Ten Houses

Suggested Audio: Wagon Ride

     "It's finally the day!" Evelyn chimes in a high tone and a quick breath, fidgeting with the clasp of Tia's cloak.

The Minx crest is carefully gilded onto it's surface, one of Evelyn's many commissions. Allen stands in an awkward silence to the side, regret never leaving his stern expression. The silence between them had begun to weigh on Tia. Allen typically gives Tia the space she needs when she is angry, waiting in supportive silence while she mulls things over. But never before had her father gone this silent for this long! While Tia has been preoccupied with her training, most of her hesitation comes from not knowing how to bridge the growing gap.

     "Now, you still have another week left in the capital," Evelyn reminds her, Tia's eyes following the carriage as it circles the courtyard, "But today is still extremely important—a day every Accian citizen prepares for diligently!"

     "What are assessments exactly?" Tia asks, Evelyn falling silent as she considers her explanation.

     "Today your magical, physical and martial abilities will be tested and observed," Evelyn expounds precisely, "Scholars and strategists hired by the crown will pour over the results and determine your division placement, your unit placement and your training schedule."

     "More training?" Tia groans, exasperated.

     "Yes," Evelyn chuckles, "The next two years of your life will consist of training, drills and travel."

     "Years??" Tia exclaims, her eyebrows shooting up as the carriage slows in front of them.

Tia's eyes drift to her father, the severity of their impending separation striking her, but he cannot meet her gaze. They file into the carriage while Tia digests the implications.

     "All of that isn't the focus today," Evelyn states curtly as the carriage lurches forward, "Today's assessment is extremely important!" she emphasizes again, "The very expectations placed upon you as a recruit are determined by your performance."

As Tia swallows the lump in her throat, Allen glances between the two of them with an open mouth as if he has something to add. But his shoulders drop and he leers out the window again.

     "All of the noble families will be present as well!," Evelyn continues, "Assessments in the capital often attract high profile observers. They enjoy keeping tabs on promising new recruits as well as measuring the power balance between the Ten Houses ."

     "Power balance?" Tia questions attentively.

This draws Allen's attention back to the two of them, monitoring the course of the conversation carefully.

     "The Ten Houses," Evelyn enunciates proudly, "Are granted lands and power by the royal family and all other nobility falls under the influence of one of these Houses. The lesser nobility are granted lands and titles by us and govern those territories under our guidance or in our stead."

Tia seems dizzied at the concept, taking to silent consideration.

     "And there is some kind of competition between us?" Tia questions, a bit tentative.

     "Yes," Evelyn answers with a quick smile, satisfied with Tia's quick comprehension, "While we are of the same kingdom now, our ancestors were constantly competing and even warring over lands, power and influence. The Eluzian Valley  in particular has always been extremely fertile, blessed by Oril herself! But his majesty's ancestor reunited these smaller Eluzian  cultures under one nation more than two hundred years ago. However..." Evelyn presses her lips together, "It is still in our nature to compete and scheme for the king's favor. It is important that we push each other to remain strong and wise—to show we still deserve our position!"

Allen poorly stifles a scoff listening to her validation of Accian politics and she squints at him. 

     "So today they'll be judging you and dad... by my performance?" Tia questions anxiously but her mind also drifts to the night of her introduction. Much of the hostility from the other heirs seems less personal in retrospect.

     "Well, all those under our House will be representing the Minx name," Evelyn explains and Tia releases a sigh, "But yes, as the sole heir your performance is critical to our future. Your failure means opportunity for the other Houses."

     "Tia," Allen cuts in with gentle tone, surprising Evelyn and Tia, "Your first priority today should be your own well-being. You are your own person before you are a Minx or a house heir. However you perform, your grandmother and I can handle the rest."

Evelyn gives a sharp sigh but, upon glancing at her anxious grandchild, her anger melts away.

     "Allen is right," Evelyn states begrudgingly, almost dejected.

Allen blinks and eyes his mother with exaggerated disbelief

     "Wow," Allen teases, "I never thought I'd hear those words, can you say it again?"

Tia finds herself laughing and a smile graces Allen's face for the first time in days. The carriage jerks to a stop and a man announces their arrival. They all take a deep breath, check they are presentable and exit the carriage.

Suggested Audio: Grand Theater

The coliseum is packed, adding to Tia's buzzing nerves. Like every other structure in this dizzying city, the coliseum is excessively grand and eye-catching. An expansive arena lay at the center, as one might expect, but Tia finds herself unable to identify the glossy, prismatic material making up the grounds. Rows of tiered seats rise along the periphery of the arena, one section set aside for recruits awaiting their assessment. Collumns larger than the thickest of tree trunks separate the lower seats from a series of upper balconies, painted in pastel hues of every color. Affluant nobles leer down over the lip of these balconies, one private box for each head family of the Ten Houses lining up around the larger, royal suite. But perhaps the flashiest installment of all floats above even these lofty figures, a prismatic dome which shines over the entire structure. It pulses with a beam of light and brilliant colors, its illusions constantly changing as if it had a mind of its own. In fact, the beam of light shifts about the coliseum like a grand eye--watching them and adapting!

Despite her nerves, Tia is rather comfortable in her new athletic attire and she could still see her family seated in the upper balcony. She dresses her face with a pleasant smile and says hello to other recruits, receiving only plastic smiles or blatant trepidation. Those around her clot into small groups, clearly familiar with each other, but give Tia a wide birth. She feels appraising eyes rake over her as they whisper, attempting to identify her quietly but overlooking the sensitivity of her feline ears. It seems there were plenty here who did not attend her introduction or perhaps didn't recognize her without the full minx form or elaborate gown. After all, Tia exposes only her ears today for the sake of practicality.

     'You seem... relieved,' Duff comments and Tia's face falls into the faintest smile.

     'It's the first time since I stepped off of that boat that I've felt like a regular person,' Tia explains.

Duff hums in agreement but otherwise remains silent, seeming fairly distracted today as he peers over the crowded colosseum.

     "Look, sire!" Ghislaine addresses Ambrose, stepping forward from the back of the balcony.

Ghislaine points to the rim of the colosseum opposite to them. Ambrose squints, his eyes narrowing onto a raven perched there as it peers down into the collection of teenagers.

"Is that...?" Ambrose husks, sounding almost conciliatory, and Ghislaine nods in confirmation.

Ambrose rises to his feet, stepping swiftly to the railing and observing the creature more closely. The raven turns its face to him in response, regarding Ambrose with a beady eye. Ambrose rushes to shift his gaze down, peering at the children below, but isn't quick enough. The raven studies him cautiously, hopping from one side to the other. When he seems certain all eyes have been averted, Duff shrinks down into the form of a mouse and skitters down into the arena. Ambrose looks again, seeing the black puff of Duff's fur disappear down the wall and out of sight.

     "Damnit all!" Ambrose growls, fisted hands shaking on the railing.

     "We could never catch him, sire. Even without shifting, he is one of the most evasive of his kind! But..." Ghislaine reassures him and gestures towards the recruits, "Now we can be certain that she is here!"

Ambrose hums once, scanning those below before regaining his composure.

     "So, she is only a child..." Ambrose mutters, settling back into his seat.

A notably handsome man with sunny blonde curls bound behind his head steps onto the platform below. The beam of light cast by the prismatic dome centers on him and, as it does, his likeness is projected and enlarged in the air overhead--lights dancing beneath the dome for all to see! Swirling teal patterns peek from beneath his collar and his clothing is similarly tinted. When he speaks, his voice grows unnaturally loud, reaching every part of the coliseum.

     "Welcome, Lords and Ladies, to our annual assessments! My name is Felix," he announces with a wink, his words dripping with charisma, And I'm honored to be guiding our beloved children as they begin their journey towards service!" he bows carefully towards the royal box, "It is his majesty's honor to select the first House!"

The colosseum hushes all at once as Ambrose prolongs the suspense, looking over the crowd in contemplation.

     "House Stahlmann!" Ambrose finally proclaims.

His announcement sends the crowd into vigorous applause, his voice echoing throughout the arena. Those of house Stahlmann around Tia begin to rise and make their way down the stairs. Tia watches as they go, unable to recognize any peer aside from Andrea. Then, she spots Albert sending off one of those descending.

     "Albert!" Tia calls and waves to him.

Albert jumps and glances in her directing with bewilderment, surprised any would call out to him here. Tia is grateful to see familiarity in his eyes as a mild smile pulls into place. She rises and approaches him.

     "Mind if I... sit with you?" Tia questions, trying to seem cheery but uncertainty still clings to her.

     "U-umm..." Albert stutters, his hesitation knotting Tia's stomach, "Yes, by all means!"

Tia plops beside him with a relieved but exuberant sigh, her casual nature still boggling Albert.

     "I'm surprised to see you here!," Tia breathes, astonishment marking her voice, "I thought you must've been older than me to be a tutor!"

This seems to garner some embarrassment but he laughs

     "No, it's my year as well," Albert admits in a plucky tone, "But now I understand why her Grace was so urgent about your lessons!"

Tia's face is grim as she nods, lips pressed together.

   "Yeah. Dad didn't even tell me about all of this himself," Tia complains, retaining a tinge of aggravation, "I found out on my own."

     "Really?" Albert marvels, "That's strange. In my readings, his Grace seemed to have such a keen mind..."

     "My dad?" Tia chortles, her voice dropping in amusement, "A keen comedian maybe... or actually no, his jokes are pretty bad."

     "Comedian?" Albert coughs and looks to Allen in his box, austere eyes appraising those lining up below. Tia blinks at Albert's wide eyed glance as he stammers, "I-I don't think I can even imagine that...!"

     "I'm starting to feel like I don't even know him..." Tia mutters and stares at her father, his expression alien to her.

      "I-I only know about his military career," Albert peeps, trying to assuage her uncertainty, "My friend though, she's always admired him! She been needling me to... uh..."

Albert trails off, seeming to rethink whether the course of the conversation was still appropriate.

     "To...?" Tia draws out the word and elbows him lightly, grinning at his surprise, "Relax, Albert," Tia insists with a laugh, "You gotta stop acting like I'm gonna bite your head off at any moment!"

Albert's shoulders drop as he finally relaxes, seemingly put at ease by her teasing. 

"If she's a fan of his, I'm sure my dad would get a kick out of meeting her!" Tia continues and a smirk tugs at her lips, having already guessed at his finished sentence.

Albert grins authentically for the first time and laughs with her.

     "Thank you for your patience," Felix calls out, grabbing both of their attention again, "I assure you it's well spent! We'll be starting out with Lady Andrea Stahlmann  herself, daughter of Duke Gunther Stahlmann! What kaithur do you have Lady Andrea?"

     "Martor's Body and Blade!" Andrea brags readily.

Andrea oozes pride as he introduces her and is quick to step onto the platform when prompted, revealing her form fully as the illusion springs to life above her. A lustrous silver sheen overtakes every part of her body, converting even her hair and the whites of her eyes into metal. Once her transformation is complete, Andrea flexes and an array of blades protrude across her body. They emerge mostly along her back, at her joints and from her hands, resembling metallic quills which are bladed instead of pointed. 

     "What kind of kaithur is that?" Tia questions Albert, both of them keeping their eyes on her. 

     "Martor is the aspect  of metal," Albert answers readily, "From what I've heard, Andrea manifests aluminum. She is able to turn any or all parts of her body into aluminum and can even generate blades of the same from her body."

Amid Albert's explanation, Andrea's eyes catch on Tia. She narrows a threatening leer, chin held high, before moving forward. As she steps off of the central pedestal, the prismatic material making up the rest of the grounds stirs like desert sands. Responding to some unspoken command, all manner of barriers, hurdles and obstacles take shape and actually solidify into lurid stone. Now Andrea waits at the starting gate of an obstacle course which runs in a circle around the central stage. Tia gapes at he impressive enchantment while everyone awaits the signal to begin. Felix's eyes are held aloft, watching for the signal from his cohorts as they put the final touches on the course.

     "Remember how I told you this was once the home of the Erlithmanil?" Albert cuts in, smiling at her wonder, earning the faintest nod, "They designed this arena so trials could be made custom to each challenger. From what I've heard, the minerals of the arena imitate a clay in the control room in the dome. It's pretty incredible!"

     "You're such a diligent tutor!" Tia teases, Albert taken aback as she grins and gives a titter, "I really hope baa-chan is paying you enough for all of this."

     "I-It saves me the trouble of explaining later on!" Albert blusters, almost seeming to pout as Tia snickers.

Part of Albert is compelled to rebuff her as politely as he can, biting his tongue and letting their attention drift back to the arena. But opposed to the cold sneer or joke at his expense Albert is so used to, a warm fondness settles over her face where disgust or superiority usually rest. Was she smirking at him behind his back, was she using him to make herself feel bigger? What could a peer of her station possibly have in mind for him? He still wasn't entirely sure, maintaining a level of caution just in case--as he always does. After all, she's still just another noble no matter where she was raised...right?

Finally, at Felix's gesture, Andrea dashes into this mystical obstacle course with zero hesitation. The pillar of light follows her all the while, every movement projected in detail for all to see. Tia is astounded watching her move so smoothly through the barriers. Her natural athleticism is apparent and she doesn't even sweat or lose breath. Rarely pausing if at all, Andrea easily supports her weight with the durability of metal by fortifying small portions of her body. She even cuts into sections of stone with her blades to alter her momentum! Tia is blown away at Andrea's precision and her own anxiety begins to accumulate knowing she could never compete. Albert catches Tia biting at her nails.

     "Her family invested a lot in her," Albert cuts in, causing Tia to jump, "Many of the house heirs received especially extreme training due to their proximity in age to the prince. Don't feel too bad, most of us can't compare."

     "I know..." Tia answers listelessly, clearly diffident, "But everyone expects me to be like her."

     "Do you... even want to?" Albert asks after a brief consideration but withers as Tia glances to him, "W-wanna be like her?"

Tia shifts her attention to Leon in the front row, regarding Andrea's performance with harsh appraisal. Disgust passes over his expression at her slightest error.

     "Definitely not!" Tia states emphatically and nods to Leon, "Feel free to give me a slap if I'm ever anywhere near as arrogant as that rooster!" Albert tries to stifle his amusement but Tia's laughter draws the same out of him, "What about you, how do you think you'll do?"

     "Me?" Albert exclaims, smiling at Tia's surprise, "Worse than you, probably! I'll be lucky not to trip down the stairs just getting down there."

They snicker at each other as Andrea clears the course.

Suggested Audio: Pit Fighter

Andrea enters the last trial of her assessment—combat. The obstacle course melts away like hot wax but several human shaped figures rise in its place. At first glance, Andrea appears unarmed but with the slightest smirk, blades emerge across her body and from her palms. Her delight is blatant as she shreds her opponents apart, eviscerating all who approach her and even ejecting blades with force to skewer enemies at a distance! Her combat style is unflinching, unimpeded by their attacks which crash over her metallic body with little effect. This sparring match lasts for about ten minutes, calling the match as her body converts back into flesh. Andrea only pauses to wipe the prismatic dirt smearing her face before making her way out of the arena.

     "We've got an unexpected addition to the Stahlmann house next," Felix announces, recapturing their attention.

Tia blinks and squints, surprised to see a familiar face.

     "Euan Mac..." Felix pauses to listen to the name again, "Euan MacFheargus , nephew of General Martin Stahlmann  himself!"

Murmurs circulate through the audience before a polite applause. Euan wears a steady smile as he appraises the crowd but, as his eyes land on Tia, this smile morphs into a grin.

     "Is he smiling... at you?" Albert asks, eyes jumping between them.

    "We sort of know each other..." Tia grumbles unfavorably, "What form can we expect from you today, Euan?" Felix questions. 

     "Corrust's Touch," Euan answers as he had been instructed to, "An' Azowyr's Step."

Felix and the audience are left in reverent disbelief, even Albert is left breathless. Into their silence, Euan activates his form and charcoal gray markings swallow up Euan's hands to his forearms. His eyes go dark, his irises gray and sclera black, and the skin surrounding his eyes take on more charcoal swirls akin to a mask. Bright orange flame patterns spread from his fingertips and battle the charcoal stains to his wrists, matched only by his ginger hair. In fact, his hair takes on an intense orange glow and sways like a flickering flame. The crowd reacts to his form with clamorous applause and Euan soaks it in before moving forward. While not as graceful or speedy as Andrea, Euan makes his way through the obstacle course with minimal struggle despite noticeably sweating. As the obstacles fade and the manaquins rise from the arena, Euan arms himself with two long daggers, a hand crossbow and a small bag. But before the match can begin, another staff steps up to Felix. They converse briefly before he nods in understanding.

     "It seems Euan will be given a chance to show how well he can utilize his unique abilities in battle!" Felix explains, "Staff will be summoning and moving shadows for Euan at random. Let's see what this young man can do!"

Euan cracks his neck before he steps into the field, an eager smirk never leaving his face. Dark pockets streak and stretch across the field, both in the air and along the ground. This umrbal mist meanders about steadily but sporadically. With no warning, his opponents charge at him all at once. Undaunted, Euan calmly pours tiny metal beads into his palm from his bag and drops them on the ground before him. As the opponents are about to bear down on him, Euan leaps backwards into a passing shadow and vanishes altogether! He reappears on the other side of the field, his opponents scrambling to turn about. With a snapping gesture, the flames dressing his hands sear with energy.Simultaneously, the beads he dropped burst and pockets of fire swallow up the dummies while others have their legs blasted apart!

The crowd clamors with applause while a larger batch of opponents pull themselves from the lurid arena floor, directly around Euan. He touches one dummy before sprinting into another shadow. Euan emerges in the center of the arena and immediately sets off another weaker blast blowing chunks of hot mud about. More emerge from the earth, frenetically clambering out of the ground.

Euan takes aim with his crossbow next, tapping the bolt with a swift touch before shooting at the emerging dummies. The bolt thunks into the chest of one opponent and, as they charge closer to him, Euan sets off a small blast which tears the others apart with the pieces of their cohort. Two dummies make it through the blast and the first swings a sword down on Euan. He blocks it's attack with the guard of his dagger and sinks the second rapidly in and out of its torso--enjoying this act a bit too much! The second dummy swings down a great axe. Euan side-steps the attack with a grimace, throwing the "dead" dummy in the way of its strike. As it stumbles and tries to reclaim its weapon, Euan tackles both of them into a shadow. Silence swallows the arena as ten more opponents rise and brandish their weapons, waiting alongside the audience.

       This eerie calm is broken suddenly as Euan pops in and out of the shadows. In blinding succession, Euan slits throats, shanks torsos and stealthily drops more metal balls in key locations as he moves. Finally, he drops the "body" of the dummy he spirited away before setting off all of his planted bombs at once -including his captive- and squirreling himself away at the last minute. The air of the arena pulses as fire and mud fly chaotically. The arena is quiet as the dust settles and Euan appears in the center, squatted down and panting with his form faded. No more opponents rise from the arena and the dancing shadows fade, his exhaustion apparent--pallid and breathless. The crowd bursts into applause nonetheless and he gives a tired smile and wave before trudging out of sight.

Some time later, after the rest of the House Stahlmann recruits have exhibited their skills, Ifani steps forward and Albert grows keenly attentive.

     "Last up, we have Lady Ifani Brandt, daughter of Baroness Clarissa Brandt!" Felix announces.

Before he can even ask, Ifani's skin shines metallic with a grayer hue than Andrea. This is followed by a searing orange glow overtaking her body, her hair and eyes rusty orange!

     "Is she... related to Andrea?" Tia questions and Albert shakes his head in a quick and fervent denial.

     "No, not at all. But Ifani's mother is from the same region of the valley, reknown for metal kaithur," Albert explains, "She has Martor and Emryl's Skin so she can only convert her skin and hair into metal. But a layer of tungsten carbide paired with heat magic is still astonishingly effective! Together, her metal shell can rapidly conduct extreme temperatures and inflict severe burns. Not that that's all she uses it for..."

Albert prattles on, bragging about his friend and describing her strategies, but his voice fades as Tia watches her pass through the obstacle course. To her surprise, Ifani moves through the ground course far more seamlessly than even Andrea, not relying on her kaithur in any way. When she arrives at the battlefield she is more than ready, not an errant breath passing her lips as she arms herself with only one simple broadsword. Ifani fights efficiently with sharp and precise motion—not a single movement is wasted in her lethal dance! She is totally at home amid battle, even utilizing the movements of her opponents against them. The earthen dummies bake instantly when they make contact with her scathing armor, Albert mentioning her skin could reach more than six thousand degrees without melting! It was apparent to even Tia's amateur eyes that Ifani's swordsmanship far surpasses the head of her House or any else who had performed so far. The fighting goes on without pause even as the mud-people greatly outnumber her, Ifani pacing herself deliberately. She makes sparing use of her kaithur as well, furthering her endurance.

     "She's amazing!" Tia breathes in awe.

     "You should see her fight real people!" Albert agrees, feeling especially proud of Ifani. He knew well how she had painstakingly prepared herself for this moment.

     "Wow, what a performance! A strong finish for the Stahlmann House this year!" Felix remarks into the applause. Ifani wipes sweat away with a towel, soaking in the cheers with a proud smile before exiting. Felix continues with undeminished energy, "Next up, we have the Minx  House!"

Tia locks up, even her breath catching. A bulk of participants around them rise and begin making their way down into her hesitation.

     "Tia?" Albert inquires gently, snapping her out of a panicked daze.

Tia gives a nervous laugh and rises to her feet.

     "Good luck!" Albert encourages her. 

     "You too!" Tia manages to respond, descending the stairs.

Pony Show

Suggested Audio: Skirmish

As they gather in the vacuous space beneath the tiered seats, staff rush forward to sort recruits according to station. Tia, to her displeasure, is asked to wait first at the precipice of the arena. Uneasy eyes look at her with a mix of awe and relief, happy not to be in her position but curious about their new heiress. Tia's worry only compounds as the messy array of teens is meticulously organized, moving her closer and closer to the spotlight.

     "We introduce this prestigious House with someone who has blindsided us all this year!" Felix announces, Tia's nerves buzzing like a bee hive in her chest, "Returning home from distant lands beyond Yaxiya, His Grace has brought home an unexpected heir. She is Lady Tia Minx, daughter of Duke Allen Minx!"

Tia steps onto the stage, a fire raging in her stomach. She had anticipated anxiety and discomfort, but while her heart still hammers in her chest, it is thrill which stirs in Tia! She beams at the crowd as they applaud her, releasing her form fully with an energetic smile. Tia spreads out her wings dramatically and lets electricity crackle over her entire body, her bright yellow stripes flashing and flickering.

     "Incredible!" Felix remarks as her matching illusion spreads its wings overhead, filling the entire space above the arena with a dramatic display, "A full, Minx-specific Maralith's Form and Beranok's Aura!"

Tia examines the course carefully as it solidifies before her, taking advantage of her keen eyesight to appraise distant obstacles. It seems half of her course is terrestrial while the other half is clearly meant to test her flying skills! First is a single line of rope strung between two elevated platforms. She moves across it slowly, wobbling drastically and needing to use her wings to rebalance herself. She manages to cross without falling, still comfortable with her performance despite moving slower than others she had observed. Next is a set of horizontal logs spaced a few feet apart each. Nets sprawl over or under them alternatingly. Adapting quickly, Tia swings under or over the beams alternatingly. While she clears the hurdle, she also bumps her right wing on one set of logs and catches her foot in the netting twice.

The next section presents a set of walls. One wall is smooth and transparent while the other is pocked with a number of divots and extrusions. The glass pane is set closely enough that one couldn't fly up the obstacle, Tia letting her wings fade before climbing. While more muscular than she was in the previous month, Tia struggles to pull her weight up the sheer wall and begins slipping halfway up. Gritting her fangs, Tia digs her claws into the stone and breaths deeply before scrounging up the rest of the way. Once Tia crests the wall, a set of pillars lower sequentially before reaching the ground. Tia leaps from pillar to pillar, easing the drops with her wings. But her foot skids off the surface of a middle pillar and she clings to it desperately, sliding halfway down. She can hear the audience gasp as she slips, steadying herself carefully before climbing back up. Tia clears a number of other obstacles by the skin of her teeth and her exhaustion makes her arms shake by the end. She is smeared with colorful mud and bruised but manages to finish the ground course.

Tia has to catch her breath, leaving an uneasy and impatient air to the coliseum--she can hear the whispers even over her thumping heart. She stretches her wings carefully before stepping up to the aerial course. All manner of hoops, walls and nets line the course while one large pool of lurid, prismatic mud lays underneath for those unfortunate enough to fall. Tia swoops under the first wall, her pupils contracting and honing in on each feature as she glides under, climbs upward and tucks between each obstacle with relative effort. Out of all her lessons, she takes to flight the most and finds it deeply liberating. However, still a beginner, she has a few too many close calls. And near the end, she collides with a wall and falls halfway to the mud, her wings aching as she glides along the colorful surface. 

Tia finally clears the entire obstacle course which melts away into nothing behind her. Before entering the arena, she was given the chance to choose a weapon. Most of the options which lined the racks were unfamiliar to Tia so she chose one simple broadsword. Now as she brandishes the blade against three mud-born opponents, her stance is clearly tentative. But her determination remains unwavering, fortified by her stubborn nature!

Each of these mud-men carry earthen swords and approach her cautiously. Tia side-steps the first lunge before driving her own blade into it's gut and ripping her sword out the side of the dummy to parry a slash from its compatriot--however clumsily. She digs her claws into the torso of the second attacker and runs a charge into it, the colorful mud hardening and cracking apart from the heat! The third opponent slashes down on her from behind. Tia stumbles forward in time to evade, nearly tripping before spinning around and charging her foe. She brings her wings out again, getting a few feet off the ground before kicking it prone and running it through.

As she finishes off the third opponent, five more arise and each are armed differently. Tia dodges out of the way of a javelin before baring down on the aggressor and pulling him into the air with her. She does this with some difficulty, her wings not built for heavy lifting. The opponent squirms in her grasp while the others stumble from her wingbeats but after rising higher, Tia dumps him over two of the others, knocking one prone and smashing the other. An arrow whizzes past her head, her ears picking up on the sound in time to dodge, and she locks onto the archer with her feline eyes. Tia gestures with her hand and, much to her relief, sparks arc from her fingers, connecting to the archer with great intensity and baking it into place. Euan, watching from a balcony, flinches but cheers her on stridently none-the-less.

Two earthen opponents remain "alive". Tia can feel her body wearing out now, her wings and limbs leaden and screaming for rest. With a huff, she uses her wingbeats to unbalance the remaining foes as she lands. Tia sinks her blade into the body of one but the blade sticks in place. Tia struggles to rip it out, her arms too fatigued to manage, and as she yanks at her weapon the last dummy swings a muddy axe down on her. Tia drops to her knees as prismatic mud and small rocks collide into her back, crumbling over her already heavy body and lacerating her shoulders. The crowd gasps in horror and Tia grits her fangs, losing her temper!

Tia gives a gutteral shout and her stripes blaze with blinding intensity, electricity rolling over her body once before arcing outward and connecting with all remaining mud-figures. Tia's body flickers ferociously, searing beams discharging from her unpredictably over the entire field, leaving trails of scorched earth behind. The staff even has to pull up a wall at the last second to protect Felix from her overzealous assault! Tia huffs for breath as her discharge subsides and, with pain, her wings fade away. The remains of her opponents smoke, some cooked into place while others crumble apart, and a pronounced hush falls over the colosseum.

Felix shakily calls the match, sure that Tia has depleted herself after such an attack let alone her apparent physical exhaustion. There is a light applause as Tia returns the weapon, slow and laced with whispers, staggering towards the exit. Her face burns from both exhaustion and embarrassment. Towels and water wait in the room beyond. She wipes the filth from her limbs and face and a medic cleans her scrapes and bruises. They offer her a drink which tastes excessively sweet but, as she sips, her injuries begin to close up! Satisfied, the medic moves on to other participants.

Suggested Audio: Royal Salon

Down the hall and up a hovering platform is a lavish suite. A large inner chamber is attached to a balcony overlooking the arena and Tia realizes it is one of the ten upper balconies which has been set aside for recruits. A buffet is the centerpiece of the inner room and servants bustle about offering drinks. Some recruits sit by themselves, resting or watching the event, while others are grouped together and discuss their or others' performances. A few are bold enough to point to Tia and whisper while others are more discrete, again overlooking the sensitivity of Tia's ears. She brushes off their attention, finding a quiet corner to rest. She settles into an armchair just behind a group of seeming friends. Tia notices there were many peers who choose to wait for their assessment here rather than in the stands, but only sees well-dressed nobles here.

     "Rare to see a new face around here!" a voice sounds from behind her.

A fair featured teen swings around to speak to her face to face. He is markedly handsome having arctic blue eyes, short auburn hair and an easy smile. Lofty and lean, he towers over Tia by resting his elbow high on the wall to peer over her with apparent ease. Tia feels heat crawl up her neck and sit on her ears as the boy looks her over with a charming smile. 

     "You... didn't see me out there?" Tia questions, still rather embarrassed by her performance.

He waves off the suggestion without losing his smile

    "I don't bother keeping up with all that, "he assures her and Tia allows herself to relax, "Seems arbitrary when all of us know everything about each other already. You on the other hand..." he points a finger at her and flashes another dimpled smile, "You're a mystery."

     "I-I um..." Tia stammers and her heart flutters, surprising her, "I'm Tia."

He maintains his charming demeanor but she can see him turning her name over in his mind as it seems familiar. He can't place it though and juts a thumb at himself.

     "Well, Tia, I'm Orin," he informs her and leans his back against the wall, "Lord Orin Philippe, House Chevalier. And you?"

Tia shifts in her seat and a frown tugs at her lips.

     "I guess you do keep up with all of that," Tia retorts carefully and he throws up his hands.

     "Alright, alright," Orin's laugh is light and lilting, teasing Tia and leaving her tongue-tied, "A beautiful mystery woman you will remain!"

He widens his smile before departing. Tia tries to stifle her embarrassment, running fingers through her hair to straighten it. Orin wanders the room, eyes dancing from peer to peer. Then, a familiar face waves him over with wide eyes.

     "I can't believe you actually spoke to her!" Bridget whispers in a conspiratorial tone, surprising Orin, "Do you have any idea who that is??"

     "No," Orin answers, a bit thrown by Bridget's reaction, "I couldn't get a surname or House out of her. Who is she?"

     "You didn't see her at the introduction last week?" Bridget questions and he frowns at her.

     "You know why I couldn't," Orin grumbles and she gasps, shifting her eyes uncomfortably before looking to Tia again.

     "That's Tia Minx!" Bridget informs him with a sense of awe, "The duke's only heir."

Orin is genuinely taken aback and turns to regard her again, finding Tia shifting her gaze from him quickly. His eyes come to life as new possibilities spin away in his mind but finds himself frowning as another young man approaches her.

     "Hey moggy!" Euan chimes, a mug of ale in his hand, "That wis uh... something."

As usual, Tia frowns impulsively but he plops into the adjacent chair, kicking his feet up on a table.

     "Ehhhh," Euan dismisses, "Ye weren't 'at bad. Ye had a lot o' juice in ye at th' end!"

     "I didn't see you get an axe to the back?" Tia points out with a near pout.

    "Aye, Am pretty great," Euan brags unabashedly and Tia rolls her eyes, "Which is why yer still impressive. You terrify me."

     "Impressive is the last word I'd use for me," Tia scoffs, trying to dismiss her embarrassment from the unexpected praise, "You, Andrea or that other one… uh, Ifani? They're impressive. I tanked out there!"

     "On thir fancy test maybe," Euan answers and shrugs, scanning the room, "Big pony show these rich bastards hev been preparing fur since th' day they were born. Ye though?" he states, looking back and gesturing at her with his drink, "Ye get it right when it counts. Outside o' this freaky place."

     "Is there a difference?" Tia questions, continuing her grumpy and self-depreciative mood.

     "Listen," Euan frowns, growing more serious, "I spent years robbing an' ransoming these kind o' people but it wis ye who knocked me on ma arse an' got me caught. No' in some stupid game, out there in th' real world."

     "Is that what you were going to do," Tia asks with a touch of laughter and finds herself smiling, "Ransom me?"

     "Aye, I wis going fur ye," Euan chortles, "They always cough up mair fur their wee ones. But then there ye were, looking right at us!"

He looks at Tia with exaggerated shock and she finds herself laughing.

     "You... actually sound a bit different than before," Tia notes and Euan shrugs.

     "They hev me taking these lessons fur how I talk," Euan states and Tia raises her eyebrows, "I dinnae care how I sound but no one understands whit I say. Cannae nab any lasses 'at way!"

Tia rolls her eyes again but snorts. He looks past her then, his smile dropping some. Tia turns, her eyes meeting Orin's, and he flashes another charming smile. She blushes and whips back around.

     "Oh no," Euan gripes, "'at's whit does it for ye?"

     "U-urusai! (Shut up!)" Tia grumbles, her face reddening further as she kicks Euan's leg, garnering a cackle from him. She huffs, rising from her chair, "I'm leaving anyway."

     "What, Am no' good enough company for ye?" Euan scowls as Tia glances around the room.

     "Better than most of these people," Tia answers vacantly and he blinks in astonishment, "But my family is probably worried already. I should go before they send someone to find me."

     "Weel," Euan rolls out the word, offering her another grin, "Guess A'll see ye around moggy, tell yer da hullo fur me!"

Tia gives him a humming laugh before wandering off. Euan leers at Orin again, disliking the way he watches her.

Seventeen

Suggested Audio: Haven

Later in the evening, Tia rests on the balcony of the manor with a steaming green tea clasped in her fingers and a woolen blanket draped about her shoulders, Duff napping in her lap. A storm rumbles below and flashes of lightning brighten the clouds in a sporadic dance, stirring her spirit. Despite the barrier, Tia could appreciate the scent of rain and feel the caress of diminished wind still rustling her hair. She inhales deeply, relishing the scent and bringing some relief to her lethargic body. The stained glass door squeaks open behind her and Allen freezes at the threshold.

     "Oh, uh," he hesitates and re-shifts his weight to turn around, "Sorry..."

     "It's okay!" Tia blurts and Allen pauses.

Tia offers her father a gangly smile, melting away some of his tension. Allen steps gingerly to the railing, his movements delicate and cautious. Allen studies the billowing tempest below, nostalgia bubbling in his eyes.

     "You've always loved storms," Allen sighs, lightning flashing in his eyes, "You'd come home drenched through but more alive than when you left," his laugh is tender, "If you weren't so tired I'd suggest a flight through the storm. One of the best benefits of my form!

     "That sounds amazing!" Tia utters in a mild breath, "I guess between your lightning and mom's water I was bound to like them."

Despite the mild laughter hanging on her words, Tia falls silent and sorrow weighs down her expression. Allen tries to smile but Tia can still see the pain which lingers behind this attempt.

     "Dad..." Tia continues more seriously, "Can we talk?"

Allen nearly gasps, his eyes flashing to his daughter with eyebrows raised.

     "Of course!" Allen answers emphatically.

He swiftly takes a seat across from Tia but still moves as though the floor might give out beneath him at any moment. Once seated, he opens his mouth multiple times but can't seem to work out what to say. Allen has so much he wants to say to her, endless uncertain words burgeoning in his lungs.

     "I know," Tia begins instead, "You want to know what happened. I've been so obsessed with you keeping things from me but I'm doing it too."

     "Oh, Tia," Allen breathes gently, "I don't think that's a fair comparison... My hesitation put you at risk."

     "And I'm hurting you with mine!" Tia emphasizes with furrowed brows.

     "If my suffering," Allen states emphatically, a hand to his chest, "Could ever alleviate even a fraction of your own, I would take it all in an instant!"

Tia sighs at her father's seeming exaggeration.

     "Can we stop?" Tia huffs, setting her tea aside.

     "Stop?" Allen echoes, stiffening.

     "Stop keeping things from each other!" Tia responds, Allen clearly relieved, "No more hiding or withholding things that are important. I feel like I don't even know you anymore!"

     "What do you mean, snowdrop?" Allen questions, blindsided by the sentiment.

     "Ever since we got here," Tia complains with tinges of aggravation, running her fingers over Duff's back, "Everyone talks about you like you're another person. You're a duke, you were a soldier, you didn't want children, and then… some important general like Martin? What happened to my goofy dad?"

      "Ah," Allen puffs out a sigh as he chews on his response, his face tightened by a bitter frown, "All of that, all of this..." he gestures to the manor grounds, "Was never me, Tia. The person you've been hearing about... I'm not him anymore. I haven't been for a long time."

     "What does that even mean?" Tia complains, nearly pouting, and Allen gives her a lopsided smile, "Can you just... tell me about your life here? If you do I... I'll tell you about that night!"

     "Tia..." Allen's voice is solemn, "I'll tell you whatever you want to know but not because your leveraging tha," his expression shows recollection, pain and then acceptance, "As I've been told, you won't stay my little girl forever. I need to treat you like the young woman I hope you'll become."

     "I haven't been a little girl for a long time!" Tia grumbles and Allen's shoulders shake with laughter.

Allen's eyes drift to the garden, his wistful expression exposing both nostalgia and grief.

     "This garden used to absolutely bustle with the laughter of children..." Allen's tone is quiet and soft as if a louder tone might shred the gentle memory, "The silence now still haunts me."

     "Children?" Tia questions, following his gaze and trying to envision it.

     "I had many siblings," Allen explains in a stark tone, "So many that, I hate to admit, I can't remember all of them. Fifteen or so, maybe?"

     "Fifteen?!" Tia gasps, "How did Baa-chan even- I-I didn't know one woman could even...!"

Allen chuckles into her halting surprise but his smile falls away.

     "Many families in the kingdom, especially noble families," Allen expounds carefully, "Try to have as many children as possible to "provide soldiers" for the kingdom's expansion. Traditionally, those children begin training at five, are introduced into noble society at ten and are assessed at sixteen before joining the training program . All of this is in preparation for their service in the Accian Military."

A pensive sigh escapes Allen's lungs as memories of he and his siblings' daily lives return to him. His eyes drift to a building on the other side of the garden very familiar to him—a training hall he an his siblings had honed their skills within. Memories of ducking below the windows, sweets in hand and Darrell at his side, to glimpse Iris and Edmund train while even younger tots scamper across the garden play in his mind. Tia watches her father quietly, trying to imagine what it must've been like to have such a large family. 

     "When mother returned from her own service, she was… very passionate to fulfill her duties," Allen continues, his words dripping with disdain, "Father was very driven as well. 'Our family doesn't hesitate to sacrifice for the kingdom' he would say—said it to the King at my own introduction, in fact."

Allen's face hardens into a deadpan leer, his demeanor matching the turbulent storm below.

     "And we certainly didn't," Allen rumbles with resent, "My youngest sister Felicity and I are the only ones left. No one else survived.."

     "All of them...?" Tia gasps.

Tia feels a chill run up her back as he answers with a simple, grim nod, unable to fathom the pain her father must have experienced. The utter loss. Allen's eyes scour the storm clouds as anger, pain and grief swirl over his features and he tries to reign in these emotions.

     "Almost all of us inherited the minx form, especially wings," Allen explains, a hardness still lingering in his voice, "As well as Flithmar or Beranok's Aura--excellent offensive magic but lacking in defensive properties. Aerial combat is already extremely dangerous but... in that particular campaign it became desperately lethal."

     "Campaign?" Tia questions, unfamiliar with the terminology, "A military operation with a certain goal in mind or in a particular region, "Allen lists off for her patiently, still appreciating her innocence while it lasts, "Previous campaigns had been mostly terrestrial in the vast open plains and deserts of Alkelbulan . But when my siblings and I had come of age we had turned our attention eastward. The lands of Yaxiya  are the domain of Ylithuum, Wylrith, Rylis and Ralgotar, primarily."

     "That's… earth, water, air and..." Tia's voice trails off, struggling to recall the last.

     "Magma," Allen reminds her before continuing with increasing bitterness and frustration, "It is the most mountainous region we have ever encountered. Because of this, and the adaptions of those who called these regions home, aerial battles became vital, frequent and… devastating. The Aerial Division saw record deaths."

     "How..." Tia prods tentatively, stirring him from acrid memories, "How did you survive?"

     "Many soldiers," Allen answers vacantly, "Survive out of luck. The rest, at least for me, was dedication, sacrifice and calculation. Between my favorable form and being the same age as then Prince Ambrose I had far more expectations placed on me. I increasingly felt it was my responsibility to put an end to the campaign. That it was the only way to save my siblings."

     "But-" Tia cuts in and he raises his hands to stop her.

     "I understand now that it wasn't!" Allen insists in his defense, "But at that age, seeing so many of my brothers and sisters never coming back, and later even dying all around me, I needed to believe I could. And that was how I was expected to behave," Tia retains a sour expression but lets him continue, "I convinced myself, among other things, that I could end it before the rest of my siblings… fell. I constructed myself into the general who could do that but that person was never actually me."

     "You were... pretending?" Tia asks in a high tone, trying to make sense of his explanation but failing.

     "I was burying myself in another identity," Allen tries to clarify, "I made choices and behaved as I was expected to and that I needed to in order to advance the campaign. Even when my actions weren't in my nature. I became the shrewd, cruel, lethal and calculating General the kingdom needed and I was swallowed up by it," Allen pinches the bridge of his nose, "But I couldn't be that person anymore, not after that final battle." 

     "What happened?" Tia prods sheepishly, hesitant to hear the end of his tale.

     "We had sieged Yanjing, the capital of Zhongguo, for months and," Allen gives himself a derisive sigh, "The end in sight, I became rash. I had given almost a decade of my life to that campaign and all of my siblings, aside from Felicity, were in service. A number of them had already died under my-"

His voice breaks and he has to stop to clear his throat.

     "I..." Tia squeaks, "I can't even imagine…"

Tia places a hand over his. Allen's expression speaks to how desperately thankful he is that she would never have to.

     "In the end, we defeated the clan guarding the palace of the Si Xiang in Penglai Shan," Allen's words emerge slowly and with great difficulty, his expression vacant in the face of such harrowing memories, "But I was the only Minx left. I had succeeded as a General… at the cost of my family."

     "I'm so sorry Dad...!" Tia's voice drips with sympathy, squeezing his hand. He squeezes back once.

     "I retired and returned home," Allen continues with a swift breath, relieved to move past the worst of it, "And mother... Was insistant I tend to my other duties as Duke. Day after day and woman after woman…" 

Allen gives a terse, exasperated sigh.

"The new expectation was marriage and providing an heir for the House," Allen scoffs, "But I didn't see any sense in continuing to sacrifice for the very institution which stole everything I was fighting for! Eventually, mother and I had a falling out and I swore I'd never marry, let alone have a child!" Allen imparts, the slightest smile tugging at his lips seeing Tia's astonishment, "As a favor, his majesty sent me to Nippon. He knew I needed an escape... I suppose he hoped that getting me away from my mother and the capital might help me recuperate."

     "Did it?" Tia questions, timorous hope popping into here words.

   "A little," Allen answers with a light chuckle, "It certainly gave me room to shed most of the expectations."

      "Then what changed?" Tia asks.

    "I met your mother," Allen answers, his face lighting up at the mention, "She saw who I was underneath it all and brought out the best in me. She made me believe I could be that person. She even gave me you!"

Tia frowns at the mention of her mother and his smile fades.

     "I guess... its my turn..." Tia mumbles.

     "You don't have to-" Allen begins but Tia shakes her head, insisting.

Tia narrates, in as much detail as she can muster, the events of that night. After she's done, he sits in silence, face rested in his hands with a blank expression.

     "She-" Allen blurts but then cuts off, "But she- You mean everything to her! She wouldn't-"

Tia scowls into the storm, sharp winds whipping it up and billowing a cloud into a thunderhead.

     "She couldn't have!" Allen gasps in disbelief, "Maybe she-"

     "She left me for dead..." Tia grates precisely, eyes on thee hands fisted in her lap, "She saw them coming and she ran!" Allen grows pale, the shadows on the patio behind her darkening ominously and writhing with her resentment, "She didn't even look back!"

      "Tia!" Evelyn sounds, stepping out onto the patio and placing a hand on her shoulder.

As Tia meets her grandmother's gaze the shadows fade.

      "You are allowed to be angry!" Evelyn declares softly and tears bud in Tia's eyes, "Your father will feel what he needs to feel about it. That doesn't mean you can't do the same."

     "How long have you been here?" Allen growls, swallowing more severe words.

Evelyn sighs and pads to the railing, her back to them.

     "Seventeen," Evelyn answers delicately, as if speaking the words too loudly could shatter her. Allen draws in a sharp breath, "I had seventeen children. Eight boys and nine girls, not including those I lost too early. I can name and describe every one of them...!" Evelyn states in a withering tone, "I won't allow myself to forget!"

     "Save your crocodile tears!" Allen sneers, his volatility astounding Tia, "You expect me to believe that after you've erased every last trace of them??"

They watch as her claws dig into the railing before she sighs, her shoulders dropping, and turns to them.

     "Come with me," Evelyn requests plainly, her face void of anger.

Tia and Allen look to each other before trailing after Evelyn, leading them through the inner halls of the manor. At the end of the furthest wing, she stops in front of a portrait of herself holding a baby and beaming.

     "What are we-" Allen spits, impatient.

Before he can finish his question, Evelyn grabs the portrait by the frame and sets it against a perpendicular wall. This reveals a small door, just big enough to squeeze through. She disappears through it and Tia follows after her. Allen enters last and the sight of the next room leaves him breathless.

The walls of the hidden room are filled to the brim with portraits, sketches and memorobilia of faces unfamiliar to Tia. Portraits of babies, toddlers, teenagers and a few adults line the walls with all manner of personal items enshrined below them--children's toys, stacks of letters, folded clothing. Fresh flowers have been lain at each table too, their scent adding a softness to this secret chamber. 

Evelyn paces along the wall, carefully regarding each portrait before reaching one wall in particular which is dedicated to group paintings and sketches. As Tia's eyes skims their faces, the tightknit nature of these siblings are clearly portrayed. Meanwhile, Allen is rendered speechless for more than a minute, his tears flowing in wonder and grief. Despite his every attempt to remember his lost siblings, their faces had begun to fade in his memory. His eyes scour them now, determined to forever preserve their visage in his mind!

     "Are these...?" Tia nearly whispers and Allen nods wordlessly.

     "Why would you keep them here?" Allen finally manages to husk before regarding his mother.

He is shocked to spot tears running freely down her cheeks. Allen isn't sure he'd ever seen his mother cry.

     "I can't seem to look at them without... well," Evelyn answers breathily, gesturing to her face, "Titus detested weakness of any kind, especially within our family," she bites bitterly, her fingers grazing hidden scars beneath layers of clothing, "He insisted I burn it all. Everyone had to believe that I did."

     "Father never..." Allen tries to dismiss, shaking his head.

Evelyn frowns in the same resentful manner Tia had earlier, catching Allen off guard.

     "You may have a keen mind, Allen," Evelyn declares, "But you've always been naive about those you admire. Your father wasn't half the man you believe he was!"

Evelyn steps beside Tia, studying drawings of two little boys, and a warm smile settles into place. In one painting, the boys are grinning at each other with jam-smeared faces.

    "Gloria enjoyed sketching and painting quite a bit, or any art really. This is Allen and Darrel—inseparable, mischievous gremlins!" Evelyn chuckles in appreciation, rubbing the the frame displaying the sketch.

     "And yet you still offered us up to the kingdom on a platter!" Allen accuses her bitterly.

     "We both honor them in our own ways," Evelyn responds pointedly, "You try to embody their best qualities to keep them alive," Tia turns and raises her eyebrows as Allen's face tightens and his eyes slide away, "Darrell's humor, Gloria's consideration, Edmund's selflessness, Iris' protective nature..."

Allen regards the paintings of these four siblings who he had been closest to and his expression softens, this piece created just after Allen had been promoted to General.

Mischief plays on Darrell's lips as it often did for this jovial, open-hearted teen while Edmund is far more aloof and cynical. Stark opposites, Darrell had too gentle a heart to be a warrior while Edmund had remained in service long beyond what was required to watch after his younger siblings, loyal until the end. Gloria, ever charming, quiet and observant, offers her sister a knowing smile. Iris is far more brash and passionate with a hot temper. Tia had always reminded Allen of Iris long before taking up her disguise, both of them stubborn, altruistic and adventurous--the burning heart of both family and allies alike! 

     "And I refuse to waste their sacrifices. I keep our family going!" Evelyn looks at Tia with a smile as she stifles a yawn, "You should get some sleep, dear. You've had such a long day!"

Tia glances to her father with concern but he gives her a gentle wave, his eyes still stuck on the faces he never thought he'd glimpse again.

     "I'm sorry," Evelyn speaks softly as they turn, leaving the subject of her apology to his imagination, "Come here whenever you need to."

Tia and Evelyn make their way through the little door. Allen is silent as they disappear, losing himself in nostalgia and grief which spill out the instant he is alone.

Killer Technique

Suggested Audio: Secret Garden

     "Alright, Tia," Allen looses a sigh, leading his daughter into the central garden, "I ought to show you at least the basics!"

     "The basics of what...?" Tia questions.

To Tia's surprise, a full-sized manaquin constructed of an unfamiliar material waits for them in the garden. She watches as her father places a small elemental crystal  into its chest, diagrams of major muscles and organs appearing across its surface. These patterns give off a dull glow. Allen looses a deep sigh as he places a hand on its familiar shoulder.

     "My techniques!" Allen claims in a popping tone, "There are more effective ways of using Beranok's Aura than just tossing lightning around wildly!"

      "Fine..." Tia mumbles as her face heats up, her pout drawing out a laugh from her father.

     "It's easy to run yourself out of energy too quickly while using your aura haphazardly, even for you," Allen explains, "But if you focus on accuracy and precision, not only will you be more effective but you'll likely outlast your opponent!"

     "How do you zap someone 'precisely'?"" Tia answers with a measure of sass.

     "Small charges targeting specific muscles or organs," Allen responds, pointing to different diagrams on the mannequin as he explains, "Just enough to freeze up or contract muscles or to impede or manipulate their nervous system. This can drastically throw off or even paralyze an opponent, leaving them open to attack or worse. This is especially dangerous for aerial opponents if you can lock up their wings."

     "Wait, how does zapping muscles... um..." Tia questions, confused.

She tilts her head at her father, not grasping the basis of the technique. Allen waves her over.

     "Change into another form," Allen instructs and, as she takes up her birth form, his hand glows yellow.

Allen gestures with two fingers, touching them to Tia's arm. As his fingers connect, Tia's bicep contracts on its own and tingles from the gentle current. He touches her shoulder as well, furthering his point.

    "Whoa!" Tia gasps, amazed by his ability to affect her movements without hurting her in the process, "I definitely gotta learn that one!"

     "When you get the hang of it," Allen continues, Tia flexing her arm, "This technique lets you alter your opponent's movements and uses very little energy. Though, it's important to remember extended or excessive shocks can damage and even tear muscles and cause serious burns. But with practice, you can also project it."

Allen gestures with the same two finger motion, pointing to the other side of the garden. Once locked on with his keen yellow eyes, electricity connects very briefly to a flower. Tia looks with her own feline eyes, zooming in to see a dead bee below the flower while the bloom itself is untouched.

     "What!!" Tia exclaims, gesturing with shock.

Allen beams with pride, quickly followed by laughter as she gapes.

     "Flight is a versatile tool," Allen reasons, a tinge of amusement still sneaking into his tone, "But our eyes are one of our strongest assets, capable of lethally honing our precision. And while it can be fun to walk around fully manifested, opponents often underestimate you if you conceal your form and manifest only what you need!" to further his point, Allen manifests just his yellow hands and eyes, "I've... defeated many opponents with just this."

     "You mean..." Tia responds slowly, "Killed, don't you?"

Allen impulsively grimaces and sighs, feeling the urge to craft a less ugly lie for his daughter. He wants to shield her from the ugliness of his past yet he knows this isn't what she needs anymore. He chokes down his protective urges, knowing Tia will face the same gruesome reality very soon.

     "...Yes," Allen husks reluctantly.

He sits on the fountain's edge and invites her over, patting its surface. Tia settles next to him and listens attentively.

     "I'm sorry I didn't train you sooner," Allen states plainly, no evasiveness or cheery facade--he wears his heart on his sleeve, "I had hoped you would never need any of this."

     "I know, dad," Tia states sympathetically, "I'm sorry I wasted so much of our time being angry."

     "What I wouldn't give for more time...!" Allen bemoans, wrapping an arm around her shoulder, "You're going to need it to master these techniques."

     "How long did it take you?" Tia prods and Allen's face goes taut.

     "Longer than you've lived yet," Allen admits, Tia blinking in astonishment, "And I've got one more for you. But... this isn't something you can practice ordinarily."

     "Why not...?" Tia questions slowly.

Allen rises and approaches the mannequin with a grim expression. He taps its chest.

     "This is my strongest technique. I developed it myself," Allen narrates grimly, his voice devoid of life, "As I demonstrated, you only need to manifest your eyes and hands. After years of... practice... I learned a human heartbeat follows a specific rhythm. If you can interrupt that rhythm at just the right moment..." he places his palm over the chest of the mannequin, "Their heart will stop."

Tia's eyes widen, realizing his meaning suddenly. When Allen glances back to her, her face shows a mixture of uncertainty and discomfort. He sighs, closing his eyes and knitting his brows.

     "This is an assassination technique," Allen drones plainly, "If you get it right, its a low energy tool to defeat almost any opponent. But without enchantments like these, you can only practice this on live targets. Failure will leave you vulnerable. If you find yourself in this position, I suggest a paralyzing charge, an even more powerful discharge in a pinch or retreating altogether!"

     "But," Tia speaks with hesitation, "H-how do you even know when to...?"

Allen gestures to his own neck, exposing his jugular to her.

     "Watch for my pulse," Allen instructs.

Switching back to her father's form, Tia focuses her vision and zooms in on his throat. She watches his skin rise and fall with each heartbeat.

      "Lock onto the rhythm," Allen instructs, "With practice, you'll know when to administer a shock to interrupt it. Watch..."

Allen turns back to the mannequin and lowers his body slightly. He holds his left hand just behind his back, his body positioned to block the target's line of sight from his hand. The marks on his hand glow just as brightly as his yellow eyes and Tia can see electricity crackling on his palm. Allen dashes forward abruptly, shoving the forearm of his right arm into the dummy, connecting his palm and his elbow to each of it's shoulders. Electricity connects at these two points before Allen plants his left palm onto the mannequin's chest unimpeded. Tia finds herself both in awe and unsettled by Allen's expression while doing this—serious, aggressive and detached. His attack is akin to a bolt of lightning, sudden, forceful and merciless. The illustration of the manequin's heart flashes twice before all light fades from its surface and the crystal fueling its enchantments shatters into nothing.

     "Your second arm can be used," Allen explains and gestures to his palm and elbow, "To keep a target from defending from the attack, locking up both of their arms. But it isn't always necessary as a simple palm strike can be difficult to defend against if they don't perceive the threat. Finding an opening is crucial."

Allen falls silent as his eyes catch on Tia, peering down at her own hands as a frown weighs down her lips. As this silence lingers, she finally meets his gaze with a pained expression.

     "I'm... I'm really going to have to kill people...?" Tia questions on a timorous breath. She hadn't even begun to consider this impending reality.

Allen squeezes his eyes shut and grimaces as though her own pained expression were contagious, lamenting that her innocence couldn't be preserved any longer. Tia's face hollows out into an empty expression, falling into contemplation.

   "I should be upset," Tia's criticizes herself, dissatisfied, "I should be saying 'I don't want to kill anyone!' ...But I still think about them."

     "Them?" Allen echoes, Tia's face falling into a scowl weighed down by resent.

     "Hiroto, Asahi, Kenji, Junichiro, Seina," Tia lists with a quivering voice, fisting her hands in her lap, "And Ben!" she spits, her rancour apparent, "After everything they did to me, it would be a lie to say I haven't wanted to kill them, that I still don't want to...!"

     "Tia... it isn't wrong for you to hate them, to resent them," the softness of Allen's tone makes Tia wince, his eyes drifting to her hair, but as she meets his eyes she finds only concern, "These people hurt you so badly. What you're feeling is natural, I hate him too. I nearly killed Ben myself!"

     "I can't stand seeing him," Tia seethes acrimoniously, her face scrunching at the memory of Ben meandering their great hall at her introduction, "He still terrifies me and I hate it! My body was burned and torn, my bones broken and battered," Tia spits and trembles at the memory, "I-I felt myself dying but he doesn't even have to pay!"

Allen wraps an arm around his daughter, trembling as well from Tia's description. He squeezes Tia as if he could protect her from what had already transpired.

     "I wish I could obliterate that cretinous bastard...!" Allen remarks in a quiet but ferocious tone, his malice astounding Tia, "And he would deserve it. But..."

Allen takes a deep breath breath and lets his shoulders drop, his grip loosening,

"We can't hurt or kill everyone who wrongs us. I've taken so many lives, Tia," Allen imparts and she can see the regret painting his face, "I don't want you to carry that same burden. Besides, these people have taken enough from you already," concern spills into his eyes, "They don't deserve to take more from you with the consequences of revenge. But most of all, its important not to lose yourself to resent--never let it consume you!"

Tia mulls over his words, a frown lingering as she sn't quite satisfied with his answer, but she is unable to express herself properly. She looks to Duff instead, lurking beneath the bushes and stalking after birds in the form of a cat. This had become his favorite form within the manor grounds.

   "I guess these kinds of things are easier for you?" Tia questions, watching him stretch as he emerges from the shadows. He halts at her feet, twisting his head and peering up at them as if he hadn't already been listening in.

   'I could kill the twit for you, if you'd like,' Duff offers casually, his words drenched in delight, 'Disappearing in the night... no one would even know!'

     "Don't tempt me!" Tia laughs and Allen blinks at her.

Tia releases a long sigh as she stands, looking back to the mannequin.

     "I guess I should practice?" Tia questions, feeling somewhat lighter.

Allen's smile is just as light, happy to see Tia back to her sunny self. They spend the rest of the afternoon going over and running Tia through his exercises so she could continue practicing, even without him.

Tia finds herself both in awe and unsettled by Allen's expression while doing this. Serious, aggressive and detached. His attack is akin to a bolt of lightning, sudden, harsh and seemingly unpredictable. Allen takes a step back from the mannequin before speaking again.

"Your second arm can be used," Allen explains and gestures to his palm and elbow, "To keep them from defending from the attack, locking up both of their arms. However, its not always necessary as a simple palm strike can be difficult to defend against if they don't perceive the threat. Finding an opening in general is wise." Allen pauses, noticing Tia stare steadily down at her own hands. When he is silent, she looks up with a grim expression.

"I'm... I'm really going to have to kill people...?" Tia questions, her voice hollow, not having considered this yet.

Allen closes his eyes and grimaces, knowing this innocence couldn't be preserved any longer. Tia's gaze drops with an empty expression, falling into contemplation. Allen rests next to her again, both of them silent.

"I should be upset," Tia's criticizes herself, dissatisfied, "I should be saying 'I don't want to kill anyone!'" she furrows her brows, "But I still think about them."

"Them?" Allen questions and Tia pinches her eyes shut, taking on a rancorous expression.

"Hiroto, Asahi, Kenji, Junichiro, Seina," Tia lists with a quivering voice, fisting her hands in her lap, "And Ben!" she spits, "After everything they did to me, it would be a lie to say I haven't wanted to kill them, that I still don't want to...!"

"Tia..." the softness of Allen's tone makes her wince, his eyes drifting to her hair, "It isn't wrong for you to hate them, to resent them," Tia opens her eyes, meeting her father's concerned gaze, "These people hurt you so badly. What you're feeling is natural, I hate him too. I nearly killed Ben myself!"

"I can't stand seeing him," Tia seethes acrimoniously, her face scrunching at the memory of Ben meandering their great hall at her introduction, "He still frightens me and I hate it! My body was burned, my bones broken, and the rest of me battered and torn," Tia spits and trembles at the memory, "I felt myself dying but he doesn't even have to pay!"

Allen wraps an arm around his daughter, trembling as well from Tia's description. He squeezes Tia as if he could protect her from what had already transpired.

"I wish I could obliterate that cretinous bastard," Allen remarks in a quiet but ferocious tone, his malice astounding Tia, "And he would deserve it. But," Allen takes a breath and lets his shoulders drop, his grip loosening, "We can't kill everyone who hurts us. I've taken so many lives, Tia," she can see the regret painting him and weighing his expression as he look into her eyes, "I don't want you to carry that same burden. Besides, these people have already taken enough from you," concern spills into his eyes, "They don't deserve to take more with the consequences of revenge."

Tia mulls over his words, a frown lingering as she still isn't quite satisfied with his answer, but she is unable to express herself properly. She looks to Duff instead, sunbathing nearby as a cat. This had become his favorite form within the manor, not needing to conceal himself.

"I guess these kinds of things are easier for you?" Tia questions him. He rolls over to look at them as if he hadn't already been listening to their conversation.

'I could kill the twit for you, if you'd like,' Duff states casually, his own delight leaking through, 'No one would even know.'

"Don't tempt me," Tia laughs and Allen blinks at her. Tia releases a long sigh as she stands, looking back to the mannequin. "I guess I should practice?" Tia questions, feeling somewhat lighter.

Allen's smile is just as light, happy to see Tia back to her sunny self. They spend the rest of the afternoon going over and running Tia through his exercises so she could continue practicing, even without him.