Act 1 - Chapter 2, Part 2

“Hah!” the angel jumped and slammed his wooden staff down.

Yami raised his own staff, clashing with the other student he was sparring against. The sound joined the other wooden clatters across the room. Yami stepped forward, pushing the other student back slowly as he held his ground. He picked up speed, and started sprinting forward. His opponent stumbled backward, but quickly lost his footing as Yami shoved him off.

“Huh- Woah!” his opponent panicked as he lost his balance.

Yami quickly stepped forward and grabbed his collar to stop his fall. “You alright, Arlin?”

“Ah!” Arlin gulped as he looked at Yami.

Arlin was two years older than Yami, a foot taller and a bit bulkier. He had a light skin tone, brown hair, and green eyes and a very round nose. His hair was cut short on the sides but the top was left a bit longer, emphasizing the length of his face. Yami knew he was from upper Helios from prior conversations, but the pride he carried with that barely showed itself anymore after so many losses. As his opponent hung above the ground, he grit his teeth, catching Yami off guard.

Arlin suddenly raised his staff and pressed it under Yami’s arm, then quickly shifted his grip and pushed it so that it pressed from above. The staff and Arlin’s arm caught Yami’s arm like a blunt pair of scissors. ‘Huh-’ Arlin put one foot back to balance himself, then turned the staff quickly to strike him in the head. Yami saw the edge coming, reflexively pulling his head back, and just barely dodging as his arm was freed from the lock. But as he dodged, Arlin quickly stepped toward him to stay in range, then turned the staff like before and caught Yami’s arm again. ‘What!’ This time, Arlin turned and pulled Yami over his shoulder. Yami was stunned as his feet left the floor and he was flipped over. ‘Woah!’ He quickly grasped Arlin’s shirt to hold on, but let go as he lost his grip and his back hit the floor.

“Ack!” Yami gasped, his whole body rattled from the impact.

“Holy shit!”, “Arlin took down Yami!”, “That was loud!” The other trainees stopped and watched in awe as two of the best in the class sparred.

“If you lose, I'm gonna kick your ass!” Zeus shouted angrily.

‘Grh!’ Yami quickly grasped his staff with both hands. Arlin raised his weapon, aimed it downward, then thrusted. Yami deflected it, then pushed the staff against the front of Arlin’s knees, forcing Arlin to pull his staff back. Yami took the opportunity to press the tip of his staff against the ground as he planted his feet. ‘Ah!’ Yami put his strength into his left arm, using the staff to push himself. Arlin slammed his staff down. Yami kicked off the ground and spun, just barely dodging Arlin’s strike. Desperate to win, Arlin turned and continued his pursuit, stabbing forward with his staff. Yami grasped his own wooden staff with both hands, then quickly twisted it upward, striking Arlin’s staff upward and catching him off guard.

“Shit!” Arlin cursed behind grit teeth.

With the momentum, Yami spun his staff around quickly with both hands. The crowd of young men around them cheered at the intense back and forth. Zeus grinned as Yami stepped toward Arlin and entered his range. Arlin raised his staff to block. Yami pivoted a step back as he twirled the staff, then held it firm as he took a stance. ‘Rah!’ Yami lunged forward, jabbing the wooden staff into Arlin’s guard at the same time. The crowd gasped as the wood snapped, chips and bits of the training staff hit the ground. Arlin moved his head to the left, just barely dodging the heavy thrust. Yami pulled the training staff back, then stepped forward and pointed the end at Arlin’s face.

“Ah-” Arlin gasped, his eyes widened as he felt the tip of the wooden staff lightly poke his chin.

Yami huffed with grit teeth. He swallowed his spit, his throat felt parched. Yami pulled the staff back, blinking as sweat dripped down his head. The crowd was fixated on the broken staff on the ground, one of them lifted a half up and presented it to the others with an expression of shock. The silent room suddenly erupted into a storm of cheers. Arlin shook his head as he blinked repeatedly, still taking in his defeat.

“What was that!”, “He smashed through the staff?! What is he!” the crowd of trainees roared.

“Fuck…” Arlin sighed. “I hate sparring with you…”

“Uh… Sorry-”

“No, no, don't apologize… I appreciate the opportunity… You're strong man… Seriously, how are you this strong… What do you eat?”

“A lot of eggs?” Yami answered with a raised brow.

“Haha…” Arlin huffed. “It’s not even just you…Your brother is strong too… Seriously, whose genes do you guys have…”

“Jeans?” Yami tilted his head.

“I think I prefer sparring with you over him though… That guy doesn’t even use his staff properly…”

“Yeah… Zeus is really competitive, and likes to do his own thing…”

“He’s a mad man!” Arlin scoffed. “How in the name of Grelt do you live with that guy…”

“He’s not that bad at home… Usually complains about being bored and just wants to go out all the time though”

“I don’t believe you… At all…” Arlin laughed as he stood up. “At this rate you two are bound to be recruited by noble houses…”

“Hey, that thing you did there… Where you locked my arm and threw me… That was cool…” Yami nodded as he offered his hand. “I wasn’t expecting that… Can you teach me that?”

“Ah that? Yeah it was a grapple… I suppose you didn’t learn it since you joined the class so late, i’ll show it to you in a second… I had to find some way around how much power you pack… Seriously though… I’m bigger than you and your brother, but you two push me back like i'm nothing…”

The two of them firmly shook hands. Yami looked around the wide open gymnasium within House Rael. In small groups, recruits in training and knights, both male and female sparred with wooden staffs, some of them trying the last move Yami used. Zeus sparred with another student, aggressively closing the distance and swinging his polearm like a huge sword rather than how he was taught. ‘He’s been told not to do that like ten times now… I think they gave up on him…’

“You know, I heard Mr. Bahar talking with lieutenant Bruno… They haven’t seen anyone with as much potential as you two since Sir Arthur, he was the ace of the class more than ten years back… But I doubt he had your strength…”

“The noble of House Pendragon? Wait… He was only in training that long ago… But he’s a noble now?” Yami tilted his head. “I thought it takes way longer to become a noble… And don’t you have to be a lieutenant first?”

“Yeah… After his father passed away, he kinda inherited it… I can’t even imagine… All that responsibility on his shoulders at that age… He seems like he’s handling it just fine though… He inspires me a lot. I heard he used to do a move like that one you used, but like, multiple times at once… The guy had insane control over his polearm…”

“Yami! Zeus! Stop what you’re doing and come here,” the instructor suddenly yelled.

“Oh, you’re in trouble! Breaking a training staff gets you expelled!” Arlin snickered.

“Huh?!” Yami quickly turned his head with a worried look.

“Nah, I'm joking man…” Arlin chuckled.

'Oh...' Yami let out a sigh of relief. 'I thought I messed up...' He looked across the gymnasium, towards a catwalk on the second floor where the instructor, Mr. Bahar sat. The man had brown hair slightly turning grey, and slightly tanned skin. He was dressed in a white shirt with green decals along the shoulders and edges. He watched Yami closely. 'I feel like I'm in trouble from how he's staring at me...' Yami started toward the staircase in the corner of the room. Zeus quickly ran over to his right.

"Are we in trouble?" Zeus whispered.

"I don't think so..." Yami shook his head.

Yami walked up the stairs one step at a time, Zeus stepped over two at a time. The right side of the catwalk looked over the gymnasium full of people sparring, on the left was a window. Beyond the glass in the next room was a pool being used by troopers. Yami turned to the instructor and looked down at his desk. There were two envelopes, both had the seal of a golden sword with an eye on its guard.

"Yami, Zeus, how are you doing?" Mr. Bahar asked.

Zeus glanced at Yami with a squint.

"Good... Is there a problem sir?" Yami asked.

"What did I do this time?" Zeus asked.

"No Zeus, you aren't in trouble... Neither are you Yami," said Mr. Bahar. "Quite the opposite in fact..."

Yami and Zeus both exchanged confused glances.

"This... May.. Be a little informal... But..." the instructor stood up from his desk with the two envelopes. "Congratulations, both of you, your skill and expertise has been recognized by the noble Houses of Rael and Rover."

Yami felt his heart skip a beat. He took the envelope while looking the instructor in the eye. On the back, Yami's name was written. Zeus's envelope had his name as well. 'What? But...' Yami looked through a window to his left, where troopers were diving into a pool with bulky white suits. 'We haven't even started learning how to use those yet...'

"Seriously... Seriously?!" Zeus suddenly froze as he looked forward intensely.

"Yes, Yami, you will be joining House Rael. Zeus, you will be joining House Rover. I know this isn't a formal grad-"

"Fuck yeah! Yes! Aaahhahaha!" Zeus cheered.

The people training on the floor below all looked up at the sudden noise. Yami was taken aback by Zeus's excitement, he smiled as he looked down at Arlin. Arlin simply tilted his head, then laughed to himself as he shrugged and shook his head. Yami looked down at the envelope, it was made of a thick paper unlike any other he'd touched. 'This feels like a really big deal... But... What about the others? They've learned way more than me and Zeus... Is this really fair?'

"You are to report to your respective nobles before the end of today, they are expecting you. Also, now that you will be honorary members of the noble houses, you will be living with the rest of your squad."

"Huh..." Yami uttered.

"I know it's sudden, and you... Haven't received all of the required training, but this is an unprecedented opportunity for the both of you. Yami, I saw your last fight... You have incredible potential, and you command respect from others with kindness. Zeus... Uh, I wish you'd listen to my instructions more..." Mr. Bahar laughed as he put his hand on Zeus's shoulder. "But, in my experience, I've learned that some people learn things best in their own way... I'm honored to have taught a noble, and now three noble lieutenants."

"Tha- Thank you for everything, Mr. Bahar," Yami bowed his head. "I learned a lot over the last year..."

"Yeah... Thank you- For everything..." Zeus nodded awkwardly.

"Zeus, House Rover is located in the south west district of Inner Helios. You will report to Angela Rover from now on. Yami, you're lucky, we're currently at House Rael. The office is built on top of this barracks, please report to Alexander Rael at once."

Zeus had a wide smile on his face as he started toward the door. Yami followed, but had to walk faster as Zeus quickly hurried out of the gym. Yami held the door, glancing back at Arlin as he left the room. All of the members of their class watched in silence and disbelief as the two made their exit.

"Dude! We did it!" Zeus whispered with a look of excitement.

"Yeah..." Yami answered.

"I wanna meet the noble! I'm heading straight over there right now!" Zeus repeatedly jumped where he stood, but slowed down as he observed Yami's expression. "What's up, why aren't you happy?"

"It's... I am happy... I'm just confused..."

"Dude, we were wasting time there anyway... We're way stronger than the rest of those guys!"

"That's not even the whole point of the training though..." Yami shook his head. "Like, we spar so that we can get to know each other better... And... We didn't even use drop suits yet..."

"I guess we didn't need to, I mean, I am a genius after all so, i'm not surprised," Zeus smirked as he put his hands behind his head.

"But... I didn't know joining the houses meant we can't live together anymore..."

Zeus's smile faded.

"We were all together just a year ago... And then all of a sudden... Eos and Mom just vanished... Now me, you, and Nova are getting separated..." Yami explained.

"Well... We would end up on our own eventually..." Zeus shrugged.

Yami looked up with a puzzled expression.

"And besides, they are still out there... We just got to find them," said Zeus. "And... Even if we're separated, at least you, me, and Nova know where each other are, right?"

"Y- Yeah..." Yami shook himself out of his concern. "You're right..."

"Get a grip man, which one of us is the oldest here?" Zeus laughed as he punched Yami's shoulder.

"What, are you not a genius anymore?"

"That's not what I said idiot!" Zeus smiled.

"Thanks though, seriously... I'm gonna go find Alexander Rael... At least I don't have to walk across the city. You know the way there right?" Yami asked.

"Yeah, yeah... How hard could it be to find..." Zeus shrugged. "I kind of wish I got House Rael though... Alexander seems like the strongest of the nobles..."

"I was hoping for House Lightbringer..."

"Well, whatever... I'm gonna get going!" Zeus turned and started toward the entrance of House Rael. "Oh, yeah... We gotta tell Nova tonight! She's got the hotel to herself now!"

"Haha..." Yami waved as he saw Zeus off. "If we just got into houses, she'll definitely join one soon."

Yami turned and walked toward the hallway at the left corner of the lobby. The ceiling hung lower in the hall, but he turned toward the staircase. Yami took a step forward quickly, then jumped up two stairs at a time and made his way up. 'Alexander Rael is upstairs... I heard he's been a noble for the longest time out of the current four...' Yami huffed as he passed the third set of stairs. 'We're one step closer to finding Eos and mom...' He stopped at the sixth floor, then leaned over the railing and looked up. "This building feels a lot bigger on the inside..." Yami made it to the top floor after a few minutes. He took a deep breath as he grasped the door knob, but his eyebrows furrowed as he heard someone yelling.

"Like I said, I can't do that..." a man spoke with a dismissive tone at the end of the hall.

"I don't care if you can't, we are running low on logorite because that stupid fuck thinks he can run Logos like a saint!" another man who was much bigger cursed.

"There's barely enough of a difference in the quotas... You're overblowing the number..."

"And you seem to be incapable of basic mathematics! Besides! There are more pressing issues than the Logorite! What of the slave who attacked me! Is he still mining away in Logos? Well Lawrence!"

"You murdered the slave responsible for that, get over it already and stop asking! You think you can just go kill another on a whim? What? You think they grow on the fucking trees or something? They are our assets Sir Alexander, each of them," Lawrence raised his tone.

The shorter one was around the same height as Yami, he was a blonde man with his hair tied back into a ponytail. He had a wide frame underneath the black and white cloak that hung off his shoulders. 'A... A member of House Lightbringer!' His stance oozed confidence, he didn't even seem to hesitate in front of the massive angel in front of him.

'That's Alexander Rael?! It's my first time seeing him... Holy shit he really is huge... I've never seen anyone that tall!' Yami felt a little intimidated. Alexander was at least eight feet tall, the tallest person Yami had ever seen. His muscles were barely contained in the white dress shirt decorated with green decals. He had short green hair, and large eyes of a similar hue. Yami walked toward the two, but they didn't notice him approaching.

"Why are you refusing to listen!" Alexander grunted impatiently. "I know what I saw in my dream! It was not some coincidence! It was a vision from the Celestial!"

"Here we go again..." Lawrence sighed.

"Look at me when I'm talking to you, brat!" Alexander snapped his fingers. "What of the object recovered in the forest? Why did two sets of tracks lead back to Logos! Why did that girl have armed explosives in her house! And I know it was Jack who was responsible for my wound! I know that for a fact!"

"Ok, and?"

"You better watch your tone boy! I detest your siblings, but I only have a modicum of respect for you since you know how to actually hold your own!"

"Thanks? I guess... But I'm not saying this to piss you off, I'm saying this because you're pissing me off with how many times I've had to hear you explain the same thing!"

Yami slowly approached the two, nervously creeping forward. 'I think... I showed up at a bad time... But... I was told to come see Alexander...' He took a deep breath, then walked forward with his shoulders pushed back and his chin up high. However, he was still nervous.

"Then bring the damn king here yourself! And no, I didn't say Arid! I want to speak to the king directly!" said Alexander.

"Just go there yourself..." Lawrence groaned as he rubbed his forehead and grimaced.

"Then I have to talk to Arid! That fucking deadpan freak-"

Alexander stopped as he noticed Yami stiffly walk forward, his lips pursed as he listened to the noble curse. 'And I thought Zeus swore a lot...' He raised an eyebrow at Yami's head band, then eyed him up and down. Lawrence turned and squinted at him. 'I really should have waited...' The lieutenant from House Lightbringer cleared his throat.

"Alexander, I'm sure you've heard about the fourth lieutenant... This is-"

"No! No, no, no, no, no, no!" Alexander growled. "You are not using him as a crutch to get out of this!"

"Oh my fucking god..." Lawrence shook his head as he looked up. "Set a damn example man..."

"I will after this!" Alexander turned to Yami. "You! State your name!"

Yami blinked several times as he hesitated. "Uh... Yami... Sir..."

"Have you ever used a drop suit! A shock suit? Any?!"

"Uh-"

"No, because this punk!" Alexander gestured toward Lawrence. "And the rest of his house think it's a good idea to recruit absolute novices like yourself! Don't be like them! Now! Report to Lieutenant Vivian on this floor, and have her take you to the machine shop so you can start working on assisting those useless recruits downstairs! We'll speak later!"

"Okay!" Yami nodded, then turned and walked off as fast as he could.

"Listen! The Hirian's are upset too, especially Carala and the traders! They'll probably bring it up at the upcoming council meeting, so just wait-"

"You'll hear it from me if they don't!" Alexander cut him off.

"Let me finish! Lucifer doesn't want to keep Logos with Arthur anyway! So stop yelling my ear off, when they get here, I'm sure it'll sort out for you! But if you go around and start murdering slaves again! You won't keep it for long!" Lawrence stressed.

"Is that a threat!"

"It's a promise!"

As Yami turned the corner he stopped and put his back against the wall. 'Holy shit! That guy... Is angry!' He shook his hair as he peaked back through the hall. 'But... I think they finished talking... Maybe I could go talk to him now...' Lawrence walked down the hall. Yami waited for him to pass by, but felt a hand fall on his shoulder.

"Woah!" Yami jumped.

Yami turned to see a woman around his height standing next to him. She had straight black hair neatly tied back into a bun. She had thin cheeks, black eyes with long lashes, and small ears pierced with studded silver. There was a light gloss on her lips, but her nose was a little long. She had a small slim frame, but it looked wider in the white dress shirt with green stripes around the edges. 'One of Alexander's lieutenants?' Her trimmed eyebrow rose as she saw Yami's nervous reaction.

"I wouldn't talk to Alexander right now..." the lieutenant advised. "He'll most likely scold you..."

"Uh... Hey..." Yami cleared his throat. "I'm... The new lieutenant for House Rael... And yeah, he... Already yelled at me... Uh, he told me to find lieutenant Vivian? She's supposed to show me where the machine shop is..."

"Well, you're in luck," she tilted his head and put a hand on her hip. "I'm Vivian. Vivian Kyonorav."

"Oh... I'm Yami..."

"Last name?"

"Pardon?" Yami blinked in confusion.

Vivian tilted her head. "Your last name, what is it?"

"I'm... Not sure how to answer that..."

Vivian squinted harder. "What is your father's name?"

"I... I don't have a father?" Yami scratched his head.

"Is this... A joke?"

"No, it's not. He really has no last name..." Lawrence came around the corner and sighed. "And I don't know why either..."

Yami turned to the lieutenant of House Lightbringer. Vivian looked dignified, but it was nothing compared to the regal discipline Lawrence exuded. It was like he was a completely different person compared to how he spoke to Alexander earlier.

"You have to have a father kid... That's just how life works..." Lawrence sighed, he still looked incredibly annoyed from his previous conversation.

"Well, do you at least have a mother? You have to have been born of a mother..." Vivian asked. "Where in the city is your mother from?"

"Yeah I do, have a mom... But I don't know where she is... She went missing..." Yami glanced toward the ground.

"Huh..."

"What was her name?" Lawrence asked. "If you really don't have a father, shouldn't you use your mothers last name?"

"I... Uh... I mean her name was Theresia... But... I don't... Actually, I know what her last name was either..." Yami answered.

"You seem hopelessly forgetful..." Lawrence sighed.

"Yeah... Didn't know we're recruiting people with low intelligence nowadays..." Vivian shook her head. "Anyways, we can figure that out later... It'd be good if I took you to the machine shop before Alexander see's us... I don't want him getting angry again..."

Vivian turned toward the stairwell and started walking. Yami followed her, keeping an eye on Lawrence, specifically staring at the symbol on his chest. 'The symbol of House Lightbringer...' Lawrence had a raised eyebrow as he looked back at Yami, but then his mouth hung open as he squinted.

"There... There was another recruit that should have been sent to House Rover today... He didn't have a last name... Just the name Zeus..." Lawrence pondered.

"Ah, Zeus... He's my brother!" Yami grinned.

Lawrence looked up at Yami and squinted harder, despite looking and sounding aloof earlier, he suddenly appeared very concerned. 'Why is he looking at me like that?' Vivian tilted her head, still unsure if Yami was joking.

"Come again?" Lawrence shook his head. "Wait... You and the other recruit... Are siblings?"

"Yeah! We were both really shocked today when we got the news, haha!"

"Do... Do you have any other siblings?" Lawrence asked.

"Yeah, two others... Our youngest brother is named Eos, and my younger sister is named Nova. But Eos went missing at the same time mom did... The three of us are trying hard to find them..."

"E-Eos?" Lawrence hesitated, he paused for several seconds. "When did... When did they go missing?"

"Uh... Like a year ago..." Yami's eyebrows furrowed as he noticed sweat around Lawrence's head. "Are you alright?"

"A year?" Lawrence muttered the words as he looked down in thought. "That..."

"Is something wrong Sir Lawrence?" Vivian asked.

Lawrence suddenly looked up with a bewildered expression. "I... I- I think I can try to help you find them... I'll enlist the guard to search the city. They couldn't have left Helios I assume..."

"You'd do that?!" Yami exclaimed, then bowed his head. "Thank you, seriously! Thank you!"

"Yeah, I'll... Get right on that... Uh, Vivian, sorry for disturbing your task... I'll, I'll get going..." Lawrence nodded.

The lieutenant of House Lightbringer quickly walked through the doors, then hurried down the stairs. 'Wow... He must really want to help... That's what I expected from the people who joined House Lightbringer!' Vivian tilted her head as she watched him leave.

"Man... What a nice guy..." Yami smiled. "House Lightbringer must be full of the best angels..."

"Pft-" Vivian snickered for a moment, but cleared her throat and returned to her prior demeanor. "That... Lawrence is probably the best in his squad, but trust me... Everyone hates the other Lightbringers..."

"What?! Really? Are they bad people?"

"Bad is an understatement... It is weird though, he almost never apologizes to anyone for anything... This is the first time I've seen Lawrence Lightbringer like that... He looked really concerned for once..."