Meanwhile, in the plains just outside of the city two women were training in simple combat drills as the sun began to rise. A wind faintly flowing through the grass as the new light reflecting off the blades. The defense general Athena had agreed to train a promising warrior, Indra, who was wearing a simple white tunic and loose gray pants tucked into white boots with white braided hair to match.
Indra and Athena had become close over the past century, treating eachother as friends as much as mentor and student. In return for her training, the white haired warrior would go on tough missions no one else wanted to go on. The defense general in turn often treated her well inside of the city walls because of this, unlike the other contract warriors.
Athena smiled, "Indra were you able to catch the tournament yesterday? Or have you lost interest since you won the last one ten years ago?" The white haired warrior shook her head, "No I was training but I heard Taurus lost again. I'm sure he'll win the next time."
It was a close match between us too, I was sure he would win this one.
The defense general tilted her head, brown hair flowing in the morning breeze, "Did I tell you who won?" Indra shook her head as she stretched, "It wasn't Icarus, was it? There's no one else I can think of." Athena looked towards the wilderness, as if pausing to drink in sounds of birds chirping and the sight of wind flowing through the trees, "Do you know Orion the hunter?"
Oh, him.
Indra looked up as she recalled, "Other than seeing him around I've seen him in action once, everything else is a rumor. Over a century ago, when I was younger, Draco sent me and a few other warriors on the outskirts of a neighboring village to watch for rogue black wolves." Athena interuppted her with and inquisitive look, "You mean the aggressive black hounds that are as big as houses?"
The white haired warrior nodded, "Yes, we ended up fending one off but my fellow warriors were all injured. I foolishly decided to pursue it only to find out it was heading back to its pack nearby. In fear I jumped into a tree above and hoped they wouldn't notice me, until I noticed a two more were running back to the main group howling in what seemed like fear. In that moment, another dog burst through the trees with a figure on its head. I didn't know it at the time but it was Orion."
Athena nodded knowingly as Indra continued, "He drove his spear into the beast like it was nothing. As he chased them away from the village into a wall of rock another figure dropped down into the brawl, that I knew was Prince Draco. It was barely a fight, the beasts were trapped by the two as they fought in perfect sinc, as if they had practiced a thousand times. I was shocked because I had never seen such ferocious beasts show fear before."
The defense general laughed, "What a coincidence! Draco said he was going to handle that one alone, but I sent Orion to back him up to ensure it went smoothly." Indra frowned, "But why that hunter? I've heard the rumors, he doesn't care about the well being of the villagers. He's strong but more of an over glorified mercenary. After seeing him work, it was almost disturbing how he slaughtered those wolves."
Athena gave her a pat on the back, "I know that you look up to Prince Draco for his aptitude and his many deeds in defending the kingdom, but you should know that Draco and Orion have been best friends for a thousand years. That hunter is very useful, and he has killed over double the amount of monsters than our beloved Red Prince, many of them at my request."
Him, friends with the red prince?
Indra's eyes widened, "Really? I always thought you, Draco, and Achilles were what warriors and defenders looked like." Athena nodded, "I know that you want to make the world a safer place, and to protect those who can't protect themselves. What happened to your village was cruel, and it's admirable for you to keep fighting in their honor."
That day.
Her memory flashed back to when she was a child two hundred years ago, the flames devouring everything and everyone she knew. It had begun like a normal morning that quickly turned into a horror story before a figure bearing a mask with a crooked smile appeared out of the sky. He used a flaming hammer to smash and pulverize everything in sight to a fiery hellscape. Not long had passed before she realized she was the only one left.
All of the sudden another figure appeared, wearing black and holding a spear. It was impossible to see what he looked like through the smoke but he faced down the monster with an unwavering conviction. She realized that the only one standing between her and the monster was a man in black, who had fought valiantly against the flaming devil and emerged victorious.
Indra turned towards the sunrise, "I have trained hard to become strong enough, but it seems like the monster activity is getting worse and worse."
Athena put her hands on her hips, "Speaking of that, this morning I received some news for you. King Avalon has recognized your ability and has summoned you to the palace in three days' time. I'm speculating it also has to do with the recent monster activity and the barrier that surrounds the land. I will warn you however that you will likely have to work with Orion, since he is the one who defeated Taurus in the tournament yesterday."
I forgot that's what we were talking about.
Indra tilted her head, "I wasn't aware he wasn't a champion yet. Why did he enter so late? He's an incredibly skilled warrior from what I saw." Athena laughed, "Yes he is, one of the only warriors to ever beat Draco in a duel. To be fair they have sparred many times and it often goes both ways. As for why he entered this time, last night he said it was the prize money, but I think it was because he was bored."
It's like those two aren't even human.
The defense general continued, "Speaking of Draco, based on what I heard, he may be accompanying you on this mission." Indra looked down in discouragement, "It will be hard for me to keep up with them, they're a lot stronger than me." Athena shook her head, "Your raw ability is about on par with them, and neither of them can fly like you can."
The white haired warrior looked back up, "I know Draco's abilities are somewhat dragon-like, but what are Orion's? Is he a mage?" The defense general shook her head, placing a hand on Indra's shoulder, "You'll see, he doesn't use magic unless he's forced, and his ability is quite unique. Anyways we likely only have a few training session left, so I'll make sure to teach you as much as I can!"
I wouldn't have it any other way.