Solar Eclipse

6

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This is the life
Bo bo bo bo bo
This is the life
Bo bo bo bo bo
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(Roman's POV)
"Now when I say to do so, I want you all to pick up your swords. Hold them tight, let it become part of you," over thirty men and women stood in neat rows on the training grounds, their swords sat next to them.

Virgil and I sent word out to the nearby villages in hopes to build our army. Within days many came to the gate, carrying staffs and pitchforks, ready to join us and fight.

"Everyone pick up your sword." The group lifted up their weapons, a few having much trouble.

Emilia, standing amongst the other trainees, picked up the sword with relative ease and gripping it firmly.

"Let the sword become a part of you," I walked around watching the group as they tried to use their sword.

We had a lot of work today.

A young man, around my age, dropped his sword with the hilt stubbing his toe through the worn leather boot. He yelped in pain, gripping his foot tightly.

To the other side of the grounds, another fellow held the sword, yet stared at it. He merely held it in front of him without moving a single muscle. It was a bit unnerving.

As I continued to scan the group, my eyes kept flickering between two: Virgil, who was helping an older woman grip her sword, and Emilia.

She moved as though she had been holding a sword since birth. Her footwork was almost flawless; a few steps here and there that easily could be countered, but still a very strong foundation to build from.

Quietly, I walked up to her, tapping her shoulder. She flinched slightly at my touch before turning to face me, a small smile on her face.

Emilia wore her hair differently now. No longer was it down with perfect, neat curls. Now she wore it in a messy, pulled back ponytail, a few wisps of hair sticking out from different angles.

"Everything alright?" She questioned, leaning on the swords hilt as it dug into the ground. Her feet crossed slightly, the tip of a boot, with her trousers tucked in, seeming to barely graze the surface.

"You know how to use a sword," the royal shrugged, lifting the sword up and into her hand.

"Maybe I do, maybe I don't," a quick step forward gave me my answer. Instantly, as if instinctively, Emilia moved into stance; the edge of the sword tipped downward, hips turned just slightly. She was ready to fight.

"Who taught you?" The princess shrugged.

"What? A princess can't learn to defend themselves?" Taken aback, it took a while for me to answer.

"That's not it at all. I know your father and he isn't a fighting type of man. So who taught you?" She refused to speak, turning away and instead focusing on practicing quick attacks with her blade, "Emilia.."

She kept her back to me, continuing her practice. It was odd seeing her so irritated. What did I do to upset her? 

Continuing to walk around and watch the new recruits, my eyes caught sight of Virgil now helping a young boy with his stance. He had a smile on his face as he knelt down to move their foot. The young boy almost fell, however the raven haired man caught him. It was odd seeing him in such a way.

Every time we had interacted had been during stressful times so seeing him so calm was, in a way, nice? 

After a bit, Virgil looked up, meeting my gaze just for a brief moment. I was the first to look away. There was a small chuckle from him. When I looked back he was helping the boy once more, though his eyes wandered to me every once in a while.

Making my way to the front of the group, I took a deep breath ready to give them the rest of the day off. I needed to talk with Emilia and Virgil.

"Alright everyone!" My voice boomed over the grounds, "You've worked really hard today! I'm proud of you all. That is why I am giving you the rest of today to rest," A couple of cheers broke out in the group, "Get some sleep everyone! Tomorrow, the real work begins."

That was true. With each passing day, Remus and Malick grew stronger. I worry that soon they could be almost impossible to stop.

Deep in my thoughts, it took a small shove to break me from the trance. To my left, looking at me quizzically, stood Virgil.

"You doing alright?" I nodded, though I'm sure he didn't believe it.

"Just thinking." Virgil sighed.

"Hmm I thought I smelled something burning. Must've been your brain not used to being put to work I guess." The violet eyed man shrugged holding back a laugh. Normally a comment like that would have caused a grin from ear to ear followed by uncontrollable laughter, but not today.

V nudged me again.

"Are you sure you're alright?" With a quick exhale and a fake smile, I looked back over at V.

"Everything is just A ok! Never better..." looking around, I whispered softly in his ear, "though we all need to have a discussion later about the new fighters." He nodded in understanding.

We had a long road ahead of us.

"So..." Virgil started, "Emilia is a fighter huh?"

"Apparently," the two of us started working on cleaning up the grounds of forgotten swords and a single boot. I lifted it up, showing it to V.

He simply chuckled.

"Princey looking for his one booted Cinderella?"

Down on one knee, the worn boot was held dramatically in the air, my free hand softly tracing the seams.

"Oh how I wish to one day find the person of whom fits this boot." A dramatic sigh left my lips.

Virgil fell to the dirt in a fit of laughter. He lifted both his feet up showing both off his thick leather boots.

"Looks like I'm safe from you. No loose boots today," I couldn't help but laugh at the comment. It was so childish and idiotic, "Everyone look! The man still knows how to smile!" With a roll of my eyes, I lifted myself up and off the ground, dusting away the small bits of dirt on my trousers.

Virgil got up as well, dusting himself off before joining me. In his hands were a few swords leftover.

"Its surprising how people forget something that is important," he lifted up one of the weapons, "like this. You would think someone would understand its importance but..." the ravenette places the swords on a stand nearby, "nope."

I chuckled. He really seemed a lot more relaxed.

"So," he started, "meeting with the others?" I nod in agreement.

"There is a lot to discuss,"

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Holo

K hard question
Who are yalls favorite sides?
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