Summer Solstice Eve: Carrot & Stick

As the Delegates of the Meritocratic Republic of Wildereplains left for the Summit of Nations, one thing was clear. The tension between the Republic Knights of Wildereplains and Order of the Wilderness Remnants was only getting worse. Before leaving the city, the Knights held a vote. As a result of their vote, the Knightess was thrown out of the Knight Corps, and left fend for herself. King Carne too great offense to this. He had signed several anti-discrimination laws into effect, and yet, his Knights had thrown out the only female Knight they'd had with any status. The King dropped the hammer of royal power on them, he stripped Kuno of his Head Knight position, even going as far in threatening to expel Knight Kuno from the Knights. 

The King's threats were received and met by and angry Knight Corps. They claimed the decision wasn't based on gender, rather the Knightess' ability to stand up for a brother-in-arms. Things were getting bad until Polaris offered a solution. While they were to travel, the Knightess would be transferred to the Order and Knight Kuno would lose command of the Knights, but remain within the Corps. At first, this decision went over well. However, as the Order and the Knights travelled, things began to decay once more. The Knights were happy under Kuno's command, but clearly not the Order. In a bold decision, all the Knights rode steady around the King's carriage, but fully abandoning the Order's carriage. As a result of this, Fog and Polaris spoke telepathically as they rode onwards.

"Fog, this is getting out of hand. I can't imagine showing up to the Summit like this."

"I agree, but I still won't condone the two groups fighting to settle this. Daytona is with us, but using a cane. Conventional magic just didn't heal it. Luckily, you were quick in your response time and managed to get her as well as you could."

"Normally, I'd be pissed. Don't get me wrong, I am fuming, but this is going to drag down our effectiveness as leaders."

"Then we both agree."

"I may have a solution."

"Then speak up! We need to fix this now!"

"Do you remember when my brother and I were young, fighting amongst ourselves?"

"How could I forget?"

"Do you remember how you got us to stop?"

".....Polaris, that is madness. You two were young boys back then."

"Young boys yes, but boys with enough power to level whole cities."

".... Alright. If you think it'll work, then let's try it."

"Order your carriage to halt and I'll do the same."

As the two carriages stopped, Kuno was ordered to the King's doorside. As the Knight made his way over, King Carne exited the carriage and stood before the knight.

"You summoned me my Lord?"

"Tell me something. When someone lower in command screws up, who is to blame?"

".... The leader is sire."

"So what was your rank during the war-game?"

"I was Head Knight my Lord."

"That you were. So, with that in mind, follow me."

As Fog and Kuno walk, they march to where the Knights have congregated. Fog ordered Kuno to ready his gear while he spoke.

"Listen up. As you are all very aware, the war-game ended extremely poorly. On top of that, we lost a great Knightess. Regardless of your opinion of her, she did offer something all of you could not. Now, she was the only one brave enough to call out Kuno for his grave mistake, which means each and every knight here is responsible for what is to come next.

"Sire? What do you..."

"Silence. I haven't finished speaking."

"My apologies your grace."

Fog turned himself to face both the Order and the Knights. "Both sides here screwed up. The Order should've brought this to their leader, but chose to brawl instead. On the other hand, the Knights should've not only stopped Kuno, but stood by their sister-in-arms. With that knowledge, the failures of the many now fall upon singular entities. As punishment, Knight Kuno and the Leader of the Order of Wilderness are to fight, one on one."

The Knights murmured amongst themselves, but fell silent when Kuno spoke. "Proxima, leader of the Order, step forth so we may do battle."

Nobody stepped forwards, until Elder Prime and Gardos did. 

"Where is Proxima?"

"You have the wrong impression. All of you do." Said Elder Prime.

"While you fought Proxima in the war-game, Proxima is not the leader of the Order."

"Then present your leader so we may fight." Said Kuno

The air seemed to go still, knowing what was coming. "A fool will demand his fate sooner, while a wise man would look to his actions and call forth for peace." Said White as he opened the carriage door.

"Knight Kuno, your opponent is not Proxima Centauri of Wilderness." Started King Carne, "Rather, you will be fighting Order of the Wilderness Remnants' own leader. The Symbol of Perseverance himself.... Polaris Sol Luna."

Knight Kuno's eyes filled with terror as Polaris stepped out of the carriage and took off his battlecoat. "B-by the gods.... What have I done...."

"Knight Kuno.... We haven't formally met, but make no mistake. This is a battle I will not be holding back on." Started Polaris, "Somewhere along the road, all of you Knights got the idea that we were somehow.... equals." Polaris was now standing meer inches from the terrified knight. "Make no mistake...." Polaris grabbed Kuno by the throat and raise him into the air, squeezing his neck tightly. "We are not equals."

As Polaris dropped Kuno, he backed up and took his battle stance. "Ready yourself...Kuno... I will not beholding back."

Kuno picked up his sword and while trembling, he assumed his fighting stance. Once the King had dropped his hand.... it was all over. In the span of a few seconds, Polaris had crossed the sizeable gap between the two of them, shattered Knight Kuno's blade into a million tiny splinters and punched him so hard, the chestplate of Kuno's armor disintegrated upon Polaris' fist making contact. The other knights shook in terror, all watching someone the believed to be strong, crawling on the ground begging for mercy. 

"Seems I did hold back. If I had thrown a full powered hit, you'd be a blood mist Kuno." Said Polaris walking up to him. 

"How....He's..."

"Not armored..."

"Not even a weapon in his hands...."

The Knight's had begun to realize just how badly they'd screwed up. However, there was one lesson they were about to use quickly. Polaris grabbed Kuno, and began beating him mercilessly. Blood splattered across the ground, Kuno's pleads for mercy rang and burned into their ears. Finally, they all began yelling for Polaris to stop. Once they were sobbing for him to stop, he partly healed Kuno's wounds. 

"Let this be a lesson to you all. The next fucking time you forget to use that goddamn voice and one of my people gets injured because of it.... I will not hesitate to paint the godforsaken ground with your bystander blood. DO NOT TEST ME!" Polaris slammed his fist down onto Kuno's chest, restarting his heart. "If I hear the slightest bits that the Knights are refusing to work with the Order, trust me. You'll have wished that King Fog Carne was the judge and jury, as you'll come face to face with the executioner instead. AM I CLEAR?"

"Yes Celestial Polaris." Replied the Knights. 

"Good, then get you fucking pal out of the dirt, mount up, and never, EVER, speak of this again. As far as I am concerned, the debt has been settled. Head Knight Kuno, I, Polaris Sol Luna, reinstate your rank."

"T-thank you sir."

"One final thing...." Polaris glared over his shoulder. " Ever pull that crap again.... I will personally eviscerate you in front of your entire Knight Corps. Am I crystal clear?"

"C-crystal."

"Good." Polaris entered the carriage and the Order got ready to move. The Knights scrambled to get everyone into position. Once they'd surrounded the entire Delegation, the carriages rode at breakneck pace, unified and ready for the summit.

After a few hours, they arrived at the Summit. Surprisingly, they were amongst the first few to arrive. As Polaris and King Fog dismounted, a butler informed them of how things worked. The Delegation would be staying in a massive mansion. Each delegation had submitted their member count to the Council three days before the summit. Each delegation would then be assigned a section and a barracks for their armies. As everyone from the Republic settled in, they all knew tomorrow would be a long day.