**Hey guys so my SYOC's officially now have a Discord!**

This is my discord ID: Cleo Crimson#2639- send me a friend invite through Discord and I'll add you to my SYOC server

And as promised, here is the next chapter!

Leave a review and let me know what you think!

In regards to the flashbacks:

- Valance, Valette and Eisen are 17

-Fuegoleon is about 25

Julius is about 40 and still just the Captain of Grey Deer

Chapter 2- Of Past and Present

Seven Years Ago

Clover Kingdom

Common Realm

Forest near Helio Village

Rain. It was raining. Pretty heavily too. The rain was even giving the forest an ethereal glow a younger Valance noted as she gasped for breath. Or maybe the blood loss was making her see things.

Her green eyes were unfocused, and her vision was bleary as she looked around for shelter. She knew it was a mixture of rainwater and blood at this point that was making her hair and clothes stick uncomfortably to her body.

Failed. She had failed again. She thought as she struggled to find shelter under a large tree. At least she had been able to protect the village that the Traitor had been trying to destroy. At least she could take some satisfaction in knowing that the Traitor's intended victims would live for many more days and hopefully years to come. It was a shame that the same couldn't be said for her.

Valance pressed her hand harder against her shoulder, stifling a cry of pain as she leaned against the tree. Why was she even trying? She wondered as she glanced down at herself, she was minutes away from bleeding out: the hand that she had pressed against her shoulder was slick with blood unable to fully staunch the flow of crimson liquid coming from the stab wound that had been inflicted on her right shoulder, mixing with the rainwater on the floor. She was also bleeding heavily from a deep gash on her left side plus many less severe cuts and bruises that she had gotten from the battle. She was certain she also had a few fractured ribs.

She was so lost in despair and pain that she almost missed the sound of footsteps behind her. Had the Traitor come back to finish her off?

Valance straightened up, raising her eyes from the floor. If she was going down, she'd go down fighting. But much to her shock, it wasn't the Traitor like she had thought, but two men that she had never met before. The older man had short messy blonde hair and purple eyes, but what stood out to her was the blue, six-pointed star on the left side of his forehead; over his clothes, he wore a fluffy-looking gray robe.

The man next to him was decidedly younger, he had long, straight vermillion colored hair and purple eyes, he also had red markings around his eyes and a diamond-shaped mark in the center of his forehead. Over his clothes, he had a deep red robe around his shoulders.

"Who are you?" She demanded, her best glare settling on her face, but it didn't look like it phased either of the two strangers.

"We're Magic Knights of the Clover Kingdom," The older man said, there was warmth and deep concern on his face as he took a step closer. "If you come with us, we'll get you medical attention."

Valance gritted her teeth, summoning her grimoire to her side as the older man stepped closer to her. "Celestial magic: Leo," Her grimoire glowed silver as a large lion made of multiple miniature stars, starlight, and stardust was formed in front of her, growling menacingly at the two men.

The older man stopped in his tracks, a look of excitement on his face as his eyes shone with stars, "What magic is that?!" He asked before quickly shaking his head, "Not the time, not the time," he said, taking a deep breath and looking at her seriously. "Young lady, if you continue to use magic in your condition, you'll only make yourself worse."

In response, Leo growled again, its gleaming eyes not looking away from them. It was like the night sky itself had come down from the heavens to form this lion and protect her.

"I know about Clover's Magic Knight squads. Just because you say you are one doesn't make it true." She said, unable to bring herself to trust them. She leaned heavily against the trunk of the tree.

The younger man stepped forward next, and she turned her head to look at him, her green eyes meeting his defiantly. "Your caution is understandable, however, if you don't allow us to help, you'll bleed out."

Black stars were starting to dance across her vision, and she could feel herself getting paler, but she stubbornly shook her head, "I'd rather die than trust strangers." Even her voice sounded weak to her own ears.

"Don't be foolish," The younger man's voice didn't raise in volume, but the sudden fierceness made it seem louder. He moved closer to her, ignoring Leo, "You're at your limit, you-"

Valance gritted her teeth, about ready to launch Leo at the man if he got closer, but the moment Leo moved to pounce it disintegrated into little stars instead while her grimoire lost its glow and fell to the muddy ground, useless. Damn. She thought as she felt her legs give out, her eyes fluttering closed. I'm at my limit.

She was expecting to fall to the ground after her grimoire but instead, she landed on something soft and warm. The younger man had caught her before she hit the ground.

"Lord Julius!" Valance fought to stay conscious as she heard footsteps hurry up to her and the man who caught her. "I can't stop the bleeding"

Valance tried to focus on their words, but it was like she was underwater, their voices were muffled and sounded far away. She couldn't find the strength to open her eyes either.

"I'm sorry," The younger man's voice was suddenly and shockingly crystal clear to her ears and the next moment her shoulder became enveloped in searing, burning pain. The smell of burning flesh mixed with the smell of rain... and someone was screaming. Who the hell was screaming? Those were the last thoughts that ran through her head before she completely blacked out.

The next time Valance woke up, she found herself tucked securely in a warm and soft bed. Still lying down, Valance slowly took in her surroundings, noting that she was in a medium-sized room with plain furniture, the only color in the room being the crimson and gold drapes hanging at the window.

"Ah, good you're awake," Valance jerked her head to the right and saw a young man, probably around her age enter the room. He had fair skin, sharp dark brown eyes, and shoulder-length black hair, most of it was tied back but he had allowed his bangs to frame his face. "How are you feeling?" He asked kindly.

Valance tried to will away the panic in her throat. Where was she? Who was this man? "Whe-" She grimaced at the hoarseness of her voice and the man immediately brought her a cup of water. He offered it to her, but she just stared mutely at it, eyes wary.

"The Captain and Lord Julius did mention you were cautious," The man sighed, running a hand through his bangs. "It's not poisoned or anything." He said patiently, trying to reassure her.

Valance weighed her options and nodded. At this point, poison wasn't any worse than bleeding out in a forest.

She allowed the man to help her sit up before taking the cup from him. She drank the water slowly, looking everywhere but at the man who must have been some type of healer. Was he the one who healed her?

"Who are you?" She asked once she finished, holding the cup in her hands. She couldn't find her grimoire anywhere and was reasonable enough to realize that she couldn't use her magic yet, she was still too weak. But that didn't mean she wasn't above using the cup as a weapon if she had to make a quick escape. "Actually, where am I?"

"My name is Eisen Beaumont and you're in the Crimson Lions headquarters," Eisen said. "Lord Julius and Captain Fuegoleon had originally brought you to the Magic Knight infirmary, but people kept trying to get a glimpse of you, so they decided to move you here."

Valance rose a brow, "And why would people want to get a glimpse of me?" She asked, she wasn't some sideshow attraction. What had they done to her while she was unconscious? Her grip tightened around the glass, ready to throw it at Eisen's head and make an escape when the door to the room she was staying in opened and two familiar-looking people walked in. It was the two people she had met in the forest.

"It's not every day when a mage from the Ace Kingdom appears inside Clover's borders." The older man said, giving her a kind and relieved smile, "I'm glad to see that you're awake."

"It's even stranger since the Ace Kingdom completely closed its borders to all outsiders two years ago after the death of their Queen." The younger, vermillion-haired man said looking at her. She met his gaze challengingly before looking down, feeling the pull of her grimoire which he was holding.

"Can I have that back?" She asked, holding out her hand and glaring when he didn't return it. The man returned her look with a level-stare, not phased at all.

Valance huffed, it looked like they were going to hold her grimoire hostage until she had a proper conversation with them. Annoying but smart. "The border may be closed but that doesn't stop Ace citizens from leaving."

"And why'd you leave?" The older man asked, settling himself down on the chair that was next to her bed.

"I don't have to answer questions from people I don't know," she said, her guard slamming up as she glared. She didn't trust them, there was no way she could tell them why she was in Clover.

"Ah, right. We haven't properly introduced ourselves, my apologies." The older man smiled kindly at her, completely ignoring her hostile look. "I'm Julius Novachrono, the Captain of the Grey Deer squad of Magic Knights."

"Fuegoleon Vermillion, Captain of the Crimson Lions," The younger one said. He exchanged looks with Julius and Eisen when all she did was look away. "May I ask your name?"

"..." Valance stubbornly held her tongue. There was no reason for her to tell them anything. She silently stared at her glass as she planned her escape. Whose head should she chuck it at for the vest chance of escape? Or maybe she'd just wait to be alone and sneak out, the hardest part would be getting her grimoire back, but she was certain she could.

She heard someone sigh from above her and suddenly her grimoire was in her field of vision, held out to her by Fuegoleon. "Queen Celande did say you were a stubborn girl."

Valance's head jerked up, completely forgetting about her grimoire as her eyes met his. "What are you talking about?"

It was Julius who answered. "A girl from the Ace Kingdom suddenly appears in Clover, surely you wouldn't think it surprising if we asked the Queen if she had any idea why."

Valance bit her lip. Queen Celande. She hadn't even realized that the Magic Knights might ask her about someone from Ace. But it did make sense. Celande had been the younger half-sister of Ace's Queen and she was the aunt of Ace's current Princess. Celande had also been shipped off to Clover when she was of age to marry King Augustus Kira Clover XIII.

"... and what did Queen Celande tell you?" Valance asked cautiously, not wanting to fall into any traps. This could be their way of luring her into a false sense of security.

"Not much, that she wanted us to notify her when you woke up. We showed her your grimoire and gave her a description of what you looked like. I have to say, I was surprised when she knew exactly who you were." Julius said laughing slightly. "I suppose a girl with such interesting magic is hard to come by in the Ace Kingdom. Tell me-"

"We still have to notify the Queen," Fuegoleon noted, not wanting Julius to get off track and geek out.

Julius nodded, "I can do that, Eisen will you check her over? Fuegoleon, why don't you stay as well. I hope you get better Miss. Once you do, I'd like to discuss your magic with you. Or we can talk about the different magic from-"

"Lord Julius please notify the Queen," Fuegoleon sighed.

"Right," Julius gave Valance an embarrassed smile before leaving the room.

With him gone, Valance finally snatched her grimoire out of Fuegoleon's hands, looking her grimoire over closely. The grimoire itself was midnight blue with silver lining and silvery stars sprinkled throughout the front and back cover; a larger, eight-pointed star was in the center of the front cover, and in the middle of the star was an 'A'.

"We didn't do anything to your grimoire," Fuegoleon said, he was seated in the chair that Julius had been in before.

"I... know that," she said lamely, feeling much calmer now that she had her grimoire back. She also put her glass on the table, maybe she didn't need it for escape after all.

"Miss, can I check your vitals?" Eisen asked, he had gathered a few medical things on a trey and was standing on the other side of her bed, waiting patiently.

"Sure..." She said, watching him closely as he checked her breathing and heartbeat as well as other things. "It seems like you healed nicely Miss."

"Why do you keep calling me Miss?" She asked.

"I don't know your name," Eisen said, giving her a sheepish smile.

"... Valance." She finally grumbled.

"Valance, it's a pleasure to meet you." Eisen's smile grew. "I'll be taking care of you while you recover in our care."

"There's really no need, I feel perfectly fine. My wounds are all healed." Valance rushed to reassure him. She did not want to stay here longer than need be. And it was true, they must have amazing recovery mages since even her worst injuries seemed to be gone. There was no reason for her to stay in this unknown place.

The smile immediately left Eisen's face, and he looked at her sternly. "You were brought to us near death. In fact, if it weren't for Captain Fuegoleon's quick thinking you'd have bled out. Your wounds may have healed, but your body is still weak. You are not leaving here until you've made a full recovery. Captain Fuegoleon can you watch her while I get her something to eat?"

"Of course," Fuegoleon nodded, looking slightly amused as he watched Eisen scold their guest.

Valance watched, stunned as Eisen left the room. He had seemed so quiet before. She hadn't expected the stern turnaround.

She sat in the room with Fuegoleon silently, it would be best if she didn't talk to him. But... she was curious. "What did you do exactly? To stop me from bleeding out?"

Fuegoleon looked surprised that she was speaking to him. "I cauterized your wounds." He grimaced, "It was the only way to stop the bleeding."

Valance grimaced too, the night they found her coming back to her in bits and pieces. Well, now she knew why there had been the smell of burning flesh. She also felt her face redden when she realized that the screaming had been coming from her.

"... thank you I suppose," Valance said, unable to look at him. The two lapsed back into silence.

"We want to help you." Fuegoleon broke the silence after a few minutes, "After all, we're in your debt."

"You're in my debt?" Valance turned her head to look at him and was immediately taken aback by the intensity in his eyes. Somewhere in the back of her mind, she also noted that his eyes were such a pretty shade of purple. She shook her head, immediately disregarding that strange thought. "What makes you say that?"

"We talked to the people in the town you protected," Fuegoleon explained. "There are many matching accounts that say a woman with dark purple hair had started to attack the village for no reason at all. Injuries couldn't be avoided and there were indeed a few deaths, but everyone in the village seems to agree that there would have been more causalities if a girl with light purple hair hadn't intervened and protected the village."

"..." Valance looked down, she didn't say anything, but her hands formed into tight fists.

"The people of that town said you protected them with everything you had, getting injured in the process. They say that you fought this person above the town before eventually following her into the forest where we found you." He added.

Valance still stayed silent, memories of that battle flashing through her head. It frustrated her... she had come close to finally capturing the Traitor but... she got away. "The person who tried to murder them got away. I don't see why you owe me anything." She said bitterly. "You don't seem to understand that I failed miserably."

"You saved lives. There's nothing more important than that," Fuegoleon insisted, passionately. "As Magic Knights, our duty is to protect the Clover Kingdom and its people. We weren't able to protect them, but you were. It doesn't matter that you weren't able to catch the perpetrator, I have confidence that you will next time, and you shall have assistance from Clover's Magic Knights. Together, we will not fail."

Valance listened to him, taken aback by the passion in his voice and eyes. He looked like he really believed in what he was saying and as he spoke, she couldn't help but realize some things: One was that he had a very nice voice, rich and deep and as absurd as it sounded, knightly; secondly that his eyes were indeed pretty, they were the color of violets and lastly, that his mana was warm and inviting, all-encompassing, it made her feel protected and safe in a way that she hadn't felt in a long time. She could stay like this for-No! Why were such random thoughts suddenly popping into her head?! She really needed to get a grip. She looked at him and saw that he was waiting for her to respond, clearly not realizing that she had been admiring him, which she was thankful for.

How to respond? She wouldn't get out of this conversation without revealing a few things about why she was in Clover to him, but maybe Celande could stop them from asking more questions later. And... as much as she hated to admit it, he did save her life after all.

"...I was already chasing that woman, to begin with. It was just chance that I caught up with her when she was attacking that town," Valance explained.

Fuegoleon blinked, he clearly wasn't expecting that. "Why were you chasing her?"

"She's a traitor to the Ace Kingdom and it's my duty to bring her back so that she can be judged." Valance said, "There's also no point in you Magic Knights helping me to track her down. This last time was my last chance."

The last piece slipped from her mouth without her realizing it, but when she did, an icy dread filled her chest. "...that was my last chance to catch her." She repeated, voice going hoarse as tears started to prick her eyes.

Fuegoleon looked alarmed by the sudden change in emotion. "We can still catch her." He reassured quickly.

Valance shook her head, "Back home... we have a seer and she had a premonition. She said that if I didn't catch her this last time, then the Traitor would escape and not resurface for years." The words felt like lead coming out of her mouth as a harsh reality settled on her.

"I see..." Fuegoleon looked thoughtful. He was looking at Valance and she looked like the world was ending. "I'm sure that when you go home and explain, you can plan accordingly for when she returns. And even if it takes years, for your deeds in protecting Clover's people, the Magic Knights will assist you, I'll personally make sure we don't forget our debt to you. After all, a Magic Knight must always keep their promises."

"... I can't go home," Valance said softly, remembering the words that the King had said to her after they had told her about the seer's premonition. The King had decreed that if she didn't catch the Traitor this last time, then she couldn't return freely to the Ace Kingdom. He had all but exiled her with that order and now... "I can't go home." Maybe if she kept saying it, it wouldn't be true.

"What do you mean?" Fuegoleon asked, but it looked like he was starting to understand a bit.

She looked at him, tears in her eyes. "I'm not allowed to return to the Ace Kingdom."

Present Day

Five and a half months after Spade War

Clover Kingdom

Common Realm

Celestial Phoenix HQ

Valance woke up to birds chirping and sunlight filtering into her room. What the hell was that dream?

It had been a long time since she had thought about her first meeting with Julius and Fuegoleon. It wasn't a happy memory, but that encounter changed her life; whether it was for the better was debatable, but the past seven years had certainly been interesting with the Magic Knights.

She allowed herself a few more minutes to mull over the dream before eventually sighing and rolling out of bed; she'd figure the abrupt trip down memory lane later. Right now, she had more concerning things to deal with; mainly the ever-growing stack of paperwork on her desk and her meeting with Julius later that day.

Valance quickly showered and changed for the day. She was working on braiding back a few strands of her hair when there was a knock on her door. "What is it?" She asked, putting a midnight blue ribbon in her hair to hold her braids.

"Valance? Are you done? There's still some paperwork we have to do before your meeting later." Eisen's familiar voice filtered through her door.

"Almost. I'll meet you down in the dining area." Valance replied, studying herself in the mirror. She was wearing a sleeveless black turtleneck under a double-breasted white, violet, and brown vest, a black skirt, and dark brown knee-high boots. The top half of her light purple hair was braided back, leaving her bangs and a few strands to frame her face. She was almost ready to face the day but first... Valance quickly grabbed her Celestial Phoenix robe and secured it around her shoulders. The robe was midnight blue with silver trimming and on the left side there was the image of a phoenix in flight among a few stars; a small smile formed on her lips, she'd never get tired of that image, the symbol that represented her new squad.

With one final glance at herself to make sure nothing was out of place Valance pushed the door to her room open and almost crashed into her little shadow much to her annoyance. Way too early in the morning for this.

"I was wondering when you'd be out," Alex mused, his shoulder-length black hair was untidy as usual, but his bright blue eyes looked excited. "Will you show me your magic?" He asked.

"Good morning to you too," Valance grumbled as she walked past her little stalker. "And the answer is no."

Alex didn't falter, easily following her down the hallway. "Please? I'll go on any mission you give me. Just make sure it's during the daytime."

"It's not any mission if you only want daytime ones," Valance said, not that there were any she could send him on. She really should have stayed in bed. She didn't deserve to have him constantly on her heels; out of everyone she could have met while on a mission three months ago, why did she have to run into someone as obsessed with space as Alex was?

Ever since he saw her celestial magic, he followed her everywhere and constantly asked her to show him her magic. It was driving her insane. The kid had an unhealthy obsession with stars and planets; she either had to find someone to distract him or convince him to get a new hobby.

He pestered her all the way to the dining hall, the smell of fresh coffee and breakfast foods making her mood a bit better. "How about this?" Valance cut whatever Alex was saying off, she had completely zoned him out. "You leave me alone until I have to leave for my meeting with the Wizard King, and I'll leave you some celestial creations that you can play with while I'm gone."

Alex's bright blue eyes practically turned into stars themselves, "Deal!" He said hurrying into the dining area before her.

Valance watched him go, a small smile on her face.

"If I didn't know any better, I'd say you almost look fond of him," Valance jumped at the soft voice and turned her head to see a young man with bright sea-green eyes and shoulder-length green hair that was a shade lighter than his eyes.

"He's not so bad," Valance shrugged, noting that the man was closing a book on old folklore. "Have you eaten breakfast yet Aun?"

He shook his head, before standing up. "I think Jade and Zane just finished preparing it."

"Then let's go," she said, leading the rest of the way to breakfast. "Are you finding the base, okay?" She knew he had lived in a sacred forest for most of his life and was worried about how he was handling living away from it.

"The base is fine, it's not loud or anything and it's nice to meet so many different people," Aun said sincerely a small smile gracing his features. "Thanks for inviting me to join your squad, Valance."

She smiled back, "Well I knew you wanted to join the Magic Knights because of what happened to your home. I just thought I'd extend the invitation before you did the exams, and another squad took you."

"I would have chosen your squad either way," Aun reassured her. She was one of the Magic Knights who had come to help them after all.

"Glad to hear it," Valance said, eyes taking in the dining area when they finally arrived. All her members were there: Alex was sitting opposite Jade, talking his ear off about space and holding up what looked like a pancake that was shaped like a star... no wonder Alex was so happy. Valance shook her head, wondering how Alex talked the younger boy into making star-shaped pancakes.

Mysteer was sitting with Avalonea or Ava as she liked to be called and it looked like she was trying to entertain the older woman by balancing herself on one hand while trying to keep a stack of oranges from falling. Ava for her part didn't seem to know how to react or even know what to say, she'd just alternate between nodding at Mysteer and throwing slices of ham or sausage at her shadow so that Gevadaun, the vicious-looking shadow-beast that lurked in her shadow could eat something too.

Valance shivered as she watched just that happen: the head of a large, wolf-like mass of shadow and teeth appeared out of Ava's shadow, snatching a sausage link out of the air with its teeth before melting back into the shadow seamlessly. Why had she even agreed to let Ava bring it into the base?

"Valance," She looked towards the last two members of her squad, the two that she had known and worked with the longest, Eisen, the recovery mage she had first met when she was recovering in the Crimson Lions base, and Zane Whittaker, the only member of Aqua Deer who asked to come into her new squad, which she was honestly glad for. It meant that everyone else in Aqua Deer had genuinely found a home in the squad that fully welcomed her as Magic Knight.

"What are you doing just standing there?" It was Zane who called for her.

"Just taking the squad in," She replied, settling in beside Eisen. He was her Vice-captain and oldest friend in the Magic Knights. He was the one who looked after her as she recovered her strength in the Crimson Lions base and the one who helped her adjust to life in Clover when she couldn't go back home. And even when she decided to join the Grey Deer under Julius instead of the Crimson Lions, he still kept in contact with her, the two spent a lot of their time off together in the early days of her being a Magic Knight.

"Taking the squad in?" Zane rose a brow at her. "What does that mean?"

"Just that. These past few months have been crazy." Valance sighed, picking up a pastry with cream cheese and taking a bite. "I know I agreed to be the Captain of a new squad, but I didn't think it would all form so quickly. We already have eight members and a decent roof over our heads. I think it took Yami almost three years to get this amount."

"Well, Yami is... Yami. Even when he was in Grey Deer his reputation for being a troublemaker was already in place." Eisen said.

"And on the other end, I heard Captain Vangeance had fifteen members or more ready to join the Golden Dawn in the month it started," Zane said. "Looks like you're somewhere in the middle," He teased.

Valance opened her mouth to reply, but never got the chance since Mysteer lost her balance on the bench and crashed down to the floor, the oranges she had been trying to stack falling all over her head.

"Mysteer, are you okay?" Valance asked, going to the younger girl's side.

"Fine," Mysteer laughed, looking up at her with yellow eyes as she pushed her bubblegum pink hair out of her face, she looked more amused than anything. "You don't have to worry so much Val-Val."

Valance's brows twitched and she heard Eisen sigh. "No nicknames!" She said annoyed, she waved her hand, and before anyone could react a chain made out of crystallized starlight shot down from the ceiling, wrapped around Mysteer's waist, and pulled her up so that she was hanging a couple of feet off the ground.

Alex was immediately at her side, eyeing the star-created chain with awe. "That's amazing Valance! Do more!"

Ava looked at her, "Are we allowed to string people up if they annoy us?" She asked genuinely curious.

"No, no you may not." Eisen said immediately, "And Mysteer please remember that no nicknames with Valance. That goes for all of you."

"Sorry Vallie, I forgot you don't like nicknames," Mysteer said, it looked like she was having the time of her life, using the chain Valance created to twirl herself in place.

"Ugh..." Valance waved her hand again, causing the star chain to disappear and Mysteer to fall to the floor unceremoniously.

"You, okay?" Ava asked, looking down at Mysteer, brow raised. "Do you want Gevadaun to give you a ride around the base? You'll both be fine as long as you stay away from sunlight."

As if responding to its name Gevadaun appeared out of Ava's shadow, looming over the taller girl, its glowing, white sightless eyes focused on the girl on the floor.

Mysteer looked up at the shadow beast and shook her head, "I'm okay. I've fallen from higher."

"Why is everyone so afraid?" Ava looked confused, "Gevadaun is a good shadow beast, he won't eat anyone."

He better not. Valance thought tiredly. Was she going to end up with a squad more like Yami's? If so, she wasn't sure she'd survive.

She sighed again, she really wished she hadn't left her bed.

"Miss Valance?" a quiet voice asked from beside her.

She turned her head to see Jade standing to her side, "Will you train with me later today? There's still a lot I have to work on to be a good Magic Knight."

"Just Valance is fine Jade," she said. She had met him about a month ago while she was trying to take a break from paperwork and had stumbled on him training with his magic. One of his spells had misfired and would have hit her if she hadn't created a shield in time. Upon learning he wanted to be a Magic Knight, she easily invited him to join hers before the exams. She was glad she did, in the month he had been here he had proven himself to be a hard worker and motivated... he was also one of the more normal recruits which she was glad for.

"If I have time, there are still things to be signed off on and I have a meeting with the Wizard King later today. Maybe tomorrow." She said, feeling slightly guilty when he looked disappointed.

"Don't worry Jade," Zane suddenly appeared, throwing his arm around the teen's shoulders, grinning when he almost knocked him over. "I'll train with you. We'll do a couple of drills and work on your attacks."

Jade immediately brightened. "That'd be great. Thanks, Zane."

"Yeah, thanks, Zane," Valance said, glad that the boy would have a sparring partner.

She turned away from the two and looked at Eisen. He looked like his usual serene self; how did he stay calm so easily? He hadn't even blinked an eye when Gevadaun appeared out of Ava's shadow.

Eisen met her eyes and shrugged, "Okay, everyone breakfast is over," Eisen said, addressing the squad, "It's time to start official duties for today. Alex, Aun, Zane, I want you three to do a perimeter around the base if you find anything problematic let me or Valance know. Jade, you have the first shift in the communication room. Ava, Mysteer it's time to do an inventory, check, the kitchens, office, and infirmary especially to see if we need to restock on anything."

Her squad just stared at their vice-captain, and Valance felt a headache build up; she clapped her hands together twice, getting impatient. "Get going. If you need anything I'll be in my office."

She watched her squad scamper off to do their task before heading to her office on the third floor, Eisen at her heels since he had to do his own paperwork.

"You don't have to tell them to start their duties," Valance said, looking at her old friend. "They're given a list of what they're supposed to do each day at the beginning of the week."

"This squad is still new and besides, you, me, and Zane, none of the others were Magic Knights before, it'll take them a while to start their duties on their own. We can't take things too fast." Eisen explained calmly.

"We can't baby them either. Jade is the newest and he's learning how things go way faster than Alex or Mysteer."

"Jade also overworks himself too much." Eisen countered. "But I guess it's no wonder you like him, he's just like you."

"Excuse me?" Valance stopped in her tracks and looked up at Eisen.

"You just want to go, go, go, you hate standing still. I remember when we first met, I had so much trouble keeping you in the infirmary, you always tried to sneak out." He said a fond smile on his lips.

Valance's felt a smile of her own form, she did remember and the times that she had successfully snuck out were the only times she had seen Eisen's calm disposition disappear and be replaced by a pushy and persistent mother-hen persona.

"I'm glad that we did end up meeting. I'm also glad you agreed to be my vice-captain. I never did properly thank you for that." The words slipped out before she could stop them, but her dream was still in the forefront of her thoughts and it was distracting her.

Eisen's brows rose, he looked down at her in concern, "Where'd that come from? Are you feeling okay Valance?"

"I feel fine, just a bit nostalgic. Doesn't help that I dreamed about the time when I first met you, Fuegoleon, and Julius. Feels like the past is about to come back and bite me." Or kill me, she thought wordlessly.

Eisen was quiet, thinking seriously about what he wanted to say next. "If I remember correctly, you were horribly wounded, on the edge of death and once you recovered were told you couldn't go home to the Ace kingdom. It's not surprising that you feel uneasy every time you think about it."

"I do wish that you would tell us who exactly that lady you were chasing was and why it was your duty to catch her." He added.

Valance felt a familiar twinge of guilt go through her. It had been seven years, but she never revealed who the person she was chasing was to anyone in Clover, Queen Celande knew but swore to keep her secret until she was ready to tell them. Problem was, she didn't think she ever would be. She was worried about their reaction if they ever found out who the person she was chasing was.

"That was never important," She lied easily before quickly changing the subject "But somewhat good things came from that time. I met you all."

Eisen smiled, "Yeah, that is pretty good." They stopped right outside Valance's office. "If you ever want to talk about it, I'll listen."

"I know," Valance said, entering her office before she said anything else that might make her want to reveal the full details of her past. The truth of who that woman was burning the back of her throat, forcing her to relive the day that she had last seen her.

Seven Years Ago

Clover Kingdom

Common Realm

Forest near Helio Village

Valance gasped tiredly; a sword made from miniature stars clutched tightly in her hand as she glared at the girl opposite her. It irked her that her opponent didn't seem the least bit phased.

"Are you tired already, Val?" The girl asked teasingly, a sickeningly warped smile on her face. "I thought you had better endurance than that."

"Shut up." Valance snapped. "And don't call me Val!"

"Right, I haven't seen you for so long that I forgot how much you hate nicknames, Valance. Would you like me to call you sister instead?"

In response, Valance growled and threw herself at the other girl, the Traitor in a mad fury. "You and I are not sisters," She snapped, swinging her sword through the air, and cutting deep into the Traitor's stomach.

"Valance, Valance, Valance," The Traitor shook her head mockingly, not at all bothered by the blood slipping down her stomach. "Don't say that, you'll hurt my feelings." The smile didn't leave her face and Valance hated that she was staring at a near mirror image of herself.

Unfortunately, she and the Traitor looked nearly identical when it came to physical features, the only difference between them was their coloring: light purple hair instead of dark purple, green eyes instead of yellow. It was looking into a sick and twisted mirror, and she hated it.

"Why are you here anyway?" The Traitor asked. "There's no excuse for you to appear and ruin my fun."

"What's inexcusable is you attacking an innocent village to sate your bloodlust!" Valance shot back, "Celestial magic: Starfall." Clusters of stars exploded from above, raining down over the Traitor's head and slicing into her pale skin since she didn't dodge fast enough. "I will drag you back to the Ace Kingdom and you will be judged for your betrayal." She hissed at her sister.

The Traitor just laughed, "I've never been loyal to the Ace Kingdom. I betrayed no one sister."

"Your actions killed hundreds of Ace citizens," Valance said, continuing her charge, continuously slashing at the darker-haired girl as she felt her rage increase. "What you've done is unforgivable."

The Traitor scoffed, summoning a spear created from corrupt stars into her hand and easily breaking through Valance's defenses, leaving a deep gash on her side.

Valance cried out in pain, her free hand immediately pressing against her side in the hope of staunching the blood flow.

"No." the Traitor was suddenly angry. "What's unforgivable is being expected to continue the traditions of our Kingdom. To protect and serve with nothing in return. Why must it be our fate to despair while the poor and weak rejoice? I, Valette of house d'Chevalier reject that path."

"You'll reject our duty but keep our name? Sounds like you've lost it." Valance barely had the strength to block Valette's heavy blow.

"It sounds fitting. I will help my Lord destroy everything the Ace Kingdom has built, what better way than to carry the name of one of the Kingdom's oldest protectors to do so? The proof that I'm on the right path is in front of me after all."

Valette's spear shattered a shield Valance created, sending the lighter-haired girl flying back. "What better proof do I need when you're mistake proves my point dear sister?" She asked as she slowly made her way to where Valance lay. "You would have beaten me if you didn't protect that stupid village. The only reason you've lost is because you chose to protect them instead of yourself."

"That's not a mistake," Valance glared. "I will always protect others before myself."

Valette shrugged. "Your loss." Without another word, she stabbed clean through Valance's shoulder. "I really hope the next time we meet you come to see things my way." She savagely pulled the spear back out, watching with glee as her twin stifled a scream. "I grow tired of killing my own family."

Present Day

Five and a half months after Spade War

Clover Kingdom

Common Realm

Celestial Phoenix HQ

Valance shuddered, pulling herself out of that memory as her hand absentmindedly reached for where Valette had stabbed her.

She'd never see the world the way her sister did. There was too much good and beauty in it, even if her sister was blind to it. She'd stop Valette even if it was the last thing she did. When her sister did reappear, she'd be ready.

She just hoped it wasn't any time soon, the peace that had settled after the Spade war deserved to linger, and she'd do everything in her power to make sure it did.

Present Day

Five and a half months after Spade War

Location Unknown

A woman in her mid-twenties sighed huffily as she made her way through a poor village, ignoring the cries of pain and despair around her.

"This was more boring than I thought it'd be," The woman complained, pushing back her thick, dark purple hair as her yellow eyes scanned her surroundings. The buildings were on fire and in the process of burning to the ground, the streets were slick with blood, and dead bodies littered every corner. Usually, the sight would cause her to jump with joy but not this time. There was little thrill to see people who already had nothing lose everything else. The real excitement came when she destroyed a well-off village or town; now that was the despair she liked to witness.

"Please... please help my baby." A badly burned woman was slowly crawling towards her, a baby somehow untouched by all the chaos in her arms. "Please..." The woman looked up at her, tears streaming down her face.

The woman crouched down, a sweet smile on her lips. "Of course, I'll help," She took the offered baby, holding it close to her chest. She rocked the baby in her arms for a moment, making sure the mother's eyes were on her as she did so.

"Thank-" The mother's words of gratitude changed to a scream when the woman formed a small knife made out of black stars with her magic and stabbed the baby right through the chest before throwing it back at the mother as if it were a rag.

The woman watched, finally feeling a sense of fulfillment as she watched the woman sob over her dead child. Finally. Something worth her time.

When the mother looked up, her eyes were like a wild animal's and she somehow found the strength to launch herself at the woman with a grief-filled scream.

The woman didn't even bother to move or summon her magic, she just thrust her hand through the woman's chest, but she didn't kill her. She just held her up, watching the mother's eyes fill with pain and fear as blood spilled out of her mouth, a gurgle sounding every time she tried to take a breath.

"I don't care if you hate me. You may even curse my name, as you suffer in hell. In fact, please use it. My name is Valette." She smirked as she twisted her hand and with a loud crunch the mother turned limp in her hold.

Valette slowly withdrew her hand from the mother's corpse, not caring that it was now covered in blood. She looked at the blood curiously before she started to lick it clean from her own hand.

"You look happy Lady Valette." A deathly white man with hollow cheeks and hollowed eyes said.

"I am. We've only been taking towns that have already lost hope. It's been a while since I've tasted the blood of someone who experienced hope only to be crushed by despair, even if that hope was fleeting." She scowled, "When our Lord ordered me back to this realm, I had no idea he'd give me such disgusting tasks. I should have stayed away. Please tell me you have good news for me Draven." She said looking at him expectantly.

"I do." He gave her a smile as wicked as hers, his sharp teeth gleaming in the firelight. "I know where your sister is and even better, what she's been up to since the last time you saw her."

A slow smile formed on Valette's face. She wouldn't be allowed to do anything to Valance immediately, she knew her Lord would disapprove but... she knew from experience that the best outcome for her came with patience and when her fool of a sister was at her happiest.

"... Draven, tell me everything you know."

And end! What did you guys think? Please leave a review below

Small appearances from OCs, it would have been larger, but I thought there needed to be a bit more backstory for Valance too. How much do you think she's changed from when she arrived in Clover to being a Captain?

Next Chapter: Magic Knight Entrance Exams!