Chapter 24: The Start
Ray and Ra were up with the birds, even before the sun peeked over the horizon. They found themselves wandering into the temple's garden, where they had been welcomed for a bit. It's a far cry from the Zayma Forest they call home, but it's got its own charm, especially in the quiet of the early morning. Today wasn't just about killing time or having fun like it once was, though. They were both restless with anticipation for the academy trials happening at sunrise, eager to see if they'd make the cut for the Knight's Academy.
There they were, in this unfamiliar yet serene garden, turning back the clock to their childhood shenanigans. But instead of the playful tussles they used to have, their sparring felt different this time, more serious, like they were really testing each other, honing their skills for what lay ahead.
Ra, always the aggressor, didn't hold anything back. He charged at Ray with his bastard sword, a blade that seemed like it was made just for him. It was the perfect length for those hefty two-handed swings but still nimble enough for quick, one-handed thrusts. He felt pretty good about it, swinging with the kind of confidence that comes from knowing your weapon is a perfect match for you. He had not told Ray how he came to possess such a weapon. It was elegant, yet its black steal and red adorned grip sent chills down Ray's spine. The weapon was a part of Ra's, dark and majestic in nature.
As the scene unfolded before them, Ra couldn't help but notice Ray's impressive weaponry. He wielded a pair of blades that looked like they had been plucked straight out of an ancient legend. His main weapon was a katana-like sword but with a very different design. It had two edges and was wider than a typical katana, ending in a point that made it look part spear. The weapon was a bit unusual, but it suited Ray just fine, especially with how it balanced with his build. He also had a shorter sword strapped to his waist. They moved with fluid grace, their bodies in perfect sync as they danced around each other, their swords clashing in a series of sharp, precise movements.
But this was no game, no mere child's play. The forest of Zayma and the days of using sticks as pretend swords were long gone. They were now in a new place, facing a new challenge, and this morning ritual was their way of preparing for the real test that lay ahead: the academy trials.
As they repeated each movement, the sound of their breaths filled the area. Their muscles ached, but they pushed through the discomfort, their minds focused solely on the task at hand. They were aware that the trials ahead would be a test of their mettle and that their opponents would be seasoned warriors with many years of experience. Despite that, they remained resolute, determined to succeed, to prove their worth, and to secure the glory that awaited the victors. The anticipation in the air was palpable as they readied themselves for the battle ahead.
In the dim light of the pre-dawn, under the sprawling canopy of the temple's garden, La'ru leans with grace against the ancient stonework. Her clothes, echoing of slum life—worn yet functional, blend seamlessly with the shadows that play across her youthful features. The garden was a stark departure from the narrow alleys and crowded spaces of her world; she silently watched the brothers; even though they had not spent much time together, she felt connected to them. They seemed to have that effect on those around them, drawing them in like a magnet.
Her eyes, sharp and discerning, fixed on Ray and Ra, reflect a tempest of emotions. A sense of pride swells within her, watching her peers, who have risen from similar humble beginnings, now on the cusp of a significant leap into the realm of knights. Yet, this pride is tinged with a shadow of concern. To La'ru's observant gaze, Ray's performance in their sparring session is marred by hesitance, a subtle holding back that speaks volumes to her. Similarly, Ra, though aggressive in his approach, seems distracted, his usual focus diluted by an underlying turmoil.
La'ru's life, marked by survival and solidarity amidst the harsh realities of the slums, has endowed her with a unique perspective on strength, both its presence and absence. She recognizes that the most formidable adversaries are often internal, invisible battles that shape one's essence. The sight of Ray and Ra grappling with their own silent struggles kindles in her a mix of empathy and resolve.
Unhidden in her watchful stance, La'ru's presence is a familiar comfort to her friends. Known among them for her defiant spirit and benevolent deeds, Ray and Ra hold a respect for her. The day they met, she tried to take Ray's pendant from him, but only because she was forced to pay a man who forced her to steal for him. They understood she needed to do this for her survival, and after that, she helped them by taking them here to be healed. Their bond, forged in the adversity of their early days, is a silent pact of mutual respect and understanding.
As the dawn creeps closer, heralding the trials that await not just at the Academy but in the broader canvas of their lives, La'ru contemplates the journey ahead. Her thoughts are with Ray and Ra, pondering the challenges they face and the internal demons they must conquer. In this moment of quiet reflection, she was becoming more than just an observer; she wanted to be a companion on their journey; her own story was interwoven with theirs. She knew that sooner or later, she would have to tell them the truth. She smiled and took a deep breath. If they were truly the ones from the prophecy, then she could not keep what she knew from them.
Despite the gravity of the situation, you could still detect a glimmer of the children they had once been. You could see it in the way they would occasionally flash each other a grin in between their blocks and parries. It was almost as if they were silently affirming to each other, "Nothing can get in our way." As the first rays of the sun began to filter through the trees and illuminate the garden, they concluded their sparring. "well, you both seem to have improved so much," Her voice was loud and cheerful. "I don't think I can sneak up on you anymore, Ray," She says as she walks to him, nudging him as she giggles. "And you, Ra, have improved your swordsmanship so much. I don't think any of the people you guys are going up against will be able to keep up with you."
Ra nods and places his hands in front of his chest, extending his finger upwards and pointing towards the sky. A dark energy that seems to consume the light around the tip of his finger starts to manifest. "More than just my sword skills have improved. Dark Alma is hard to control, so I will not be relying too much on it," he says as he closes his eyes. "The energy it takes to use it can take its toll on my body fairly quickly." La'ru gasps and looks away from them for a second. "Look, you two, I have to tell you something." She says quietly.
Ray looks at her; his eyes seem to pierce into her. "Keron and Shikari both think you two are the brothers the Prophecy of Two has spoken of. Bearers of light and dark, Alma, the first to be able to wield and master the essence of those elements, the ones who will bring change to this world." Her voice seems to tremble. Ray and Ra look at each other. Ray feels his heart jump; his mind is filled with the visions and experiences he felt within the light gate. He tries to shake the feeling, but La'ru steps close to him and puts her hand on his heart. "Ray, whatever happened in there? You do not have to hold on to it alone." He looks at Ra and then at La'ru. "Yes, you do," Ra says before making his way out of the garden and to the streets.
Ray, Ra, and La'ru make their way through the awakening streets of Alleria, their steps leading them toward the grand colosseum nestled within the city's noble district. This majestic arena, a symbol of valor and history, stands as the gateway to their dreams, hosting the trials that would determine their admission into the prestigious Knights Academy.
As they traverse the city, the contrast between their origins and their current surroundings becomes ever more apparent. The narrow, cluttered lanes of the slums give way to the broad, meticulously paved streets of the noble district, each stone seemingly placed with the utmost care and deliberation. The air here is different, too—less thick with the scent of toil and struggle and more with the fragrance of the ornate gardens that grace the villas of the elite.
La'ru, accustomed to the shadows and secrets of the city's underbelly, moves with a cautious grace, her eyes capturing every detail. She marvels, not without a hint of irony, at the luxury that surrounds them. Yet, her focus remains unwavering, and her determination to stand by Ray and Ra as they step closer to their destiny is clear in her steadfast gaze.
"I will meet you guys after the first trial ends. I will be watching you both from the bleachers. Now go and show them what you two are made of," La'ru says with a smile. She joined the crowd of people passing by. Ray and Ra nod at each other as they head to the center of the Coliseum. Their eyes scanned the area and the people that were there with them. They could see so many different people, from noble warriors to some that seemed to be from the undercity. Others looked like mercenaries, and some seemed like the children of knights and mages already in the Academy.
They were already showing off their skills and talent. Some were sparring, using magic and other enhancements to showcase their skills. Suspended above them was a stage built off of a VIP box where the king sat with his queen and the princess. Ray and Ra stood in the crowd, waiting for the announcement explaining how the trial would start. The brothers noticed Gerith sitting on a small wooden chair; next to him was a woman dressed in a well-kept silver and gold plate mail. Her hair was dark, and her eyes were a deep, bright green. She was about five foot eight inches, taller than the brothers but not as tall as the man standing up.
He was a towering man, perhaps six feet seven inches tall, and built like a giant. His broad shoulders and chest were chiseled from years of strength training. He wore medium armor that seemed to be made from a beast with purple scales. "Line up all of you who wish to join our ranks and stay quiet; your trials will begin shortly." His voice boomed across the stadium, and a deep bass trembled the stones of the arena.