Fortuna sighed as she laid back down in her bed anyway. At least she was feeling good this morning. Very, very good, actually. Fortuna turned to the current slump and still form of Azreal who was laying next to her.
She still couldn't quite get it out of her mind on how good of a performer he was, even though pretty much they have been sleeping together since the Graduation class had been split up and sent to their assignments.
The Techs were coming, there was no longer any possibility of denying it. The stragglers had finally returned early last month, and according to them along with other sources which Fortuna did not know about, the Tech invasion was going to take place from the North and South Seas, and Fortuna's class had basically been split in half and distributed to both locations.
Herself, Azreal, Aegis, Angelus, and Beasley out of the top ten in the Graduate Tournament had been sent here to the north, along with others, while everyone else had been sent to the south.
And ultimately, there was no explanation for what had happened to the Graduate Tournament, much to Fortuna's annoyance for two reasons. One, she had been curious herself, and two, since it had been discovered that she had started sleeping with Azreal, most were asking her for information about all three of them, since she was the 'closest' to them per se.
That wasn't quite true. Fortuna had no aspirations about her current relationship with Azreal, and Azreal confirmed similar feelings. No, theirs was currently a relationship of convenience. Having at least one convenient fuck buddy always went a long way.
However, the question was still asked. What the fuck happened at the Graduate Tournament?
"Azreal." Fortuna mumbled as she began to shake him, who stirred and groaned in response.
"Azreal, we have to get up soon, otherwise we're going to be late for the morning exercises, again."
"Mmm, another five minutes." Azreal groaned as he tried to sink his head into his pillow.
"No Azreal, not this time. Seriously, we have to-ah!"
Azreal caught Fortuna completely by surprise, and began laughing as Azreal wrapped her up and pulled her on the bed while tickling her.
"NO!No!No! Stoopp-ahahahahh-s-seriously-ahahah-stop! S-mmmm." Fortuna sighed as Azreal stopped tickling her, and cut off her protests as he kissed her. After a few moments, Fortuna regained herself and attempted to struggle, but Azreal, knowing her buttons pretty well by now, reached his hands between her legs and gently petted her in just the way she liked it.
Fortuna's body relaxed, and continued to kiss Azreal back until she began to struggle again, this time breaking away from Azreal's lips. "C'mon Azreal, for real. We...have...to...get up."
Azreal grinned. "Mmm, not yet. I don't like to leave things unfinished once I start them, so I'd better get to work." Azreal said as he quickly positioned himself in between Fortuna's legs.
Fortuna rose as her eyes followed Azreal. "No Azreal! This is how we were late last time! I-oh by the Dragons that feels good." Fortuna finished in a sigh as she laid back down once Azreal got started.
"Look at it this way, we're doing our own versions of the morning exercises, so it's not like we're trying to be lazy." Azreal commented.
When Fortuna next bothered to look at the clock, tired and breathless thanks to some very intense exercises, her heart began to race again, as tired as it was.
It was 5:50.
"Fuck! Azreal, we're gonna be late again! I fucking knew it! I can't fucking believe this!" Fortuna shouted as she jumped out of bed and began to dress in haste.
"Just relax will you? They'll throw a little bullshit at us for a little bit, make us do something stupid and small, and that'll be it."
"Shut the fuck up and help me find my bra! Where the fuck did I throw it!?"
"Where the fuck are those two?" Beasley asked as she looked around. Currently, all of the Graduates who had been sent to the north were gathered together in the middle of an open field, while they're immediate commander, Junior Tries, looked on with his assistants, Adept Chamberlin and Adept Jacobs who were gathered together in their own little group away from the Graduates. "Are they fucking serious, they're going to be late for the second time this week? Un-fucking-believable."
"Graduates! Line up!" The Junior suddenly ordered, and all of the Graduates scrambled to form their assigned formation, and like they did in the Graduate Tournament, formed a very neatly lined box with the Junior and the two Adepts standing before them.
"Let's take the call. Graduate Aegis!"
"Here."
"Graduate Angelus!"
"Here."
"Graduate Azreal!"
Silence.
"Graduate Azreal!" Junior Tries called in a stronger voice.
Again, silence.
Junior Tries' face took on an irritated look. "Graduate Fortuna!"
Once again, silence, and the Junior nodded. "I see, so your two comrades are too good to join us this morning on time again. We will wait for them, that's fine. I suppose that the world is on their time after all, so it's only fair that we accommodate...ah, is that Graduate Azreal and Graduate Fortuna that I see? You are lucky, you don't have to wait for them." The Junior asked, looking passed the boxed formations standing before him, causing several Graduates to turn their heads.
Fortuna could feel the glares emanating from both the Graduates who had turned as well as the Junior and Adepts as she and Azreal came running up, and both her frustration with Azreal as well as her concern over what might happen grew.
She had, after all, already began giving Azreal the silent treatment, despite his attempts to add a little light to the situation, Fortuna far too angry and upset at Azreal to even try to speak to him.
"Oh no you two don't! Front and center, both of you!" The Junior commanded as Azreal and Fortuna attempted to join the Graduates, causing Fortuna to sigh in irritation as she shot Azreal yet another death glare, who didn't see it.
Once they were before the Junior and the two Adepts, and the rest of the Graduates watching, Junior Tries began.
"You know, even though we all already know what's going on, why don't you two go ahead and explain to your fellow Graduates why you are late? Now."
Fortuna internally tensed up as she and Azreal turned to their fellow Graduates, and both of them bowed. "We are sorry for being late, we were..."
"Having sex." Azreal managed to finish while Fortuna was unable to.
"What the hell is that? Do they look like a bunch of five year olds to you? They are big boys and girls, they can handle much more colorful language than that. They have to understand exactly why you are late, again. Don't hold back now, let's hear all of the details, starting from when you first woke up this morning. I hope it's at least an entertaining story that is worth my time."
FUCK YOU!!!! Fortuna's mind shouted. And FUCK YOU TOO AZREAL!!!!
Although Azreal mostly led the way with the story (and thankfully he was lying about the smaller details, though what he was saying was still enough for Fortuna to blush badly), the Junior eventually forced Fortuna to share some details of her own, though she had a very hard time with this.
When the humiliation was over, the Junior spoke up.
"That's a very interesting story you two. Perhaps tomorrow we'll come here at five instead of six and you two can give us a live demonstration of your exercises that plenty of us would be eager to watch. Now, get back in formation! Now!"
"Yes Junior!" Azreal and Fortuna responded in unison as they fell back in the formation.
"Now, obviously I was joking about watching our special ones perform. I was not, however, joking about our time tomorrow. I expect everyone here at five tomorrow instead of six, is that clear Graduates?"
"Yes Junior!"
With that out of the way, the Junior moved on and led the Graduates in a number of morning exercises, including running, combat sparring, and large group exercises which carried on until nine, running a total of a little less than three hours. By the time they were done, most were exhausted almost to the point of collapse, and even the sturdier ones Junior Tries were sweating and short of breath.
This, however, did not impede Junior Tries' voice once he had the Graduates boxed before him once again.
"Thanks to our special Graduates who are too good to arrive on time, we didn't get to do all of the exercises I had planned. But thankfully, we will be here at five instead of six tomorrow to make up for that, is that clear Graduates?"
"Yes Junior!" The Graduates responded in unison.
"Is that clear Graduate Azreal? This does apply to you."
"Yes Junior!" Azreal shouted.
"Graduate Fortuna, is all of this understood?"
"Yes Junior!" Fortuna shouted.
"Good. Classes begin at eleven at the assembly theater. I dare someone to be late, for any reason. Even if you lose your leg, show up with your removed leg and then you will be dismissed to be taken care of. I also recommend being smart and not try and get a quick fuck in between, is that clear Graduate Fortuna and Graduate Azreal?"
"Yes Junior!" Both Fortuna and Azreal answered in unison."
"We'll see. Dismissed!" Junior Tries announced as he and the two Adepts turned and began walking away.
The Graduates all breathed a sigh of relief, finally done for the morning. And Fortuna was only to happy to try and slip away, but was intercepted by Beasley almost instantly.
"What the fuck is wrong with you? Seriously, close your fucking legs and-"
"Fuck you Beasley! Just shut the fuck up and go away!" That was all Fortuna needed, Beasley's overbearing ass. Ever since the Graduates had arrived, Beasley had somehow forced the notion that she was the de facto leader of the Graduates, and was always ripping at everyone whenever she could just as she was doing now.
Fucking cunt.
"Look, Beasley, it was me alright? If you want to blame someone, blame me." Azreal said as he cut in between the two girls.
Although Fortuna appreciated the gesture, she was still very pissed at Azreal.
"You! You by far are the worst. Bullshit like this from you is to be expected, but I expected better from her!" Beasley shouted as she gestured to Fortuna.
The Graduates had begun gathering around very quickly, eager to see the unfolding cat fight.
"Look, just chill-"
"Fuck off Azreal. I don't even need to speak to you, I'm here for her." Beasley shot back.
"Come and get me, fucking bitch! Don't be angry because-"
"ENOUGH!" Aegis thundered as he basically shoved Azreal aside and stood in between the two girls, his green eyes shooting back and forth, daring someone to challenge him.
No one could really explain it. Aegis barely spoke, never asked for much, and basically is considered unapproachable. But his power and skilled could not be denied, and was universally respected by the Graduates. (One could also say fear was mixed in with that respect, for no one really knew what had happened at the Tournament. All they knew is that if Aegis went on a rampage like that again...)
Beasley may be the de facto leader most of the time, but when Aegis spoke up, especially in this capacity, he became the unquestionable leader of the Graduates.
Beasley, however, as she had done before, directly challenged Aegis' authority. "No, we deal with this right now and figure out what to do. I, nor anyone else want to be here at five in the fucking morning because they're too busy fucking!"
"I'm not disagreeing with you, but you are going about it in the wrong way. If you continue to throw around your anger, I will simply force you to throw it at me."
"Fuck-"
"Your point has been made loud and clear, and it will not be ignored. Again, if you cannot control your anger, then I will take action to help you do so, understood?"
Beasley hesitated, for Aegis made his own point loud and clear. She would have to either check herself, or try to fight Aegis right here and now. And that was something Beasley did not want to try.
"Fine." Beasley spat.
Aegis next turned to Fortuna and Azreal, with Fortuna still unable to get over just how fucking hot Aegis is. She found herself partially wishing that Aegis would 'punish' her thoroughly as he spoke to herself and Azreal.
"For right now, we, meaning us Graduates-" He began with a quick turn to Beasley, who was shooting daggers with her eyes but remained silent, and Aegis turned back to Fortuna and Azreal.
"-will not talk about this subject for the remainder of the day. Obviously, it will probably be brought up at some point or another, but for right now, we won't get into it. Later on this evening, when we cool our heads and come up with some ideas, both myself and Beasley will sit down with both of you and we will talk about this. Is that acceptable?" Aegis asked, to which both Fortuna and Azreal nodded, and Aegis next turned to Beasley, who seemed a little more calm, though her irritation was plain for all to see.
Beasley, however, nodded in agreement. "Fine."
"Good. Then let's get ready for the classes."
The classes had been torture at best, since all of it was basically reviews on how to fight the enemy, along with all the drills that came as they reviewed everything in detail, and basically all they have done since the Graduates had arrived.
It wasn't as though Fortuna never paid attention or blew it off entirely, and had taken the information to heart when she had first learned of it. But at this point, it was being forcibly beaten into her, and was becoming more of a pain in the ass than any sort of help.
It wasn't until it was close to seven at night when they were dismissed for the night, and they had to be at the fields again tomorrow at fucking five in the morning.
Thanks a fucking lot Azreal, that has been something Fortuna had been repeating in her mind through the day as she relived the torment of this morning a number of times, especially during class time when it had been brought up by their instructors on a semi regular basis through the day, embarrassing Fortuna to no end.
And now, Aegis had pulled herself, Azreal, and Beasley together as promised, and were standing together along the side of the assembly theater with no one else within ear shot.
"First thing is first, are we calm?" Aegis asked once they were together, his eyes slowly moving back and forth between Fortuna and Beasley.
Beasley gave a firm nod, while Fortuna slowly nodded.
"Good." Aegis acknowledged, turning to both Azreal and Fortuna.
"Now, Beasley made a good point this morning, you two being late in the manner that you have twice this week is simply unacceptable. Do you two agree with this statement?" Aegis asked.
Fortuna nodded as did Azreal, though Fortuna spoke up. "Actually, I don't think there will be a problem since Azreal and I are done."
"Seriously!? Okay, fine, I was the one who fucked up, alright? But come on-"
"Look, this morning was the last straw. You're a fun and nice guy, but you also keep getting me into trouble. I'm sorry, but we're done." Fortuna had mostly avoided speaking to Azreal all day, and had come into this decision at around lunch time, but still had not spoken to Azreal. She had been too upset at him to do so.
"But-"
"I'm serious Azreal! It's over." Fortuna declared
Azreal clearly looked like he wanted to say more, but only responded with a nod.
In truth, Azreal didn't think too much of it. But it did still hurt to hear it told to him in the manner that Fortuna had.
Aegis paid particular attention to Azreal's expressions. He wasn't showing it, but Aegis could tell that this had hurt, yet again, and Aegis found himself sympathizing with Azreal. True, he wasn't the greatest of partners to date, but he still had feelings as well.
Aegis kept it in the back of his mind that he would speak to Azreal when he could. First, however...what was that sound?
"Fine, whatever." Azreal finally responded, turning his head away from all present.
"Look, you two can talk about this some other time, right now let's get back to business, and what's going to happen."
"Look, Beasley, I'll be alright, I won't be late again-"
"Right, I should most definitely trust your word."
"What the fuck is your problem Beasley? I won't be late again-"
"You two were late twice this week. I don't care what the reason was, being late is being late, and we're here to discuss how we're going to make sure that you're not late again."
"What are you going to do, fucking baby sit me? I don't-"
"Enough!" Aegis cut in suddenly, surprising everyone. For some reason, he was staring off in the distance somewhere.
"Aegis, what's-"
"Hush, and listen." Aegis followed next, and all went silent as they did what Aegis instructed.
Sure enough, there seemed to be...a distant rumbling either in the sky or far away.
"Okay, there's probably a thunderstorm going on somewhere or something. Anyway-"
"No!" Aegis cut Fortuna off, as both his and Beasley's face went a little grim. "No, it can't be a thunderstorm. The rumbling is too consistent to be thunder, which strikes at random. And if I'm not mistaken, that rumbling is getting closer, and sounds like it's coming from the North Sea."
Fortuna's heart jumped a notch. It-it can't...
"M-maybe there's a big time storm in the ocean or something." Fortuna said quickly, panic now finding it's way into her voice.
"I'm sorry Fortuna, but I think you understand it as well. That rumbling is not natural."
Yes she did. It was dawning on her very quickly. There was no way that was natural.
Those were Tech flyers.
The war had finally come to them.
"ALL PRIMARY DAY CREW BARRIER TEAMS ARE TO REPORT TO THEIR POSITIONS IMMEDIATELY! ALL OTHER TEAMS ARE ON STANDBY! I REPEAT, ALL PRIMARY DAY CREW BARRIER TEAMS ARE TO REPORT TO THEIR POSITIONS IMMEDIATELY! ALL OTHER TEAMS ARE ON STANDBY!"
The multiple voices shouted as they passed the message and the scramble began.
Aegis looked to Azreal. "That's us, let's get going."
Azreal nodded. "Right behind you." Azreal said as both he and Aegis began sprinting.
"You alright Azreal?" Aegis asked while they were on the move.
"Yeah, it sucks, but it happens. I'll live. Besides, even I know that has to be put aside for the moment if this is real."
Fortuna's mind was spinning as she watched Aegis and Azreal dash into the night, followed shortly by the formation of the barrier around NorthRend.
Barriers were a very complicated form of magic in the Magi world, and carry similar properties of the World Gates. Firstly, a human, or even multiple humans alone are not capable of manipulating their magic into a solid form such as barriers, and are only able to use the elements to channel their power. So, like the World Gates, the power needed to be funneled through something which could create the barrier.
This was done through several obelisks made of pure marble scattered in a large circle which surrounded all of NorthRend at multiple points, both for maximum area coverage as well as those to serve as backups should the primary barrier obelisks be damaged or destroyed. Inscribed on each of these obelisks, like the World Gates, are actually a series of mathematical equations in the form of shapes. Though the shapes on the obelisks were not quite as complex as those on the World Gates, to most, they would appear little more than a bunch of lines, circles, triangles and such. But to those who understood it after years of study, what they saw was the range, area, and even the power of the barrier that would be produced by the obelisk when used.
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