ARAGAST, Imperial Year 91...

(Soldiers run across a battlefield. Pegasus knights charge. An army clashes with their enemy.)

Mounted Knight: Huh?

(A sword falls from the sky and lands in the center of the battlefield. An explosion destroys the army. Nemesis lands on the ground in the center of the chaos. The soldiers charge as he lifts his weapon. Hadoria stands waiting to meet Novox. A soldier jumps in front to protect her from Novox's attack but is struck down.)

Soldier: Lady Hadoria!

(Hadoria and Novox face each other and Novox attacks. The army is destroyed. Hadoria draws her weapon and attacks Nemesis. They battle until Hadoria gains the upper hand by disarming him by pulling his sword out of hand with her sword, and then punches and kicks him down. Hadoria then puts a knife to Novox's throat.)

Hadoria: Tell me, Novox, do you recall the Red Canyon?

(She starts stabbing him repeatedly.)

Hadoria: You'll die for that! Die, die! You took...everything... that I loved!

(She stabs him a final time as she says it. The remaining members of Hadoria's army cheers as she lifts Novox's weapon and embraces it, putting blood on her face.)

Hadoria: He's gone now, Mother...

Narrator: It was Hadoria that made the land of Me-Hador into the land it is to this day, and her name is in the local school of the Elysium Church. The realms of Essena, Kalos, and Evo each have heirs who will come into contact with a special set of people. At the moment, they just don't know it yet...

Janus: Hey. Time to wake up. Were you having that dream again?

Kandan: I was dreaming about a war...

Janus: Massive armies clashing on a vast field, right? There hasn't been a battle like that in over three centuries… In any case, just put that out of your mind for now. The battlefield is no place for idle thoughts. Risking your life is part of the job for mercenaries like us. Letting your mind wander is a sure way to get yourself killed.

Oona: Yes, Father.

Logan: Yep.

Kandan: Oh, right...

Janus: Hm? Good grief. Everyone is already waiting for us outside.

(Mercenary enters.)

Mercenary: Janus! Sir! Sorry to barge in, but your presence is needed.

Janus: What's happened?

(A minute later, Janus and his children meet with a beautiful princess(Camilla), a brave and honorable prince(Kenneth), and a peculiarly smart nobleman(Braddock))

Kenneth: Please forgive our intrusion. We wouldn't bother you were the situation not dire.

Janus: What do a bunch of kids like you want at this hour?

Kenneth: We're being pursued by a group of bandits. I can only hope that you will be so kind as to lend your support.

Janus: Bandits? Here?

Camilla: It's true. They attacked us while we were at rest in our camp.

Braddock: We've been separated from our companions and we're outnumbered. They're after our lives…not to mention our gold.

Janus: I'm impressed you're staying so calm considering the situation. I… Wait. That uniform…

Mercenary: Bandits spotted just outside the village! Dang… There are a lot of them.

Janus: I guess they followed you all the way here. We can't abandon this village now. Come on, let's move. Hope you're ready.

Children: You got it, Dad!

(In the battlefield)

Janus: Let's take care of those thieves before they overrun the village. Take down the enemies in front first. That should take the wind out of their sails.

Children: Okay.

Camilla: Hey. You have a strange aura about you… You say you're a mercenary, so show me what you can do.

Kandan: Okay.

Kenneth: Thank you. We are in your debt. It wouldn't do for us to fall in a place like this. Please, lend us your strength. Let's work together to drive out these thieves!

Oona: The pleasure should belong to us.

Braddock: It's because of you guys that I'm not dead right now. Thanks for that! I didn't expect to run into mercenaries like you in some remote village. The gods of fortune must be smiling on me!

Logan: Same with us.

Kandan: Let's move out!

Janus: We'll advance while protecting ourselves from the enemy. Take up position inside the forest.

Children: Okay!

Oona: Ready to go, Ken?

Kenneth: Yeah.

Braddock: Let's go.

Logan: Right.

(Kandan and Camilla follow suit)

Janus: Yes, good. If we're in the forest, we can sustain their attacks without losing the advantage.

Kraven(as some of his warriors are being vanquished): Dang. Why are there mercenaries in the village? Guess we'll have to deal with them too.

Oona: Don't count on it!(She, and the others defeat Kraven)

Kraven: Why you... You'll die!

(The scene freezes and goes into inverted colors as Kandan is about to be hit with Kraven's axe. The scene shatters and Kandan is shown in a black void. Kandan opens his eyes and looks around.)

Chrominos: Honestly! What are you accomplishing with that little stunt?! It's like you're trying to get us both killed, you fool! Honestly, of all the bonds I made over the years, this one starts off with a smack to the head! Well, I suppose it's time to improvise...(He uses his powers to turn back the clock, giving Kandan some time to rethink his approach before he blocks the blow with his sword and sends Kraven flying.)

Braddock: Hey–over here!

Chrominos: See? A better fate for you, isn't it? Heed my voice, for we shall be eternal partners. For I am Chrominos, master of time.

Aegis: The Knights of Hadoria are here! We'll cut you down for terrorizing our students. Hey, the thieves are running away! Go after them! The students seem to be unharmed. And...who's this?

Janus: Ugh... Why him?

Aegis: Captain Janus?! It is you! Goodness, it's been ages. Don't you recognize me? It's Alois! Your old right-hand man! Well, that's how I always thought of myself anyway. It must have been 20 years ago that you went missing without a trace. I always knew you were still alive!

Janus: You haven't changed a bit, Aegis. Just as loud as ever. And drop that "captain" nonsense. I'm not your captain anymore. These days I'm just a wandering mercenary. One who has work to do. Good-bye, old friend.

Aegis: Right... Good-bye, Captain. Wait! That isn't how this ends. No, you are required to return to Elysium at once!

Chrominos: Wait, is he talking about the church?

Aegis: We'll leave right away.

Chrominos: Alright, now that I can't wait for!

Camilla: Excuse me. I appreciate your help back there. Your skill is beyond question. You're clearly an experienced mercenary. And your father...that would be Janus, the Blade Breaker? Former captain of the Knights of Hadoria. Oft praised as the strongest knight to ever live. Have I missed anything?

Kandan: I didn't know he was a captain.

Camilla: How curious. I'd wager the explanation for that is fascinating indeed.

Braddock: Hey! You are coming with us to the church, right? Of course you are. I'd love to bend your ear as we travel. Oh, I should mention that the three of us are students of the Hadoria School for Promising Heirs. We were doing some training exercises when those bandits attacked. I definitely got the worst of it.

Camilla: That would be because you ran off.

Braddock: Too true! I was the first to make a strategic retreat. Everything would have worked out if these two hadn't followed me and ruined everything. Because of them, every single one of those bandits chased after us. Utterly ridiculous.

Kenneth: Ah, so that's what you were thinking, Brad. And here I thought you were acting as a decoy for the sake of us all.

Camilla: His intentions were as clear as day. You will prove a lacking ruler if you cannot see the truth behind a person's words.

Kenneth: Hm. You will prove a lacking ruler if you look for deceit behind every word and fail to trust those whom you rely on.

Braddock: Oh, joy. A royal debate between Their Highnesses. I wonder how being completely predictable affects one's ability to wield power. Personally, as the embodiment of distrust, I'd say your little exchange smacks of naiveté.

Camilla: Me? Naïve? Tell me, are you actually incapable of keeping quiet, or is your lack of self-awareness a condition of some sort?

Kenneth: In any case, forgive our digression. I must speak with you, if you can spare a moment. The way you held your ground against the bandits' leader was captivating! You never lost control of the situation. It showed me I still have much to lear

Camilla: Your skill is precisely why I must ask you to consider lending your services to the Essena Empire. I might as well tell you now. I am no mere student. I am also the Essena Empire's–

Kennethi: Halt, Camilla. Please allow me to finish my own proposition. The Holy Kingdom of Kalos is in dire need of exceptional individuals such as yourself. Please, do consider returning to the Kingdom with me.

Braddock: Whoa, there! You two sure are hasty. Trying to recruit someone you just met. Tactless, really. I was personally planning to develop a deep and lasting friendship on our journey back to the monastery before begging for favors. But it seems there's no time for niceties in this world. So, capable stranger, let's get right to it. Where does your allegiance lie?

Chrominos: Hmm. It seems one's place of birth is quite significant to them. Yet they are so impressed by you, that you may take your pick. Well?

Kandan: Well, for me... It would have to be at the Essena Empire.

Camilla: A wise choice. Though the Empire has fallen from its former glory, the other regions are merely offshoots that pale in comparison.

Oona: I'd rather be in the Kingdom of Kalos, because 'Holy' is my kind of word. And I know a thing or two about religion.

Kenneth: Understood. Kalos is a noble and distinguished kingdom that has always valued chivalry.

Logan: Yeah, I guess. But the Evo Alliance suits my fancy.

Braddock: Is that right? Well, that's a win for the Alliance, so I suppose I'm obligated to be happy.

Aegis: All right, that's enough with the small talk. It's time to head back to the monastery.

Braddock: Looks like we'll have to pick this up another time.

Chrominos: My, my. They are in such a hurry. You know... Each of the three is most unique.

Kandan: Yes. Camilla... She is a refined young woman… But I feel as though she is always evaluating me…

Oona: Yeah. Then there's Kenneth... He seems quite sincere… But I sense darkness lurking beneath… Whether or not he has a troubling secret is up to the fates, I guess.

Logan: Mmm hmm. Last but not least is Braddock... His easy smile is striking… But that smile doesn't reach his eyes…

Oona: Still, Me-Hador's greatest school awaits us. Shall we?

Boys: You got it.