Unlikely Alliances (The Pack)

Fourteen - Wings, Mate.

'So due to Preston's current... Condition, I've told the king that your training needs to be put off for a few days. This should give him enough time to recover, and you guys to learn the ins and outs of the castle.' Seto explained once the team (minus Preston) had gathered on the central "training" courtyard. Lachlan noted that Rob seemed half-dazed, and tried reading his thoughts to find out what was going on, only to find that he was berating himself for a bunch of stuff.
Rob's taken this surprisingly hard... Wait, didn't he think Preston was cute yesterday? He did! Oh my lords, this is adorable.

'Lachlan, did you hear anything I just said?' Snapping back into reality, the Astralan flushed pink and shook his head. The Royal Seer rolled his eyes at this, and gestured for the group to follow him through a set of doors. 'You didn't miss much. I was just telling the group what they were going to do today.'
'Which is?'
'Looking through the weaponry, trying to find a weapon that you feel suits you the best. Once you do, the group should gain access to an indoor training arena where you can pick up a wooden version and test it on a dummy.' Seto revised, unlocking another set of doors and locking it behind him once the five boys had entered the room.

'Well, this is the place you're looking for. I'll be back in two hours to get you all to the arena.' He teleported away, leaving the group to explore the spacious area. Various racks weapons lined the walls, some common, some unheard of, and in the centre of the circular room was a glass cylinder covered by a thick cloth.

Strangely, the only "object" in the case was a pair of chestnut wings, and as Rob moved around they began to move. Almost as if pulling towards him.
'Yo Rob, come check this out!' Lachlan called his friend over, everyone oblivious to the wings as he poked a dagger carefully. 'Could this be classed as a weapon, or is it more ceremonial?'
'Looking at the engraving on the blade, I'd say it was ceremonial. Mainly used in weddings and stuff, maybe a coronation or blessing, but it is still quite sharp.'
'Dangit, it looked cool,' He pouted, lowering the glass case and turning to look at a pair of crystalline swords. 'So, what's wrong?'
'What do you mean?'
'You've been upset since breakfast. If it's about Preston, then you shouldn't worry; He's gonna be fine.'
'You think so? I mean, what if the spell was only temporary, and he turns back to stone?'
The Astralan gripped his friend's arm reassuringly. 'Then we get Seto to make a better spell, or something that will keep the magic in place. I get that you're worried, but I promise, he'll be okay.'
'What if my father doesn't think he's fit for the prophecy?'
'Then ignore him. We're supposedly the ones performing the prophecy, so we should choose who fulfills it. Now, go find yourself a weapon, and try to get your mind off of it.'
'But-'

'Rob, go. Trust me, it'll all work out.' He grinned, gently shooing his friend in the direction of the covered cylinder. 'Go check out that thing. I'll be over in a second, I just want to try out these dual-weilders.'
Lords I hope you're right.
The prince walked towards the case. Unbeknownst to him, the wings were practically quivering with anticipation. They remembered who this boy was, but he wouldn't. He'd been so young when it happened. So innocent.

'What's under that thing? It must be huge.' Vik guessed, circling the cloth as Rob grabbed the fabric in both hands.
'Only one way to find out.'
He ripped the cover away, exposing the biological subject and dropping the velvet to the floor. 'Oh, wow.'
The wings were going mad, throwing themselves against every space of glass it could. Vik jumped back as it slammed in his direction, and the thudding sounds attracted Jerome's attention as he looked over.

'What the hell is that?!'
'Wings.'
'I can see that, but why're they down here? And how are they moving by themselves?'
'Wings. Of all things, why would my dad have wings in a weaponry? Unless they're some kind of shield- No, no, it's organic. I have no explanation for this whatsoever, and it's freaking me out.' Rob shuddered, staring at the wings as they stopped moving. They were so out of place, so weird, but he was sure that he'd seen them before.

I mean, he had, but that's something for later on.

'I'm gonna go back to weapon searching. This is weirding me out.' Vik whistled quietly, backing away from the wings and turning to observe a set of hunting knives while Jerome tilted his head at the wings.

'It's like they were trying to get out. They were going for you, Rob.'
'I know. It's strange, I feel like I've seen them before; Oh well. See anything you like?'
'Yeah! The battleaxes over here actually look quite cool...'

<<+>>
CRYSTALLIZE!

The group all involuntarily froze as Seto teleported into the weaponry. By that, I mean he used his magic. Absolute madman.
'Were you all able to find a weapon that suited your skillsets?' Of course, no response, because none of them could move. 'Oh, right. Sorry boys.'
'Was that really necessary, Seto?' Rob groaned, rubbing his head as Tue magic left a slight headache. The sorcerer only gave a cheeky smile as the other four congregated around him, but cast a small spell to diminish the pain.

'Right boys, have you picked what weapons you want to use? Bring them over, and we'll head to the arena.'
'Uh, Seto, didn't you say that we'd be using wooden versions?'
'Hah, yeah, I did. I figured you guys would feel better getting used to the real deal straight away.'

Vik and Rob exchanged questioning glances, but the other three immediately dashed over to whatever they chose. Lachlan came back with the crystalline swords, grinning like a kid on Christmas, while Mitch had an ivory bow in his hands. Jerome had chosen a diamond battleaxe, and when the second duo eventually picked up their weapons Vik had a belt of throwing stars, and Rob had some kind of sceptre.

'Okay, now did any of you read what the weapons could do? Each one has a unique purpose, after all.'
'Apparently the swords can freeze stuff?' Lachlan inquired. Seto nodded, pointing out the slight icy tinge on the darker blue blades.
'Yep. Try not to cut yourself on it. Vik?'
'They didn't have anything.'
'Wrong!' The Seer screeched. 'They're obsidian edged. Any wound inflicted will bleed for up to three times the time it would normally take, even if treated properly. Yet again, don't cut yourself with them.'

The statement made Vik look quite uneasy, but by that time Seto had moved onto another. Rob saw Lachlan go and stand by his side, the pair seeming to have a silent conversation before he looked away.
I wonder if Preston's okay. I could go and check on him... Nobody's gonna miss me during training.

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Hhhhhhhhhhhh this is short dangit -L

QOTC - Last thing you listened to?? Again??
AOTC - "Video Games", Lana Del Rey. Call me basic hecc but it's good