War of Emperium

Calm Before the Storm 1

"Mjolnir Mountain, Midgards greatest mountain range." Theodoric spoke thoughtfully as he surveyed the majestic peak just across the horizon.

"Inhabited by only-God-knows-what, but you'd have to plunge into it to get to Glast Heim, Geffen and Al de Baran."

"The last I went there is when I was pepping myself up to be a Hunter." Signy laughed.

"And that was five years ago. I don't remember the roads well as I used to be."

Sibyl was pining away, looking extremely sulky. "Do we really have to leave civilization behind? I mean if we go in those mountains there'll be less people! Who am I going to Steal from? Its so boring!"

"You have no choice, mate." Altair tapped her on the shoulder.

"Mjoinir might be home to very few travelers, but rare items are all found there. I remember getting hold of an extremely rare Apple o' Archer there when I was still a Novice."

Sibyl grumbled, looking less than pleased.

Nerva soon joined the group. He had a bulging backpack slung to his right shoulder. Altair was glad to see he was using the headset he gave him. Sibyl straightened up.

"Hey, you look good without your cape." She said, flashing her most flirtatious smile.

"And that skull on your shoulders great as well."

Nerva flashed his yellow eyes on her briefly but didn't say anything. Theodoric guffawed very loudly, his hands on his belly. Sibyl threw him a dirty look.

"See, I told you!" Theodoric winked at her.

"Im just waiting at the other side of the road, baby."

"Where is Wealthow?" Signy asked.

"And what's taking her so long?"

"The archbishop summoned her this morning." Altair replied as he checked his things.

"But don't worry, it wont take long now."

Signy looked around. People were busy moving around. Everyone was doing something. The capital city of Prontera was being rebuilt. It was nice to see the people having such unity at a time like this. In no time at all, perhaps when they finish their task, Prontera would be back to being the marvel that it was before the siege.

"Bugger, I'm really excited you know!" Altair told them.

"I've never been this jumpy before!"

A group of Novices who had been watching them for some time now finally plucked up the courage to approach.

"Excuse me, could we bother you for a minute?" said the blushing green-haired boy who led the group.

Nerva, Theodoric, Signy, Sibyl and Altair looked at each other, puzzled.

"Erhmsure, why not?" Altair smiled.

A pigtailed Novice stepped forward. "Are you really The Firnheild? You guys?"

"Err, yes, you could say that." Altair nodded, wondering what would happen next.

The Novices murmured and exchanged looks of deep awe and amazement. The green-haired boy puffed up his chest and looked at Theodoric.

"I'm going to be a Knight someday, sir!" he said.

"And I'll follow your footsteps! Im going to uphold justice just like you do!"

Signy, Sibyl and Altair looked at each other, blinked, and then burst into a hysterical laughter.

"Theodoric, can you believe it? He doesn't know how dumb you are!" Sibyl roared.

"I can't believe it! Theodoric upholds justice?" Signy snorted.

"That has got to be the worst compliment I have heard! Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!"

"Oh Bugger!" Altair choked. "Bugger, my stomach hurts! Bugger!"

Nerva shook his head. Two of the Novices approached him hopefully. He gave them a small but sincere smile.

"We plan to be Mages, sir." The boy said.

"This is my sister Kiara. We want to be a great Wizard like you. Can you give us an advice?"

Nerva paused for a while. "Don't be so nice. The world is full of evil. If you are too good you'll be abused. Sometimes you will need to fight violence with violence. Never lose your courage."

The two Novices looked at each other.

"Are you Kay Stonewall?" the girl asked.

"Unfortunately, no." Nerva answered.

"The guy you're referring to is dead. My name is Nerva al'Thor."

"The legendary Nerva al'Thor of Geffen?" the girl repeated.

Theodoric grinned and had an arm around Nervas shoulders. "Yep, no one else!"

The boy and girl didn't know whether they ought to be frightened or astounded.

"Sorry for keeping you waiting!" Wealthow panted as she came to a stop before them.

"The archbishop had me in some things I'm sorry I'm late"

"That's okay." Signy smiled.

"Catch your breath."

Wealthow straightened up and was surprised at the crowd of Novices around them.

"Where are you guys going?" asked another Novice.

"Mjolnir mountains." Altair grinned.

"And we bet we won't be seen for a while."

The Novices looked disappointed. Theodoric put on his plumed helmet and mounted his Peco-peco. Altair swung his massive hammer and set it on his shoulder. Signy whistled and Odin came out of nowhere, perching himself on her shoulder. Sibyl finally put on her veil to announce she was ready. Nerva stood waiting, his cape clutched in his left hand. Wealthow looked around at the Novices.

"Before we go I would like to bless you all." She said.

"Aspersio!"

"Aspersio?" Theodoric raised a perfect eyebrow.

"How lucky you kids are. Wealthow has never given us much even of a Magnificat."

Altair laughed. "Or maybe a BS Sacramenti."

"You don't deserve any of the sort." Wealthow replied satirically.

"I wouldn't waste my Mana for worthless fools who're condemned to hell."

Signy hoisted her shoulder bag in place. "I see were ready. See you!"

Firnheild left Prontera for Mjoinir Mountains to continue on with their task. The Novices watched them leave until they were long gone into the horizon.

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