*After a bit more driving, Dust and Jin were near the walls of the kingdom. As they exited the car, Jin looked up to see a plane landing on the wall*
(Jin): Whoa.
(Dust): You don’t see that every day. Welcome to the Walls, rookie. Headquarters of the Red Vermillion and Blue Dragon Order.
(Jin): My class took a trip here when I was at the academy. I didn’t know this place functioned as the base for the Blue Dragon Order as well.
(Dust): Both orders operate outside of the kingdom. So, it’s important that they’re near the Walls.
(Jin): Yeah, I read about that. The Red Vermillion Order protects the settlements, guards the walls, and deals with Eclipse extermination near and around the kingdom. The Blue Dragon order is our army. The pride and joy of the kingdom. They protect us from other kingdoms, survey new areas to expand the kingdom, and take down much larger Eclipses in the area.
(Dust): Nicely said rookie. The turtle and the tiger protect the people. While the bird and the dragon protect the walls and the land.
(Jin): And the eye?
(Dust): We watch to make sure everyone is doing what they’re supposed to be doing.
*Dust and Jin walk to a door on the wall which is being guarded by two knights. Dust and Jin present their licenses to the knights who check over them and allow them to enter the Walls. Once inside, the doors close behind them and they see a bunch of knights working at desks, computers, or driving around in mini cars or Segway*
(Jin): This place is even more impressive than the last time I was here.
(Dust): Like what you see? The Walls work as one big network. Allows the knights to travel around the city fast. There’s even an underground system to help you get to the streets quicker in case of emergencies.
*Jin and Dust continue to walk where they see mechanics performing maintenance on cars that the knights use to drive outside of the kingdom. The two eventually come to an elevator and enter where they see the emblems of the Red Vermillion and Blue Dragon Order on the wall. The Red Vermillion Order was of a red bird with its flaming wings spread wide and in its talons was a spear. The emblem of the Blue Dragon Order was the face of a blue dragon above two axes that were crisscrossing each other. The elevator took them up a few levels where they exit the elevator and enter into a hangar area where planes were either landing or taking off. Dust and Jin ascend some stairs and spot a human woman with dark skin talking to some men. The woman wore black jeans, a black top, and a short-sleeved red jacket with the Red Vermillion emblem on the sleeves. Her hair was lime green that was tied in a ponytail and her bangs were covering her right eye which was purple. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Dust and smiled running over to Jin and Dust*
(Dark-skinned woman): Well, well. If it isn’t Dust Balor.
(Dust): Hello Kurai. I see you’re full of spirit as ever.
*Dust and Kurai bump fists with each other*
(Kurai): Got to hand it to you, you look good in that suit.
(Dust): And you look good in that red jacket. I see things are as busy as ever around here.
(Kurai): You can say that. Five Eclipse nests were taken out this week. Mercenaries causing trouble in settlements and an escaped convict on the loose. It’s honestly one thing after another here. Who’s the new guy?
(Dust): Kurai, this is Jin Hephaestus. Jin, this is Kurai Gawain, stand-in commander of the Red Vermillion Order.
(Jin): A pleasure to meet you.
*Jin and Kurai shake hands*
(Dust): Jin here is the newest member of our order.
(Kurai): Oho~, so you’re the new guy Amarti and Morrison were after. Nice to meet ya. If you ever need any help or feel like changing orders let me know. The Red Vermillion Order is always looking for new faces.
(Dust): Don’t go trying to poach our new recruit, Kurai.
(Kurai): Hey, it’s the least I can do after he helped saved Sera. By the way, thanks for that. You guys saved us from going into a possible war.
(Dust): Why would you send her out there on such a dangerous mission in the first place?
(Kurai): I didn’t know. All I was told was that a soldier needed rescuing. I thought it was a routine search and rescue mission. Sera was the only knight close to the vicinity, so she was my only choice. If I had known it was a spy she was rescuing I would have sent someone else. Bradley gave me false information.
(Dust): Figures. That idiot probably passed the mission to you guys in order to shift blame in case the spy never made it out alive.
(Jin): Who’s Bradley?
(Kurai): He’s a vice-commander in the Blue Dragon Order. Don’t let his ranking fool you. That guy is a pain to deal with. Always looking down on everyone around him and taking credit for successful missions without doing anything.
(Dust): Watch what you do and say around him. He’s a guy you can’t fully trust.
(Kurai): Speak of the devil, here he comes now.
*Dust, Kurai, and Jin were approached by an overweight middle-aged man who had brown hair on the sides of his head but was bald on his forehead. He had a brown handlebar mustache and blue eyes. He was wearing a blue army uniform with his badges showing his ranking and black shoes*
(Bradley): Good day to you Kurai. I see you’re humoring the members of Black Tortoise.
(Kurai): I find their company more pleasing than you.
(Dust): Hello Bradley. I see you still haven’t figured out what a salad is.
(Bradley): Watch your mouth, elf! Don’t let me look up your history. I’m sure I can find something to try you for treason with.
(Dust): Go ahead, just be sure that whoever you send after me has lived a fulfilling life. Also, I believe you owe us a thank you for cleaning up your mess.
(Bradley): Thank you? Hardly, because of you guys I lost one of my best spies. I can’t believe he died saving some merfolk.
(Kurai): Excuse me? That merfolk happens to be a member of my order. I will not allow you to speak ill of her. Zeke’s death still haunts her, but she is doing everything in her power to move forward.
(Bradley): Whatever. I was asked to come and get you two by order of General Bedivere. He has something important to discuss with us. He’s waiting in his office.
(Dust): Alright. After you.
(Bradley): You’ll always be after me.
*Bradley begins to walk off with Dust and Kurai following him. Jin also tries to follow, but Bradley stops him*
(Bradley): And where do you think you’re going? This is a private matter. I don’t have time to babysit.
*It was at this moment that Jin was starting to see what Kurai and Dust were talking about when they said he was a pain to deal with. It’s amazing that no one has punched him in the face yet*
(Dust): It’s alright, rookie. Go get the paperwork we came here for.
(Kurai): I can have someone show you around. Hey Sera.
*Sera came over after hearing her name being called*
(Sera): Yes Lady Kurai. Oh! Jin, so good to see you again.
(Jin): Likewise.
(Kurai): Sera. Take him to the office to get the monthly paperwork and show him around if you don’t mind.
(Sera): Yes ma’am.
*Sera began to lead Jin to the office for the paperwork while Bradley led Dust and Kurai to Bedivere’s office*
***
*A few moments later, Dust and Kurai had arrived in the office of General Bedivere. He was a tall middle-aged man who was rather muscular. He had short wavy black hair with grey streaks in it, blue eyes with a monocle over the right eye, and a full black beard that covered his face. He wore an opened long trench coat that was half blue and half black. His pants were black and he wore a black buttoned shirt with the top two buttons unhooked that slightly showed a scar above his left pec*
(Bedivere): Ah~, I’ve been expecting you.
*Kurai and Bradley salute Bedivere while Dust just waves*
(Dust): How’s it going, Wally?
(Bradley): Watch your mouth you filthy elf! Show some respect to the general of Brister’s army!
(Bedivere): At ease, Bradley. Trying to get him to properly address me is a battle not even I can win. Thank you for bringing them. You’re dismissed.
*Bradley gets a shocked look on his face as he thought he would be included in the meeting*
(Bradley): But sir, I thought I would be-
(Dust): General Bedivere issued a command. You are dismissed for now.
*Kurai quietly chuckles at Dust’s statement as Bradley gets a disgruntled look on his face before leaving as he grumbled under his breath*
(Bedivere): *Chuckles* That’s the fifth time you’ve properly addressed me. It’s been a while, Dust. How’s Morrison?
(Dust): Doing good, he’s still determined to outlive you. We also have-
(Bedivere): A new member of the order. I saw. The grandson of Arthur Hephaestus. Not a bad find. I’m curious to see what you’ll do with him. Anyway, getting back on topic, I have a mission for all of us. I’m hoping to have the full support of Red Vermillion and Shadow Eye.
(Kurai): What’s the mission, general?
(Bedivere): It involves the information our spy found in Hargus.
***
*While Dust and Kurai were talking to Bedivere, Jin was receiving a tour of the facility with Sera. The two had already stopped by the office to retrieve the papers. They were entering a part of the facility where a few knights were either training, sparring against one another, or lifting weights*
(Sera): We’re now entering the training hall. This is where the knights come to train and spar with one another. I’m told we have the latest training equipment.
(Jin): Woah. This is one nice facility.
(Sera): Jin, I am curious, have you been fully accepted into your order?
(Jin): The Black Tortoise Order? Of course.
(Sera): No, I mean, the other order?
(Jin): Oh that. Yes. But please don’t tell anyone about it.
(Sera): Do not worry. I haven’t told a soul. I told everyone that the knights who helped me were just members of the other orders. Your secret is safe with me.
(Jin): *Sigh* Thanks. How have you been though? Lady Kurai said you’ve had a hard time moving on since that event.
(Sera): Yes. It has been a difficult road, but I am slowly getting better. Everyone has checked up on me periodically and the therapy has been helpful. I am confident I will return to the field.
(Jin): How did your parents respond to this?
(Sera): I have kept this a secret from them as well as my grandfather. An error like this could impact the treaty and I do not wish to cut ties with Brister. I have grown quite fond of this kingdom, its people, and culture. I wish to continue a lasting relationship as much as possible.
(Jin): I hope so too. I did a little research into Calisto island. It’s a beautiful place. I would love to visit it someday.
(Sera): And I would love to show it one day.
*As they continued to talk a human girl their age approaches them with red hair tied in a ponytail and blue eyes. She had on brown knee-high boots, black short shorts jeans, a white long-sleeved blouse with a red vest that had the emblem of the Red Vermillion order on it and brown gloves. She had a towel in her hand to wipe the sweat off her face and had a spear on her back*
(Red-haired girl): Hello Sera, doing alright today?
(Sera): I’m doing fine, Scarlet. Doing some training?
(Scarlet): Yes. I just finished. Who’s your friend?
(Sera): Oh! I’m sorry. Jin, this is Scarlet. Scarlet, this is Jin. He’s one of the knights who helped me back at Messner Village.
*Jin and Scarlet shake hands*
(Scarlet): Thank you so much for helping her. When I heard what happened to Sera, I was so worried. I didn’t know what to do.
(Jin): It was nothing. I didn’t really do much there.
*Jin slightly blushed while talking to Scarlet. Jin had to admit that she was pretty. Her looks were on par with Sera*
(Scarlet): Hmm~, you look familiar. Have we met?
(Jin): I doubt it. I’m a new knight. Just recently graduated from the academy.
(Scarlet): Me too!
(Jin): Are you kidding!? We must have taken our tests around the same time. We were probably in a few classes together as well.
(Scarlet): Yeah, I think I remember you in Professor Kensworth’s chemistry lab. You burned your hands on some dry ice.
*Jin’s blush intensifies*
(Jin): How was I supposed to know it was dry ice? A sign would have been helpful.
*Sera and Scarlet laugh at Jin’s statement. Hoping to change the topic he noticed Scarlet’s spear*
(Jin): So, is that your main weapon, Scarlet?
(Scarlet): Oh this? Yes. This is Crimson Flash. It’s been my loyal companion for years.
(Jin): Mind if I inspect it?
(Scarlet): Not at all.
*Scarlet hands Crimson Flash over to Jin who slowly inspects the weapon. He admires the beauty and craftsmanship of the weapon. He can tell that weapon was maintained well and used properly by Scarlet. However, his blacksmith senses noticed something was off*
(Jin): Hmm~, it looks like the grip is fairly weak around here. The pole is off balance too.
*Jin points to an area on the spear*
(Scarlet): Yes, I’ve noticed that too whenever I’m training or out in the field. I took it to our maintenance crew, but they said nothing was wrong.
(Jin): Then apparently, they’re not looking at it correctly.
*Jin takes out a piece of metal from his jacket pocket and places it on the pole of the spear. He concentrates on the weakened grip area and reinforces it with the metal to make it an easier weapon to grip and put in a function that makes the pole retract*
(Jin): Here you go.
*Jin hands the spear back to Scarlet who is amazed and shocked by her new spear*
(Jin): I fixed up the grip, so you won’t have any problems holding the weapon now and added in a retracting function. You can now place the spear on your weapon and can change the length at will with your magic. Just simply focus on the spear and imagine the length you want it to be at.
*Nodding her head, Scarlet focuses on the spear and the length she would like it to be. Red magic particles form on the spear as it begins to extend to the length that Scarlet wanted it to be with small flames bursting from the spear*
(Sera): Whoa.
*Scarlet smiles at the spear and does a few fundamental moves to get a feel for the weapon*
(Jin): How does it feel?
(Scarlet): It feels great! This is the best it’s felt in a long time! This retraction function is also helpful as well. How did you do that?
(Jin): I come from a long line of blacksmiths, so this work is easy for me.
(Scarlet): Thank you so much. How much for the service?
(Jin): Oh, no charge at all.
(Dust): If anything he should be apologizing for modifying your weapon without permission.
*Dust and Kurai walk towards Jin and the others*
(Dust): Flirting on the job. What am I gonna do with you? Can I assume you got the papers?
(Jin): Yes sir. Right here.
*Jin holds up the folder with the papers inside*
(Dust): Good job, rookie. Come on, we got to report back to the office immediately. Kurai, it was nice seeing you again. You too, Sera.
(Kurai): Likewise. Looking forward to working with you.
(Sera): It was nice seeing you both again.
(Scarlet): Thank you for the new spear enhancements. It was nice meeting you.
(Jin): Likewise. Hopefully, we can see each other again.
*Dust and Jin walk off towards the elevator*
(Jin): So, about that back there.
(Dust): No need to explain. You decided to show off in front of the ladies. I can respect that. Still, you’ve got guts going after a Helios.
(Jin): Helios? You mean she’s a relative of Leon?
(Dust): Not just any relative, that’s Leon’s little sister, Scarlet Helios. They call her the Crimson Amazon. She’s a fighting prodigy if there ever was one. Got the highest marks on the knight exam.
(Jin): For real!?
*Dust and Jin enter the elevator*
(Dust): Yep. She blew everyone away. She’s been on everyone’s radar ever since she entered the academy. Once she graduated every order was crawling to get her to join them. Everyone thought she was going to follow in her brother’s footsteps and join the White Tiger Order, but she gave everyone a swerve and joined the Red Vermillion Order. On top of that she’s a beauty. Apparently, she’s the number one new hottie among the rookie knights.
(Jin): You’re telling me I’m in over my head aren’t I?
(Dust): Yes. But, hey you never know. You may just catch lightning in a bottle. She seemed interested in you.
(Jin): I doubt it, I’m pretty sure she was just being nice.
*Dust and Jin exit the elevator as well as the Wall. They get in the car and begin to drive off*
(Dust): So, now that you’ve seen the other orders. What did you think of them?
(Jin): Well I’ll say this, out of all the orders I think our order may be the strangest of the bunch.
(Dust): Oh, that was never in doubt.
(Jin): Still, I think out of all the orders, Shadow Eye fits me the best. If I had been in any other order I would have been out of place. With Shadow Eye, everything just feels right. If I had the choice, I think I would choose Shadow Eye all over again.
(Dust): Naturally. We’re a collection of strange people as well who you’ll never be bored around.
*Jin chuckles at Dust’s statement while Dust smiles*
(Jin): So, what did General Bedivere want to talk to you about?
(Dust): I’ll fill you in on the details later. Let’s just say we’re going to be busy in the next few days.
Author’s Notes: Well did everyone enjoy their side trip around Brister? You got to see the other orders and meet a few interesting people who will no doubt play a role in some form or another as the story progresses. One thing I personally enjoyed about these chapters is allowing the characters to interact with each other. It’s always fun to come up with good dialog with them, develop their personalities, and how they bounce off each other. I especially love working on Dust’s dialog. He’s one of these guys who doesn’t care about what your status in life is, if he doesn’t like you or respect you he’s going to give you a difficult time, but he’ll show signs of kindness and care for others when he feels like it. He’s someone you can always believe because he has no reason to BS you. Get ready for the next chapter as we begin the last arc for this volume. The action will be picking back up again and new characters will be arriving. Thanks for reading as always and I’ll see you all soon.