23 Conscripting Holy Knights (1/2)
Chapter 23: Conscripting Holy Knights
Far above the Oceanside lands, and hidden above the clouds, was the kingdom of Skyworld. The floating rock isle, with an entire kingdom built on top of it. The sunlit sky shined onto the kingdom, where many people, Rhyme and their allied species; were gathered at the Castle's bailey. They were all speaking amongst themselves, eagerly awaiting for something to happen.
A male red haired elf was standing with a dark haired man, who appeared to be a samurai. They seemed to be friends, despite the elf having a leashed with him. The leashed was peering around the crowds, from his position. The three of them appeared to be the same blokes that Jackyn had seen at the pub in Belmont, several months prior. The samurai glanced over to the elf however.
”Oy, Jayson. Lookin' forward to all the riches, mate?” The samurai chuckled.
”Obviously, why else would we be here?” Jayson, the elf, held his hands up with a shrug.
”True that!” The samurai grinned, before looking to the feline beside Jayson. ”...Your leashed doesn't seem too thrilled.” His expression become more serious.
”Ronan, tell Enoch you're not some pussy.” Jayson groaned.
The feline leashed kept close to Jayson, but turned to Enoch. ”I do as the master orders. I am happy, if he is happy.”
”See. He's a good leashed, very loyal.” Jayson replied with a cocky tone, as he pat Ronan on the head.
”Out of my way, amateurs!” a sharp female tone was heard, as the bounty hunter, Trigger, appeared from the crowds. She shoved right through Jayson and Enoch, making her way closer to the front of the swarm of people.
”What the hell is that bitch's deal!?” Jayson snapped, growing angry.
”That's Trigger Wyshak, the renowned bounty hunter. Don't tell me you don't know of her?” Enoch quirked a brow over at his friend.
”Wait! No way, that's her!?” Jayson appeared surprised, trying to get a better look, before she vanished into the crowd. ”She makes blokes like us, look like newbies.”
”I heard that Trig had a bad run in with that wanted Amygdala a few months back. Honestly, It's no surprise that she's here.” Enoch crossed his arms, looking to the swarm of people ahead of them.
”Pfft, why do you say that?” Jayson scoffed. ”That chick is a one bitch army.”
”That wanted man got the best of her, and the Templar saved her life. It goes without saying, that she may want to conscript.” Enoch explained.
”You're kidding.” Jayson was even more astonished, his leashed peering over at him, with his ears back.
Emerging from the large balcony of the castle above them, stepped forth the Grand Master. Aoba looked to his subjects, as he kept a royal demeanor. ”This has turned into quite the gathering.” He spoke up with a whimsical grin poised on his lips. Everyone immediately silenced, their eyes and ears focused on the Grand master. ”Now that I have your undivided attention, we can get down to business.” Aoba used his hand to gently shift the hair from his face. ”Many of you have had your eyes set on that wanted Amygdala, known as the Angel of Death. However, it has been brought to my attention that another is more of a threat to the Templar Order.” He continued.
The crowd was drawn in by the Leader of the Rhyme, listening intensely. Below the bailing, was two of the higher ranked Templar, Flint and Phish, who were guarding the entrance of the castle. They held in their deep concern for the situation.
”I'm sure you're all aware of the stories my grandfather spoke of. The entire reason we keep them in solitude...” Aoba paused for a moment, before continuing. ”On our hands, may just be the next Amygdala uprising. Be that as it may, the Angel of Death appears to be working along side the one I speak of. The Queen of Fiends has appeared, and some of my forces engaged her in combat.”
The onlookers of the crowd seemed astonished, some even gasping in shock. The more serious warriors however, kept a serious demeanor.
”If we don't act soon there may be a war on our hands. So due to these events, we'll need all the forces we can muster. Those of you who wish to join the Templar Order, enter the castle keep below. This is your chance to conscript to the ways of the Holy Knights. Just bare in mind that I want the Queen captured, alive. Good luck now.” Aoba smiled, before proceeding back through the path he came.
Below the bailey, two templar soldiers from inside opened the gates. Flint and Phish invited in the crowd who desired to draft into the Templar army. As the entrance hall filled up, the gates closed behind them, with the two Lupis following them inside. Awaiting the recruits from the opposite corridor, was Ayame and Eclipse.
”Thank you for joining us, new recruits. I am Knight of the Wind, Ayame Shizuko, and the elf beside me is Spymaster Eclipse Lunar. The two Lupis behind you are Flint Wulfric and Phish Tigerpaws. Allow me to explain how the initiation into the templar will follow.” Ayame introduced her allies, pausing to look to the people overlooking her. ”My fellow knights and I will be placing you all through trials to determine your strengths and weaknesses. From there it will be decided your placement in our ranks. Most of you will no doubt become foot soldiers, but then a lucky few may be qualified enough to become higher ranked officers, like the ones of us who will be deciding your fate today.” Ayame turned from them, walking down the left corridor. ”The training barracks is just out this way. Please do keep close, and follow me.” She said, leading the way.
The crowd followed Ayame and Eclipse through the hallway to an outside training area of the castle. There was wooden targets around with arrows piercing the boards, as well as straw dummies, and a wall holding a hanging weapon armory. It seemed like the perfect area for knights to spar with others, and hone their skills for combat. The gates closed behind them, as the four templar generals stood before the recruits.
”We will be dividing you upon race. We don't want to expect a fish to climb a tree, as well as a cat, now do we? This way everything will be judged fairly. Understand?” Eclipse spoke up. ”Also, those of you with leashed, will be trained to coordinate with your animal companion.”
Watching from one of the balconies above, Elliot was observing the trial period. He seemed prepared to protect Ayame, in case something went amiss. He saw the templar dividing the recruits, and confirming their species. Jayson was placed with the other elves, and his leashed, Ronan, set aside with the other pets for the time being. Enoch was sent to the human group, which just so happened to be the same one that Trigger was placed in.
”Seems we'll be competing against each other, Trigger.” Enoch turned to her.
”Don't get cocky rookie, I've taken down beasts I doubt you've ever even heard of. So don't act friendly with me. I'm out of your league.” Trigger scoffed at him.
Other races were placed together, like the centaur, other Lupis, Terra, and the Rhyme. They all were being checked to ensure no Amygdala or Fiends were present, and that no race lied about their birthright.
Flint came up to Ayame, informing her of something, which caused her to look to a lone brunette haired man, who wore a red cloak. She had a serious look on her face as she approached him. ”Identify your species, recruit. Flint has just informed me that he doesn't know what you are.” She stated, sternly. ”A Lupis can detect any species just by their scent alone. What are you?”
The other recruits all peered over to the commotion, wondering what was going on.
”I'm not an Amygdala, so why does it matter?” The man retorted, seriously.
”If you do not comply, then you'll be taken in for questioning.” Ayame insisted, with a cold tone, as she grabbed his shoulder.
The man pulled out a voulge from beneath his cloak. ”Don't force my hand, I am not your enemy.” He stared, on the defensive.
Ayame withdrew a small axe from her back utility belt, keeping her eyes sharply placed on the man. ”Your actions say otherwise.” She retorted, slashing down at the suspicious man immediately. The crowd was getting stirred and riled up as conflict rose in the training area. Ayame's axe had collided with the man's voulge, as he tried to avoid her incoming blow. ”Answer me!” Ayame demanded. ”You work for the Queen of Fiends, don't you!?”
The man didn't respond, as he used his voulge to knock her back to a distance. As Ayame's back hit the ground, Elliot leapt down from above, picking up dust as his feet hit the ground right in front of the suspicious man in red. His sword was drawn, as he slashed back at the unknown man. This caused the man to sway backwards, to avoid the blade connecting, however in doing so the man stumbled into the wall behind him. He was cornered now, as Elliot held his sword across the man's throat.
”Everyone remain calm. I believe the situation has been handled.” Eclipse spoke up, as she approached the conflict. She looked to Ayame, who was sitting up and holding her head. ”Is your head alright?”
Ayame nodded, as Eclipse helped her to her feet. ”I'll be fine.”
”Perhaps you should go have it looked at, it could be a concussion. I'm sure the rest of us can handle things from here.” Eclipse insisted.
”Very well, I'll send Kloud Vespire to take my place.” Ayame agreed.
”I don't think that will be necessary. Just get some rest for now.” Eclipse replied, walking over to the suspicious man, that Elliot cornered; as Ayame took her leave. ”We'll have this one escorted to the prison block for now. Elliot, if you don't mind?”
Elliot grunted, getting a hold on the man, so that his hands could be bound. Some lower grunts came in, taking the man away, with Elliot keeping to their rear as they left. Eclipse turned back the others. ”Let us begin your trials now, shall we?”
The training period began, as each of the recruits showed their skills to the superior officers. They practiced melee fighting, dexterity, mount control, and agility. Some like Trigger, were excellent marksmen, while others, such as Enoch and Jayson, had better melee skills, and even a few could perform magic. Flint seemed to be keeping his attention mostly on Trigger, impressed by her skills, while the other generals didn't seem too impressed by many of the others. However, nightfall was drawing near.
Within one of the Barrack's sleeping chambers, two of the Spymaster's dragon sat inside. Talis was rebandaging up Gaigas' collarbone, from where Shane had stabbed him. He grunted in irritation, from the pain.
”Please sit still, Gaigas. You need to let me finish changing your bandage... That human wounded you more than you think he did.” Talis tried to force the male dragon to hold still.
”I said, I'M FINE!” Gaigas snapped back, shifting from her grasp.
Talis lowered her head. ”You need to be more careful... It's hard enough without Nobou around anymore.”
Gaigas had been flaring his teeth, but eased up, with a grunt-like scoff. ”Tzz... You act like they killed your little brother, he was banished. Get over it.”
”The point is, I don't want to lose you, Guy. Stop being such a jerk to me!” Talis sulked.
Gaigas grumbled, as he rolled his eyes. He forced her closer, as one arm wrapped around her. Talis' tears ran onto his fresh bandages. ”Knock it off already. It's harder to kill me, than that... Sheesh. You must REALLY want me up inside you.” He briefly chuckled, at the nasty remark, as he reached his hand into her top, to feel up her breast.
Talis blushed, as she tried to pull away from him. ”S-Stop it..!” She pleaded, nervously.