Gods and Heroes Ch. 02

Thoughts swimming in her head, Bella approached a side-room where she heard the clanging of armor and swords.

-----

Sarah traced a finger over the faded metal, reliving memories of intense battles and Nadia's teachings. She could still feel the intricate craftsmanship that went into the design, as well as its innate strength that withstood countless wars. Countless, ancient wars... . Nadia had never told her any details. Claimed Sarah did not need to know more than necessary. But does her daughter know what was in store for her? A soft golden glow seemed to emanate from within the armor.

She shook her head. It had been six long years, and when Bella had returned from graduation, smiling like a newborn hero, she was proud just like everyone else, but also felt as though she no longer knew her child.

Ever since Julia had taken the throne of High Empress five millenia ago, she had made it imperative that the populace be trained in battle. Familial bonds were overlooked in favor of honing young girls into weapons of war. She had learned to cherish every moment she had with Bella, and she wasn't above sneaking into her room before Bella left home yet again.

Bella's beautiful, yet strangely unfamiliar face had disturbed her greatly. And that was before the tossing and turning in that bed, the bloodcurdling screams, the whites of her eyes...

Nadia hadn't told her about the dreams. Only that the utmost secrecy was needed, and she had kept the secret of her daughter's otherworldly existence a secret for nineteen long years.

Even from her own husband.

Sarah put it out of her mind as she heard footsteps. The slight gait of a Celestian warrior. She stood, turning to face her daughter, and tried to force her fears down.

Sarah smiled. "Your body is slim and strong, hon. You will be a fitting addition to the legions. Have you chosen a path yet?" Almost reluctantly, Sarah handed her daughter the old armor.

Bella contemplated the question. "Honestly... I don't know yet. I would like to fight in the Phoenix Legions with Erin, though the Thunderbird's Archer-corps could also be an interesting choice."

Sarah laughed. "And no love for the Royal Guard, where your mother was stationed? You may not see as much action, but guarding the empress is an honorable charge."

Bella sniggered. "Well, at least it's better than being one of those sorceresses."

Her mother rose again, this time with a sword, shield, and spear. "All four schools are to be admired in their own way. The Soul-Raven especially. Out there, you must walk with all eyes open." She handed the girl the weapons.

Bella finished tying the armored bra and short war-skirt around her chest and waist. They were heavier than the equipment she had trained with, yet incredibly well balanced. Tying her sword to her belt and strapping the shield to her left arm, she turned to accept a final piece of wargear, the long Doru spear, which she held in her outstretched hand. Last of all, she stepped into her footwear, newly made from freshly skinned boarhide. The open-toed Caligae sandals fit snugly around her bare feet, as she tightened the straps and stood up once more, facing her mother.

"How do I look?" Bella struck a pose.

"Nervous and green, just like Sarah at her first battle." Strolling quietly over, her father had come to watch the arming, a supply sack in his hand.

"Marcus, the Aurelians are a fearsome opponent. You should know, you were once a knight of the Seven." Sarah scolded her husband. "And don't go talking to me about nerves when you almost shat yourself cornered by those desert scorpions."

"Hey, those bugs were huge!" He sighed. "Okay, you got me there. But I was the one who got us out." Marcus pointed at Sarah, trying to look serious.

Sarah laughed. "Still telling yourself old lies, huh?"

"Listen, I didn't come here to have a spear-measuring contest." He turned to Bella, now grinning. "I got your supplies right here, some of the best breadsticks and dried meat this side of the Astria River." It was a sack tied to a furca, a pole used to carry travel equipment. Marcus handed it to his daughter. "And another tip from a former soldier, when you're on the road, you can also lighten any load by tying 'em to your spear."

Sarah turned to Bella as well. "You look good... My little girl, all grown up." She kissed her on the cheek as Marcus moved in for a hug.

"Make us proud out there," he whispered. The family broke apart. Her mother was trying not to tear up.

With a sad smile and bow, Bella turned to leave. "May Serenity guide my way, pater."

As she turned to leave, the morning dew gave way to a clear golden sun, rising over the crystalline peaks of Celestia. Sarah however, could not shake the feeling that she would not see her little girl for a very long time...

-----

"About time, slowpoke."

Bella walked up to her friend. "Hey Erin, sorry about before... Gotta work on my temper."

Her friend nodded solemnly. "Don't worry about it. The day you two fight side-by-side in war -- it'll mend any wound."

"Yeah, or she'll stab me in the back." The girl joked.

"Bella, Calliope's stupid. But not that stupid. Treachery is worse than death."

Bella nodded. "Well, as long as I'm her commanding officer I'm happy."

Erin laughed. "No doubt."

They walked in silence for a while. The morning mist was cool and relaxing. The sun was still low in the sky as birds chirped around them. A small town patrol dressed in light tunics passed them by. They were mostly simple townsfolk or retired soldiers and smiled kindly at the two as they passed.

Bella looked over. "By the way, I couldn't help but notice your armor, almost as good as mine." She smirked. "So... Your mother's, right?"

"Yeah, my father dressed me this morning. You too, I'm guessing, Bella?"

The girl nodded. "My mother armed me. Some faded old gear from the Royal Guard, I'm guessing. Yours look redder. Phoenix legion?"

"Mm. She was a sergeant. It was fifty-three years ago, in our bout with the Rogenians." She paused for a moment. "Strange to think that I'm finally here, carrying out her legacy."

Bella reached over and gripped her arm. "She would have been proud of you, Erin." She whispered. "I know it."

Erin smiled softly, looking over into the girl's gentle, blue eyes. "I know, Bella, thank you."

She nodded, and withdrew her hand.

A moment passed; Erin broke the silence. "You know, I like it when you touch me," She said, eyes sliding over playfully.

"Okay Erin," Bella said curtly, hints of a blush appearing over her cheeks. "I don't think we should try this again."

"Hey, what's the big deal? Remember Ceres and Anwen back in training? Rinn and Mora? I could go on."

"Erin..."

"My point is, it's a normal thing to want and your meeting with Gavin obviously didn't go well, and - "

"Erin!" Bella's ears were bright red. Erin laughed at her friend's discomfort, briefly bumping Bella's right shoulder with her arm.

"Oh my goddess. Erin, we were never together. He's like a weird bard, probably going to disappear somewhere up North along with all his traitor friends from before."

Her friend stopped at last. "Well, that was a bit mean, I was just wondering why he isn't here with us."

"Ugh. I know, it's probably unfair to him... but have you read the newspapers? Foreigners are so horrible, that one diplomat from Aurelia, he raped five women in our Capital! And we let him get away with it, because of our oh-so-fabled hospitality."

Erin frowned, and stayed quiet for a moment. "Bella. You shouldn't believe everything you read."

Bella glanced at her friend. "What are you on about now?"

Her friend looked worried, but then covered it up with a smile. "Sorry, just... nervous I guess, for the Choosing."

Bella decided to ignore that for now. "Well, it'll be easy for you. Beautiful, top student in Sanctuary, the four schools will be fighting for your tight ass."

"I know, I know..."

"Well, you could have some humility."

Erin laughed, and Bella soon joined in, continuing their journey to the distant mountains.

-----

The early road was easygoing and uneventful. They met a few townsfolk traveling from one town to the other; upon noting their equipment, they would generally say a few kind words, share some water, and depart. One such family, the "Forgers," passed them by on the road. A common group of travelers, they were on their way to visit relatives.

From the surname, she guessed they were originally from Rogenia, a fiery land bordering Celestia to the North, and a country renowned for their smithies.

A young boy ran up to them. "Hi, my name is John! Who're you? Ooh, are you soldiers? Why are you only wearing underwear?

Bella reddened slightly as Erin laughed lightheartedly. The boy's family caught up to him, his mother pulling him aside roughly, already making to apologize. "I'm sorry, he's just a boy, he doesn't know when to shut his mouth." She glared at the child as she said those last words, who had the grace to look sheepishly downward. Bella couldn't help but notice a slight accent in the mother's voice.

Erin was the one who responded. "It's okay. I'm guessing that you're not native to Celestia?"

"My accent gave me away, eh? No, we're from a little ways north of here, on the border between Rogenia and this empire."

Erin nodded her head in understanding. "Refugees of the last war then?"

The woman nodded. Her husband caught up as well, with their second child, an older girl Bella estimated to be about fourteen years. "Rosa, who's this?"

"Oh, Barut, my husband," She smiled, introducing the man beside her. He nodded politely. Erin returned the gesture, Bella still lurking behind her. Quite honestly, she never quite understood why her friend was so inviting to foreigners; it was a waste of time to explain their customs to the barbarians of the North. In her opinion, they ought to move on and reach Knightbridge, the town they had planned to stop at for the night.

Seemingly to prove her point, the man glanced over the scantily clad warriors with skeptical eyes.

"So, you're them aspirants we hear so much about out here?"

Bella didn't like his tone. Erin responded again. "Yes sir, we enroll in the military when we turn eight. Then, we choose one of the four schools to best serve our Empire."

The family looked at each other in interest. "Hm. So you must be going to the Floating City then? Just like those other girls we saw a while back."

Zana and her cronies; The two warriors looked at each other in silent knowing. Now, it was Bella's turn to speak up. "... Three aspirants, I'm guessing?" She tried to disguise the disgust in her voice.

"Yeah, you guys don't have that circlet yet, right?" At the Choosing, every Aspirant of the Celestian Army was granted a circlet signifying their position and rank.

That was beside the point however, and Bella ignored the question. "What direction were these... Aspirants... headed?"

This time, the fourteen-year girl spoke up. "I saw them heading down the road, same as you two. If you hurry, you might catch them yet!"

Erin smiled warmly. "Thank you, miss." Turning to the mother, she said her farewells. "Good luck out there. The Empire may be wary of outsiders, but if you hold to our laws, your bloodline can become a part of future Celestia."

They nodded, smiling their thanks, and the young aspirants turned again to the road.

"Wait!"

Now Bella was growing openly irritated: It was the woman, calling Erin back.

"Miss, if you don't mind, it would make our children feel at ease if you can travel with us a little bit? I'm sure you've seen the signs, the growing tensions between the empire and Aurelia? We would like to get to our town as quickly as possible, and you can help us a great deal, being a native here."

Bella turned to her friend. "...Erin? We gotta get to the inn, c'mon."

Her friend looked horribly indecisive. Uh oh, she thought. Here we go again.

Finally, she made her choice. "Bella, I want to help them." Bella groaned, but her friend continued. "Come on! Look at them, they're refugees of the previous war. They've got no ties to this one." She stepped closer, trying to convince her companion. "Come with me. I'll admit it. You're probably more patriotic than I am. But helping others is what we're all about! It's what Celestia was originally built for."

Bella's eyes gradually softened, and she sighed. "Well, Erin, I won't argue too much on this one, I promise. I'm with you." Her friend broke out into a wide smile. "But I just really don't feel like going with them... if you don't mind, I'll reserve a few rooms at the inn, you can catch up later. Sound good?"

Erin sighed as well. "Fine. Get me a Knightsbridge meat pie though, willya? I'll join you tomorrow morning."

Bella smiled. "You know, someday this helping-others thing is gonna get you killed."

Erin laughed. "Better that than sulking with you all day."

"You're insufferable. I'll see you at the inn."

-----

Bella traveled at a more rapid pace, making it her goal to reach the inn before Erin could. The girl was a devilishly fast runner, and she wanted to beat her at something, no matter how petty it was. But I also don't want to run into those three idiots. Hmm.

"Goddamn it Erin," she muttered under her breath. Always so funny, so talented, so lighthearted. And so damn nice to everyone. Hell, someone could cut her arm off and she'd forgive them after a heartfelt apology.

But, she had to admit, it made her impossible to hate. Plus, losing a parent at such a young age and in such terrible circumstances could have broken her. To have such love for a damn refugee after such a thing... Bella could only guess at her motivations.

She moved at a swift jog, her feet skipping lightly across the worn stone road. It was still peaceful enough, and she could hear the familiar calls of local fauna bounding through the sparse trees and bushes. It appeared, too, that travelers were still out on the path. She could spot a wagon in the distance, stopped on the side of the road. Taking a break in open country? Brave lot, Bella thought. She paid no mind to it; such sights were not uncommon, and there were no unsettling signs in the wildlife around her. Lowering her guard, Bella allowed her mind to wander, eventually drifting to her dream two nights back.

It had been so real. And the demon seemed also oddly familiar. Where did this dream come from? She never experienced its like before turning 19 at graduation. Her shield and spear... the companions with her... new demigods hadn't appeared since the Dawn of Man, more than 500 millennia ago.

Reluctantly, she admitted that a Sorceress from the School of the Raven might know more; in the meantime, she would swear to keep these omens to herself. Turning her mind back to her jog, she noted that the wagon had still, oddly, not moved.

Dusk was running its course, and the day was growing darker. As the sun set, vivid streaks of amber and fiery red danced across the sky, followed by a pulse of translucent blue. A low, almost indiscernible boom shuddered through the air, making the young woman's skin prickle with unease. For the first time this journey, Bella frowned in genuine concern.

Celestia calls to its warriors.

Bella doubled her pace. She had a sense that the roads were less safe than she had originally thought. It was then that she noticed something very wrong. The wagon wasn't just stopped, it was missing a wheel. And just beyond it, there was a hunched figure and a pool of...

She forced herself to stay calm. She didn't know anything yet. It could be a friend or a foe. Perhaps a local militiawoman slew an outlaw on the road.

"But why wouldn't they dispose of the body?" She thought. Bella stopped just before the wagon, next to a nearby clump of foliage. Gently laying down her parcel of supplies, Bella readied her spear. She didn't have javelins yet, so she would have to be extra careful with her most valuable weapon. The girl angled her body to best conceal her lean form and crept forward.

As Bella rounded the corner of the wagon, she gasped aloud.

It was... Zana. She almost didn't recognize her; her armor was dented and in some areas, completely cracked. The skirt was ripped to shreds, and she could see blood around the poor girl's neck and crotch. It appears that whoever did this had seen fit to rape her first, before slitting her throat. Shuddering at the thought, Bella closed the girl's eyelids. She wouldn't wish this on her worst enemy. Which means... where were Calliope and Vora? She closed her own eyes and muttered a short prayer to Serenity.

Angry now, Bella gripped her spear tighter and stood up. Whoever did this will pay; she wasn't the second-best student in her district for nothing. But her newfound resolve evaporated quickly as she looked around. There wasn't much vegetation for concealed bandits, but it was getting darker by the second. The area was suspiciously deserted, and this was hardly a place for a favorable fight. She slowly stalked back, looking behind her. Perhaps Erin would be just over the hill and rushing to back her up?

No such luck; the place was utterly silent.

The wildlife had stopped calling.

That's when she noticed something on the cart. Long claw marks over lightly charred wood. No bandit had... claws? Frightened now, the girl glanced first behind her, then ahead again. A pale afterglow from the Celestial summons lingered eerily on the horizon. Her supplies were back behind the wagon, and the town was just a few miles away. If she booked it, she might reach safety before nightfall. But what about Erin? And this body was here for at least an hour already... Will light really bring safety?

Suddenly, she felt it. A cold shiver came over her, and she felt goosebumps crawling over her skin. Time seemed to hang in the balance, and she felt a darkness enveloping her heart, like a freezing hand was suddenly clamped over it. A primordial growl emanated from a few paces away... just behind her.

She could run right now. If she were fast enough, she may be able to get away. Shaking her head, she dismissed the thought. Cowardice. She was a warrior of Celestia.

Forcing herself to focus, she braced herself to turn. The noise was getting closer, and she might only have seconds to react. Her form would have to be perfect. Bella readied her spear, tucking it under her arm, and held her shield at an angle, ready to duck under any projectiles if need be. Lightning quick, the girl turned, yelling a war cry, to find...

Nothing. Nothing was there. The young warrior looked around in confusion. She could've sworn there was something.

Night had fallen. The trees shuddered under a windless gale, and a rattling sigh rolled unnaturally over the girl...

Just as quickly, the feeling passed, and she felt inexplicably as if the world had returned to normal. Whatever that was, it had felt fundamentally wrong. It couldn't have been what attacked the other girl either. Suddenly remembering her dream again, she wondered if there was some unseen connection?

Hefting the spear back over her shoulder, she walked carefully to her satchel and slung it securely over her back. The girl looked back at Zana's ravaged body, lifeless on the ground, and the frenzied claw marks etched next to her, turning slowly bloodred...

Bella broke into a sprint for Knightsbridge.