The fire crackled, sending small little flames akin to fireflies up in the air allowing the more darker side of the room to be lit up. Accompanying the crackling was the faint noises of chatter coming from the windows that were hidden by the blinds but still allowed a bit light to light up the room while also revealing the dust in the quiet room.

  Clang

  A clang of glass meeting glass echoed through the room until it died out and the many noises that came before it shockingly died with it.

  “Do you have to do so much?” Dean Fray questioned the actions of the old man beside who didn’t bother answering, only scratching his unkempt sideburns that held a few flakes.

  Dean Frey could only sigh at the response before sending another question. “You sure it was the Starry Palace?”

  “Yes, I’m sure.” Scoffing at the question, Grandmaster Ken sent one back just as insulting “What, your doctors tell you something different? Don’t tell me even your doctors are compromised.” Grandmaster Ken shook his side to side in disbelief. “Some Academy this is. ‘Heroes of Tomorrow’ was it? ” He took another sip of his coffee to hide his smirk. “Will they even live to see the day?”

  “Careful now.” Dean Fray took his eyes off the fireplace to warn his guest. “I am already wary of spies. Don’t make me test you.”

  “Please, Lucas.” Grandmaster Ken lowered his cup to make sure his old classmate would see his smile of confidence. “You’re no longer the man you used to be. Too heartbroken.” Grandmaster Ken muttered the last part which he once again hid behind his cup as he brought it up to drink.

  “Hmm?” Grandmaster Ken glanced down at his cup for a moment before letting out a laugh at the frozen coffee. “Alright, alright. Let's get down to business shall we.” Placing the cup down he turned to Dean Fray. “Any to catch your eye?”

  “No, none so far. But it is still just the second day of their second week. They were just introduced to meditation.” Dean Fray shook his head.

  “Meditation?” Grandmaster Ken, puzzled at the revealed lesson plan, questioned the Dean “Why are you just making them learn meditation?”

  “You know why. We should take our time with this group. We have to be one hundred percent certain they are prepared for what's to come.”

  “Prepared? One hundred percent? C’mon Lucas, even we don’t know what's coming. We just know it's coming. So how could we know they are ready when we don’t even know if we ourselves are ready.”

  “The Windy Pavilion had already sent word-” “Shut up Lucas! You know those old fogies only look out for themselves. Do you not recall the Church of the Sun incident? The Republic nearly fell.”

  Dean Fray interrupted. “Yes, but it was only one time.”

  “One time? Yes, once because we were lucky enough to have been able to reveal their lies. They have done it before and they can do it again.” The anger was prevalent in his tone.

  Taking a deep breath to calm himself after the rant Grandmaster Ken faced Dean Fray. “ Lucas, he is not the same anymore. He is not the same person we saw before. He only sees the Windy Pavilion. Nothing else.” Grandmaster Ken spoke softly, something he hasn’t done in years.

  “I am sticking to my decision. We will take our time and carefully prepare them for whatever comes.”

  Seeing his friend switch topics he also chose to put behind the conversation “I have to disagree with you on this one.” Shaking his head before turning back to the fireplace. “But, you’re the boss. So let's just see how it goes.”

  “Yes, let us see.”

  ***

  A groan was let out into the world only to be heard by a round bellied middle-aged man.

  “You awake Peter? Are you good?” York stood next to the awakening Captain Sparks wearing a weary look that appeared to come from days of sleepless nights.

  “How long have I been out?” Captain Sparks asked as he placed his hand on his stomach feeling little sharp pains.

  “Nearly a week.” York answered as he helped his friend to sit up.

  “Where are we?” Captain Sparks scanned the familiar surroundings with furrowed brows.

  “The Academy” Captain Sparks nodded his head hearing the answer and the memories instantly began flooding his mind as the times he spent here began flashing through his head.

  “Mmm, so we made it.” Captain Sparks looked around the room and found a few flowers by his bed and by the window. Even a little carving of a shield and axe was placed on the table beside his bed. “Where are they?”

  York let out a gentle laugh probably completely unfamiliar to anyone besides the Captain. “Out somewhere trying to ease their worries of you. They stayed here for the first few days. Until I told them to get some rest and we will just take turns watching you. I was the last one to get the shift.” Gesturing to himself with a smile.

  A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  “I guess I’m your lucky star, Captain. You woke up on my watch.”

  Chuckling at the man, Captain nodded his head.

  “Yeah, York. You’re my lucky star.”

  York bellied out a laugh before shaking his head with a smile. “Well, I’m gonna head out and find the rest of the squad. Let them know you’re up. Are you going to be okay? Need anything before I go?”

  Captain Sparks shook his head. “No, I’m fine, York. Thank you.” Captain Sparks watched York leave the room and close the door behind him. Leaving the room in complete silence.

  A few moments of staring at the door later Captain Sparks turned to the balcony connected to the room, that if observed more closely would reveal it was a bit blurry, and bowed his head. “Forgive me for not being able to give you the proper respects Grandmasters.”

  Not even a second later, out from the balcony emerged two old men bearing smiles. “No need. We aren’t much fans of the tradition. Or at least I’m not.” Grandmaster Ken tilted his over to Dean Fray.

  The Dean who couldn’t be bothered with the jab chose to get straight into business. “How are you feeling?”

  “Aches and sores Dean. Besides that, Mostly just feeling a wave of relief that I was able to survive.”

  “You should add ‘proud’ to the three. You survived an attack of fourteen Elementals. And took down two of them who were Masters.”

  Captain Sparks immediately shook his head in denial “I couldn’t do that without you sir.”

  “No need for modesty. You did something amazing, you should show off. Even let others know so no one could bother you.”

  “ He would just make the target on his back bigger than it already is. He is already known as the Berserker and now he has two more Master of Elements to add to his other two hanging from his belt.” Dean Fray gave another suggestion. Choosing incognito as the better decision.

  “Just let him decide then.” Grandmaster Ken, annoyed, gave the decision to Captain Sparks who appeared to be having trouble on what he wanted.

  Witnessing the struggle Dean Fray waved at him “Forget it. Just tell me if you noticed anything. About your fight with the fourteen Elementals.”

  Captain Sparks, hearing this, recalled his fight between the two Masters and tried to remember if anything stood out. Finding nothing that popped out in his eyes he shook his head. Much to the disappointment of the two Grandmasters.

  “Well we were expecting this.”

  “Doesn’t mean it still doesn't hurt.” Grandmaster Ken placed his fingers on his head as he let out a sigh.

  “Well, if you do remember something let us know. Until then just sit back and rest. You deserve it.” Dean Fray said before walking off to the balcony.

  Grandmaster Ken saluted the brave soldier who returned the salute before following after Dean Fray.

  The moment they left, the door to his room burst open and in came his Squad.

  “CAPTAIN!”

  “Captain, I thought you died.”

  “Why would he die, you idiot.”

  “I am glad you’re okay Captain. You gave us quite the scare.”

  The rest of Squad four of the Honor Guard came rushing in with faces of relief and joy after spotting their Captain. Bombarding him with worry filled words.

  Captain Sparks watched his squad squabble with each other for a minute and Captain Sparks finding it the right time to join cleared his throat.

  The action instantly silenced the once rowdy Squad. All attention was now on Captain Sparks’ solemn face. “What did you find?” The question stumped Kai who looked around puzzled after hearing the question.

  Hal stepped forwards and spoke “There are other ships that were attacked as well. Over the last two weeks around a dozen ships were attacked. Each carrying someone of importance. It was said out of the dozen ships four survived including us. One ship carrying the Commander of the personal guard of the Silverlake Kingdom.” Kai hearing this nearly had a heart attack. So many attacks happened and no one even showed it. The attacks were calculated so it meant it was long planned. Especially since the majority of the attacks were a success.

  “Wait, it was a world wide attack?” Captain Sparks, hearing this, was shocked. He assumed it was an attack on the Republic.

  “Yes, He was supposed to meet up with the Royal family's twins but was intercepted. It’s said the commander was attacked by two Master of elements and eight Elite Elementals. He managed to kill them but it is said he is seriously injured.”

  The number of Masters and Elites sent was insane in Kai’s opinion. That's enough to scare the majority of the Houses.

  “Anyone else?”

  This time it was Greta who stepped up to report her findings. “The Eastern Isles Royal Brother of King Seafarer was also attacked after heading back from escorting his nephew to Republic lands. They were all killed of course. The man was guarded by four Masters of Elements.” Kai hearing this, stood still in shock. The others were okay but to be able to ambush an Imperial Prince on his own ship was mind boggling. Kai believed the entire assassination was probably planned decades in advance.

  “The backgrounds of the dead.”

  “From every power.”

  “And the background of ours?”

  York cleared his throat before answering. “They attacked the Master of Potions who was to be teaching the first years. Everyone on his ship was killed including the Honor Guard assigned to him. No survivors. The next person to be killed was…”York paused for a moment before letting out a heavy sigh. “Commander Boris.”

  “Commander Boris? The late Commander Rickus right hand? That Commander Boris.” The name managed to break the blank face of Captain Sparks who gave his full attention towards York.

  “Yes, it was said he blew up the entire ship he was on to take them all down.”

  “Anyone who was attacked but survived from our side? Besides us.”

  “Yes, The other attack was on Captain Hendrix. He was on his way back to the Southern Border when he was attacked. It’s said he placed the heads of the eight assassins on his stern.”

  Hal couldn’t help but smile at the story. It matched the man's reputation as a monster.

  “Their strengths?”

  “Three Masters and the rest Elites.”

  “So many Masters and Elites. Who has the manpower and guts to send so many of their pillars.” Captain Sparks muttered to himself. “ Was anyone recognizable?”

  Hal, wearing a solemn look, slowly shook his head.

  “So no one is able to recognize them and no one knows the full strength of the attack nor where they came from.”

  Captain Sparks stared out the window with a look of worry. An expression his squad rarely ever saw. “Something is happening and it's going to be big.”

  “Catastrophe big.”

  The words hit everyone in the room with shivers.