DAWNBREAK

Chapter 1: The Meeting.

"It's been 15 years since the great Night Fall...", the First Sister began. She spoke elegantly as her light armour glistened with a twinkle, under the beaming chandeliers that filled the hall with a warming glow; which felt very appropriate considering her presence. It was a wintery Friday afternoon and the hall was filled with warriors from across the country. Everyone was seated quietly, as if they were excited and to lap on her every word. To hear the annual speech of the Seven Sisters is an occasion not to be missed.

"...And since that tragic day, a fabled warrior equipped with a legendary blade made sure that the light would never leave our side again!" She thrusted her fist triumphantly into the air and as if on command a Rapier materialised within her grasps with a sparkle.

Shortly followed were the cries of joy and zealous ovation, fuelled by the strong spirits present, which filled the Great Hall of the Seven Sisters. Everyone in the assembly was seated amongst their guild's members. At the front was the guild known as The Sagittarians, known to be filled with strongest light users in land and only to undertake special ops and S-class missions. Some even say they receive direct orders from the Seven Sisters themselves. Although everyone seemed in pretty high spirits, the members of The Sagittarians remained serious and poised. The second sister raised her hand and with that the applause came to a stop. She coughed and stood up, allowing her long dress to drape across the stages floor and slowly walked towards to the stand, replacing the first sister before her.

"I understand, among many of you, feel that this is a time to celebrate..." she started, with a much more serious tone compared to the First.

"...However, we still remain in dark times. For the soldiers who lost their lives in battle, we have a duty to uphold."  Sighs and stubborn murmuring started to replace the previous positive energy in the hall. I let out a groan.

"Just when I thought I could catch a break for a day." I muttered to myself, raising my arms behind my head as I leaned back on my seat, impatiently waiting for this meeting to be over.

"Rise, you know these annual meetings are important...", Eleanor said, as she took the empty seat beside me. She brought in the brisk coolness of the winter air from outside. As she took of her black trench coat, I could see her chest piece of amour was freshly waxed, gleaming a shiny silver.

"Oh. Its you."

She laughed, "I swear, you just never take anything seriously."

I squashed my face in dismay, "These meetings are the same shit every year. Why can't they say anything remotely-"

"-SIIIIILENCE!"

The Third Sister's voice boomed and the hall fell silent instantly. For a second, it felt like heat in the room intensified momentarily before quickly cooling again.

"Let me remind you, why you are ALL HERE!", She bellowed as she pushed past the Second Sister and took to the stand. Her armour burned brightly, over shining the chandelier lights above so much so, the Sagittarians had to look away slightly.

"Even after that fabled day, Night fall is very much prevalent in these times! Failure to recognise this would be a failure to the Seven Sisters and the Sister-Above-All, herself!"

Upon hearing the Third refer to the Sister-Above-All, the Sagittarians' guild instantly stood from their seats and took to one knee.

"May the Sister-Above-All sharpen our minds, wits and blades" they preached.

I rolled my eyes. The Sagittarians' members have always been like this. So serious and traditional, this is why I have avoided guilds throughout my time here. Slowly, I leaned over to whisper in Eleanor's ear.