Manifest War: The Weapons Within

On an isolated grassy field within the Castle de Belouis garden, stood a fairly large sized table sitting next to a vine covered rotunda. The cream colored table cloth gleamed in the late afternoon sun, while the skirt of it slowly swayed from the breeze. Sitting at the table was Queen Azhane Belouis and a couple of her long time friends, Trisha Cartwright (daughter of Viscount Samuel Cartwright) and Vanessa Des Moines (daughter of famous Volairen fashion icon, Cristina Des Moines).

The lavish dresses and expensive jewelry they wore signaled that the two were from very esteemed and rich backgrounds. The three of them were sharing some tea and catching up with one another.

“I must say, days like these are unmatched. The cool spring breeze never fails during this time in Volaire.” Vanessa said as she happily sipped her tea, enjoying the calming weather.

“Yes, you’re right. It always feels like all my troubles just melt away.” Trisha responded, gently brushing her long blonde hair with her hands.

“I'm glad you all find it so comforting out here. Enjoy these days while they last, Summer isn’t too far away.”

Azhane let out a light chuckle as she turned her head, looking out at the massive garden in the distance.

“Of course we’re comfortable. I swear, this is the only place my father will let me go without guards following me around all day. Such a bother.” Trisha replied with a slight sigh, rolling her eyes deeply.

“Well yeah, there isn’t anyone stupid enough in all of Resotera to bring danger to this place. We can always count on Azhane to keep us safe.”

Vanessa couldn't help but bring up the fact that Azhane’s power as a Calamity Class Vesta was something to be feared.

Of all the classes present in Alaira, Calamity was reserved for those with terrifying power, power so incredibly beyond most people’s comprehension. If Azhane truly wanted, she could destroy a nation with barely a sweat. Any one of the seven Calamity Class Vestas could cause catastrophic destruction if they so pleased, effortlessly laying waste to anything in their path.

“True, but you know Azhane doesn’t like to fight. She’s far too nice for combat.” Trisha remarked with a playful giggle, teasing her longtime friend.

“Hmmm, I’m not so sure about that. Remember back in our university days, when that one girl was getting messed with by Count Tracy’s rude sons? I could’ve swore Azhane was about to kill them. That temper of hers was always quite scary.”

“Ohh yeah, I remember that. Didn’t they suddenly drop out shortly after that incident too? I feel like no one has seen them since. Azhane, who was that girl you defended anyway? I forgot her name, it’s been so long.” Vanessa curiously asked, unable to fully recall that moment from the past.

Azhane didn’t respond as she continued to gaze off in the distance, not paying attention to their conversation at all.

“Azhane.. Azhane!!” They yelled, trying to get her out of the lost daze.

“Huh? Oh, so sorry. What did you ask again?” Azhane finally replied, snapping out of her distracted thoughts.

“It’s nothing, just making sure you’re still with us.”

As they giggled at her fairly aloof nature, Azhane gave them a reassuring smile and nod, taking a small sip of her tea.

“By the way, are you sure it’s okay for us to still call you by your first name? Feels odd with you being Queen now.” Trisha asked, feeling nervous about the potential disrespect.

“Yes, of course. Little, unofficial meetings like this I definitely prefer things to remain informal. Honestly, I’m still not really used to the whole ‘Your Majesty’ thing just yet. Still an adjustment that’s for sur-.”

Azhane couldn't finish her statement as she was suddenly interrupted by Nadine.

“Pardon me My Lady, but Graymoor of Two is here to give his report.” Nadine softly said while bowing her head. Graymoor stepped forward and bowed his head as well.

“Oh okay, thank you.”

Azhane accepted the greeting and prepared to stand from the table, setting down her pristine white teacup. In that same moment, Trisha and Vanessa gawked at Graymoor’s chiseled physique, mentally undressing him with their eyes.

“Hiiiii Graymoor.” Trisha said with a smile as she got his attention.

“Ladies.”

He smiled back with ungodly amounts of charm and bowed his head to them, keeping the greeting short. They giggled at his reply and continued to stare with a lust filled gaze.

“Well, it was so nice catching up with you all today. We'll have to do this again sometime. Now, if you’ll excuse me.”

Azhane smiled and walked away with Graymoor towards the cobblestone garden pathway. The two strolled along the path through the garden, having a discussion about various topics.

“Your Majesty, Zalthia of One has informed me that she has a lead and is digging deeper. She says that she'll be arriving in Olunas City soon.” Graymoor stated with his booming deep voice.

“I see, I see. Good to hear. She seems to have gotten information rather quickly. I wonder what lead she stumbled upon.” Azhane replied, stopping to pick a fresh blue colored rose from a bush.

She brought the rose close to her nose and admired the alluring scent coming from it. They continued to walk until suddenly, Graymoor sensed something close by that put him on alert.

He quickly and forcefully used his right arm to pull Azhane back towards him, wrapping his strong hand around her waist and pressing her body close to his side. With his left hand he summoned forth his Manifest, a long silver sword with light blue accents that glowed along the blade. He stepped forward with his left foot and shifted his body so that the Queen was further back, to protect her. Graymoor pointed his sword towards a bush a few feet in front of them and yelled with an authority filled voice.

“Show yourself!!”

The bush shook and after a brief moment, a Volairen white tailed rabbit hopped onto the path. Graymoor was shocked and slightly embarrassed as the fluffy rabbit sniffed the air before hopping away. As it moved across the path, three little baby rabbits followed behind it, sticking close to their mother. He was dumbfounded by his blunder. Azhane chuckled loudly, feeling highly entertained by Graymoor’s reaction to such an insignificant threat.

“Graymoor, don’t you think I’m more than capable enough to sense any danger coming my way?” She asked in a joking manner, teasing his over protective actions.

“Ah.. Yes, Your Majesty..” He replied, feeling embarrassed.

“Soo.. Are you going to let me go now?” Azhane wondered playfully, feeling his hand still firmly holding her waist.

Graymoor glanced over and realized he still had her tightly pressed against his body, Azhane’s face mere inches away from his. He quickly let go and immediately got on one knee, bowing his head.

“Your Majesty, I am incredibly sorry! Please forgive my forwardness.” He pleaded, feeling terrible about his actions just now. Azhane snickered and smiled, not bothered at all by his bold behavior.

“It’s fine Graymoor. Now please, let’s go back to the castle already.”

He nodded and escorted the Queen back to the entrance of the garden, just outside the rear of Castle de Belouis. She turned around to look at Graymoor and approached him, gently fastening the blue rose behind one of the buttons on his black and gold uniform.

“Thank you for saving me from such vicious rabbits, my knight.”

Azhane smiled while patting the rose, making sure it stayed in place. Graymoor snickered as he watched Azhane walk away down the hall and up the stairs. He admired her for a brief moment before heading in the opposite direction, tending to some more business he had.

Morning came and the duo went to the Ability Clinic to pick up a job. Rivell found a Topaz class rated gathering job. The listing simply gave a location of where to go and that further instructions would be provided there. They set off into the city and after walking past a couple of cottages, they arrived at a house with an old lady tending to her plants.

“Are you the ones that will be taking on my request?” She asked with a sweet, motherly smile.

“Yes ma'am! The listing said you needed something gathered?” Carmen asked, returning the smile with her own.

“I’ve been having quite a few back problems lately and I can’t seem to find the strength to make the trip anymore. I need some Grisithia leaves for a tea I often make. Care to get them for me? I’ll be sure to pay for your efforts.”

“Sure, we'll do it. Don’t you worry about anything!”

The duo headed off into the woods, carrying two empty burlap sacks. As they got deeper into the woods, Carmen tried to recall the request in her head.

“She said the herb was called Grisithia leaves right?” She asked, making sure it was the correct item.

Rivell nodded and began to describe the herb in great detail. He knew about herbs extensively and their many uses, gathering knowledge from all the books he had read growing up.

“Just follow me, I know what to look for.”

They walked a bit further until they found these bright, orange colored bushes.

“There they are!” Rivell exclaimed, rushing over to pick the colorful leaves.

He carefully picked a leaf off the bush and smiled.

“If being a Vesta means I can do simple jobs like this, I think I’ll be more than happy.”

Rivell found work related to plants and herbs like this to be quite exciting, filling him up with infinite amounts of joy.

As the duo stuffed the multitude of leaves into their bags, they heard a loud crash and boom in the distance. The sound of birds fleeing and trees falling filled the area, sounding like a dangerous altercation was taking place.

Carmen quickly and effortlessly jumped up a nearby tree, utilizing her insanely swift movement to reach the top in record time. Rivell looked amazed and confused by Carmen’s ability to move like that, having never seen anything like it before. She got to the top to scout out the area and saw a camp not too far away. There was a billow of smoke and a clear, violent commotion happening.

She hopped back down to Rivell and told him what she saw, not missing a single detail. With hurried purpose, they gathered their leaves and quickly rushed over to the camp in case people needed some help. They arrived at the scene and stayed hidden in the bushes, making sure to assess the situation first. Carmen noticed a bunch of men running around in a panic, yelling and motioning for more to enter the fray.

The men seemed to be bandits of some sort, carrying basic, handcrafted weapons and wearing cheap, leather armor that was fairly tattered and worn. As she scanned the rest of the area, Carmen saw a red-haired girl with a bow directly in the middle of the chaos. It was Sarah bolting around and fearlessly fighting the thugs.

Sarah seemed to be holding her own quite well, smacking them across the face with her bow and easily disengaging to fire off a few quick wind arrows. Sarah’s skill was impressive for her age and she was more than formidable, dodging their attacks rather easily.

As a bandit swiped his dagger in her direction, she swiftly parried the attack with her bow and in the same instance fired off an attack of her own. The teal colored wind arrow shot forward and pierced the man in the eye, causing him to stumble back in great pain as blood sprayed outward. Sarah then smacked him across the face with Marabel, knocking him out cold.

After dispatching a couple more bandits, a big muscular man came over to her location and threw sand into Sarah’s eyes the moment she noticed his presence. She stumbled back while rubbing her irritated eyes, now unable to see properly. The man towered over her as he was easily pushing seven feet tall, dwarfing Sarah and the remaining bandits in size. He forcefully grabbed her by the head, slamming it into the ground face first with terrifying vigor.

The ground shook heartily as Sarah collided with the solid dirt. She shouted out in pain and blood started leaking from her nose, dripping vigorously onto the damaged terrain. He lifted her up again and slammed her back to the floor, allowing the other bandits to gang up on her.

They punched and kicked her while she laid there, not holding anything back. Sarah desperately tried to protect her body, but the assault was from too many different angles. The muscular bandit then gripped Sarah’s leg and violently tossed her into the base of a nearby tree. At this point, Sarah was severely beaten and bloodied, barely able to even get to her feet.

Just as she struggled to stand, Carmen sprung into action, landing in between Sarah and the bandit leader. Sarah was extremely surprised to see Carmen there, not expecting anyone to assist her in that moment.

“You shouldn’t be here! It’s too dangerous. Get out of here!” She painfully yelled, clutching her stomach tightly. Carmen looked over her shoulder at Sarah and smirked with great confidence.

“Don’t worry about me. I can handle them.”

She fixed her gaze onto the bandits in front of her and with the speed of a nimble bird, she began her assault. Dipping and dodging their punches and dispatching them one by one.

Carmen dashed towards a bandit and leapt into the air, dive kicking him in the process. As he got knocked to the ground, she immediately swept another bandit's legs from under him and punched him in the face as he landed on his back.

Another enemy approached close behind her and she quickly sent him flying back using her gravity manipulation, force pushing him into a nearby tree. Then, immediately, she targeted another bandit and began to fight him, quickly defeating him. Her skilled hand to hand combat was on full display and the weak assailants had no answer to it.

“Just who the hell is this girl? How can she fight this well as an unawakened? Never seen anything like it.” Sarah said with a highly impressed look on her face.

“Psst! Sarah! Over here.”

Rivell loudly whispered from the bushes, motioning for her to come over. Sarah slowly hobbled her way towards him and Rivell quickly summoned forth his Manifest.

He turned to a specific page and placed his hand on it as Core Energy rushed outwards. A green circle formed around them with green petals covering Sarah completely, swirling in the wind. Her wounds began to miraculously heal at a rapid rate, sealing all cuts and fading her bruises. Sarah was amazed by the power of this Manifest, almost at a loss for words.

“Holy hell! Rivell, this is incredible! I didn’t think your healing ability would be like this!” She said with great excitement as she examined her fresh body. The petals dissipated and the circle faded away, signaling that the healing process had completed.

Sarah was good as new, in fact, she felt better than she had in years. Sarah thanked Rivell and moments later they heard Carmen yell out while she was fighting the muscle head of a bandit leader.

“So, uh, can I get some help here!?”

Carmen sidestepped his slow but powerful punches and quickly counter hit with punches of her own. However, his body was solid as a rock, causing her jabs to do no damage. Despite her speed, Carmen’s blows did nothing more than tickle and annoy the man. She decided to back out a little, creating space between them, and glared at her opponent with her green eyes.

“Hey Carmen, you think you can hold him for a bit? I've got something for this roided up bastard!” Sarah asked, ready to help in this fight.

Carmen nervously nodded and extended both of her hands, palms aimed forward.

The bandit leader rapidly dropped to his knees from a sudden burst of heavy gravitational force on his shoulders. He yelled out with great annoyance, now fully unable to stand. Sarah quickly materialized her Manifest and aimed the bow at the bandit leader from a decent distance.

Now that the tables had begun to turn back in Sarah's favor, she was prepared to unleash something that would shake the very foundations of this entire camp.