Chapter 1: Trial of Nexus

Avilyon Kingdom

Alcionne Woods, South of Capital

Fionn swings his javelin in a wide horizontal arc, its sharp tip glinting as it passed the rising sun’s first light. He twists his grip to the spear tighter, pulling its momentum back as he thrusts it forward, propelling the spear deep within the gigantic redwood tree; half of the spear’s length embedded in the thick trunk.

Just like how he impaled countless times almost every wood at the forest’s mouth.

He singlehandedly pulls it out, the wooden shaft scrapes his already calloused hands.

Sweat made his white linen cloth cling to his skin with a damp-cold sting. His heart races with anticipation.

Later in the afternoon will commence the yearly trials to empower the squires to join the ranks of the official military of Avilyon, Nexus Eos, as Avallonis Paladins.

But Fionn still questions himself if his strength was enough. Enough to… Revenge… Avenge…

Once he becomes a member of the Nexus, he would be sent out to expeditions and campaigns. Which would task him to slay monsters, creatures of the abyss, and grant him a powerful armament that would let him…

A voice suddenly tugged him back from being lost to his thoughts.

“Shouldn’t you at least rest”.

Fionn breathes out the exhaustion, he easily identified the warm and mellifluence flow of her tone. He turns around to see Artemia standing three yards away, arms cross on her chest.

“Have to prepare” he answered, and faces back to striking the tree. “You know I really wanted to join to Paladins”.

The lady was now beside him, her chestnut-brown hair fluttering a long wave in the cool-morning breeze. “I know. That’s why we should return to camp now, and have breakfast. Ajax is also waiting”.

He flashes a face of defeat on his face as he looks at her, he knows she would not stop blustering until he submitted. He sighs exasperatedly as a sign of admission being upend.

Artemia hooks her arm around his as she beams like the sun now shining brightly.

Fionn shakes his head and could not stop contagious smile now forming in his face as they head back. “Hopefully, I would not be in the same Folds as you to fight against”.

“And why is that?”

“Because you would just brawl with me endless words until I tire, deafened, and surrender”, he looks at her hazel eyes now boring on him with amusement.

“Silly” she replied with mirth, then continued “Of course I’d do that!”.

A series of laughter erupted as they strolled the long road back to their base camp.

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Barracks Nine

Squire League of Ashera Septimus

“Formed a line by the number bestowed!” the large man roared. “Descending!!! On the count of ten you are all ready!!!”.

Fionn quickly pushes around as he shouted 'twenty-fifth' in the crowd of trainees. He wondered where the beginning line is. He combs in annoyance with his hand the black locks of hair that fell on his eyes; he suddenly thought he should have cut it before.

As the count stops, a row of eight have already been formed. Fionn double-checks the one in front of him and at his back for their numbers. 'To be sure'.

The man-in-command, led them to a march at a field of green grass at the bottom of their camp’s hill. Their number of six-hundred and forty squires proceeded with refined discipline and unison like how they have trained for many months.

“Halt!!!” General Alaric Noahrd ordered suddenly. A wave of stillness immediately rippled as all feet ceases its parade.

“What do you think will be the trials Fionn?”

Fionn flinches, he did not notice until now that Ajax was just beside him, align at the next row from his.

He gazes up, as his friend was a head higher than him. The black leather battle-uniform given to them was tightly fitted to Ajax’s muscular arms and torso; an absolutely brute beast no one dared to mess with during their six-month training.

He was also profoundly contemplating of what test the Tribunal of Avilyon have arranged.

'If it is the same as the previous year'…

“Maybe another League will come here to be matched against us” he suggested, recalling the past exam was elimination through single combat.

“All ears to me!” boomed another voice.

Fionn tiptoed to look over the heads in front of him, only to find out that most squires also did the same.

“Its General Alexander” Ajax offered as he towered over everyone and stares ahead.

He remains quiet knowing the rules won’t be explained twice after it was layout to them.

Alexander motions to the other three officers and Alaric to line beside him. “As you know that our continent is facing a huge crisis, Avilyon has always took a stand to protect its citizens and every inch within its borders. Though our families, friends, and all those dear to us still live in tranquility, we do not know when the day will come that destruction and death will enter our walls” He held the leather wrap hilt of his blade, the diamond encrusted hilt fizzled with magnificence, “My dear Squires! Those months you’ve been put to hell and you are still here shows your resiliency. Those days where you risk yourselves for your comrades partake the virtue of serving our nation. But all of that is for naught if you don’t have the most crucial of all!”.

The General’s eyes sweep around the line of trainees. Fionn did not know if it was just his imagination, but he saw Alexander’s gaze lock on him for a split second.

“This day would end with many tears, but it will also be a new dawn of sentinels that will safeguard our kingdom’s serenity” Alexander unsheathes his blade with the satisfying slick of smooth metal. He raises it over his head, pointing to the bright sun. “Do you have the power to stand up against anyone? Do you have the strength to shield those behind you? Is your will strong enough to have ‘Authority’ over our Kingdom’s adversaries?”.

“I, Alexander Kroun, The Harpe Scion shall be witness to this year’s Nexus Trial! Single combat against your very instructors, land a successful attack on them once and you shall qualify!” he announces intimidatingly.

Fionn stood still, he thought he was going against other squires from another League. 'It would be worst if we are up against'…

“Oh crap, I think we are even going to fight Alaric” Ajax commented more to himself.

'Alaric would certainly be the worst examiner among the four'…

And he is about to find out if his thoughts were right as Fionn saw the huge man now standing straight in front of their line.

The general gestured to Fionn’s column and to his left. Ajax’s line.

“What a luck” his friend muttered.

“You lot better be prepared, because I won’t hold back to beating your fragile bones and pretty faces to a bloody mess” Alaric growled.

He swallowed the tension starting to build he. Win... win… win…

“Step out from your line as I call your name. And choose from this” the examiner gestured at the wooden weapons arranged in a rack. “Battle me earnestly with full strength”.

Fionn waited for his name to be called as he carefully observed how the general fought against different arms.

Alaric was their strict instructor at handling various type of blades. But it was the first time he had seen the general in actual action.

Some already leap with joy as the general deemed them capable and passed, others broke down in tears as they failed.

'I thought you would not hold back', Fionn thought. Fight earnestly, the words echoed in his mind. Maybe he would give a chance to those who do.

A single strike was all he needed to qualify. He studied again Alaric’s movement, precisely training to counter his attacks in his mind. He needed to land a blow before he is incapacitated of his weapon or also struck.

Names continued to be called. Thomas Ludlir… Karin Isaath… Troy Ostiad…

“Artemia Selene Ludhulain!”.

Fionn’s attention went to the other group of trainees.

He watched Artemia walked with lithe silent strides to the open area. Her chin held high with confidence.

Her assessor was the captain of the tenth battalion, Bran Hilde. A bulk of a man about in his mid-forties with his bald head popping with veins. Bran still has a great physique most of his age does not have, and wielded a huge wooden mace in his right.

He thought it should not pose a problem to the lady as Bran was their mentor and overseer during their sparring sessions in the Ninth League of squires which gave them an overview of the man's skills.

Artemia picks up a short sword from the stacks of armament. She tried it for a few swings, familiarizing the weight in her left hand.

She readied her stance in a front guard, blade held tightly with two hands.

The battle started as Artemia advances, she brought her sword down but misses, Bran answered with a parallel swing which the lady eluded with ease.

Fionn smiled, the first move by each fighter mostly dictates the fight. Artemia must have also already gauge her adversary’s footwork.

She leaps backwards for a fade, the captain taking the bait as he lunges. But being faster, she immediately dives forward again as she retracts her sword arm, letting her grip slide down to the pommel to extend her reach.

Fionn held his breathe as the mace almost reach his friend before the true edge of Artemia’s sword hits successfully at the shoulder of Bran. She instantly passed. He breathes out the tension, as pride and happiness swelled in him for his friend.

But his musing was shortly suspended as a hand grab his shoulder.

He cranes his neck on the right, seeing Ajax.

“Hey, the General’s been calling you like three times already”.

'Damn'. He has been so absorbed with Artemia’s battle that he had forgot to be attentive for his turn.

He quickly gets to his feet.

“Fionn Belle Theos!” Alaric bellowed with impatience, “One more call and you are disqualified!”.

“I’m here” he treads swiftly to the crate of arms, picking the long stick with a blunt end. Spear. He spins it skillfully in his hand.

“Such negligence!” Alaric yelled at him. “Now show me that my waiting is not wasted kid!”.

To his surprise, the general made the first move.

Fionn was able to react with the first cleave of the great wooden sword. But he cannot believe the impact threw him off balance. Down to the ground.