Chapter 91: Formation Of the Royal Knights, Part 1: The Tower of Hope
"From the Blue Rose, Lucia Moreau!" Mereoleona's voice rang out, echoing through the tower of hope as the redhead raised her hand, her green eyes sparkling mischievously.
"Present, Lady Mereoleona!" she said, her voice evidently trying to match Mereoleona's intensity.
"From the Blue Rose, Zoe Halcourt!" Mereoleona said again
"I'm here, Lady Mereoleona," Zoe said, raising her hand, her hat precariously perched on her head.
"Dana Avery!"
Dana adjusted her newly homemade round glasses - a magic item manufactured from her lens magic designed to see the unhidden. "Here."
"Madeleine Davis!"
"I am present, Lady Mereoleona!" Madeleine replied in her usual gruff and/or brisk manner.
"Puli Angel!"
"Heeere! Did you all miss me?" the fat lady exclaimed with her usual flair.
"The Silver Eagles," Mereoleona declared, and Lars's head turned towards his sister, her eyepatch intact, her blue gaze focused, "Frida Mertens!"
The mention of Frida's name caused whispers to run through the crowd. Was Frida really fit to go on this mission, especially after everything that had gone down. Frida raised a hand, and the room fell silent.
"Present," she said fiercely, and there was no further chatter.
"Kian Voss!"
Present," Kian said coolly, shifting the piece of gum in his mouth to one side.
"Lyra Nocturne!"
"Present, Lady Mereoleona," Lyra said, gracefully raising a hand.
"Mirabella Zavala!"
"That's me," Mira mumbled, raising a hand shakily.
"From the Green Praying Mantis, En Ringard!"
"Hell yeah!" the mushroom on En's shoulder screamed. "Let's do this!"
"Cade Lynx!"
"I'm here," the short boy said coolly.
"And…Myla Fullbright," Mereoleona scowled.
"What, aren't you happy to see me?" Myla replied, her usual grin not present on her face.
"From the Crimson Lions, Cara Castro!"
"Here, Captain!" Cara said, practically bouncing off the walls with barely restrained excitement.
"Aramond Ashworth!"
The more reserved ash magic user, in contrast, raised a hand in greeting. "Here, Captain."
"The Vice Captain of the Crimson Lion Kings, Anastacia Halcourt!"
"I'm ready," Anastacia replied, her grey eyes steely.
"From the Purple Orcas, Fransiska Granvorka!"
"H-here," Fani said, raising a trembling hand.
"From the Coral Peacocks, Lars Mertens!"
Lars raised a hand. "Here."
"Theresa Day!"
"Present!"
"Sharya Hansen!"
"Here, Lady Mereoleona."
Lars felt a tap on his shoulder from Frida. "Lars," she whispered.
"What is it?" Lars said, his voice somewhere between irritation and curiosity.
"Thank you," Frida started, "for helping me reevaluate my purpose."
"Your… purpose?" Lars said. Iskra came out from seemingly nowhere and leaned on his shoulder, the spirit's eyes seeming to bore into Frida.
"You already know that the way that bastard pushed us to be stronger was by turning us against each other, making us compete for his affection," Frida said, "and in my efforts to become stronger, to utterly crush you, I lost what I was fighting for to my hate of you."
Lars nodded.
"When I learned of this," his sister continued, "I felt like there was no reason for me to be a magic knight. I didn't know what I was living for. A friend helped me, however, and gave me something to think about. While my motive for being a Magic Knight in the first place may not have been entirely true, I think it's become true now."
"Then don't thank me," Lars said, turning away. "Thank your friend."
There was silence between the two for a moment.
"Mimosa Vermillion!"
"Here, Lady Mereoleona!"
"You know," Lars said, "we missed out on a lot of stuff because we were too busy trying to be better than each other. I'd like to do that stuff sometime."
Frida smiled faintly. "I'd like that too."
"Vivianne Voss!"
"Here, Lady Mereoleona!"
…
"Ohhhh, these are so cool!" Theresa said, doing a little twirl. "Mine's the perfect mix between too big and just right!"
"What's that even supposed to mean?" Yul replied gruffly, though he was also a fan of these things.
At this moment, Mira came out of the changing rooms, her blue hair and Royal Knight robes billowing behind her. Yul just managed to keep her jaw intact.
She was gorgeous.
Theresa noticed his reaction, and a sly smile began to appear on her face. "Ohhhh, that's what's happening with her and Yul."
Sharya, who had seemed to appear out of nowhere, muttered to the smaller girl, "Never knew he had it in him."
Meanwhile, Lars was talking with his "celestial gang" of sorts,
"Still keeping the coat, Halcourt?" Lars teased. "Aren't you going to get a little hot under there? You'll burn out like one of Cade's anger threads."
"I assure you, Mertens, I'll be fine," Zoe replied, adjusting her officer cap, the Blue Rose insignia gleaming in the light."
"I think it suits her," Cade said, a small smile appearing at his lips. Zoe blushed furiously, covering her face with her hat.
Cara, as oblivious as ever, nudged Kian. "Guess Larsey was right. She really is overheating."
Zoe blushed even more furiously. Right now, she wanted to shrink into her robes and never be seen again.
On the other side of the room, Frida was deep in conversation with Anastacia - or at least, that's what I would say if the two girls hadn't parted on such an awkward note.
"So… Royal Knights, huh?" Anastacia said. Frida nodded awkwardly.
"I'm sorry, Stace," Frida said suddenly, catching the older girl's attention. "I've been a really hateable person, haven't I?"
"You have," Anastacia smiled. "I accept your apology."
"No, seriously," Frida said, "after all this is over, we need to have a long chat over some tea, like we used to-"
"When you first became a Magic Knight," Anastacia finished. "My dad actually got a new import, so I'd like to enjoy it with you."
"Ooh!" Frida gushed. Tea was actually one of the finer things she enjoyed in life. "What brand is it?"
"U-uhm," a voice whispered, cutting through their conversation. It was Franziska, the short blonde brushing a lock of hair out of her face. "W-would it be okay if I joined?"
Anastacia opened her mouth to reply, but Mereoleona's voice cut through their talk - and indeed, all the chatter in the room.
"We ran through all of our fabric because of some unexpected members," Mereoleona stated. "They did not take the exam, but they are essential to making this plan work."
The door to the Tower swung open, and out of it emerged Shiren Tium and Cob Portaport.
"Hello, everyone!" Cob said in his usual jovial demeanour, his somewhat unsettling smile never leaving his lips. Siren, meanwhile, remained silent.
"Shiren will be essential to making this plan work, as his spell, Stone Model of the World, can not only give us an accurate layout of the hideout but also the magic levels of the enemy mages there," Mereoleona declared, with an unnaturally businesslike air.
"Cob has very convenient spatial magic that does not have the limits of the Fullbright boy's spatial magic. Finral Roualcase is still recovering from his injuries, and the Fullbright boy, while being chosen, has a limited range outside of the Gravito Stones to places he has never visited before."
"Last but not least," Mereoleona stated, as the last member brought up the rear, his sheer presence causing everyone to turn their heads, "Nozel Silva!"
Nozel said nothing as he entered, but he didn't need to.
He just had that much aura. (GLAAAAAAAAAAZE)
Frida's smirk at seeing her captain turned into a feral grin. "He just couldn't help himself, huh? Honestly."
Big brother… Noelle thought, her expression close to worry.
"I thought you'd refuse. What happened?" Mereoleona smirked.
"I changed my mind," Nozel replied simply, his expression still staying stoic.
"Oh well," Mereoleona replied, turning to the rest of the Royal Knights. "You lot, along with these three, are the Royal Knights!"
"Whaaaaaat? Hey, Nozel? How are you up there?" Rill asked, covering his mouth in shock. "You didn't even take the exam! That's not fair!"
"We didn't need to take the exam, kid," Myla stated gruffly, her expression now a lot more subdued than usual. "We could choose whether we wanted to go on the raid."
"Whaaaat?! You should have told meeeee!" Rill whined, shaking poor Fragil, who maintained her deadpan expression.
Is he stupid? the two captains and vice captain thought as they watched Rill throw yet another temper tantrum.
"The Royal Knights are a strong enemy," a seedy voice said, cutting through Rill's wails - the king himself. "The presence of captain's, especially ROYAL ones, is very needed on the ROYAL Knights squad. It's all about us ROYALS!"
"King Augustus Kira Clover the XIII!" Mereoleona stated, making the king jump.
When was the last time anyone used my full name? She's terrifying!
"We know that the Eye of the Midnight Sun is a terrorist organisation that threatens the Clover Kingdom," Mereoleona stated. "You all worked together to defend the Royal Capital against them, and you were successful. However, there were still severe consequences. My foolish younger brother Fuegoleon fell at the enemy's hands, and he has still not awakened.
"What we learned from the agents we captured is that their leader is a mage with a four-leaf clover grimoire, Licht," Mereoleona continued. "We learned they have an upper echelon called the Third Eye - consisting of Vetto the Despair, Fana the Hateful, a spy planted in the ranks of the Magic Knights by the Eye, and Raia the Disloyal. Vetto and Fana were both defeated. They are also working with the defective scientist, Acroma, and his enforcer, Maelys - the latter of which is believed to have broken the former out of prison."
Hearing Acroma's name made Lars's skin crawl, but he pushed the feeling away as Mereoleona continued.
"We also learnt, that for reasons unknown, they are collecting the magic stones in order to be born into their true selves and obtain great power, two of which we were able to get to before them. There's only one magic stone left. The real threats on this mission are Rhya, Licht, and the scientist Acroma, who despite his profession, is a capable combatant. We will be attacking their stronghold, so our enemy will do everything they can to stop us. Some of us may fall, but we will be victorious! Any fool who fails to give their all will be taken out personally by me beforehand! Understood?!"
"Yes, Lady Mereoleona!" the Royal Knights chorused emphatically.
"Your Majesty, Augustus Kira Clover XIII! Is there anything you wish to say?"
"N-no, you've covered everything," the king muttered, quite miffed that he couldn't say much. "Except the hi-"
"The hideout of the Eye is located in a Grand Magic Zone!" Mereoleona barked. "It's a floating dungeon within the strong magic region known as Gravito Stones! If that is all, you are dismissed!"
The Royal Knights quickly left the tower of hope, none wishing to become subject to Mereoleona's fury.
…
"It's odd," Lars mused, drawing the attention of Zoe, Lucia and Fransiska, all of which were gathered in the lobby of Magic Knight headquarters. Lucia was playing around with some cards, Fransiska absentmindedly tried out her hair in different hairstyles, and Zoe continued writing… whatever she was writing.
"What's odd, Lars?" Lucia said, her green eyes locking onto Lars's blue ones.
"I can't seem to find Iskra. She's not even in my mindscape," Lars said. "She's been disappearing for hours at a time recently. It's kind of worrying."
"Now that you mention it, Mertens," Zoe said, "I can't seem to call on Liora as well."
"It's inconsequential," Lars said. "Wherever she is, I trust that she'll come back at the right time.
…
The dimly lit chamber of the goddess pulsed with an otherworldly glow, the faint hum of ancient power reverberating through the ethereal space. Iskra, Liora, Bashir, Zaira, and Valros stood at the center, their forms flickering like shadows cast by a divine flame. They felt the pull of her presence—a commanding force that demanded reverence yet radiated profound warmth.
"You were not created as mere spirits of war," the goddess continued, her tone unyielding. "You were forged as vessels of my will, brought into this world not by the natural flow of mana, but by design—artificial, yes, but no less sacred. Each of you carries the blessing of the Five Sacred Gifts: intellect, desire, instinct, emotion, and willpower. These gifts are the foundation of balance and harmony. They were meant to elevate humanity, to guide them toward enlightenment. Yet look at what the world has become."
Her voice hardened, and the light within the chamber dimmed. "An age of strife, where the Sacred Gifts are forgotten and war reigns supreme. Humanity has abandoned the pursuit of knowledge and turned to violence. Thus, you have taken the guise of battle spirits, reflections of this grim age. Tell me, Celestials, how have you fulfilled your purpose in this fractured world?"
Iskra stepped forward first, her usual fiery confidence replaced by a reluctant humility. "I have guided Lars, my champion, to uncover his potential. He grows stronger with every trial, but… I feel as though I am holding back. As though there is a part of me that I cannot yet access."
"That is because you are incomplete," the goddess replied with certainty. "All of you are. Your essence has been eroded over the ages, dulled by the neglect of those who once revered you. But this incompleteness is not a curse - it is a call to action. The bond between you and your champions will be the key to restoring your fullness."
Liora, whose playful demeanor often masked her depth, spoke next. "If our bonds are the key, then why do I feel so far away from my champion? I try to connect with Zoe, but there are barriers I can't overcome. It's like we're walking parallel paths, unable to meet."
"The barriers you feel are as much within you as they are within your champions," the goddess said. "To guide them, you must first look within yourselves. You must remember your purpose, your origin. You were not created for ease, but for trial. And trials are what lie ahead."
Her voice grew heavier, and the light within the chamber turned crimson, the air thick with foreboding. "The devils stir once more," she said, her words cutting through the silence like a blade. "Lucifero awakens in the depths of the underworld, his schemes weaving through the mortal realm. He is not alone. Humans - those I once entrusted to you - have allied themselves with the devils, forsaking their kind in pursuit of power. They conspire to unravel the balance of this world. If they succeed, neither mortal nor celestial will survive the tide of ruin."
Zaira's calm voice broke the silence. "You speak of trials, yet we have already endured so many. Are we truly expected to bear more? And what of those humans who betray their own? How do we distinguish friend from foe?"
The goddess's tone softened, though the weight of her words remained. "Trust will be your greatest challenge. But remember this: the Sacred Gifts you embody are not merely tools for battle. They are truths that cut through deception. Intellect will expose deceit. Desire will uncover ambition. Instinct will sense treachery. Emotion will bridge understanding. And willpower will endure all trials. Hold fast to these truths, and you will not falter."
Valros, pragmatic and unyielding, finally spoke. "If the devils rise, humanity cannot stand against them alone. Are we to guide our champions, or must we fight ourselves?"
"You will do both," the goddess answered. "Your champions are the vessels of your power, but you are the conduits of my will. The Celestial Hosts must rise to their second purpose: to drive back the devils. This was always your destiny, should the balance of the world fall to ruin. You are to rekindle the Sacred Gifts within humanity, but also to stand as their shield and sword against the darkness."
The Celestials stood in silence, the enormity of their task weighing heavily upon them.
"You are not alone in this fight," the goddess said, her tone softening once more. "But you must be strong. You must build your champions into warriors of both mind and soul. The devils will not wait. Their plans are already in motion. Lucifero's will is relentless, and his human allies will stop at nothing to see his ascension."
The chamber began to shift, its light fading into a gentle, golden glow.
"Go now," the goddess commanded. "Strengthen your bonds. Prepare your champions. The storm is upon us, and you are the light against the encroaching dark. Do not fail, my Celestials. The fate of all realms rests on your shoulders."
The Celestials found themselves drawn back to their respective realms, the goddess's words seared into their very essence. They had always been guardians of humanity's potential. Now, they would be its saviors.
As the chamber emptied, the Goddess remained, her form flickering slightly.
"To protect is their purpose," she murmured to herself. "But to endure… that is mine."
…
Back in the mortal realm, Lars stood in the Magic Knight headquarters' lobby, gazing out the window at the darkening sky. A strange sensation tugged at the edge of his consciousness, a fleeting connection he couldn't quite grasp.
"Wherever you are, Iskra," he murmured, "I hope you're watching over me."
Far beyond his understanding, she was.
All would be revealed - in time.
…
Maelys sat alone in the dimly lit corner of the Eye of the Midnight Sun's underground base. The faint hum of mana crystals embedded in the walls cast a soft glow, illuminating the rows of books, alchemical tools, and half-finished concoctions scattered across her desk. She held a small vial of shimmering liquid—the concoction she had crafted to suppress her elf-like features. Tilting it back and forth, she watched the silver fluid catch the light, her magenta eyes clouded with thought.
Her memories drifted to a time long before this body, to a life that felt more vivid than the one she inhabited now. Five centuries ago, she had lived as an elf, a being of serenity and magic. She remembered the sprawling meadows of the Elven Realm, the crystalline rivers that shimmered under eternal sunlight, and the laughter of her kin that echoed through the ancient forests.
Among those memories, two figures stood out.
Lukos, ever playful and indifferent, was an enigma to everyone. His sharp tongue and mocking smile belied a depth Maelys could never quite reach, though she had tried countless times. She recalled how he would laze under the shade of the grand whitewood trees, his silver hair catching the sunlight as he spun riddles that no one could solve.
"You think too much," Lukos had said one day, watching her struggle with an incantation. "Magic doesn't care for overthinking. Just be."
He had teased her relentlessly, but there had been a softness in his gaze, a warmth in his presence that drew her in. Maelys had been courting him, though Lukos, in his usual fashion, had never explicitly acknowledged it. His playful deflections only deepened her determination to win his heart.
Then there was Freja, Lukos's sister and Maelys's closest confidante. Freja had been everything Maelys aspired to be—graceful, confident, and endlessly supportive. The two of them had spent countless hours wandering the forests, Freja teaching her ancient spells and sharing dreams of a future where their people thrived in peace.
"You're too hard on yourself," Freja had told her once, her emerald eyes gleaming with reassurance. "You're stronger than you realize, Maelys. Lukos sees it, even if he doesn't say it."
And then there was Reve, her mentor, who guided her with wisdom and patience. Reve's voice, calm and melodic, echoed in her mind even now. "The heart is a powerful tool, Maelys," Reve had said during one of their lessons. "It can be your greatest strength or your deepest weakness. How you wield it will define you."
The memories made her chest tighten. She had lost all of them. The massacre of the elves, their souls torn from their bodies, was a wound that never healed. Reincarnated into this human form, Maelys had struggled to adapt. At first, she had rejected everything that Patri said - she wasn't a fan of his great revenge plan. She had lived among the humans, trying to understand their world, hoping to find solace. But their fleeting lives, their selfish desires, and their ignorance only deepened her bitterness. It wasn't long before she returned to the Eye, determined to see their mission through.
The concoction in her hand was her final barrier to that life among humans. Suppressing her pointed ears had allowed her to blend in, to walk unnoticed in their cities, but she knew she wouldn't need it for much longer. Once the plan succeeded, once the elves were restored, she would never need to hide again. She would be free. She would see Lukos, Freja, and Reve once more.
A knock on the door interrupted her thoughts. Rhya stepped inside, his expression uncharacteristically somber. He leaned against the doorframe, crossing his arms. "You're thinking about them again, aren't you?" he said, his voice carrying a quiet understanding.
Maelys didn't answer. She set the vial down on the desk, staring at it as if it held the answers she sought.
Rhya approached, picking up the vial and examining it. "You won't need this anymore," he said, his tone gentle but firm. "When this is over, you'll have everything you lost. You'll see your precious Lukos again."
She turned to him, her expression unreadable. "Will it be the same, though?" she asked softly. "After everything we've done, after what we've become… will they even recognize us?"
Rhya studied her for a moment before letting out a sigh. "We've all changed," he admitted. "But our goal hasn't. If we don't finish this, all those memories, all those dreams—they'll be for nothing."
When Maelys didn't respond, Rhya uncorked the vial, tipping it slightly as if to spill its contents. She reached out instinctively, but stopped herself, letting her hand fall. "You're right," she said at last. "I don't need it anymore."
Rhya smirked, corking the vial again and placing it on the table. "Good. Now stop brooding. Miron's about to start another one of his 'inspiring' speeches, and I'd rather face him with backup."
A small smile tugged at Maelys's lips. "Lucky for you, I'm feeling generous today."
As Rhya left, she glanced at the vial one last time before pushing it aside. The days of suppressing who she was were over. It was time to embrace her destiny - whatever it might cost.
A/N: celestial lore is always fun to write! but why were they in the primordial core? and why do I already have ideas about the coral peacocks' next inductees? all will be explained in due time.