The Prodigies: The Return of Equinox

Chapter Twenty-One - Matters of the Strong

"Do you think we should send year-group eleven?" Asked Aegon.

"Not yet, I feel like we should test them a little bit more." Aath was still unsure about the decision to end the tournaments surprised round. To have the Prodigies fight each other, with no limit other than no killing. It would have been a clear showing of who the strongest would be. This was, of course, unfair to any Prodigies that couldn't command magic. Either way, Aath desired to see a true display of skill and strength.

"They've already been tested enough as it is. They shouldn't have to go through more hardship than necessary." Adun felt as though he needed to protect the Prodigies. Someone had to he figured, no else was.

"Being sent to fight the most pivotal battle in our history for us is already more hardship than they need. Why stop there?" Said Allyn. "We should completely prepare the for whatever that bastard would pull."

"But do you really think sending them for that is a smart decision?" Archus seemed a little uneasy about the prospect.

"Maybe not all of them. Just a small task force of three or four." Aath was already in the middle of scheming before he could finish his sentence. He had a plan in the works.

"But why?" Asked Aegon.

"We could send multiple little groups at the same time to different threats. If what they are capable of is true then we should have to send them all for one mission." Aath was feeling more and more sure about his plan.

"What do you mean?" Asked Archus.

"I mean that we could take care of three of our most major threats. All while truly testing them to see the fruits of their training."

"So one group of four for the new Quilian?" Adun was feeling apprehensive. "I don't think we should send such a small force to deal with it. Last time it took 30 royal guards to defeat her. I heard this one is even more powerful."

"Yes, I think that if they truly are the fighters that the Oracles were talking about then they should survive by all means." Aath had a small grin creep onto his face. "Think of it as a protection from a horrible fate by fate itself."

"So that means one group for the Six of the Westerly Lake as well?" Aegon couldn't see how this could be a good idea. "Those Six are described as unkillable, not even arrows can pierce their scales. We had the whole area around the lake sealed away from people trying to get in."

"We even had 200 men try to kill them!" Allyn was as against this as Aegon. "You're sending them for slaughter!"

"No. Because we had no magic users with all of those men. Even two who could use magic would be enough. They should be strong enough to kill it."

"On what basis?" Asked Adun.

"That the Queen of the witches was able to completely break the Shade. If what she said was true, then that means she should easily be able to kill the Six. Our royal magic users said that the shade had a near perfect shield against magic. That it could negate most of the power from a spell at its strongest. And Celeste could shatter the whole entire thing. That's my basis."

"So what about the Demoness?" Asked Archus. "What about her?"

"What of her? She's only a demon. The shade was a demon. More than likely stronger than her. They should have no problem with it."

"Reports have said that she can change shape, size, and she can even multiply. Once She sees how strong they are she would just multiply into an army to kill them with no trouble." Allyn thought this was the most foolish idea yet. Even the Quilian and the Six were bound to one area, but the Demoness could go wherever she pleased.

"They would be fast enough, if given the intel that we have on her."

"Why do you want to send them to their death so much?" Asked Archus.

"I don't, I want to test their mettle. If you all are so sure that they are the ones that can kill Equinox then they will live through this and kill the Betrayer." Aath would push this until he got his way. He couldn't lose. The argument was more sound than anything the rest of the council could bring up.

...

"Gorund." Garvhoz was in the middle of prayer, something he didn't do much. "I know it goes against your teachings, but please, if you would, help me find a greater strength in all I do." Even though Gorund wasn't a god himself he was prayed to as often as one.

The most popular of the Demigods, he had a special place in people's hearts as a whole. He was the closest thing to a man made god, but soon enough there would be those who would find a god who had not been born from The Mother. When it would happen they would be left shocked, disgusted, and fearful. They would question what it meant to be a god