Chapter Sixteen: I am Abel

Jason laid on the ground, completely out of breath as Alice and Zach kept fighting.

There swords clashed for seconds before they pushed each other back.

Zach was finding it difficult to breath. "You're not going to give up?"

Alice shrugged her shoulders. "I could go all day."

The snow began to coat the ground once more as Alice raised her sword. 'Quick Step'

She appeared in front of Zach, but he dodged the thrust of her sword, hitting her in the stomach with his pommel. Alice fell to the ground, shocked and defeated.

Odis laughed seeing this. "Ya used Quick Step and he still beat you..." He slowly stopped laughing. 'Wait, I never taught ya how to use Quick Step...'

Alice slowly stood up, using 'Save' on herself. 'System, can I use 'Save' to heal them without them realizing?'

- No -

Alice sighed. 'Okay.'

Odis walked over to them. "Ya three are definitely some of the strongest people I've met." He took out to blue bottles. "Drink these healing potions, it'll heal ya up quick."

Zirian and Victoria walked over as well. Victoria spoke to her sons. "Boys, we've been talking. We believe it would be for the best for you to stay here and train alongside Alice under Odis for a while."

Zach looked as his mother. "Would that really be alright?"

Victoria nodded. "Of course. For your birthdays, you will return home for your parties, and you will train until Alice's fourteenth birthday."

Jason and Zach looked at each other, and Alice stood there confused. 'Wouldn't that be five years?'

Odis smiled, showing his pearly white teeth. "Ah, that'd be great Queen Victoria! The youngsters will be the toughest in the central kingdoms when I'm done with 'em!"

Victoria grinned. "I will send them an aide, so he can contact me should anything happen."

Zirian laughed. "What do you think could happen here, Victoria? We have one of the greatest military forces in the world."

Victoria's face turned serious as she walked passed him. She whispered. "We both know there is a war coming, King Zirian. We just don't know from where it will begin." As she arrived at her carriage, she turned to her sons. "I hope both of you become great fighters. I'll send Abel over the next few days, alright?"

She hugged her sons before climbing into the carriage, which left immediately.

A few days passed as guards finally stopped a young elf outside the castle. He seemed to be fourteen and had the emblem of the Stravos Imperial family on his shoulder.

"Who are you?" One of the guards asked as he took the boys identification.

The boy bowed slightly. "My name is Abel. I was sent by Queen Victoria to be Sixth Prince Jason and Seven Prince Zachariah's aide. Surely you were informed of my arrival?"

The guard nodded as he gave back his ID. "Alright, you're good to go in."

"Thank you." He walked through the gate as he was met by the sounds of weapons clashing. He walked for what seemed like an hour before seeing Zach and Jason fighting a girl with pink and white hair.

Abel's eyes narrowed for a moment. 'My target.' He walked over to them calling out to them. "Prince Jason, Prince Zachariah, how are you today? I hope your well!"

As he continued walking to them, the two were caught off guard by his voice, giving Alice the opening to knock them off their feet.

She stood proudly as she sheathed her rapier and dagger. "That's sixteen wins, two losses."

Zach got up and sheathed his longsword. "That's only because you've been training with Odis. We have the power of Magical Arts on out side."

"Prince Zachariah, from what I saw, by training a bit more..." Abel handed him a towel he had on hand. "...the two of you would win."

Zach took the towel and smiled. "Hello Abel."

Alice walked to Abel and stuck out her hand. "Nice to meet you! I'm Princess Alice Night of the Lucifina Kingdom and Family."

Abel took her hand and kneeled. "I am Abel, I serve the Imperial family of Stravos. At your service."

Jason grabbed Abel and pulled him away. "Hey, tell me what's been going on with Connor..."

Zach watched as his brother dragged Abel by the arm to a bench. He poked Alice's shoulder. "What do you get from that elf?"

Alice tilted her head. "I don't know, he seems like a good person. I just met him though."

Zach nodded. "Yeah. What does your father have planned for dinner today?"

A raspy voice rang out. "Extra trainin', Prince! Now the two of ya get back to it!"

Him and Jason stood at attention seeing Odis walk over. "Yes sir!"

"Alice, come with me please." Odis said with a serious tone.

"Okay, Master Odis." Alice began to walk behind him as they headed into the castle.

"I've told ya time and time again, don't call me master. I lost that title with my apprentice long ago." As they continued to walk, Odis stopped her infront of the library doors. "Your father is waitin' on ya. It seems serious."

Odis walked back outside as some maids watched her with sadness on their faces. As Alice went through the library, she came to find Cecile pouring a cup of tea for her father, who held a red pendant in his hand.

"You summoned me, Father?" Alice said as she stood properly.

"Cecile, please leave." When Zirian said that, the maid immediately bowed and left without speaking to Alice.

Zirian sipped from his cup before looking his daughter in the eyes. "Alice, a few hours ago... Damien was killed." He lifted the red pendant in front of his face again.

Alice saw a tear roll down his face. "Was that his?"

Zirian nodded. "It was a gift from our mother to him. Astris got one as well, and I got the kingdom."

"Father, do we know-" Zirian cut her off as he put the pendant on the table he sat at.

"Don't call me that, Alice. I'm not your father. Hell, your mother wasn't even real."

Alice sighed internally. 'Guess I may have to play along for a moment.' She stared at Zirian, dead in the eyes. "What do you mean, Father?"

Zirian laughed for a quick second. "You are not my real daughter! You are a failed summon! You're a Fallen Angel! You're lucky it was me that summoned you and not some... some..."

"I know."

Zirian looked up at her. "What do you mean,'I know'?"

"I know your not my father, and I know mother isn't real. Cecile told me." Alice walked over and hugged Zirian. "Your still the one that raised me, and that alone makes you my father. I don't care what others would think."

Zirian etappes his arms around Alice. "I'm sorry, it's just..." His hug grew tighter as Alice felt tears drop onto her shoulder. "I never thought Damien would die before me. I though a war would claim my life, and you would be left to rule without knowing how."

Alice patted her father's back. "What killed him?"

"We don't know."

———

A shadowy figure walked through a dimly lit tunnel with Mary.

"You mean you killed King Zirian's brother, Master Prudence?" Mary asked.

The shadow figure, The Virtue of Prudence laughed before regaining her composure. "It's all God's will, Mary. She has commanded us to act. Do not question her."

"I'm not questioning. It's just..."

Prudence sighed as she laid a hand on the naïve girl's shoulder. "This is all for the sake of purging the demons and the wicked. Do you understand? Come now, Grandmaster Justice is waiting for you."