Broken Providence

(9) Yearlong Wait of the Destined One

"It's almost time, isn't it, May'Qli?"

~One year later~

Claire stepped out to her quarters to find soldiers running the front buildings of Trinity. She marveled at the sight and remembered that she had only seen Trinity so rushed once before this. When that Trinity building near the former frontlines was destroyed and they rushed to save and bring the survivors. Her heart hurt softly when she remembered that Arielle came from that chaos. She just appeared, scared out of her mind, without anyone to care for her. She smiled and nodded holding her heart. She was trying to learn to live. She stopped a lower-ranking soldier and asked her what was going on. The soldier saluted and responded.

"Lieutenant colonel De Lune! A foreigner showed up at the doors, asking to speak with Lady Monarch. They got past the guards and the towers and all our defense... we're gearing up because we don't know their full strength or intention and the slight chance of siege," the private said before saluting and leaving to go get their weapon.

Just how powerful are they-

Claire looked around and saw Belm from afar in her general's disciple uniform, she was now general Ameno Bultorni's disciple, a core position that holds the second strongest in the element. Suddenly the speakers screeched but a voice began to say.

"Officers classified as Majors and up, please report to the throne room for a special meeting..." they began to repeat the statement while Claire quickly went and got changed into her strategic lieutenant colonel uniform.

-----

"I am the Paladin," The stranger said. Their cape covered them entirely. "I have come to aid Trinity in taking down the Infernal Kingdom," She said raising a hand to her chest. High-ranking officers stood at the edges of the room. Lady Monarch narrowed her eyes and stared at the Paladin's mask. She sat on a stage above everyone else, six generals sat at a level below her like little pawns to the queen.

"Who sends you?" Lady Monarch spoke aloud. The paladin shook her head. The white short whips of her hair moved, and her pointy dark ears pointed out. everyone wondered about the face behind the half grey and half blue mask, and if the horns were real.

"No one has sent me. I come alone to join the rebellion, to put a stop to this war," Paladin said smoothly. "I just wish to aid in your-" she stopped,  "-battle," she finished. Murmurs echoed from the officers in the dark, but the generals remained still and almost lifeless. The generals too wore masks, each having a different color in their trinity logo.

"If you are true to your word, then I must witness your skill to allow you to fight with this rebellion," she said angling to see how powerful this stranger was. "General Electro Ephiatles, would you like to test the soldier?" She called out to one of the generals. A general directly below her looked up from the ground and peered at the Paladin.

"If you'll allow it, lady Monarch may I substitute my disciple?" They asked, their voice almost sounding like a child. Before Lady Monarch could respond, General Ameno Bultorni raised their hand and cleared his throat.

"If you'll allow it, I would like to use my disciple," he said with slight amusement. Lady monarch sat still.

"I'll allow it," she said waving her hand. Bultorni glanced at Belm and nodded. "A superb choice," Lady Monarch commented as Belm stepped forward with her two short swords hand in hand.

"no weapons. Let's see how you do against our best trained in hand combat," Lady Monarch grinned. The paladin released her cape to reveal light armor protecting her and a harness holding a teapot. she unhooked the harness and set the teapot gently beside her. She unfastened the belt she had on and laid It out on the floor. Belm gave a soldier her swords and they entered the ring.

Belm and the Paladin circled each other, waiting for the first strike. The paladin turned when Claire entered the room. Belm took this as a chance and shot forward. Paladin easily dodged it and with two fingers they lunged toward Belm touching her lower back. Belm moved but it was too late. Paladin broke Belm's balance and quickly swiped her legs to make Belm fall and she did. Hard. Paladin stood up straight and held a hand out to the fallen proud Belm. Belm stood up on her own and brushed past Aleodei's shoulder harshly with hers.

Belm went to Claire after she was bested so simply by that masked stranger. Lady Monarch sat and thought. One of the generals turned to Lady Monarch and whispered something, she shook her head.

"And you're here to help us stop the Infernals?" She asked suspiciously, Paladin nodded.

"I'll do whatever it takes to take them down and end this war," She stated. Claire gasped, her voice so firm, sturdy, but there was something about it...

"So why do you wear a mask?" Lady Monarch began. "If you want to fight with us, why don't you take it off, there's no need for secrecy," She said glaring. The Paladin only stood silently.

"You mustn't worry about my face, if you are still concerned about my ability to help, why don't you ask another one of your top people to challenge me again," she responded quickly. The generals looked at each other and then to Lady Monarch expectingly. She narrowed her eyes.

"No need. I trust you'll be a great ally Paladin," she said with a small grin. "welcome aboard. For the end of the Infernals," she said.

"for the end of the Infernals," Paladin repeated nodding their head. Claire only stared at the Paladin, remembering what the man who helped her escape the flying castle said.

was this really the savior that contained the cure for this war?

---

Claire watched from afar as Belm and the other five disciples walked the Paladin to the rooms near the dungeons. They were gross, forgotten rooms that Trinity only gave as a punishment. The paladin quietly walked around holding her teapot closely in her arms. Belm hung in the back, still fuming after her defeat. Claire stared at Paladin curiously, filling up with questions. The paladin stopped and glanced her way, Claire quickly turned away and tried to play her staring off, it was weird, that gaze.

She remembered what had happened in the meeting after Paladin was moved to another room to be inspected. She remembered her mother's last words.

"Ameno Disciple Belm and Strategic lieutenant colonel Claire will be in charge of keeping an eye on our 'helper.' make sure to report to General Ameno with any information you gather," She said before exiting behind her throne without even looking at Claire. Claire looked down.

why would she possibly have chosen me?

.....