The Three Dark Angels

"Yes Master!"

Master Rubadron regarded the Graduates standing before him. "I heard that this has been a tough class, with a few troublemakers. But, you currently have a clean slate with me, and if this night goes without incident, then that slate will be kept clean, despite past transgressions."'

Angelus' eye twitched in response, feeling like that was a direct shot at him and the others, and he would be correct in thinking so.

"Now, as you can see, The Walk has already begun. The drawings still aren't for a little while yet, so I will dismiss you. But, don't go too far, and don't get lost in the crowds at the time of the drawing. If you do not march on stage shortly after I call your name, I will move on to the next name and you will be disqualified. Graduates, you are dismissed."

"Yes Master!" The Graduates responded, followed immediately by the near perfect box of Graduates being broken up.

'The Walk' is the yearly mass migration from Skytown to the fields, a migration known by several names such as the 'Mass Transient', 'The Flood', 'The Walk of the Abyss', or just simply 'The Walk' which had become as customary as the Graduate Tournament itself to the point where even marriage proposals took place during the Walks, which was almost always met with cheers. Six marriage proposals will take place over the course of this year's Walk.

All it was really was just simply a mass of hundreds of thousands or even at times, millions of Magi from all across Magi lands. And the World Gates were specially opened for free travel for the public so that all could watch the Graduate Tournament live for themselves and celebrate the occasion. The mass went on for miles, acting as a complete line that connected Skytown to the fields, and that flood that will continue to go on until around the time of the first round at five.

"Well, at least we won't get caught up in that this year." Azreal said, gesturing in the very visible mass that had formed within an amazingly short time.

"Yeah, what a pain in the ass that is, fucking assholes everywhere in that damn Walk." Angelus added.

"We're also here to fight, not sit back and enjoy it."

Angelus smiled. "You kidding me? I'll enjoy it even more because I'm fighting in it. There are so many match ups I'm hoping for ohhohoho...with Zaeco being number one. I'll knock his face right into the ring." Angelus finished through his teeth with an evil grin.

Azreal sighed. "Hothead."

Angelus' eye twitched. "I fucking hate that name."

"Then cool off and stop acting like it."

"Would you relax, I was kidding! I said I'll be nice."

"Yeah, it'll be real nice if you start saying shit like that in the rings when we aren't around. Fifty money says you get into trouble." Azreal challenged.

"Deal." Angelus said, holding out his hand, which Azreal took.

Aegis smiled slightly, impressed at Azreal's tactic.

"Hey guys!" A voice called out to them, which they recognized.

"Oh no, Barka." Azreal rolled his eyes.

"I still have to wonder, how the fuck did he graduate anyway?" Angelus asked aloud.

"He's probably more capable in certain ways than you think, and be nice." Aegis responded as Barka caught up.

Graduate Barka Homlesly, one who, most of the class would testify, should not have graduated as a Dragoon. However, it couldn't be argued that he did in fact improve somewhat greatly during his tenure as a Graduate, had survived all of the tests required, including the test of the Dragon Mountain, so, his right to graduate really couldn't be denied. However, his skill sets and talents were still considered to be poor, just barely passable, and even worse, was one of the clumsiest and unfortunate individuals anyone had ever seen. It was so bad that many wondered how he was still alive to this day.

One of the greatest disasters that Barka had somehow survived was when one day, he was out in the fields practicing throwing fireballs with the class when he heard a hiss, looked down and saw a snake poking out of a hole in the ground just a few feet in front of him. Azreal, who was next to him, heard Barka literally scream like a little girl, turned and saw Barka jump back. As he did, he released the fireball in his hand into the air, and when he looked up upon realizing that it was gone and in the air, he had just enough time to take a few steps back in shock as the fireball landed straight on his chest, knocking him down and lighting him on fire.

Azreal and others nearby had quickly put the fire out before Barka got burnt badly. Although disasters weren't normally this bad for Barka, the circumstances were almost the same. He was just the kind of person who could trip over invisible rocks.

To top things off, his genes weren't his most blessed attributes either. Well, he probably wouldn't look so bad if he changed his dress style just a little. For example, he wore damn near giant cheap glasses that were tied together in the center because it was broken. Because of this, the glasses were slightly uneven, though Barka had somehow managed to adjust to it.

Other than that, his short brown hair, blue eyes, and just mainly plain face (aside from the fact that he looked lost all the time) weren't anything that bad.

His manner of dress, however, was something that one would puke at. Thankfully, no one had to be exposed to it today because he too was wearing his own Dragoon robe.

"Hey uh...I just wanted to say good luck." Barka said, offering his hand.

Aegis took it first, giving Barka a good shake. "Good luck." Aegis offered in return.

Barka turned to Angelus next. "On one condition. You fight with all you've got. You don't bitch out. I don't care if you're up against the Grand Dragoon, kick his ass." Angelus said.

Barka nodded. "Yeah." And with that, Angelus took Barka's hand.

"I'm serious, I'd better hear something good."

"Right, I'll do my best." Barka nodded again, then turned to Azreal, whose hand was already offered.

"Just relax and have a little fun with this. Take advantage of what you do have. Since most will drop their guard around you, use that opportunity to knock someone flat on their ass." Azreal advised as Barka took Azreal's hand.

"Thanks guys. Well, I'm off to wish everyone else luck, see ya." Barka said with a wave as he hurried off.

Azreal sighed. "Poor Barka, I feel bad for him tonight. He's gonna get unlucky and get paired up with someone really bad. On the other side, whoever gets Barka has basically a free round."

Aegis smiled. "You just might be one of the people he knocks out."

Azreal began laughing. "Right, right. Barka? Seriously? C'mon, even I have higher standards than that."

"Watch him turn into some sort of super monster when you get him in the first round and then he knocks you flat on your ass after talking all of that shit." Angelus said with a smile.

"Dude, seriously?" Azreal responded with a questioning look.

Angelus shrugged his shoulders. "Miracles can happen, I guess."



The Graduates remained in their groups near the stage and talked amongst themselves for the next thirty minutes as huge masses continued to fill up the fields. At the time shortly before the drawings, the area around the rings were filled to the max as everyone, both audience and officials, began taking their places. This included the display boards for the match ups.

Now on the north side of every ring sat a row of four individuals, two Conscripts and two Dragoons. They were the judges, and would decide the winner of a match if it reaches the time limit without ending. Each corner of the ring also had Conscripts whose purpose was to jump into the ring if necessary. At each flat side of the ring was another set of four Conscripts whose job was to guard the match from any outside interference from the audience. There were also numerous Dragoons and Conscripts scattered among the sea of people to help keep the peace.

And that is exactly how one would describe the number of people present, an ocean. An ocean that filled up the area around the rings which stretched far into the fields in an almost perfect circle which encompassed the rings and would encompass the VIP boxes if not for the Guardians, who were wearing their customary black robes and ensuring that no one came near without permission since their charges for the night, Wiseman One, Seven, and Eight were watching the fights tonight, along with the other three Masters of the Magi while the fourth, Master Dragoon Rubadron, was currently on stage with the Grand Dragoon. The Grand Dragoon was standing towards the front of the stage, while Master Rubadron was directly behind the Grand Dragoon, and standing before Master Rubadron was a pedestal with a box on it with an open top which was filled with the drawing numbers.

Five minutes before four, the Grand Dragoon the Dragoons and Conscripts began calling for silence among the crowd as the Grand Dragoon would begin his End of the Year speech, marking the beginning of the end of the year.

When the crowd had gone mostly silent, he began right on time.

"Greetings and welcome my glorious fellow Magi to the end of the two thousand and thirty first proud year of the Magi!"

The crowds broke into cheers and applause, which the Grand Dragoon allowed for a few moments before continuing.

"As Osirus once stated, 'it is important to learn from the past, but it is a mistake to live in it'. Though we have survived for two thousand years, as you all know, there is a dark cloud that looms above us all."

"Our enemies to the East continue to fight against us, with seemingly no end in sight. I know that we have endured this struggle for ten long years, which has brought us both many victories and many defeats. But, it is important now more than ever that we keep our heads held high and raise our eyes to the future, because this struggle is slowly making it's way back to our homeland."

"Therefore, it is not only important that you stand strong during these hard times, but that you enjoy the peaceful times while they are still here. From the bottom of my heart, I ask that you enjoy this night. For a single night, allow that dark cloud to vanish and enjoy the company of your friends, your family, and your fellow Magi as you watch the guiding lights of the future demonstrate their talents. Someday, one of these forty two individuals may stand right here in my place wearing the white robe as I do. I ask that you give these young men and women the recognition and support they need as they enter the new year as Dragoons that will fight our enemies."

"And now, let us end the two thousand and thirty first year of the Magi, and begin the two thousand and thirty second year of the Magi with this blessed Graduate Tournament!"

Once again, cheers broke out among the crowd. But this time, the Grand Dragoon began walking off stage and over to the VIP boxes, leaving Master Rubadron on stage alone.

As the cheers died down, Master Rubadron cleared his throat and read the first name of the list in front of him.

"Graduate Aegis!"

Aegis, knowing he was going to be first, stepped on stage almost immediately, and as instructed, marched himself on stage in a professional manner, and silently drawing a number. A number which he found somewhat ironic as he showed it to Master Rubadron.

A lot of Graduates held their breath and listened carefully for Aegis' number. Not only was he the number one seed but he had mostly been number one throughout the entire nine months of Candidate School. Half wanted to prove otherwise and beat him, while the other half had no desire to even be in the same branch.

"Graduate Aegis has drawn the number one!" Master Rubadron announced.

"You are now dismissed." Master Rubadron said to Aegis, who bowed and marched off stage.

"Graduate Angelus!" Master Rubadron called out next. Angelus marched on stage in a similar fashion that Aegis did, and drew his number from the box, and showed it to Master Rubadron.

Angelus didn't get as much attention as Aegis did, but quite a few were keeping their ears open.

"Graduate Angelus has drawn the number twenty three! You are now dismissed." With that, Angelus marched off stage without a word.

Azreal came next. When he drew his number, however, he almost lost his cool and bursted with excitement. But, he managed to calmly show it to Master Rubadron.

"Graduate Azreal has drawn the number forty two!"

Azreal marched off stage with a small grin, excited that he got put in the Element of Chaos fight. He had two less fights than everyone else, and that was fine by him.

"Lucky fuck." Angelus spat as Azreal joined him and Aegis.

Azreal shrugged, still grinning. "What can I say? I'm a lucky guy." He responded as they heard Graduate Bailey called next.

Angelus rolled his eyes. "Such bullshit."

"Don't get ahead of yourself, you don't know who you're fighting yet. Save your likes and dislikes of the match ups until then." Aegis advised as they heard Bailey's number, which was twenty six.

"Graduate Barka!" Master Rubadron called out next, who, even when marching as best as he could, still somehow managed to look meek as he did so.

Azreal sighed as he turned to the stage. "Poor Barka, I wonder where that poor bastard will end up." Azreal said as they waited for Master Rubadron to call out the number.

"Graduate Barka has drawn the number forty one!"

Nearly all of the Graduates had the same reaction. Their eyes widened and their mouths dropped, and almost immediately began protesting among themselves. Well, nearly all of them. Only one was laughing at this news.

"By...the...Dragons...seriously!? I get to fight Barka in the first round!? Hahahaha, oh my...hahahaha...holy shit! I guess...I guess I'll be skipping two fights and get a free one! Hahahaha..." Azreal was tearing at this point from laughing so hard.

"Such...fucking...bullshit!" Angelus commented through his teeth.

"Aegis, you were saying something about not getting ahead of myself?" Azreal asked Aegis with a wide grin.

Aegis glared at Azreal before turning away to the stage.

"Ha! Even Aegis has nothing to say!"

"Beasley's next." Aegis informed them as Master Rubadron called Beasley next.

"He's even being a bitch about it and is trying to change the subject! No way, I want it nice and clear, for once Aegis, you're the one who spoke too quickly. Admit it!"

"Graduate Beasley has drawn the number thirty four!"

"Thirty four...that puts her in the Element of Chaos bracket." Aegis commented.

"You're such a bitch." Azreal sighed, shaking his head.

"To be honest, I don't want to hear your shit either Azreal. It's fucking gay that not only are you in the Element of Chaos fight, but that Barka is your first fight. Aegis is saying the same thing I want to say. Fuck you."

Azreal grinned and shrugged his shoulders. "What can I say? I'm a lucky guy." He repeated.

"Well, if I knock your ass out right here, you'll forfeit your match to Barka." Angelus growled.

"And I'm tempted to let him." Aegis followed with, still watching the stage.

"You know, both of you are a couple of bitches, can't you let me enjoy my moment by letting me rub it in your faces?" Azreal asked.

"No." Was the answer from both Aegis and Angelus.

The next significant drawing was the number seven seed, Graduate Fortuna Iona, who is one of the most recognized individuals in the class alongside Aegis and a few others. One main reason for that is how old she looked. Like Sabrina, Fortuna had also been blessed with a young looking appearance, and she looked more like she should be a younger sister of one of the Graduates rather than being a Graduate herself, regardless of the fact that she herself was twenty four. Only her green eyes showed signs of her true age.

Much to Fortuna's somewhat internal dismay, however, is that though she had been blessed with a young looking face, her chest got the same treatment and perhaps will forever appear underdeveloped, for perhaps there was little more than two handfuls of flesh that sat on her chest.

The other main reason why she was easily recognized was because of her hair. Her hair was very black, as black as it could possibly be, which she was currently allowing to flow down to just above her tail bone. However, the two large bangs that she allowed to drape over her face that went the same distance in front of her as her black hair did behind her, those bangs were a very bright pink. (Fortuna had learned early on that she was plenty attractive, but sometimes could be overlooked in various situations because of her young appearance and small boobs, hence the bangs. And she owed her bangs plenty of thanks for some hot fun-filled nights.)

As much as Fortuna would have loved to put on a bit of a show and tease all of the guys out there, obviously, she could not do so, and uneventfully marched on stage like everyone else before her, and silently drew a number from the box, which she showed to Master Rubadron.

"Graduate Fortuna has drawn the number fifteen!"

Regardless of her very straight forward and flirtatious personality, her personal life isn't what many would imagine it to be. Many would imagine that this was the type of girl who would just about spread herself open on any occasion for anyone, and they would be wrong. Fortuna was quite picky on who got to be with her, and normally got her steady diet of sex from a select few and whichever experiment she may happen upon once in a while. She just enjoyed driving people wild with absolute confidence in her body, regardless of her boob size.

The next significant drawing was the number nine seed, Haschel Vertigo. Unlike Fortuna, Haschel didn't stand out in any way. Short brown hair, plain face, and plain brown eyes, just about everything concerning Haschel could be described as 'plain' and 'normal'. Then again, as the third child out of five, Haschel was somewhat used to that kind of perception.

He had spent most of it living in the shadows of his two older brothers, never quite meeting the standards that they had set, either good or bad. Next in line was his younger sister, and the only girl, and was probably showered with the most attention among all. And lastly, there was the youngest brother, who, since he would be the last child in line, was getting far more attention than Haschel himself had at that age.

Haschel never really minded it. It wasn't as though his parents didn't love him, Haschel just understood early on just how difficult it could be to have to deal with all five children. (Especially when the two older brothers were causing trouble around the house with various stunts.) The fact that his parents weren't focusing that much attention to him meant that he was doing his parents a bit of a favor and not adding to their stress.

Unfortunately, two years ago, all of that had changed as the Vertigo family became a family of tragedy. Both older brothers, who had been Conscripts, had died within four months of each other, forcibly promoting Haschel as the eldest child of the family.

Determined not to meet the same fate as his brothers, Haschel gave himself up to the Dragoons when his own time had come so that he could become as strong as he could and stay alive for his family. And it just may have paid off, for here he was now, acknowledged as one of the top ten of the class, even though he had started off as one of the worst. (Though no one could beat Barka in those terms. Barka was the worst through and through.) Haschel ended up drawing the number seven.

The number ten seed, Johannas Rockster, was the next significant drawing. She was jokingly known around the class as Haschel's secret brother, since she too had brown hair that she wore short along with brown eyes, and was just as plain as he was. In an ironic twist, like Aegis, she drew her seed number, ten.