Chapter 8 - Kings arms

Lewis was up and ready by sunrise, the events of the night before still lingering in his body. With an annoyed grumble he accepted the consequences of his actions and got on with his day. He made his way downstairs to brew a cup of tea and make some breakfast and then sat in the living room. Not long after Becka joined him with a cup of coffee.

She sat down next to him on the couch, and after a swift observation, a juvenile grin appeared on her face "Fun night?" she asked.

"Yeah it was good. We ran into Alex, Korra, and Grey at the bar" he replied, ignoring her enjoyment over his condition.

"Thought you might".

"So you also know about that bar?"

"Yeah we've been going there for years. But if I told you that, you'd never have gone" she stated before he could grumble.

"True" he admitted. They chatted for a little longer until Becka glanced at the clock and muttered something under her breath.

"I've got to get to the hospital. Can you make sure everyone gets up and they all get ready" she asked while finishing her drink.

"I thought you were off today?".

"Somethings came up they need me in".

"Yeah fine, I'll sort everyone out".

"Thank you" she stated before quickly exiting the living room.

 'That's a medical director for you I guess'. He relaxed for a little bit longer while finishing his breakfast, he then headed into the kitchen to wash his dishes.

He strode down the main hallway and made his way up the stairs.

"Eri! Time to get up!" he knocked on her door. Nothing. He then carried on down the corridor knocking on the next door along. Lewis then travelled through the entire upstairs waking everyone he knew wouldn't wake themselves up, putting a little extra effort into annoying his sister when passing her door. He then circled back around to Eri's door, this time banging on the door, shaking its frame.

"I'm up! I'm up" he heard a startled grumble through the door. Satisfied he then headed back downstairs.

The downstairs had already begun to fill up with staff members and kids dressed in school uniforms, a black blazar and tie with white highlights, a white shirt, and black pants or skirts. Most were in the dining room eating breakfast while others, mainly the secondary school students, were already preparing their bags for school. As he strolled around checking on everyone, he heard noise emerge from the living room. Glancing into the room, he could see three students, two girls and one boy. They were on the couches putting on their shoes and coats with fully packed bags next to them. The girl, closest to the door, currently tying her laces, pushed her long light brown hair out her face as she looked up to see who'd walked in, revealing large hazel eyes. She gave him a smile before returning to her laces.

"Where are you three off so early?" Lewis asked leaning against the doorframe.

After tying her shoes the hazel eyed girl called Ava stood up "We've got early revision classes" she explained to him.

"Sadly" the boy mumbled. He had brown eyes and short curly black hair. His name was Will.

"Oh yeah I'd completely forgot. You've got your exams coming up soon. How are you feeling about them?" Lewis asked.

"Pretty good" Ava stated happily.

"Speak for yourself" Will grumbled.

"Well maybe if you actually revised instead of messing around with Jamie you'd do better" said the girl putting her bag on her back, named April. She had black hair that sat on her shoulders and dark brown eyes that dug into Will.

"It's him" he tried to defend himself.

"Don't worry we believe you" Lewis gave him a pat on the shoulder, a stupid grin stuck to his face.

"Tell that to your face" Will sighed.

"He can't work miracles Will" said Ava as she put on her bag "Now come on we have to get to school". They said their goodbyes to Lewis, and he watched as they left the orphanage into the cold morning air. Winter was on the way. Turning away from the front door, he was just in time to see Eri slowly make her way down the stairs. Her pure white hair had been brushed removing any sign of a bed head, she wore a similar uniform to Wil, April and Ava except for her tie being dyed golden to indicate she was in primary school. The school's badge was sown into the chest pocket, it was a golden shield crossed by two blades.

"You got everything ready?" he asked.

She gave him a sleepy nod "My bags packed".

"Alright. Go have some breakfast and then brush your teeth. I'll walk you all to school today".

"How come?".

"I'm teaching your class today, so I might as well just go with you" he explained.

Surprisingly she never questioned what he told her and instead made her way to the kitchen and disappeared from view. His sister then came happily strutting down the stairs, followed by Arthur and Ike, who didn't look quite as energetic.

"Off to training?" Lewis asked glancing at the clock above the door, "A bit early isn't it".

"Yeah, as we're getting closer to the Atlas games we're upping our training" Lucina informed him.

"You're not going to eat before you go?"

"Nah we're going to get something on the way".

"Sausage and bacon sandwich" Arthur stated practically drooling at the thought.

"Well you guys have fun".

"See you later" Lucina said. The three of them waved goodbye before disappearing out the front door, leaving him alone at the entrance.

He sat in his room for around half an hour drinking water allowing the residuals of his hangover to fade, before grabbing his jacket and heading downstairs. The orphanage was now almost completely empty except for a few students and staff such as cleaners. Eri was already waiting downstairs along with six other kids, dressed in the same attire as Eri.

"Alright let's go" Lewis exclaimed, but they didn't match his excitement. He held open the door and all the children passed through, after the last one left he followed outside embracing the cold morning.

They headed down Pearl avenue and onto King's road. He followed behind the group making sure everyone stayed together, as they walked beside the shimmering water, silently listening to everyone's conversations. Suddenly the youngest of the group Ayia, age five, a small girl with wavy blonde hair and eyes like grass turned to him.

"Can you tell us another story?" she asked with a childish grin, gaining the attention of the whole group.

"What story do you want to hear?" he asked.

"Erm" said the girl as she stared into the sky, like she was expecting an answer from the heavens.

"What about continuing with the Summoners War" a nine-year-old boy named Alfie said, from the middle of the group. The whole group instantly started excitedly agreeing with the boy, with even Eri and her friend at the front of the group glancing back intrigued.

"Alright. What was the last thing I told you about the Summoners War" he asked, while trying to remember himself.

"You'd just mentioned the name Kalsnor at the end" Alfie informed him.

"Did I say anything about him" Lewis questioned. They all shook their heads. "Alright Kalsnor. On his rise to power he was given many titles depending on whose side you were on but the title the world gave him was 'Kalsnor the conqueror'. Not too original I know but after what he done I don't blame them".

"How strong was he?" Eri asked while slowing her paces to match the group.

"I'd say from the stories he's one of the strongest summoners if not the strongest to ever live. Although that is just from the legends so take it with a pinch of salt."

"A summoner?" someone asked.

"Yeah, have I not talked about him?" Lewis asked confused "Also the story is called 'Summoners War'. You know what never mind what have I told you about him?."

"You only just said his name before stopping last time" said Alfie.

"A long time ago, Kalsnor led a rebellion against the world. I won't bore you with the politics but basically after the age of war the newly formed 'Rulers' were putting pressure on people whose magic they feared for its potential and power, trying to control them, they believed they were keeping the peace by keeping anyone with the power to disrupt that peace in check. Summoners weren't the only people who this affected another type were Espers, but it was clear to see they were getting the brunt of it. A lot of Summoners weren't a fan, who'd of thought, but this just resulted in 'The Rulers' coming down on them harder. Soon any summoners who didn't follow the rules were outcast, discriminated against and if they caused too much trouble would suffer severe consequences" he stopped to see if anyone had any questions but seeing all their attention split between on him and staying up while walking he continued "This carried on for years and the world of summoners sort of split. There were many who complied with the world wanting to maintain peaceful lives or joining the military so they could let their magic run rampant even if they were on the worlds leash. Others left society secluding themselves in places 'The Rulers' didn't have their hands on such as countries in Eneasia and Aoia. However, that didn't stop 'The Rulers' from trying, it was rumoured that a summoner based revolutionary army was being built in the Eneasia it's not stated which country but it's clear the world was taking no chances and it sent it's shadows. The village in which they were supposedly based was wiped from the worlds surface, civilians and supposed revolutionaries massacred only the best fighters made it out alive."

"Was one of them Kalsnor?" a question emerged from the group.

"No. He was apparently away when they attacked on some sort of assignment. When him and team returned to see their village obliterated the summoner was overcome with rage as he saw the bodies and remains of everyone he cared about" a lot of them shuddered and grimaced "Him and his team found the people responsible and slaughtered them. It was said that Kalsnor himself single handed took out the group that massacred the entire revolution. He sent the bodies to somewhere he'd knew the world would find and declared war, claiming himself to be leader of the revolution. Not just for summoners but he swore to free the world from 'The Rulers' grasp and oppression. For the next few years it was quiet, you'd have thought he was dead if not for certain attacks around the world against the 'The Rulers' and rumours of people joining his army".

"Were they all summoners?" Eri's friend Sophie asked as the group turned off Kings road and headed deeper into the Axterius.

"No, you'd think by the name of the war but both sides contained a lot of non-summoners" he explained.

"So where did the name come from?" this time the question came from Eri.

"Don't get me wrong there's never been a time in history where more summoners were involved, the war almost made them go extinct. However, it's called the 'The Summoners War' due to the two people who led it Kalsnor the conquer and General Alivina Osvoz".

"Who was she?".

"A Summoner from ancient Uralis. The story goes that the 'The Rulers' were trying to ignore Kalsnor and hide him from the world however, as a result of this he was able to claim Eneasia for himself amassing an extremely large army. The 'The Rulers' attempted to take the fight to him, however, their soldiers never came close to succeeding".

"He was that strong" someone asked amazed.

"Yeah and combined with the protection of the Celestial plains it was practically impossible to stop him".

"So how does General Osvoz come into the story?" Eri asked.

"During Kalsnor's conquest through Eneasia and the start of his conquest through Uropia, he became known worldwide and as a result many summoners believed he was dragging down their name down and proving everyone's fears by assembling an army of people who could create their own army. General Osvoz was one of these Summoners. She assembled an army of likeminded summoners and combined with her army from Uralis she intercepted any attempt he made when attacking Uropia, successfully pushing him back into Eneasia on many occasions. She was the first person since his rise to successfully stand against him and eventually she gained the support of the 'The Rulers' and many other mages around the world. She became a force to rival the conqueror". 

"Was she as strong as Kalsnor?" Eri questioned.

"No, she wasn't weak by any means, but she couldn't stand up Kalsnor. Not on her own. No summoner could" Lewis replied, "From the stories I'd say she was slightly stronger than your average pantheon".

"Isn't that still really strong?"

"Yeah" Lewis admitted "But that's just how strong Kalsnor was".

"Would Korra beat him?" Eri asked.

"I have no idea" Lewis admitted.

"You said they could create an army by themselves. I thought summoners even ancient ones could only summon a few creatures".

"Not exactly. They have a special technique called 'Do-" Lewis suddenly stopped himself as he realised where they were and what he was about to say, "But I'll have to tell you about that a different time". They had reached their destination. 'Kings arms primary school' stood tall in front of them, although smaller than its secondary school counterpart the building was still a magnificent structure. It was formed from stone pure as snow that was moulded into arches and pillars placed on the walls of the building shaping the main body away from its cuboid like shape. Its roof was formed from black tiles and slanted upwards, all four sides meeting each other at the peak. The whole school was probably four times the size of 'Athra' and its main entrance was an open arched gateway that formed the start of grey brick wall that surrounded the school, it had silver, spiked railings on top, in attempt to stop people climbing over.

"Aww come on" people from the group grumbled.

"I'll tell you another time. Come on everyone let's go" he replied with a grin that he could tell annoyed them all. The group then followed him through the gateway into 'King's arms primary school'.