Wait, Evelyn!" he tugged at her skirt.
"Ethan, easy!" Evelyn cried, smacking his hand. "You're going to yank my skirt off. What's gotten into you?"
"I don't want to train to be whatever it is Master Yugi brought us here for."
"This training isn't for you," Evelyn assured him. "It's just for me and Dancer. You'll stay with Antoine, Ezra, and some of the others while we're here."
"What a relief," Ethan said, breathing out heavily.
"What a wuss," Prince Ven commented rudely, shouldering his burlap sack. He walked by him to follow the others out of the ship. "I can't believe you lot allowed him to defend your borders with a duel."
Ethan glared at the Atlantean prince as he passed by. "Jerk," he muttered. "Is this place safe?"
"The mountains around this temple are well defended, my young friend," said one of the monks holding up the sphere to protect them. "And this temple is so secluded that many claim it doesn't exist. The Naralians nor their superweapon will find you here. You'll be safe while you train to be strong."
After guiding the heroes into the temple, Maester Espadian led them into what appeared to be a cathedral over two-hundred yards long. It was dark in there. The only light source was from the lightning flashing outside and the thousands of candle stands lining down the cathedral and the chandeliers made from the swords of every foe that had fallen to the Estarí.
"Sit, everyone," said Grand Maester Espadian. There were no seats so they had to make do with the floor. "Take your places, get comfortable."
It took some time for them to get adjusted, what with their bags and gear, but they finally got adjusted and eagerly listened to the Grand Maester. He didn't say a word. He just remained where he was, rooted to the spot like an old tree. The wizard flicked his beard, eyeing the young warriors with displeasure.
Yami Yugi coughed into his hand and smiled at the heroes. "Thank you all for coming here, everyone. I know you have your hands bound because of the wars going on in the north and in the south. It means a great deal to me that you've all come here to accept the temple and its teachings. You are all about to undergo rigorous training, my friends. But I know you all are ready."
Maester Espadian was not at all convinced. He sternly cleared his throat and finally spoke. "Allow me to disagree, my young friend. I think these so-called heroes you've brought before me are far from ready. Hmph. You're all here because Master Yu-Gi-Oh claims you are the best warriors Termnnia has to offer. Knowing his great wisdom first-hand, I'm surprised he saw anything in all of you."
That didn't sit well with any of them.
"What did you say?" Chazz furiously declared.
"Children are all I see before me," the Master of Swords, another of a hundred names Espadian had. "Children who think they are Gods amongst men. No. You are all still very weak. What are your accomplishments?"
He paced around as the young heroes proudly boasted about their deeds and titles. Zane said he was the Hero of Domino City, The Cyber Knight, and the one who built the Cyber Dragons that allowed him to dispel criminal activity from the city, and that he was the founder of the Kingsblades, the organization of heroes who joined him in stopping other horrible villains in Domino and across Termnnia. Phoenix Lockheart said she was called The Flame of the West and boasted that she could burn an army of a hundred men to ash. Evelyn Alteria, sadly yet boldy proclaimed she was once the greatest military asset for her kingdom before losing her beloved companion, Buster Blader. Of course, the Seven Princes of the Alliance as well, all of them proudly declared their great deeds and claimed they were hand-chosen by the Goddesses to aid the coming of the High-King.
Alexis said she was the Champion of the Light Goddess, and that she defeated the terrible Subterror Monsters who held the Jewels of Entuli. Chazz arrogantly boasted that he single-handedly regained his kingdom with his Armed Dragon Level 10, a monster he received after he was kissed by Avi, the Summoner of Dragons. Cora Kaiba, said she was an angel sent by Arasik the Goddess of the White Dragon, and told tales of how her beautiful lover Kasumi could destroy armies of raiders with her fists.
Then Jasmine went on to proclaim that she and her partner, Prince Ven, killed the Five Pirate Kings and brought peace to the Tropical Kingdoms and the Thousand-Island Estates.
Each of them told their stories but Grand Maester Espadian flicked his epic beard and scoffed.
"You call those achievements? You fight petty criminals, acquire fancy monsters, know a few spells, and receive some shiny gear from the Goddesses, and you think you are worthy to be called heroes!?"
Chazz stood up, shoulders hunched and fists balled up in fury. "I don't need some crumby ancient weapon anyway! I've got my Armed Dragon Level 10 by my side. And I've taken out my enemies with ease."
To be polite, Alexis raised her hand before she voiced her opinion. "As much as I hate agreeing with Chazz, I think your assessment of us is unfair. I've taken down monsters and quelled a rebellion against the barons just a few months ago. Grand Maester with all due respect, if there's anyone in Termnnia who is worthy of learning the ways of the Estarí it's us."
Chazz silenced Alexis with a fierce wave of his arm. "Save it, Alexis! This old geezer's been stuck on this mountain for far too long."
"Charles!" Yami shouted, calling Chazz by his real name. "Enough! Show respect to the Grand Maester!"
"I will do no such thing! You expect me to learn from this arrogant old man!?"
"Arrogant?" said Espadian. "Ironic coming from one who is weak in strength. As I have said before, you are not as strong as you claim you are. None of you! You rely on your magic. Your monsters. Your technology. Not in your own strengths. Take away those things and what do you have left? Hmm? Tell me!"
Nobody spoke a word. The truth he laid upon them was like salt in an open wound. Alexis looked at her hands as she hung her head in shame. Before she had received her powers from the Goddess of Light, she was kidnapped by a gang of mages and at their mercy, powerless to do a thing. Zane, too, began to understand his weakness. Without his suit, he allowed the Aeons to easily ambush him and Alexis the night she was kidnapped. He would have been killed had he not been hit with good fortune and saved by Prince Michael's friend Crowe. Likewise, Jasmine, the Heart of the Ocean, as she was called, would have been nothing without the Nazaleem around her neck, she would have been stuck back in her home in the Thousand-Island Estates waiting to be married off to Commodore Sidney.
"You seriously underestimate us!" Chazz continued to boast.
"Then show me what you can do with that sword of yours," Espadian challenged with a cool and calm voice, arms behind his back. Normally when someone was eager to prove another wrong, they would be quivering and yelling about how dumb the other person was to challenge what they had to say. Not the Master of Blades. He spoke with such a tone, making him sound like he knew he was going to win against Chazz.
He flicked his beard and said: "Well, what are you waiting for? Spar with me. If cut me, I swear by the Goddess of Swords and the Goddess of War that I will bow down to you and call you my master."
Chazz grinned. Alexis tried to stop him, but naturally, he didn't listen. He told her to watch him carefully before standing up from his spot. The Black Thunder King stood up and drew his jet-black sword. The blade made from Thundermetal almost boomed like a distant thunderstorm. The lighting magic enchanted in the blade sparked around as soon as Chazz held it up.
Both he and Grand Maester Espadian took their places, standing ten feet apart from each other. Chazz waited for Espadian to draw his weapon. He didn't. He just put his arms behind his back and waited for Chazz to make a move.
Chazz spun his sword around to look fancy. He paced back and forth, waiting for the Grand Maester to make his move. He didn't. Chazz held his sword up with both hands and yelled before charging. He started swinging like crazy but he kept on missing the Grand Maester. With his hands behind his back, Espadian casually dodged each strike. Chazz's Thundermetal blade made heavy whooshing sounds as he cut through the air. The lightning orbiting the blade zapped and buzzed with every stroke.
Woosh! Whoosh! Clang! Swish!
Chazz unleashed every move he knew of the Nuvenogras Style from his kingdom. Moves that took him many years to learn and master. But the 'old man' he was making fun of earlier was dodging it the would an experienced knight would if he was sparring with a child with a wooden sword. Chazz crouched and swung, hoping to strike his legs with a quick stroke.
To his shock, and to the shock of everyone watching the sparring match, Grand Maester Espadian jumped and gracefully landed on the edge of Chazz's sword. A choir of gasps and grunts of amazement rang from the group. Espadian laughed and did a backflip off of Chazz's sword, kicking his chin. The grandmaster of the order landed on his feet. He gave a laugh, mocking Chazz for his feeble efforts. The arrogant young king felt his blood boiling. Then he did something nobody expected. He summoned Armed Dragon LV 10. The chapel certainly was big enough for him.
"CHAZZ, NO!" Alexis cried out.
But it was too late. Armed Dragon Level 10 and Chazz attacked the grandmaster at the same time. Surely that would have given him cause to worry and submit. Again…he didn't. He just laughed, conjured his Anjai, and continued to fight despite the odds were against him. He blocked both Chazz's sword and Armed Dragon Level 10's claws with ease, his arms turned into blurs of white and his sword became streaks of light, ringing like a chorus of angels and silver bells chiming with them. Just two minutes into the brawl, the gang realized the grandmaster was just toying with Chazz.
Jasmine started biting her nails. In her mind, she was thinking the grandmaster had tougher fights in practice matches with his fellow Estarí. Finally, Grand Maester Espadian jumped up to Armed Dragon Level 10's chest and struck it with a mighty blow. Armed Dragon Level 10 screeched and faded from the world of men. Chazz stopped fighting the moment he saw this. Did this just seriously get the best of his mightiest monster. As his mind processed what happened, Espadian came up from behind Chazz and held his Anjai to his neck. Chazz peered from the corner of his eyes at the divine weapon his foe carried. He listened as the metal made its eerie sound.
"So this is the strength of the Estarí, huh?" Chazz said. He dropped his weapon, surrendering. "Is it possible to learn this from you?"
Espadian scoffed and flicked his beard. "With patience and hard work, anything is possible. And some humility wouldn't hurt."
"All right." Chazz bowed to show the grandmaster respect. It was out of character for him to bow to anyone, but he had to make an exception for the man who defeated him. "I am willing to listen and to learn with a grateful heart….Master."
Espadian summoned back his Anjai. "And I shall look forward to teaching you the most. Those are some sharp skills you have. Slow, but very sharp. You could use some improvement."
Evelyn stood up and clapped. The others followed suit for the grandmaster's great display of skill. Chazz sat back down. Jaden patted his back, to which Chazz shrugged it off.
The grandmaster stood in front of the heroes and told them the origins of the Estarí Order and that they were blessed with using a magical blade that was made by the Goddess of Swords and her sister, the Goddess of the Smiths in collaboration with Entulí the Goddess of Light. They used the light of Alendulí the brightest star in the Northern Sky. They made the light solid like metal and gave them to warriors worthy of their power.
"These powerful weapons," said Espadian, he summoned his Anjai and held it high for them all to see, "are as bright as sunlight and as hot as its core. But fear not, for if you are worthy of using it, the heat shall not harm you or those who fight alongside you. Listen. The metal is so infused with magic and divine power, that it practically leaks off of it like steam off smoldering rocks."
"Does that also explain that beautiful sound it makes?" Kasumi asked.
"Yes, my dear. When you swing the blade," he cut through the air and the sword let out the rich sound like angels singing. "The sword lets out that rich, beautiful sound. Many have compared it to a choir and silver bells. That is why the ancient people who first used these mighty weapons called them Anjai…The Singing Sword. Your training begins in two days. Give yourselves time to rest from your journey and get acquainted with the temple. Arastar! Heldra!"
Two Estarí knights, a boy, and a girl approached at their master's call. The boy, Arastar, was tall and blonde and had silver sword tattoos under his eyes. Heldra, the female knight, was tall and blonde as well with wavy floor-length hair. She had her hands collapsed together. She seemed ecstatic to know there were finally going to be other girls for her to interact with within the temple.
"Take them to their rooms. Arastar, you'll lead the gentlemen to the fourth level. Heldra, you'll take the girls to the sixth level. Prince Stas, if you'll order the pilots of your skyship to leave, please. Master Yugi. Come, I have much to discuss with you/"
"Yes, Master." Stas got out his phone to make the call and the others followed the two Estarí Knights to their living quarters. Meanwhile, Yugi and Espadian traversed down the dark chapel speaking about the current status of the war.
Arastar bowed. "Greetings gentlemen. It is a great honor to meet you. I am Arastar, a student of Grand Maester Espadian. Before I take you to your rooms, I must burden some of you with a task."
"A task?" Hassleberry asked.
Jaden struggled to pick up his backpack. "What kinda task?"
"Well, our scouts have located a hive of hobgoblins near the hidden paths leading the to mountains. They…have two mountain trolls with them."
"So?" said Michael. "You guys are tough and strong. Why not take them out already."
"We would have easily done so, however, the Grand Maester wants to see a great deal more of your skills for himself. I just need five of you to come along with me after you've gotten settled."
"I'll go," said Dancer.
"As will I," said Zane.
"Hey, count me in!" Jaden declared, feverishly holding up his hand.
"I'll go," Jon volunteered.
"Anyone else?" Arastar asked.
"I'll tag along then," said Marcel.
"Excellent," Arastar said, his voice ringing with joy. "Excellent. I'll show you to your rooms."
"Got room for one more?" Hassleberry asked. "I got a thing for hunting trolls."
"Not at all, my friend," Arastar replied. He led them away.
"Follow me, ladies," Heldra said. She waited for them to pick up their things. Once they were ready they began their long march to the sixth floor. Evelyn kissed Dancer goodbye and hurried to rejoin the group before getting separated.
"Don't get a lot of females around here, do you?" Alexis asked. Lighting flashed, illuminating the halls, ringing with the chanting of the monks below.
"No, not very much," Heldra replied so, so happily. Every time she spoke she giggled. "I'm afraid it's just me and a girl named Zeltra but she tends to keep to herself. It really is nice to have others to talk to."
"How long have you been here, hon?" asked Cora.
"Oh, far longer than I can remember. I was a baby when I was brought here to the temple. Grand Maester Espadian saved me after my village was ransacked by Orcs. Arastar was born in that same village, too. Espadian saved us both and raised us here. He's like my father."
"Obviously," said Phoenix. "He did raise you after all."
"I know. And I don't mean to brag but I, along with Arastar, are two of his best students."
"No kidding?" Kasumi asked. "Well then, I look forward to sparring with you when the time comes."
"Oh, I can't wait either. It's been so long since I've had company. There was a girl who came here recently. A young Eldori girl with blue hair who could summon ice monsters. Rio Kastle I believe her name was. She was really, really nice. But she underwent her training in the Grand Maester's secret training room. Once she was done, she left. I hope I see her again soon. She was so pretty."
"When do you think you'll leave the temple?" Ezra asked, limping; for her wounds still caused her discomfort.
"Soon, I hope. That is if the Senate doesn't agree to delay Prince Yuri's return."
"Ugh," Alexis scoffed in disgust. "I can't believe that's even on the table. It shouldn't be up for discussion. It just shouldn't."
"Any excuse to keep the war going, I guess," said Summer. "I really hope our friends back in the capital can stall them long enough."
"I sense a great deal of negativity in all of you," Heldra. "Come now, ladies, you must have faith. Things will go in our favor soon, you'll see."