The Knights of Merana

Chapter 1

The halls echoed rushed footsteps, as a girl with armored boots ran through the castle grounds. Doors upon doors sped by, none of what she was searching for. Brown eyes scanned the left wall for her destination. Her eyes narrowed, spotting the oh-so-important entrance supposed to reveal the man she needed to see, as she skidded to a stop. She pushed the doors open and yelled, "General Atria!" The afternoon sunlight silhouetted the female figure, but you could still make out her furrowed eyebrows, and the urgency her eyes presented.

The only man in the room, hearing his name, turned his head. His peculiar amber eyes narrowed, then softened, seeing the indigo-haired girl.

"Karina Miriam, how many times do I need to tell you? We're of the same rank. No need for formalities." Atria said. The girl, now known as Karina, didn't move. She ignored his comment at her way of addressing people, and continued.

"The King needs all Miraikan generals to come to the throne room. Now." She declared, her tone unwavering. The armor-clad man immediately understood, his laid-back aura fading.

"Have you told everyone else?"
"You're the last one I need to tell," the youngest general answered. "Everyone else is heading to the throne room already."

"Then waste no time, let us go." Atria grunted.

~~~~~~

The two generals sped towards the throne room, passing windows and doors left and right. When they arrived, a spacious room with multiple glass panels appeared, the now evening sunset's silky rays illuminating the room. Chandeliers dangled from the high ceiling, few were lit. Pillars upon pillars adorned the marble walls, two extravagant thrones occupying space between pillar and wall. Multiple heads turned, detecting footsteps.

"You both took your sweet time." A man in yellow spoke, an atmosphere of power surrounding him.

"Now, now, there's no need to spew accusations, Ceelun. I sent Karina to fetch all of you, so be grateful that you're here in the first place." An elderly man intervened, trying to lighten the mood, before he let them know the real reason why he needed them here.

"I would've felt that you would've needed us all here anyway, and would've told everyone to come. I don't think sending Karina to tell everyone was necessary." The man said, his tone slightly wavering. The room's atmosphere became uncomfortable.

Karina stood there, staring at Ceelun, then turned away, ignoring the turmoil in her stomach. She turned to focus on the king, knowing that his words were more important than Ceelun's.

The king noticed her slight discomfort in his words, as he was very perceptive, and decided to move on, hoping to distract her from Ceelun's remark. Sympathy bubbled up inside him, knowing that Karina worked so hard to get where she was today, Ceelun could at least acknowledge her for her accomplishment.

"Why don't we refrain from becoming off-topic, hmm? The real reason I needed you does not concern whom to send to call you all here." The king said, successfully gaining everyone's attention. "Now, these few years have been quiet, yes? Now, I don't mean to jinx anything, but I have had this feeling for a while that the Roghurans are just simply preparing their next invasion on Merana. And I highly doubt that this will be an ordinary battle. So, I've proposed that we need all our troops to come to the front and start preparing for battle. Including our trainees. I-"

"But your highness, the trainees are only three-fourths through their training! The process to mold them into soldiers takes time. They need time for them to harness their magic energies and properly use them for battle." A general in emerald green protested. "They've only just started to use their swords to correctly weaponize their powers. We may have the Mulandu Army ready, but the Miraikan soldiers are who secure our victory, we have an extremely higher chance to be victorious if the Miraikan and the Mulandu fight together. That's what makes up the Meranian Army." The General of Cyclone ended, his hazel orbs narrowed, his words echoed across the colossal, but practically empty, room.

The king sighed, but appreciated the green-clad general's words. "I'm aware of our situation, Brezu, and I understand your concern," The king responded. "But, we never know when the Roghurans will attack our beautiful country, so we must take precaution of what might happen in the future. I'm sure you understand." The king added. The room was again silent.

"I do understand, your majesty, but how exactly will we speed up the process?" Brezu questioned, his tone still skeptical of this plan the king wishes to take into action.

"I suggest that you generals take more time in the day to train them, and make the training more rigorous than it is now. I believe that through more strict training, they will eventually adapt and become stronger by learning to cope with a more severe environment. And when it seems to be too easy for them, strengthen the training again." The king declared, his voice entwined with authority and sincerity. "If our soldiers are more prepared with harsh training, I believe that the Roghuran Army will be no match for our Meranian Army." The king exclaimed.

"So I, King Drespa Leiske Miriam of Merana, promise to bring victory and prosperity to our country."