AGNOMAKHOS

by Ulquiorra9000

Chapter 3

"Yes, sir? Is there something you need?" Halfway through a routine patrol through Meletis' downtown with his fellows, Alex turned to see captain Olivia approaching him.

"You guys can go on ahead. We'll meet you later," Olivia told Alex's fellows. Without question, they marched ahead through the crowded, sunlit street.

Alex frowned. "Sir? What is this about?"

"About time," Olivia quipped, folding her arms. "Hi, Alex. I was hoping that we could have a chat today during our two platoons' joint patrol."

"Did I do something wrong, sir?" Under his uniform, Alex started to sweat. He had just begun his career as a soldier, and a superior officer wanted a talk with him? Here comes the criticism.

"You don't have to call me sir right now," Olivia assured him, and she motioned for Alex to walk with her. "I'm getting to know all the new people in our battalion, and now, it's your turn!"

"Oh, okay." Alex relaxed; now that he thought about it, Olivia really was the friendly type. And in these times, he could really use a friendly face. He grinned. "What's on your mind?"

Olivia shrugged and casually watched the crowds go past. "How do you like Army life, Alex? Everything you hoped it would be?"

"I... I think." It was a disarmingly direct question, in Alex's opinion.

"And your platoon's treating you all right?"

"Sure," Alex said. "The other mages accept me as one of their own, but I think they're better at magic than I am. I sparred with one yesterday, and..." He winced. "I had never seen a mana barrier that strong."

Olivia laughed. "Yeah, your fire magic's kind of at a disadvantage. Blue and white spells work better with Meletis' ambient mana and the harbor's presence."

Alex was impressed. "I didn't know all that."

"Neither did I, 'till Kulla told me," Olivia smiled. "I mean, I knew that fire magic is rare around here, but I didn't know the theory about ambient mana."

"Kulla knows everything, doesn't he?"

"That's my brother for you."

That last comment reminded Alex of a question that had nagged him for a while. He took a deep breath as he passed a butcher shop. "If you don't mind me saying... you and Kulla don't really look alike for a brother and sister."

"Actually, I'm his adopted sister," Olivia explained. Her humor faded, replaced by a fond look in her eye. "My parents were merchants and they worked for Kulla's family. His parents run a big business in trade goods, and my parents and I were on good terms with them."

Alex said nothing, fascinated by the insight. He never would have taken Kulla for a businessman.

"When I was ten, my family and I were delivering some goods from another town when our wagon was attacked by raiders," Olivia said heavily. "My parents were both killed, but I survived, even when a bandit stabbed me. When the Army arrived, they said that I was lucky to be alive. But it wasn't luck. See this?"

Olivia extended her right arm and made a fist. Her muscles swelled and hardened, then went back to normal. "I have strong green and white mana, and when Kulla's family adopted me, I decided to use that strength to protect others. Right after the Shadow League's invasion, I joined the new Reverent Army and talked Kulla into coming, too. Besides, his sense of justice wouldn't allow anything else."

"And he's got plenty of mana in his own right," Alex commented. He had felt Kulla's latent mana during their first meeting, and the older man's sheer strength had terrified him.

"So that's how it is," Olivia said firmly. "When anyone asks why a short, happy girl like me is in the Army, I tell them that story. We're all here for a reason, Alex. I told you mine, and I hope that you have a good reason, too." Her eyes hardened.

Alex swallowed. Many people prefered to hide their painful past experiences or try to forget them, but Olivia was different. She used it as a force for good, and if she could do that, why shouldn't he? "I guess my family's also the reason I'm here."

Olivia tilted her head in curiosity. "Oh, yeah?"

As of now, four years after the fact, Alex still recalled his last argument with his sister. "You're making a mistake, Alex," she had said. Alex pursed his lips. "My parents were hit hard by the council's taxes and control over the economy. My big sister Valerie had to give up her life's dreams just to come back home and keep the family shop open. But me, I thought that the Reverent Army was the right call. Help defend Meletis from people like the Shadow League or other cults."

"And I think you chose pretty well," Olivia said. "On the other hand... and don't tell Kulla about this... I'm concerned about the council of Twelve's control over the city. We're on the right side, Alex, but maybe protecting our people doesn't always mean bullying them."

Alex pounced on his chance. "I know. Too much oppression will just rally the citizens against the council. There's got to be a middle ground."

"I sure hope so," Olivia sighed. "But really, make sure you don't say anything like this to anyone. Things are tense in the Army's chain of command, and any 'rebel talk' will be taken really seriously."

"All right."

Olivia stopped and led Alex into a shady alley, where no one would interrupt them. She unsheathed the massive broadsword on her back and held it with both hands. Her arms swelled with hardened green and white mana. "Watch this."

Suddenly, Olivia whirled in place and filled the air with precise, vicious swings of her sword. Alex yelped and jumped back, amazed by Olivia's sudden, dance-like attack routine. She whirled the sword through the air as though it were weightless, even though it was as long as she was tall. Finally, she stopped and held her blade in a defensive stance.

"How do you like that?" Olivia panted, smiling.

Alex stared. "How... I've never seen anything like that!"

Olivia slid her sword back into its sheath. "It's my signature style... a fast and heavy sword combined with my agility. I just wanted to show you, Alex, that whatever may happen, I'm capable of watching your back, and I expect you to do the same for me. I think there's going to be trouble soon. I think we're all going to be tested."

She chuckled. "That, and I wanted to show off a bit. I love watching people's faces when I show them my strength!"

Alex returned Olivia's smile. "You're not the only professional here." He curled his fingers into claws and summoned sizzling orbs of fire in his hands. Then, in a blur of crimson, he whirled the two fireballs between his hands, enlarging them as he went. Nimbly, like a street performer, he tossed the balls around him, over his back, under his arm, around his waist, and over his head. To top it off, he extended his arms to either side and launched the fireballs in twin jets of flame. When the fire died out, Alex relaxed. "How was that?"

Olivia clapped a few times. "Nice! I like a fire mage who has more finesse than just blowing things up. Using mana is an art, and I think we both appreciate that."

"Thanks."

Both Alex and Olivia resumed their patrol, headed for a street where fourth and fifth platoons would meet up and arrange new patrol groups. On the way, Alex realized that he was walking through a part of Meletis that he hadn't visited before. None of the buildings looked familiar, and as he watched, four mages in white togas lifted a stone brick with blue magic and levitated it into place on a half-built temple. Sturdy pillars supported the building's front, etched with markings of Heliod and Ephara.

"Stone-wise mages," Olivia observed, pointing. "Ever see them before?"

Alex couldn't stop watching. "No."

"I've met a few," Olivia said as the mages started carving a new column with their combined magic. "They've got a guild, and it really took off when the rebuilding process for Meletis started. I think they tripled their profits!"

"No wonder." Alex had clearly seen the horrific scars from the Shadow League's invasion: bodies everywhere, the street ruined, buildings toppled and land scorched to cinders. But the people of Meletis had recovered and were stronger than ever. In a rush, Alex felt more grateful than ever for the Reverent Army uniform that he now wore.

Up ahead in a market square, several hoplites from platoons four and five waited for Olivia and Alex, and Jaina stood among their number. Jaina waved them over and said, "Where have you guys been? We'll fall behind schedule at this rate!"

"Just taking in the sights. Nothing to report," Olivia told her fellow captain. "So, where do you recommend we patrol next?"

Jaina scoped out the place. "Hmmmmm... maybe we could..."

"I told you, this is robbery!" a man suddenly shouted.

Alarmed, Alex whirled around and saw two Army hoplites cornering a middle-aged jeweler at his stall. One of the hoplites shoved the man in the shoulder. "You didn't pay up last time," the hoplite leered. "Who do you think keeps your streets safe, huh?"

"People are getting pretty antsy," the other hoplite added. "Someone's got to keep the peace."

"But I already paid the council's new taxes!" the jeweler argued, clearly frightened. "I don't have much money left to give you. Please, I just want to be left alone."

"You're defying our will?" the first hoplite warned the man. "Bad move, pal. We've arrested people for less. Seems like no one respects the peace that the Army gives 'em."

Alex stared at the scene, heart racing and fists clenched. What was going on? He marched over to the stall, ignoring Olivia's and Jaina's protests.

"But..." the jeweler stammered, "this is ridiculous! The council is clearly abusing its -"

"Shut up!" the second hoplite punched the man's cheek and sent him tumbling to the street. Nearby citizens hurried away, unwilling to get involved. Meanwhile, the first hoplite nudged the jeweler with his foot and dared him to fight back.

It was too much. "Stop it!" Alex hollered, seizing the first hoplite and dragging him away from the jeweler. "This isn't right!"

"Get lost, kid," the other hoplite snapped. "Where's your captain? Why aren't you with your platoon?"

Alex stared the man down. Judging by the patch sewn onto his leather vest, he belonged to the fifth battalion, the most combat-oriented group in the Reverent Army. Still... "You can't just bully people and call it protection. That's not our job!"

The first hoplite shoved Alex back. "Your captain ought to beat you good for defying us like that," he growled. "I can tell that you're new to the Army, just by looking at you. Better learn how things really work around here, or you'll be in big trouble."

Alex opened his mouth to argue but a hand on his shoulder stopped him.

"Forgive him," Jaina told the hoplites. "This boy is a passionate one, but he must learn control."

The hoplites nodded and walked off, satisfied with themselves. After helping the jeweler to his feet, Jaina turned to Alex. "I don't like what they did, either," she said. "But right now, things are very delicate, Alex, and outbursts like won't help. Kulla and Olivia would get in trouble if one of their soldiers started a fight in public. It's not worth it."

"Isn't it?" Alex snapped back as the jeweler dusted himself off. "Jaina, you're the sun champion! You, of all people, know that justice is -"

"Enough." Jaina held up a hand. "I'll have a chat with the fifth battalion's colonel, while you get back with the platoon and stand by for my orders. Am I clear?"

Resentment burned in Alex's mind, but he knew that it was hopless to argue anymore. "Understood." He turned on his heel and stalked over to his fellows, careful to keep his face neutral.

Olivia shrugged helplessly. "What did I tell you about rebel talk? Be careful, Alex."

"Sorry," Alex muttered. Already, Oivia's prediction had come true even sooner than Alex expected. He was being tested, and not by cultists or bandits, but his fellow soldiers in uniform. What did that say about the future of Meletis and its people?

*o*o*o*o*

"Hmmmmmm. That boy Alex has quite some fire in him."

Elias, the Army's second battalion colonel, sat cross-legged in the Army academy's central garden. He was deep in an oracular trance, and although his seeing powers were modest, he could clearly see Alex arguing with Jaina and two hoplites from the fifth battalion.

Hailing from the coast, Elias could control water at will, but his blue mana also allowed him to view events that happened all around Meletis. It wasn't enough to earn him a spot with the city's official oracles, but his powers could serve the Reverent Army's best interests at times.

"Hey! Elias! You up for a fight?"

Amused, Elias opened his eyes and saw the fifth battalion's commander, Mulos, approach. The two men were as different on the outside as they were on the inside: Mulos' short beard and topknot of hair contrasted with Elias' bald head, and Mulos' brawn was much more impressive than Elias' compact, slender frame. What was more, Mulos was always looking for a fight to entertain himself with, while Elias much preferred a calm afternoon under a tree with a mug of tea and a good book.

"Must you carry that thing everywhere?" Elias asked mildly as he noticed Mulos' weapon at his hip. The man used a three-pronged flail, a handle with three chains and a spiked metal ball at each chain's end. Mulos' strong white and red mana vastly complimented the weapon's power.

Mulos grinned and shrugged. "I'm always ready to test myself, and that means carrying around the Manslayer."

Most officers in the Reverent Army disapproved of the nickname for Mulos' flail, but Elias took it in good stride. So long as that flail didn't touch a fellow Army member or any innocent bystander, it was all the same to him. The world gently rolled and flowed around Elias like water, and suitably, Elias' combat magic involved water control. Someone like Mulos would never appreciate the grace or finesse of such power.

Mulos stared. "You gonna say something?"

Elias blinked. "Sorry, lost in thought. No, I don't want to spar with you right now. I wonder why you always challenge me for these sessions, even though I keep telling you no? Why not challenge Kulla?"

"Kulla? Lofty bastard isn't worth my time," Mulos snorted with distaste. "I like how different we are, Elias. I want to test my mettle against something I'm not used to. Lets me explore my limits."

Elias smiled. "Very wise of you, Mulos."

"So you'll do it?"

"Sorry, no." Elias closed his eyes. "Two of your hoplites were bullying a jeweler for more protection money, and a battle-wise mage from Jaina's platoon stood up to them."

"That so?" Mulos commented. "Hey, my men are just doin' what it takes to keep the Army on top. We're the guardians. Why would anyone resist?"

Elias knew why, and he sympathized deeply for Meletis' weary citizens, but Mulos was firmly dedicated to Reverent Army superiority. Better not start an argument like Alex had done. "The boy is young. He'll learn."

"Sure, sure." Getting bored, Mulos walked away. Elias could hear his retreating footsteps. "And if you change your mind," Mulos called out, "meet me in the sparring arena!"

"Don't hold your breath," Elias said mildly. "You'll suffocate."

Elias could hear Mulos' irrated muttering even from far away as the bigger man left the garden.