The Prodigies: The Return of Equinox

Chapter Eleven - Backgrounds

"I don't like this anymore," sighed an unimpressed Aath. He had hoped to see something truly magnificent when the Prodigies would compete. Especially his favorite, Halt. He was, in Aath's opinion, the greatest Prodigy. Once he learned what Halt was capable of and how tough he was compared to even the younger Prodigies Aath was unhesitating in naming him his favorite. 

Halt, the nightmare of the other Prodigies. The one responsible for more Prodigy "conscriptions" than any other. He had been through much. Not only surpassing his year-group but the year groups that were supposed to be stronger, faster, and better than him. A prodigy among Prodigies. That's exactly what he was, and he liked it. 

That was not at all what he saw in the tournament thus far, and this dissapointed him to no end. He was almost angry at what he witnessed. Why in the gods names would they spend so much money keeping these slightly above average people a secret. Sure, they were all incredibly skilled, but they only just barely defeated the Royal Guard. Honestly, he thought, what was the big deal about these Prodigies? He decided to investigate.

He left his seat and sneakily made his way towards where the Prodigies were exiting. Aath tried to get the attention of the Prodigies that were walking, but they paid him no mind. They didn't even seem to acknowledge that he was speaking. Then a Prodigy with brilliant red hair came running to catch up with the rest. Aath stepped in front of her.

"Prodigy! I must speak with you!" The Prodigy seemed not to notice he was there until he got in the way. She was about to run past him until she really paid attention to his attire. She stopped dead in her tracks.

"Yes, Councilor?" She barked before before putting her hands together in front of her. She stood straight as she could, yet it wasn't much. She was already exhausted.

"I need to have some words with you about the tournament."

"OK, yeah, but, I'm kinda getting separated from group." Said the Prodigy pacing in place.

"No matter, there are more pressing matters at hand."

"OK, but-"

"But nothing!" Aath started to get angry. He didn't like when others won't abide to his authority. "Answer me!"

"Sorry, Councilor!" Responded the, now annoyed, Prodigy.

"What is your name?"

"Rewora of the Ninth-Born, but I go by Fox." She felt like pushing him down. To see him fall on his ass. This old man didn't know what he was doing.

"How many are in your year-group?"

"Thirteen, but we used to have seventeen."

"What happened to them?"

"Died, they were listed as unsuitable for mentoring so they were sent to the war. They died on a suicide mission."

"How do you know this?" Aath was now very curious. From what he was told, Prodigies were unkillable.

"I read the report that was made for their deaths." She felt a pang of sadness as she then remember every word that was in the report. Every bit of unreleased detail, every syllable of undocumented dialogue, and unheard final words. Her demeanor was unchanged however.

"Sorry to hear." He really wasn't, but he needed to get to the matter at hand. "Also, I've heard that you people are supposed to be beyond human. Comparable to that of the heroes that people sing and read about."

"We are better than them."

"From what I saw, and from what you've told me, I doubt it." Fox visibly took offense from the statement. How dare he, in front of her, doubt her and the others' ability. She was a great Prodigy. She is bringing up a very promising one, and she was damn sure that she could hold her own and more against any other Prodigy out there. Even if she was only a Ranger.