Chapter 2: Preperations

It did not take long for Anders and his band of mercenaries to find the information they were looking for. In Columbia, anything can be found as long you grease a few palms. After that, all that remained was to regroup and escort their charge to the location.

Valeria could be found in her apartment as she waited to meet up with Anders. Her outfit was made up of light tan and brown robes meant for warm, dry climates and sported a bandana around her neck that could be pulled up to protect her face from sand or dust. An outfit suited towards the sand dunes of Sargon and the current arid Sargon-Columbia border region.

The room was dark except for a few rays of light trickling through partially opened blinds. The black and purple themed furniture that was scattered throughout the room looked extravagant and would not be out of place in the most luxurious noble estates creating a stark contrast to the occasional empty bottle littered around. A soft song played by a cello flowed through a gramophone in the otherwise silent room.

Valeria herself was seated on a cushioned purple chair while tinkering with a device on her lap. A modern scientist could be forgiven for mistaking the device as an incomplete hand of an exoskeleton combat armor. Metal frames forming together to create a steel glove-like contraption.

As she hummed along to the music, a knock reverberated through the room, and the sound of Anders' voice appeared.

"It's me."

Valeria paused only for a moment before resuming her work.

"It's open."

Anders pushed on the door, cringing at the creak of the hinges that could have used a coating of oil long ago. Walking into the room, he stepped over empty bottles and sat on a dusty chest nearby while resting a foot on a filled duffle bag in front of him. The clinking of glass bottles that emanated from the bag made him glare at the woman. She only shrugged in response.

"It's a nice tune. Never heard it before."

A small smile appeared on Valeria's face as she seemed to slip into memories for a moment.

"Of course you haven't. It was written long before you were born. One of many things the younger generations are ignorant to."

With surprise, Anders raised his eyebrows.

"Really? How long ago was that?"

"Before the first fall of Kazdel."

Anders' eyes went wide and nearly slipped from the chest in shock, much to Valeria's amusement. She understood, however. The first fall of Kazdel happened so long ago that few can claim to even know the date. The rest just know that it has been over a millennium.

Anders knew she was old but never imagined the truth was to such an extent. Shaking his head, he sighed. Now he understood better why Valeria ended up in the state she is. Compared to the rest of the Sarkaz who have only known war and suffering, she knew exactly what they had lost. Ignorance is a form of mercy.

"So, what else have we forgotten?"

A look of approval appeared on Valeria's face as she heard the question.

"For a combat-oriented people such as ours, a tradition among the Alecto was the 'Bellum Voluntatis.' The war of wills. When two individuals strongly disagree on something, one can enact a Bellum Voluntatis. Most often times it is in the form of a duel, but allies can be brought depending on the rules agreed upon. The defeated must concede to the victor's point of view, and refusal is dishonorable and cowardly. Anyone who refused a Bellum Voluntatis was stripped of their name and cast out. It's not practiced much these days, though. Much easier to just kill someone who disagrees with you. Fewer uncertainties."

Anders thought in awe of the glorious battles that must have been fought long ago and wondered if the woman in front of him ever participated herself. It was likely, given her age, but what had she fought for? He shook off such thoughts. It wasn't the time.

"You'll have to tell me more sometime."

Valeria smiled again. This time, it reached her eyes.

"It is my duty."

The time quietly passed as the old Sarkaz woman worked on her contraption. Opening a compartment on the device, she carefully placed a small black originium crystal inside. As she did, lights interlaced on the device as it sprang to life with a dull orange glow. Closing the compartment proved to be a bit more difficult. The latch seemed to be broken, keeping it from shutting.

Frowning, Valeria motioned to the side of Anders.

"Hand that over would you?"

Turning his gaze to where Valeria indicated, his face blanked as he saw a roll of tape sitting on the ground. Mechanically, he handed it over but couldn't help himself from complaining.

"There is no way it is safe that your originium arts device is held together by tape. What if that piece of junk breaks while you're using it? What will you do if it malfunctions and your arts start using the originium crystals in your body as fuel? It will accelerate your oripathy. How about I get you a new arts unit? The company should have a few lying around."

Valeria just dismissively waved her hand with a scoff.

"Stop whining, brat. This 'piece of junk' is reliable where it counts. Besides, the designs for modern arts devices are terrible. All wands, staves, and crystal balls. It's like you all took childhood fairytales about wizards and witches too seriously. At least the guns are more interesting, but those tend to be one trick burden beasts. Boring."

Anders just rolled his eyes.

"Isn't that just you being stubborn? You can just get one custom-made if you want."

Valeria didn't deign to respond as she finished her repairs. giving the metallic glove a couple of shakes to make sure the hatch wouldn't pop open, she nodded in satisfaction. After slipping on the glove and adjusting the straps, she waved her hand like a maestro directing an orchestra. In response, the shadows that covered the room seemed to writhe and shake with her movements.

Standing up from her chair, she motioned for Anders to do the same. Then she closed her fist. The shadows stretched and bent around everything in the apartment while avoiding the two people and swallowed it all into the ground. The only thing that remained was the dust that gently floated down to the ground.

Valeria nodded towards Anders.

"Let's go."

Much to Valeria's irritation, Anders stood up straight and gave her a salute.

"Yes ma'am!"

Her eye twitched in annoyance, and a tendril of shadow stretched out from the ground to smack him on the back of his head before pushing him towards the door.