The Chancellor's bold statement left the room silent, the air thick with tension. My mother's gaze grew even colder and more furious. Aurelia seemed to feel just like me, confused.
"You expect my son, to leave his home and follow after you as his mentor?" She asks in an angry tone.
"Absolutely not. What need does he have to become a house blade of Tiberius, when he can be set to become a house blade of Virellis?" She asks seriously.
Commodus sighs.
"I am not just asking him to become both my student and a house blade, I am giving him a chance to become something more, a Vicar." He lifts one hand, fingers splayed, and gestured outward as if painting the possibilities in the air. "Someone with enough power to bring about change and etch his name into our history books, like Alexander the Great, Caesar of Rome, or even his own father. I am giving him a chance to potentially inherit the house of Tiberius, one of the most powerful houses in all of the Aeperium." He pauses, taking a deep breath.
"At the end of the day it is neither yours nor my decision." He says seriously.
"It is Achilles'"
My mother turns to me, a combination of anger and understanding shown on her face.
"And what do you think?" She asks me.
A drop of sweat rolls down my cheek as my mind races. The masculine urge to desire power was great, the thought of being not just better but superior. But was that worth leaving the safety of my home? What are my chances of even becoming a vicar?
"Don't you think this is a bit to sudden?" Aurelia asks.
"I know that is our first time talking like this, but shouldn't you give us some time to discuss big decisions like this?" She asks, her voice confident and
steady, but laced with concern. She reaches for my hand under the table, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "We need a moment to weigh the risks… and the consequences. This isn't something to rush into."
I nod, grateful for her support. My mind was still spinning, torn between ambition and caution. The Chancellor's offer was monumental, but it also carried danger. For loyalty to him could conflict with loyalty to my family, and failure could mean much more than personal loss.
My mother's gaze shifts back to Commodus, sharp and unwavering. "You heard the young lady. We will not make a decision tonight," she says firmly, her tone cutting through the tension like steel. "We ask for time, just a few days to consider this offer. And until then, Achilles will remain under our guidance, exactly where he belongs."
Commodus's pale blue eyes flicked from her to me, to Aurelia, a faint, approving smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "Very well," he says smoothly, lifting his hand in a small, controlled gesture of acknowledgment. "I will wait. But remember, opportunities of this magnitude do not linger forever."
The words hang in the air, a subtle warning beneath his calm demeanor. I exhale, feeling some of the pressure ease, but knowing that even with a few days to think, the weight of the decision would not leave me anytime soon.
...
A few days have passed since the end of the dinner. Commodus was still here. His massive bannership still hovering in orbit above Tundara, casting its massive shadow across a small portion of the planet's surface. Over the past few days, he has regularly been descending and interacting with us all. Today seemed to be no different.
Knock, knock, knock.
A sound echoes from my door, pulling my conscience back into reality from a hazy dream. I groan, blinking at the ceiling. I continue staring at the ceiling for a few moments, fighting the exhaustion that attempts to pull me back into sleep.
Knock, knock, knock.
The knocking continues, jittering me out of my daze. The sun hadn't risen yet. It still seemed dark outside.
"Go, you know he won't stop knocking unless you talk to him." Aurelia groans.
Knock, knock, knock.
He knocks again. I sigh knowing what she says is true.
I somehow managed to drag myself out of my bed and swing open the door to out quarters. Standing there, as expected, was Commodus.
"Good morning!" he said, his voice smooth and smile mischievous.
I look at him for a moment with a face of disbelief. "It's not even morning yet," I mumble. "What could you possibly want?"
Commodus didn't seem bothered by my tiredness nor rudeness. Instead, he just smiles in delight as he sees my disheveled appearance.
"Come, let us walk for a bit," he says, his voice commanding, and intimidating. "I want to show you something."
He was clad in his usual black nebula armor. Just like Thoris's, the scales shifted at my every movement, fearing me as an enemy and revealing a golden hue beneath.
"I have to go change," I grumble, looking down at my bare chest and sweatpants.
Commodus sighes, "very well, be quick, we must be back before breakfast. Nutrients are important!" he says energetically.
I didn't argue, yet I give him the side eye as I close my door. Over the past few days, I learned that it was much easier to just do as he said rather than argue, even if I hated the idea of being dragged out of bed for something as trivial as this.
I follow him down the halls of the Virellis estate, the servants standing rigidly at attention as we pass, their eyes deliberately avoiding us both, a gesture of respect. It seemed that they knew better than to act disrespectfully in front of the Chancellor. I ignore them as I always do, Commodus however smiles.
"You must make your subordinates feel grateful that they have the opportunity to serve you, Achilles," he tells me. "That's how you ensure their loyalty. They need to feel important even if they aren't."
I groan.
It is interesting to me how Commodus manipulates people through even the smallest of details, like making sure that the servants feel "special." It doesn't feel right to manipulate people, yet I find myself doing it here and there. A little flattery here, a bit of conversation there and you can practically get into every servant's good graces. It is kind of pitiful knowing how easy it is to manipulate people's emotions and actions.
Commodus says that humanity's compassion, and emotions are what make us weak, yet I feel that they are also what makes us human. Without compassion, how are we any different from the Hordes at our borders? Without emotion, how are we any different from the Artificial intelligence up north?
I can already feel the effect that being around this man has had on me. I do believe that he can help change me and my so called fate, but I don't know if I would like whatever it is that he would change me into.
As we reach the doors to exit the main building of our estate, I can hear the raindrops. They are more faint than usual. Summer is coming to an end.
As I follow Commodus into the downpour, I can't help but wonder, where is he taking me? This is my home. I know everything about this place. What could he possibly have to show me?
As we walk, the rain soaks my clothes, and mud quickly cakes my shoes, feet and pants. I have always hated summer, and the rain despite my birthday being in July.
Instead of taking the train cars that lead down the estate's hill, he decides to take the wet dirt path. I don't really question it.
As we continue to descend the hill that led toward the lower estate grounds, I couldn't help but gaze at the beautiful armor Commodus was wearing. I always dreamed of obtaining such nebula armor, yet it is only ever given to those who get promoted to crown marks. I find myself staring at it for awhile, a bit jealous as I watch its scales move, shift, and rotate.
Commodus glances back at me, catching my gaze. He smiles for a moment. "I've had this armor for tens of years, ever since I gained my first crown. It is special, I feel a connection with it." he says smiling.
My brows furrow.
"Connection? Isn't it just armor?" I ask, confused on how someone could feel a connection with a piece of armor.
"Yes, but the armor learns with you." he pauses. "Think of it as an extension of your body. The armor memorizes every situation its been in and gradually becomes stronger over time." he continues.
"It's an incredible invention. You will only understand it's greatness once you eventually obtain your own." he says as we reach a turn in the path at the edge of the estate grounds. To my surprise, Commodus didn't head toward the lower estate grounds. Instead, he started walking the other way.
"The lower estate grounds are over there," I say, pointing toward toward the distant lights below. "That way just leads to a small forest behind the estate."
"I know, I want to show you something," he says. "Follow me." his voice hoarse in the rain.
I hesitate. What did he want to show me? I don't recall there being anything in the forest. What was he trying to do? Was he actually trying to show me something? Nevertheless, I continue to naively follow him down the hill toward the back of the estate.
It was still dark, the only light source we had was the golden hue under Commodus's armor which lit up our surroundings. I follow him for a long while, until we eventually stopped.
Confused, I looked past him, only to find out that the trail had ended. "Where are we gonna go now?" I ask
"Well, we need to get down there..." he says, pointing toward a dark barely visible forest below.
"I guess we'll just have to off the trail..."
Suddenly a smile curls upon the old man's lips. "I'll race you to the bottom" He yells breaking out into a full on sprint down the hill toward the forest. I stand there stunned for a few moments. Why would an eighty year old man want to race like children? Nevertheless, I shake my head and chase after him. Commodus moves swiftly, and despite my best efforts, I could barely keep up. The cold rain blurrs my vision making it hard to see. Midway down the hill, I abandoned my shoes, the mud caking on them was slowing me down too much. Barefoot, I started to gain on him, but Commodus was already pretty far ahead.
By the time we were reaching the base of the hill, I could only barely spot him due to the light on his armor. I surge forward, refusing to be beaten by someone who could be classified as a senior citizen. I launch myself at his back in an attempt to knock him off balance. We both tumble into the mud, rolling uncontrollably, laughter filling the air.
It was a moment of absurdity, 2 men racing down a hill, both wet and covered in mud rolling down a hill.
When we finally stopped rolling, I stand and looked around. We were no longer standing on grass nor mud. We were standing on concrete. The forest surrounded us, dense and thick, acting sort of as walls. We were standing in a small circular clearing, surrounded by trees from all sides. It seemed like an arena.
Looking around, the area seemed quite old and clearly unmaintained. Moss and foliage from the forests had started creeping into the cracked concrete below while the trees surrounding it seemed to be overgrown.
On both sides of the arena stood 2 extremely large trees, both with markings carved into them. The one on the left had a dove's wing carved into it, just like the one on my family's banner. The one on the right however had a large wreathe carved into it, the symbol of house Tiberius.
Beneath both symbols on either side stood both an armor stand, and a smaller weapon stand. Worn, and dirty pieces of armor lay draped over both armor stands. The armor draped beneath the dove's wing being white, while the one draped under the wreathe being black. They were old, very old, seemingly made from a combination of steel, leather, and cotton. Their designs were interesting. Metal covered the shoulders, chest and parts of the legs, while leather and cloth covered the joints, allowing for easy, quick and precise movements. The helmets both had similar designs with a face mask, and 2 horns protruding off the top making them look menacing.
On both weapon stands, laid the same weapon. It's blade was long, and single edged. Its curves, gently swayed from from hilt to tip shining elegantly under the starry night.
"What is this place?" I ask, looking at Commodus for answers.
"Your father and I used this place to spar many years ago." He says casually. "Your mother has clearly not maintained it."
I stare at the armor for only a moment before turning back toward Commodus.
"Were you better than my father?" I ask, trying to get a hint of this man's skill.
Commodus turns to me with a smile plastered upon his face. "I was not." He said blatantly. "Your father was very skilled. The only times that I ever really beat your father was when I used some dirty trick. Your father wasn't really honorable like your mother, but he was smart and calculating, doing whatever he could to win." he chuckled, the memories no doubt coming back to him.
"Anyway, go grab your armor and weapon." He said, pointing toward the tree with the symbol of a dove's wing. "Your father wore it before so it may be a little damaged, but it should be fine." He says, walking toward the tree marked with his own family's symbol.
I sigh.
It seemed that he wanted to spar. why would he? Couldn't he tell that I would destroy him? He is clearly far too old for things like this.
Sighing, I slip off my clothes, changing into my armor. It was a bit small, yet still far more manageable than the thick clanky armor normal for the it. It had a few tears and marks from years of usage and negligence, yet it was good enough. It was extremely light compared to the Tungsten armor I normally wore. The blade might have been a lot faster and more precise than the weapons of this era, but it was not nearly as deadly.
Seeing the old man now, I couldn't help but chuckle a bit.
We both looked little ridiculous. We were dressed like those ancient warriors from that one ancient civilization on Terra. what were they called? Ah yes... Samurai.
I take a deep breath, the cool air filling my lungs as the rain continues to wash away all the muck from my clothes and armor. As the relentless downpour seems to slow, and the suns yellow hue begins to rise above the horizon and through the tree line, the spar begins.