Year 2: Prelude to War - Chapter 1

Ever since the Summoned Heroes had arrived in Aangapea, they had had very little free time to themselves.

Most days, they trained, sparred or worked - now, for the first time in the weeks since they’d arrived, they had all been allowed to leave the confines of the King’s Palace and explore the city of Rhodes itself.

However, there were two stipulations that they were not allowed to refuse.

The first was that they couldn’t leave the city boundaries, no matter what.

The second was that they had to wear the armour and equipment that the Free People’s Alliance had had made for them.

That meant that, to his slight horror and embarrassment, Duncan had to go out into the city in full plate armour and with his Divine Artifact in its sheath at his waist.

“You should be happy you have to wear that,” Kayleigh joked, gesturing to her gauntlets, her Divine Artifact Járngreipr. “Do you have any idea how difficult it was to try and pick things up wearing these?”

“The key word there, Kayleigh, is was. Anyway, thanks for agreeing to come with me today.”

“You don’t have to thank me for that, idiot.” She smiled. “We’re friends, so of course we can go and hang out with each other. Admittedly, we haven’t had too many chances to hang out aside from the team leader meetings, so this makes for a nice change of pace.”

“Yeah. It’s a shame Hajime couldn’t come today.”

“I think it’s for the best.”

“How do you mean?”

“Don’t get me wrong - he’s my friend too, but he needs to get stronger and soon. I spoke to some of his team mates about the field exercises and they said Akane did most of the heavy lifting, and Hajime leant on her more than he should’ve. Hopefully, under her tutelage, he’ll become a great leader. By the way, where’s-?”

“Sorry I’m late!” With a loud cheer and exhausted pants, Stephanie ran over to them, almost collapsing onto all fours when she reached them. She gave them a small smile and said, “Sorry, I overslept. I didn’t mean to, it’s just-”

“You were up late studying again, weren’t you?”

“…Maybe.”

“Steph.”

“Okay, fine, sorry, sorry,” she replied. “I thought I’d finally made a big breakthrough with Blake’s rings, but then it turned out it was a slightly different symbol to the ones on her rings, so I tried cross-referencing the image with all the textbooks on languages I had on me and then-”

“…Is she always this intense?”

“If it’s about studying, then yes.”

“Hey, that didn’t sound like a compliment.”

Duncan laughed. “Sorry, but I do worry about you some days.” He lightly patted her head. “It’s great that you’re working so hard, but you shouldn’t overdo it. It’s bad for your health if you don’t get a good night’s sleep.”

“I know,” Stephanie said shyly, her cheeks a slight shade of pink. They quickly reddened when she remembered that they were in public and that Kayleigh was right there. She swatted his hand away and cried, “Don’t treat me like a child!”

Duncan laughed again and turned around. “Sorry about that, but even young kids know to have a proper bedtime. Come on, let’s go and see the sights.”

As Duncan walked away, Kayleigh glanced over at the blushing Stephanie and smirked a little. “So that’s how it is.”

“W-w-what is?”

Kayleigh leant in close and whispered, “Don’t worry - I don’t see him that way, so go for it.”

“Wha-?!”

Kayleigh’s smirk had transformed into an annoying grin as the German girl ran after Duncan.

“…Was I really that obvious?”

***

“Hajime.”

“Yes?”

“What are the three most important things to consider when on the battlefield?”

“Um…that’s…ah! T-the terrain, the enemy size and, um, you and your allies’ strength?”

Akane shook her head. “While those things are truly important, there are other factors far more important than those. Last time, I asked you to think about what sort of experiences you might’ve had in your old life that could help you in the battlefield. What did you come up?”

“…Promise you won’t laugh?”

Akane titled her head to the side. “Why would I laugh?”

“…Because, it’s going to sound really lame.”

With a gentle smile, Akane said, “If it eases your anxieties, then yes, I promise not to laugh.”

Hajime thanked her quietly in Japanese, before taking a deep breath. “I’ve played…some RPG and RTS games, I’ve read some…light novels, and manga…and I read…the Art of War.”

“RTS?”

“Real-time Strategy games - they, um, it’s like you can control a whole battle from a bird’s-eye view and…and…” Hajime, feeling a little embarrassed, trailed off and went silent.

Akane folded her arms as she shut her eyes in deep thought. Then, after a few seconds, she nodded and said, “While it might have been a simulation, it might provide some useful insight into-”

“It was…set during World War Two.”

“…As I have never heard of such a conflict, I’m assuming it’s from a time-period I am not familiar with,” Akane said. “Does it have those ‘gun’ and ‘plane’ things that Kayleigh spoke off before?”

Hajime nodded. “Yeah, so I don’t think it’d help all that much. A-and neither would the books or RPGs I’ve played, I bet, so I don’t really have much I can go on.”

“What about the Art of War?”

“…Can I be honest?”

Akane nodded.

“I…didn’t actually…read it. I just…quote random bits of it.”

“…I see.”

Hajime turned bright red as he put his cheeks in his hands. “Oh god, this is far worse than if you’d just laughed at me!”

Akane smiled sweetly. “My apologies, Hajime, I didn’t mean to upset you. I just…” Her smile became a little faint. “Find it strange that you are the one I’m closest to yet so far away from.”

“How do you mean?”

“We are both Japanese - perhaps from vastly different time periods, but our language is the same, though the words you use in our native tongue are less formal than mine. We both know of the joys and beauty of our homeland, yet we couldn’t be further apart in our understandings of normality. It simply makes me a little sad.”

“Akane…”

“Getting back on topic,” she continued, her smile returned. “There are three factors that you must consider first before considering anything else.

“The weather, the health of your soldiers and the terrain as you said. The weather greatly changes everything on the battlefield and every consideration must be taken in regards to it. For instance, the simplest question one could ask is has there been much in the rain in the area? Depending on the answer, the state of the ground could be vastly different.

“If there has been heavy rain, then the grass beneath your feet would be muddy and could prove fatal to man and horse alike. If it is as dry as a desert, then it will burn quickly and wildfires can spread. If it’s a normal day like today, then it will be firm and easy to manoeuvre on. Then, what about the position of the sun? Is it blinding your soldier’s eyes or those of your enemies? Is it hot? Is it cold? Is it even shining at all?

“All of these things must be considered before a battle is joined.

“Second, the health and well-being of your soldiers. A good soldier, no matter how skilled, cannot fight if they are sick or exhausted. A hard march takes it out on even the toughest of soldiers and rest can be vital before a big battle. Likewise, if there are sick soldiers in command of battalions or whatnot, should they fall ill or fail to move as instructed, it can cost you the entire fight.

“Finally, the terrain. Admittedly, this does tie in with the first point, but it is vital to consider nonetheless. Consider your surroundings on the battlefield. Are there rivers, trees, forests, mountains or steep cliffs? Can you use them to your advantage? Can your opponent use them to their advantage? It is a lot to think about, but a good commander must have that sort of insight, whether they are leading a squadron or a whole army.

“Have you followed everything I’ve said so far?”

Hajime nodded firmly. “I have, but I wish I’d brought a pen and paper with me to jot it all down.”

“Fret not, my friend,” Amen said, appearing seemingly out of nowhere behind him. “I happened to bring some with me. Here.”

“Thanks, Amen. What are you doing out here?”

“That’s what I should be asking you, Hajime. Who holds a study session in the middle of the empty training fields?”

“It’s a peaceful, quiet place to relax and study now that almost everyone else has gone into the city to have some fun,” Akane reasoned. “Truthfully, a part of me wishes I could’ve gone with them, but I valued the time I needed to spend teaching Hajime more than I did socialising.”

“Thank you?”

“Why did you say it like it was a question?”

“I think it’s the way you said it, Akane.”

“…Why are you still here, Amen?”

“Me?” He chuckled and flexed the gauntlet on his hand. “Gleipnir is not easy to fight with, so I thought I’d ask one of the instructors for assistance. Atalante offered to help me, but then she was called away by Dante for something.”

“Did he say what?”

“Not to me, at least,” Amen said. “He leant in close to her ear and whispered something too softly for me to hear. Alas.”

“Well, it’s not like they’ll ever tell us everything.”

“They will, one day,” Akane replied. “It’s just not going to be until we’re strong enough in their eyes. Which is exactly why we need to spend as much time as we can now getting strong enough to help them out.”

***

“Oh, what do you think about that skirt with this shirt?”

“I-I think it’s nice, but-”

“Great! Then, let’s get that for you too. Oh! And one of those shirts, too. Oh! That sweater would look great on you, Hailey!”

“Yve.”

“What?”

“I don’t mind you choosing clothes for me, but.” Hailey awkwardly scratched her cheek. “We won’t really ever get to wear them. I mean.” She gestured to the armour she was wearing. “King Alexander said we should always walk around in our hero outfits to-”

“Ah, I don’t want to hear it! I don’t want to hear it!” Yve cried, covering both of her ears. “Listen, Hailey. I know that’s what he said, but do you really plan on just wearing the same outfit every single day while we’re at the palace or just relaxing in our rooms? That, my friend, is a waste! A complete, total waste! Waste!”

“Why did you switch to French for a moment?”

“Regardless!” Yve thrust a finger towards Hailey’s face. “There is nothing wrong with spending some hard earnt money on some nice clothes.”

“But you’re just shopping for me. You haven’t even started picking out things for you.”

Yve laughed and then brushed her bangs back with one hand, shooting Hailey a handsome smile. “It’s because I want my girlfriend to be the most beautiful girl in the world.”

“…”

“…Still no reaction?”

“I don’t know what you called me there, but I doubt it’s anything nice.”

“It was the nicest thing I could ever call someone.”

“…”

“Don’t look at me like that! It’s hard to know sometimes when you’re joking or not, Hailey.”

“Oh? I thought it was obvious?”

“Well, it was-”

“That I wasn’t joking.”

“Hey!”

Hailey giggled and playfully ruffled Yve’s hair. “I’m joking. I just wanted to tease you a bit, after how much you’ve tried to get under my skin.”

With a bashful pout, Yve looked away from Hailey and sighed. “…Sorry, but that was the same sort of face you give the guys on our team whenever they even breathe.”

“Well, can you blame me?”

Yve chuckled. “Honestly, no. One day, they’ll mature - I hope.”

“Tis but a fool’s hope.”

“Oh, but, my dear sweet friend, hope springs ever eternal.”

“…”

“I swear I didn’t say anything bad!”

“It was something ‘flirty’ or designed to make me embarrassed though, right?”

“…”

“Look me in the eyes when I’m talking to you.”

***

“Lads, I confirmed it.”

“…Are we good?”

Liam nodded and grinned. “We’re good to go!”

“Hell yes!”

“Woo!”

“…Um, guys,” Adrien mumbled. “Why did you drag me in here?”

“Because, naturally,” Gati began, wrapping his arm around Adrien. “You’re definitely one of us.”

“Yeah, yeah, you’re definitely still keeping it under lock and key, but there’s no way a young, healthy guy like you hasn’t had…needs.”

I really don’t want to be here! Adrien exclaimed in his mind.

“So, did you get a look at any of the girls at all or-?”

“Oh, I saw some beautiful women today, let me tell ya,” Liam continued. “There’s a good store about half a mile down the road, then through a side alley or two. It’s like right on the edge of the red-light district and the merchant’s zone, so it’s definitely legitimate and it’s definitely got some beauties to draw in the punters.”

“Finally, finally…” Gati pretended to weep tears of joy, even going so far as to feign wiping his eyes. “We can enjoy ourselves, lads!”

“…Um, I’ve never actually, you know.”

“Don’t worry, young Kavi. I promise you that they will handle everything for you.”

“Guys, I really don’t think it’s going to set a good example for the chosen heroes to visit a broth-”

“Adrien, Adrien, Adrien.” Liam shook his head disapprovingly from side to side. “You just aren’t thinking about this logically.”

“Actually, I am. What you and the others are doing is thinking-”

“Let me tell ya something, my friend.” Liam gently shook Adrien’s shoulder. “There is nothing, absolutely nothing, wrong with a man indulging in his desires with a beautiful woman who has agreed to indulge with him, whether out of love or…other circumstances. Now, I understand you might think that we’d be judged harshly if we were back in our world and were celebrities or the like, right? Like if a famous TV show host or something did it and got caught.

“But that’s not the standards in this world. I’ve heard that even some of the most respected and highly skilled knights and adventurers take part, some women do too. It’s just the normal thing to do. All we are doing is, quite rightfully, embracing this part of Aangapean culture and having a bit of fun. And, and, this is the biggest point of all - we’re helping to support the local economy.”

“…You know, I’ve heard some bullshit in my life before Liam, but that might just be the biggest load of crap I’ve ever heard in my life.”

“I shall take that as a compliment. So, lads!” Liam excitedly grinned at them. “Shall we head off now or wait for the sun to get a bit lower?”

“I have a better idea, my friend,” Gati said. “We should leave now, hang out in Rhodes for many hours until the sun sets and then, and only then, make our way over. We could bring some spare clothes and change at a local tavern first before heading there, especially if Adrien’s worried he’d get caught.”

“I wouldn’t get caught because I wouldn’t go!”

“Right, right, sorry - I forgot, you’re so pure, aren’t you?” Liam grinned. “I forget, Kavi, Gati, who is it that always joins in on our late-night talks about girls and things?”

Both of the other two pointed straight at Adrien, making him incredibly shy.

“Gati’s plan sounds good, though it’s going to be a pain dragging our gear around with us after we’ve changed. Oh well, there were always going to be some small sacrifices that had to be made along the way.”

I really wish I’d been on Duncan’s team, Adrien wept internally.

Just as they began getting ready to set-off, someone they really didn’t want to see stepped into the room, glaring furiously at them. Her arms were folded and they could almost see a roaring angry fire glowing brightly behind her, threatening to incinerate them where they stood.

By the look of pure hatred and embarrassment on her face, I’m guessing she heard everything!

“Blake?!”

“Shit!”

“W-w-w-w-w-we weren’t doing-!”

“Disgusting.”

All four men screamed.

“Absolutely disgusting. Die.”

With a huff, Blake stormed off, yelling “Perverts” behind her as she went.

“…We’re so dead, socially speaking.”

“She won’t tell-”

“Everyone’s going to know long before the sun sets, you idiots!”

“…Why?” Adrien wept. “I didn’t even want to be a part of this.” He sniffed. “Why me?”

***

“Sister Dao.”

“…What do you want, Feng?”

With a polite bow, Feng Li said, “Would you mind spending this aftern-?”

Dao Chen immediately increased her walking pace.

“Even just for an hour, or ten minutes, if it pleases you.”

“It doesn’t. Not interested. Go-”

“Then, what about a friendly spar?”

She stopped in her tracks. “…Why?”

“Blake told us that you proclaimed yourself as the strongest on our team. Would you not want to wish to prove it against a warrior with as many years of combat experience as me?”

***

“The Athenian?”

Duncan nodded as the three of them stood in line for the ticket booth. “Dame Chelsea recommended it to me a while ago, so I thought I might as well see what the fuss is about.”

Kayleigh let out a low hum while Stephanie looked at Duncan a little anxiously. “Was that during one of your late-night talks?”

“Yeah. Wait, did I ever tell you about that, Kayleigh?”

“Probably. I definitely didn’t spot you two outside of my window one night when I got up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom. Definitely not then.”

“Why’d you say that last part in German?”

“It’s important to keep my native tongue alive.”

“…Right, I picked up on the word tongue and my in there, but-”

“Have you ever been to the theatre before, Duncan?”

“No, have you, Steph?”

She shook her head. “When I was four or five, I really wanted to be an actress, but I gave it up shortly after staring in our school’s play.” She giggled. “I was only one of the three-wise men and had all but two lines, yet that was enough to make me hate performing.”

“Why?”

“I, um, might have forgotten every single line I was meant to speak and thus ended up mumbling something completely incoherent to the whole school, and all of the student’s parents. It was…definitely a good memory.”

“I never took you for the performing type,” Kayleigh confessed.

“Really?”

“Well, I kind of assumed you’d always been a study-bug from a young age.”

“I mean, I started studying in earnest maybe when I was seven or eight, I think? I don’t even really remember what spurred it on but, before I knew it, I was obsessed with learning everything and anything.”

“That’s really cool.”

“You think so, Duncan?”

“Isn’t it?”

“I-I don’t know. A lot of people used to just call me a nerd, or a dork, or something to that effect,” Stephanie said. “So, I thought people would just say that to me here.”

“Hey, if anyone did try that, they’d never hear the end of it,” Kayleigh replied. “Imagine it - after we made that pact not to pry into each other’s pasts or upset one another, some jerk comes along and ruins it for everyone. They’d probably be the one left in the dust, isolated forever and ever.”

“Next customer please!”

“Oh, that’s us. Should we all pay individually or just pay together?”

“Let me, Kayleigh,” Duncan said, stepping forward. “It was my idea to come here, so it’s only fair.”

Once he’d bought their tickets, the trio made their way inside and to their seats; a private booth that King Alexander had prepared especially for the Summoned Heroes. It was not, initially, where Duncan had planned on buying tickets for, nor did he even ask for it, but the woman behind the counter was zealously insisting that they had to take it.

I guess that’s another one of King Alexander’s considerations he’s made for us, Duncan thought. If he didn’t treat us like his equal, then he could lose a lot of face and public support.

Still, it’s not a good feeling, being this pampered or favoured by someone.

“…Are you worried about her?” Kayleigh whispered too softly for anyone but Duncan to hear. Without turning to look at her, he nodded. “Don’t worry, she’ll be fine. She and the princess are waiting for us, so-”

Duncan put a hand on her arm. “I know. Don’t worry, I’m not as down in the dumps as I was back then. It sucks to think about, but I know we can still save them.”

“…Good.”

One day, I promise, Dame Chelsea, I’ll come for you.

When I was struggling to adjust to life here in Aangapea, it’s you whom I was able to lean on for support - now, it’s my time to return the favour!

***

“Ah, oh sweet maiden!” Gabriel ran up before Elysa and smiled warmly at her face. “I couldn’t help but notice how truly beautiful you looked today, though, if I am honest.” He flicked his hair back dramatically. “You always look beautiful no matter the day!”

Elysa, with a look of absolute disgust on her face, cringed and angrily started walking away. “Why did I have to be on a team with this idiot?”

“Oh, don’t frown so much, fair maiden, for it will bring wrin-”

A bolt of solid green energy flew at Gabriel’s face, but he blocked it with his bow. After checking that his Divine Artifact, Eurytus' Bow, hadn’t been damaged, he laughed and continued ‘courting’ Elysa.

“To think that you would be so hot and cold to me like this, darling maiden.” Gabriel did a dramatic turn on his heel. “I believe that Hajime said Japanese people have a word to describe such behaviour and-”

“Gab, leave her alone.”

“…Ewan.”

With a weary sigh, the older man walked up to them, placing himself between them. “Do you really not remember what Elysa said when she first introduced herself to us?”

“I am afraid that my memory fails me, for I was-!”

“She doesn’t like men,” Ewan coldly said. “So, leave her alone.”

Gabriel lost all of his dramatic energy and gave Ewan a blank look. “That’s preposterous.”

“…What?”

Ewan’s icy tone was not lost on Gabriel who shrunk a little away from him. “F-father and brother always said that there was no such thing as a woman who could resist the charms of a good man - that no woman could possibly love another-”

“Where did you say you were from, Gab?”

“…Hungary.”

Ewan laughed bitterly and shook his head. “I don’t know how things worked where you’re from, whether that’s your hometown or country or whatever talking, but, at the very least, you should respect the boundaries other people set up around them.”

Silently, Gabriel nodded before whispering a quick, “Sorry,” to Elysa; then, he solemnly walked away.

“…I wish you’d done that weeks ago.”

“Sorry, but I thought he’d have given up long ago.”

“As did I.” Elysa sighed and folded her arms. “Honestly, he’s such a creep; it’s not wonder he got stabbed on a date. Bet he was cheating on someone when he went on that blind date and got caught red handed.” Elysa met Ewan’s gaze and asked, “Why did you finally decide to come and put a stop to this?”

“…I don’t know.”

“What?”

“…Never mind.” Ewan gave her a thin smile. “If he does something like that again, let me know and I’ll put a stop to it for good.”

“Thanks, I guess. Then.”

Elysa walked away, leaving Ewan alone with his unpleasant thoughts.

When Ewan had first seen Gabriel persistently following Elysa around, he’d had the briefest of senses of déjà vu. Then, whenever he saw Gabriel pestering her, he got it again and again.

Then, finally, it became too unpleasant of a feeling for him to ignore and he could tolerate it no longer.

Why, Ewan did not know.

Logically speaking, it was because Gabriel was hitting on a gay woman, but that explanation didn’t set Ewan’s heart at ease.

What is it?

What else is there?

Flashes, ever brief and blurred, fluttered through his mind, of smiling young women, of a building, of grasslands and of a home.

It was all too fragmented for him to make sense of it, but it made him feel sick inside.

“Who am I?”

***

Feng Li flew across the ground and slammed his back against the wall.

With an agonising groan, he rolled onto his side, dropping his bow, and held a hand up in surrender.

“…Does that prove it now?” Dao Chen asked with a flick of her Swan’s Cloak. Then, with a small sigh, she said, “I’ll do my bit when we’re on missions, but I don’t want to be anyone’s friends.”

Feng Li tried to call out to her, but she had hit him several times in his chest with her feathers during the fight, making it impossible for him to talk at the moment.

Even if he could manage to whisper or rasp something to her, Dao Chen had already sped off.

Angrily, she clicked her tongue.

Each and every one of them’s the same!

“Shit.”

Suddenly, she felt someone emerge from the shadows behind her and, reflexively, she spun around, arms up and ready to fight. However, she discovered that no one was there.

“Behind you.” A sharp blade was gently pressed against the back of her neck, before quickly being removed.

Dao spun around to see who the assailant was and found someone she hadn’t ever spoken to before in person; Talon Laurent.

She’s one of Guy’s-

“If you were curious how I got the drop on you.” She held up her Divine Artifact, Carnwennan, and gave Dao a small smile. “It’s meant to perfectly disguise me in the shadows whenever I’m holding it, but it looks like you could detect me.”

“I don’t know what you’re insinuating, but I don’t care,” Dao curtly replied. “What do you want?”

“I saw your fight with Feng Li and-”

“I’m not interested in making friends.”

Talon huffed. “Neither am I. I wanted to ask you for a favour.”

“…Which is?”

“When I emerged from the Vault with this dagger, Dante told me that he’d read up on it before at White Rock. Supposedly, only the strongest or those with keen senses can detect me that easily, even from up close. I thought that meant him, the instructors and the Demon Emperor’s council, but.” Talon narrowed her gaze a little. “I never imagined you’d be the first of the Summoned Heroes to notice me.

“If you hadn’t, I would never have asked this of you, but…” Talon scowled. “I think we’re a little bit similar, you and I. ‘A hatred you can never break free from’, am I right?”

When Dao Chen’s eyes widened a little in surprise, Talon smiled. “I don’t know what you went through and I won’t pry, but all I want to ask you is this - can you help me get stronger?”