"Tell me a joke...Tell me one that will make me die laughing."
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
"Take your stance," Hawkes commanded, expertly handling a rapier with a bell tied to the guard, its blade bold and luminescent as it slices the air.
"Now...you may begin-"
Before he could finish, a blur lunged at him like a gale, striking at the Rapier as sparks flew, Hawkes smiling in satisfaction.
The attacker appeared behind the Executioner, kneeling on one knee, breath hitched and sweat rolling from their skin. They stood once more to face Hawkes-and lunged again.
They moved at blinding speed, each stride covering massive distance, each breath deep and deliberate, as if saving energy- striking efficiently.
"Are you a witch or a wizard?" Hawkes asked as his hands effortlessly swung to deflect each strike; his sewn eyelids twitching with each attempt.
"I'm a Witch, sir," the student replied as they clung to the walls. They took a deep breath to refresh their muscles and energy, their pathways feeling like ice and their chest like fire, before continuing their assault.
"And what is the difference between the two, may I ask?" Hawkes questions were accompanied by a light ding, ding, ding, dong, ding with each swing.
"According to Scholar Stheno Ari-ina, it's a matter of mystical practices," the attacker answered. "The two are mostly divided into Witches using their Izaya to manipulate mystical energy, and Wizards using the gifts of the world to perform such feats."
The attacker halted mid-sprint, a few craters facing Hawkes. They took a final deep breath and lunged faster as lightning ionised the air.
Hawkes deflected the attack, but it damaged his weapon, small cracks spreading through the metal like roots. Hawkes smiled in amusement and confusion, delighted with their student's approach, but stunned by the unorthodox method.
But Hawkes relished in the condemnation of the past
"And how can you use Witchcraft in the modern age, please do tell me?"
"Discovered by Rafael T. Nimrod, and refined by Dr Yasmin Q. Vulcan, it is divided into:"
"Alchemy,"
A dancer in the parade below danced with enriching enthusiasm. Each sway of their hips to the rhythm tantalised the audience and peers alike.
They placed their hands on the cobblestone ground, hiding chants in their whispers. A rune circle surrounded their hands, the raw stone melting and their atomos dismantling.
As the dancer stood, the ground moulded and danced, the dancer's movement sculpting it into a desired form, till it formed into a stone statue of a Cat.
"Divination,"
A robed man, surrounded by a group of men hungry for the future, their pockets emptied for the oblivion known as the future.
The Robed man chanted as a rune oval surrounded his eyes, granting him not the power of prediction, but the power of prophecy, as he spoke of the future and the darkness it hides.
"Summoning,"
A Neptunian rode a 6-legged beast through the parade, its roar causing miniature quakes that added to the excitement.
He chanted and clapped his hands as two rune circles appeared mid-air, crackling with thunder and gushing with clouds.
Two beasts clawed out of the rune, treating it like a gateway to the world's endless edges, playing their part in loyalty to the tamers.
"Binding,"
Even through the dancing and tribulation, the sinister hold of alcohol danced its way to birth conflict.
A fight broke out in a local bar, as two men lunged at a woman, spilling highly potent beverages and damaging wooden furniture.
The woman received a devastating blow, drawing blood as it gushed from her nostrils. She said a short chant, her grace surging as he punched one of her opponents.
The man failed to block the punch to his chest, causing him to stumble back onto a chair, which shattered under his weight.
A rune circle appeared where the punch landed, slowly forming like a tumour, then a benevolent craft. The same rune formed on the other man's face, feeling like a searing-hot iron.
As the woman kicked him in the face, both runes sparked as the two men felt the pain; the agony multiplied and was shared.
"And Hexcraft,"
The student chanted as multiple runes enveloped her weapon, a long, heavy, jagged cleaver with a thin wooden handle.
As Hawkes swung his blade to parry the attack, the student's cleaver struck the metal with surgical precision at the rapier's flaws.
This was the perfect catalyst for the runes to activate, forcing both blades to oppose each other like magnets.
The rapier's fractures expanded, finally splintering into miniature metal pieces floating through the air like petals.
The hilt and a small part of the blade survived.
The student smiled in satisfaction as they witnessed their teacher's defence crumble. Their masterful precision, efficient style and excellent hexcraft all culminated in the victory-
Hawkes swung his rapier, his smile wide and his swordsmanship on full display. He used his remaining blade to reassemble the falling fall like a puzzle, skillfully catching them without a single mistake.
Before the student could fully register, Hawkes completed his blade and stabbed at them, using his momentum to keep the fractured blade rigid.
No witchcraft in sight.
The student raised their cleaver for defence, but the rapier effortlessly pierced through the thick, heavy blade.
A sudden surge of heat scalded their skin; a flash of light blinded their eyes as the rapier turned molten.
The student's skin crawled at Hawke's devious smile as his melted blade slowly fell, scorching the floor with its star-like heat.
But the witch didn't waver.
She just had to use her brilliance once more.
"And what is your Witch's Trigger?" Hawkes asked.
She lunged at Hawkes, and they both battled with swordplay.
"When your witchcraft mixes with your emotion..."
"False, try again!"
The witch gulped. "...With your sins, it serves as a catalyst for the craft."
The executioner effortlessly overpowered her with the little blade he had, taunting her by parrying with the blade in his mouth.
"And why is such a trigger important?"
The witch swung her blade so fast it caught fire, creating a bright blue flame that consumed her sword and used the melted parts as a projectile.
"We lowly creatures are burdened with sins from the Original Sinners," The witch answered calmly. "So we use that burden to our advantage, flirting with evil while embodying benevolence.
"Loyalty? selflessness? longsuffering? Those virtues are failures in battle, leading to a death that will shame you in the Paradiso. We evolve by our own selfish interest. We grow by poisoning the world to serve us, and us alone."
The student's sword almost melted, but she smiled in gratitude.
"So in conclusion," the witch hissed. "Let morality be damned."
She brought her dying weapon over her head, letting the molten land on her skin. The hot metal sizzled as it landed, causing unparalleled pain; the witch's scream in pure anguish was engulfed by the smoke that consumed her.
Her pathways burned as if lava flowed inside, each cell forced to evolve to save itself as her skin began to melt.
Her cries slowly turned from one of torture to one of... satisfaction.
The harrowing screams of pain turned into a loud, chilling laughter, as her body deformed into a weapon.
Hawkes tilted his head as he asked the final question.
"So what is your sin?"
The witch emerged from the smoke, her left side clad in searing metal strengthened with two insect-like wings, cracks filled with molten metal replenishing her as her chest ripped open, revealing a maw of snake fangs that spewed out toxins.
"EGO!!"
Name: Caterine Vittoria Alighieri
Enchanted forename: Eunice
Race: HYBRID (Mélusine - Half Fairy Half Gorgona)
Class: Class Gamma
Coven: The Malevolent Stars
Year Rank: 2nd out of 68
Witchcraft Birthmark Efficiency: Alchemy {40%} Divination {5%} Summoning {3%} Hexcraft {50%} Binding {2%}
Attributes: [Inner Coven], [Sleigh of Hands], [Venom], [Child of Pixie]
Class: Hellheim – (The Main Sinner, the blood-bathed berserker, the Sword of the team)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
"Caesar got what?!!" Izobel screamed; her eyes glowed, and pathways overflowed with Grace.
Chalybe and Kukri hid their face, their fingers shivering and sweat rolling down their skin.
The students stood in the shade of a Vycamore tree, its powerful trunk spreading into thin branches, each twig birthing vibrant green and blue leaves and vines, shielding them from the scalding heat of the three suns.
Izobel wore a light, cyan dress with flower patterns and an umbrella hung from her arm.
The Park they were in was filled with freshly cut grass and flowers of various colours, each releasing a refreshing fragrance and attracting mystical insects.
Chalybe slowly grabbed Kukri's dress.
"He's somewhere in the lower level of the city," Chalybe said, shivering. "But there's no way he's dead. He's down there waiting for us..."
"Somewhere in the most dangerous part of a city we barely know," Izobel rebutted, trying to muffle her voice. "He's probably being robbed..."
"Don't think like that," Kukri waved her hands frantically. "Let's trust in Caesar. He's more capable than we give him credit for..."
"And who the fuck are you!"
The trio slowly turned to see Aurelia approaching, her black-and-gold attire and hair slightly wet but elegantly glistening as they reflected the star's light.
She slowly walked over to Chalybe, invading his space as she stared at him, her eyes heavy and piercing like a cleaver.
"And Caesar is where?" Aurelia asked.
Kukri frowned, stealing glances at the prince. The princess glanced at Izobel, her violet eyes hardened by the new arrival.
"Caesar got thrown into Terra dei Teschi by a knight," Chalybe mumbled.
Aurelia's eyes turned hazy, almost impossible to read. She produced a pocket watch from her pocket and studied it, counting and calculating under her breath. She periodically stared at Kurki, who replied with a sour smile and a hiss.
"We have 3 more Horas left until we are to meet at the Grand Academy," Aurelia said, slipping her pocket watch back into her pocket. "That might give us enough time to rescue him. I will inform Fenrir and Jacques so we can begin the search."
Chalybe tilted his head, his eyes squinting to confirm he was talking to Aurelia. He expected her to go on a rampage or curse him with some acquired witchcraft she must've learned.
"Wouldn't Caesar naturally head to the 5 doors next in the walls?" Kukri asked.
Aurelia's eyes drifted back to Kukri, and her eyes widened. "Oligodon Empress Kurki?"
The snake princess bowed.
Aurelia promptly returned the gesture.
Chalybe cracked his knuckles. "No. Judging where he was thrown, he would need to venture quite far to reach the walls. His safest option is to seek aid from a Law Executioner."
Aurelia's eye twitched as her face turned pale. "Was Caesar thrown away by a knight in Green armour?"
Kukri and Chalybe glanced at each other. "Yeah?"
Aurelia cursed under her breath. "No Law Executioner is gonna help him. A knight has proclaimed him a piantagrane."
"Meaning?" Izobel questioned.
"He broke one of the rules given to us," Aurelia hissed. "He is basically a temporary outlaw. He has to make it back to the top with his own strength."
Chalybe's chest burned, his bones dragging him down like metal. He couldn't make out any words.
All this for a simple spar.
Izobel's head felt like it was filled with bubbles, her eyes blurring as she struggled to stand. Her mind flashed with a limitless selection of the horrors Caesar might encounter.
She could almost hear Abyss's croaked laughter, attempting to use her despair to reawaken.
"We are going to fall then?" Kurki said with a large smile. "I'm going to fall to the lowest level. If a Law Executioner won't help him, good thing I'm not one."
Chalybe's eyes drifted to Kukri, admiring her gorgeous smile. The fire in his chest turned to ice, and his bones felt like clouds.
The prince smiled. "You're still insane, aren't you?"
Kurki rested her head on Chalybe's shoulder. "That's just the Will of the Dusking Autumn."
"That's good enough," Izobel said as her body began to glow bright violet. "You two will search the drop site and the surrounding area. Aurelia and I will search the entire sector in case he or someone else moved him."
Aurelia and Izobel exchanged glances.
Aurelia turned as Grace spewed from her body. "Well, in that case, you better get your own rides."
Aurelia murmured a chant, and the space around her seemed to be torn apart. Inside the tear, a vast firmament of surreal realities: clouds cried with beautiful, bold eyes, mountains danced across endless landscapes, and stars grinned with unnatural glee.
Aurelia's mosquito-like beast emerged from the reality, bowing to its queen as she beckoned its loyalty.
She slid onto the back of her steed, its heavy wings flapping like an insect as it took to the skies, and the future knight felt the cold wind ruffling her golden hair.
"What are you waiting for?" Aurelia screamed from above.
Chalybe, Kukri and Izobel summoned theirs.
A localised blizzard surrounded the prince as a 4-winged pegasus emerged from the snow, its pure white fur and slaver jewelry adding to its elegance.
"Hello, Blizzard," The prince said as he boarded the mythical beast.
A plant sprouted behind Kurki, fully growing into a mature tree. The tree bent and formed, each branch retracting and each vine spreading like pathways. The tree transformed into a Leshor, a humanoid tree spirit that hovered gracefully.
"Looking quite well there, Cyclone." Kurki smiled.
Izobel summoned a large butterfly Avatar. The princess's heart sank when she noticed some purple patches around its wings.
The 4 young knights took to the skies and dived below. They slowed their descent to prevent catching fire.
They knew the journey would be long and the search hectic, but they had already decided on their mission.
Rescue Caesar Nova Percival.
The students crossed paths with other Law executioners and a few knights, marvelling at their armour and valour.
Two of these knights indulged themselves in wine as they spotted the students.
"Ain't that my sister?" One of them asked, dressed in a red, buttoned robe with black stripes running across it, with a flower birthmark on his face.
"They are here already?" The other one sighed. "Let's just report our findings about the Mammons and prepare for the Night event. Nicole should be waiting for me in the Star Garden."
"Do you even have any relatives in one of the 5 academies?"
The knight pondered, inspecting his Echo Katana. "I have a third Cousin in The Rebellios Red Institute of Knighthood."
"Ugh, I hate that city," the knight made a vomiting motion.
"But their beaches are beautiful, you have to agree."
The two knight continued their ascent, both excited for the celebration that awaited.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The Silver thieves stared at Gatwick's new invention in confusion as their leader added the finishing touches.
"So, what do you think?"
"Not my style," York blurted.
"Kinda looks like something an animal will use," Abbey admitted.
"Canary thinks it might be ineffective," Canary criticised.
"What in the world made you think of this?" Warwick asked.
Gatwick frowned. "It's going to aid in our escape and Phase 2. It's the best we can make use of now."
"But it doesn't really fit our fighting style," Canary said. "Are we allowed to make personal adjustments?"
"Go for it," Gatwick approved. "We have to do anything to escape. We must not arouse any suspicion."
As the thieves continued their great escapade, Archer and some Law Executioners discussed the current predicament.
"They are most definitely planning an escape," A law executioner said.
"No way a group of year 1s were capable of defeating the 5 commanders," Archer hissed. "And for all of them to survive, it's painfully obvious they wanted to enter Ebony."
"So why did we do what they wanted us to do?" Another Law Executioner asked.
"Because we are curious about what their next plan is," Hawkes answered as he joined the group. "That is why Mothers want us to follow them and prevent it."
Archer smiled. "Good to have you on the team, Imigho."
Hawkes bowed. "We need the best of the best. We need to understand that The Silver Thieves is not just a group..."
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
"It's a Revolution." A Silver Thief murmured as thousands of white-clothed criminals hid in the freezing channels of water, each passing weapons and stones for warmth.
From the Dancers to the street chefs.....
From the Law Executioners to the Knights....
From the poorest peasant to the wealthiest man....
The Silver Thieves have successfully penetrated Canzonet.
As Archer and his Law Executioner planned, Amédée, Jacques estranged brother, listened attentively, smiling from ear to ear.