The morning of the Torching Sun festival tasted like metal and smoke.
Damien wiped his brow, stepping back from the stack of arcane-imbued crates they had been organizing since dawn. Sweat clung to the collar of his uniform, and the soles of his boots ached from hours on his feet. Around him, students and city workers through cobbled streets of Asolde, threading banners, floating lanterns, and mana-charged instruments across the plaza.
"Remind me again why we're playing delivery mages instead of guarding the gates?" Shino muttered beside him, tossing a small glowing orb from hand to hand. "I thought being picked by the Professor Dorian meant we'd get treated like actual spell-slingers, not errand boys."
Artemis clicked her tongue, adjusting the golden clasp on her robes. "It's not that simple, Shino. The parade's a diplomatic web, between Dicartha, Asolde, and Servantia. You don't send three fresh recruits to man the gates."
"I get that," Shino said, eyes narrowing. "But still... Doesn't it strike you as odd? I mean who is Professor Dorian really? Youngest professor in academy history, best buds with Prince Gray, and somehow gets posted at the heart of everything. He doesn't even feel like a born Asolden."
Damien furrowed his brow. Something about that was strange, but he shook it off.
"Don't go throwing conspiracy theories at me before breakfast," he muttered.
Just then Professor Rye greeted the three students now in a white buttoned shirt, his hair as golden and long as the Torching Sun, his eyes could be compared to the finest gold in the continent.
"Good work you three, this is truly the first steps in becoming a disciplined mage, hard work and perseverance will get you somewhere" He said to them, just like any true professor who wanted to see his students accomplish their goals would.
"I shall remain with Prince Gray for the morning, you three deserve a morning break how about breakfast at Sezco's Pub my treat I have 300 rubies"
"Oh sir you're a little too generous don't you think? You're definitely the type of guy to use that amount of rubies to I don't know buy secret weapons? Gamble maybe? Come on professor you can't be that dull can you?" Shino poked a little fun at the professor but clearly wanting to know how to press his buttons.
"Shino that's enough! Professor Dorian I apologize please don't have this affect our mage conducts in any way" Artemis reasoned out to the professor attempting to save the three of them.
"No Artemis don't worry I know how to take a joke, by all means Shino has a right to know considering you three will obviously be spending half the torching sun break with me and that's over the course of 15 days. Let's just say I saved up some earnings from the academy to help give you three allowances" Rye responded obviously not wanting to escalate things further he gives them the rubies.
"Thank you Professor" Damien said, gratefully accepting the amount.
"We won't let it go to waste" Artemis replied in a thankful manner.
Shino remained quiet, his arms crossed as he looked over the attractions of the parade they helped set up with Asolden helpers. The professor excused himself from the trio getting his cane and walking away.
Artemis and Damien headed to Sezco's, Damien wanting to slump and eat Sezco's famous cheese filled potatoes whilst Artemis preferring a well done steak.
"I swear I'm taking 5 out for takeout before we're shoved in another warehouse" Damien wanting to lighten up the mood.
Shino however did not follow the pair and instead vanished, following the professor. Within the castle, Shino crept past security wards, ducking behind arcane pillars. He had a theory to confirm. He needed to know the truth about the youngest professor in academy history.
Elsewhere, Sir Wolfgang Godspell and his family head to the plaza in a carriage the prince personally set up for them. His daughter full of life and happiness, his wife remained calm and had a kind look on her face, watching over on the window.
"Are you okay dear? You seem tense" Wolfgang asked Renee.
"I'm fine dear, just not used to big events like this one, you know I hardly ever leave the house and when I do its usually for business matters or taking Joy to school" Renee reassures her husband with a soft smile.
"Well it is a really big event, but hey we're here as a family loosen up a little, I'm right here if ever you feel uncomfortable or overwhelmed" holding his wife's hand tight and firmly with love.
"Daddy, will there be horses? I wanna ride!" Joy exclaimed excitingly on her mothers lap, her eyes filled with admiration
Wolfgang smiled and gently ruffled his daughter's curly black hair. "Of course, my Joy. But you stay with mommy, okay?"
"I will! Pinky promise!" Joy giggled as she tied pinkies with her father.
The carriage had arrived in Main Asolde's plaza. Confetti flickered in the air like petals of flame. Nearby, Frost Elves in silver-plated armor began to form up at the designated corners.
Wolfgang stepped off the carriage helping his wife and daughter out as Master Arnold Witstruck, the ever arrogant and egoistic charmer made his way to the Godspells greeting them.
"Hey Sir, Mrs. Godspell, little Joy. Listen about last night I apologize I could have set my job on the line if not for your intervention. I also would like to apologize to Mrs. Godspell for kind of wrecking the couch, it was an asshole move from me and I will never do it again" Witstruck scratched his head in an embarrased state, making a small bow immediately.
"Oh nonsense Arnold its always a pleasure to make sure you sober up, I've been doing so since you were a rookie at 18, now look at you a big man now, you were technically like a first child" Renee replied in a humorful way.
"Wouldn't be the first time I had to take care of your drunk ass Witstruck. Just don't ever be reckless like that again." Wolfgang pats him on the back, he was practically a mentor and second father to Witstruck after the former's parents were killed in an accident.
"You look funny" Joy pointed looking above at Witstruck, smiling.
"Oh yeah? You look small" Witstruck replied back teasing her.
"No fair I can't grow yet!" Joy said now a bit moody.
"Okay stop bullying the kid now, by kid I do mean you Arnold" Wolfgang joins in on the banter, poking fun at Witstruck.
"Haha! You're like a kid" Joy giggled pointing at him once more
Witstruck shook his head "Tell you what Sir how about I watch over this little goober while you go to the prince"
"Sweetie please don't stop making jokes at him" Wolfgang hugged Joy, Renee did as he moved away as well as the couple leave to go to Prince Gray.
Now in the grand stand of the plaza, Wolfgang turned, greeted by the stoic figure of Prince Gray.
"Sir Godspell, its a pleasure to have an Archmage of your caliber to join us." Gray shook the archmage's hand.
"This parade," Gray said, adjusting his shoulder plate, "might be our most important one yet. The people need to believe we are united."
"They will," Wolfgang replied. "They'll have to. With the elves standing with us, no one's calling us fractured anymore."
"Well enough pleasantries, let me take you and Missis Godspell to your seats, the parade starts in exactly 2 hours." They head off to a set of chairs posted up that Damien Danitz had placed an hour earlier.
From a distance, Valtherian, the lead elf sentinel, watched the archmage and furrowed his brow.
"No malice…" he whispered in his old tongue. "That human. He's pure. It doesn't make sense…"
Meanwhile, back in Castle Asolde, Merlin Reyleigh had adjusted his sword holstered on his hip. I had now dropped my professor persona for the day as I placed my cane on the wall adjusting the clasps on my ceremonial robes.
Merlin's tone was grave and worrying. "Ryuji… today might be the day. The day you may have to use your connection to Fate once again. The fate scripts may be in use once again after so long now that we now know the stakes we are up against-"
"I haven't touched one in four years," I cut in. "And I don't plan to unless I have to. Arcana is enough."
"You're confident."
"I'm prepared."
Truth was, my fingers trembled under the sleeves. The very idea that he would return was horrifying. The same man that took everything from me could now very well be in the gates as we speak. But placing aside my very fear.. was hate. Rage. Vengeance. Fury. I need to bring the Valorian name justice, for Satsuki and Haruto, for Cyprus, for my father, for Dicartha.
From a distance in the castle, Shino who had been following the professor since early morning stood, looked in confusion. "Did he just call him Ryuji?.."
Elsewhere amongst the crowds, masquerading beneath illusionary glamors, the sins of Envy and Lust wove through the crowd outside Asolde's gate.
Mascara's voice was soft silk. "Such delightful things... human celebrations."
Jinx smirked, his true, twisted green form cloaked beneath a youthful red-haired boy's visage. "It's almost too easy. We just wait for the fireworks."
"Any new orders from Elric or that madman Zedd?"
"None so far, just stay put till they open the gates.. however wouldn't it be more practical to break in and cause chaos beforehand?" Jinx had a creepy gaze, he smiled like a haunted doll.
"You're not seriously suggesting we disobey the Fateweavers are you?" Mascara unimpressed by Jinx's tactics.
"Suit yourself.. I hear the archmage-general Wolfgang Godspell has brought his family over for the parade, and his daughter looks good to consume"
"You know you are starting to sound like Gluttony"
"Gluttony wishes he was me, that fat ass only eats and never makes important moves, hell the detainers are more useful than him" Jinx laughed slightly.
"Well off you go now, I'll scout the area and let you know if I catch wind of anything or if Elric arrives."
In the Servantia entrnace, Elric dressed in a fine tailored suit and a spell that could hide his horns was accompanied by a hooded Ito.
The smell of blood wafted off the walls of the old gate compound.
"Fifty blood soldiers prepped," Elric muttered, flipping a gleaming fate-etched coin in his hand.
"You're not even going to try subtlety, are you?" Ito grinned, teeth jagged like a shark's.
"Not our job to be subtle. It's to make them scream."
In the Dicarthan entrance crowded with the most civilians stood the meaning of cruelty itself, The Fateweaver of Destruction, Zedd Cornswet filled with insanity in his eyes.
Zedd's fingers played with strands of blood magic, knitting them into a noose of pulsating red.
"Archmage Nakamura. Selene Valeria," he said softly. "Two pieces before the king."
Moira stood nearby, polishing a jagged dagger. "Shouldn't we let Elric draw out the sovereign of fate?"
Zedd laughed.
"Oh, let the boy come. But first, let me have my fun."
Back in the grand stand,
Kaneda, the acting leader of Dicartha and a former headmaster of its Mage Academy, bowed before the gates, flanked by Queen Ink of Servantia, clad in flowing black ceremonial robes. Prince Gray stood between them.
With a booming cheer, the gates opened.
Now back in the carriage the Godspells were riding in, Arnold Witstruck had fell asleep on some booze, Mrs. Godspell had promised to take Joy to the horses first before the gates opened.
Winnie Hellstrom sent Master Selene Valeria to the post to wake the drunken Witstruck up now slumped in the backseat.
Selene walked over to the carriage and opened the door, her white long hair and silver eyes ever so visible.
"Master Witstruck," Selene huffed, standing in full formal uniform. "The parade's about to start!"
Arnold Witstruck groaned and wiped sleep from his eyes. "Don't haggle, I'm up."
"You were supposed to be with Joy Godspell," Selene added.
Witstruck blinked. "Kid wanted horses. I let her mom take her."
"But Missis Godspell is with Sir Wolfgang right now."
A pause.
"…Oh motherf-"
In the barn stable, Joy held her "mother's" hand, skipping through the crowd.
"You look different today, mommy!"
Jinx, disguised as Mrs. Godspell, smiled down with vacant eyes.
"Do I? I think I look… perfect."