Year 2536 Mustaleem Dragon Knight Academy
A few days after leaving the hospital, Gilbert stood with the other members of squad 9, his hair now styled in locks. They were deep within the venerable halls of the citadel, an assembly point stirred with hushed anticipation, and on its aged black stone walls hung banners of past units that had made glorious achievements, all featuring some form of dragon reference, whether it be scales, horns, or claws and other such dragon parts. In the vast hall stood 500 Knights, each clad in impeccable military garb: black pants that contrasted with blood red blazers, their sleek lines accentuated by gleaming dark gold belts with fierce dragon head buckles. Topping off their regalia were red military berets or service caps, each adorned with rank and insignia that testified to their past valor.
The knights stood in flawless formation, a sea of resolute faces locked in silence, creating a tangible weight of expectation. At the very forefront stood the ten platoon leaders maintaining discipline under the watchful eye of the newly promoted Major Cade.
Then, as if on cue, the oppressive stillness broke with the crisp, resounding sound of boots striking the stone floor. Stepping forward with authoritative poise was General Beckett with his signature short cape. Following closely behind him were Colonels Z'yna and Eden. In that moment, every Knight, including Major Cade, gave a unified and sharp salute echoing around the hall.
"Good day, Knights! Today marks a turning point in your great struggle. I am General Beckett. Now, I command you to stand firm and listen well. To those chosen by Major Cade, handpicked for either your valor or raw potential. Today, you are united as the elite special Company White Horns. Our enemy, the scourge known as Styx, has ignited chaos across our continent. You now must extinguish these flames of chaos." General Beckett's voice echoed powerfully through the grand hall, stirring pride and worry among the assembled knights. "Colonel Z'yna !" he commanded.
Without hesitation, Colonel Z'yna stepped forward, a neatly folded black cloth held firmly in both arms. "Sir, here," she replied crisply.
Beckett's gaze then shifted to Major Cade. "Major Cade!" he declared once more. Major Cade strode forward with powerful steps, turning to face Colonel Z'yna with a determined face. "Sir, here," he answered
With both officers before him, General Beckett continued his tone resolute. "I now present to you the banner of your company. Carry it with honor, and may your horns bring order to the chaos."
With those words, Colonel Z'yna passed the banner to Major Cade, who took it before turning towards his unit.
"Present the banner!" General Beckett voiced in a louder and more solemn tone. In response, a platoon leader then stepped forward with a 10 foot pole. Major Cade then stepped forward, carefully unfurling the banner to ensure that no one could see it before attaching it to the pole. Once his task was complete, the platoon leader retreated.
Major Cade took a step forward with the banners still veiled from view,"Attention! Knights," he bellowed, at his command, every soldier straightened in unison. "We are the White Horns, Where Chaos Ends, Our Horns Begin!" he shouted, his voice echoing against the black stone walls.
In that moment, he turned the oblong banner to reveal its striking design: a black fabric emblazoned with two pairs of horns, the smaller pair, straight and spiraling; the larger pair, gracefully curved. Instantly, the entire assembly joined in a resounding chorus,
"WHERE CHAOS ENDS, OUR HORNS BEGIN!" The unified declaration reverberated across the hall. Seeing the ceremony over, General Beckett and the two colonels turned to leave."White Horns! Salute," Major Cade said before saluting their departing backs as the others followed in unison.
"White Horns, we meet again one week from now at 6:00 a.m. Dismissed!" Major Cade announced before marching out of the hall, banner fluttering.
As the formation broke, each squad went its separate way. Gilbert strolled with his cap tucked securely under his arm, and the members of his squad spoke feverishly around him, still exhilarated by the day's events.
On their way to the new barracks, Anastasia approached him, flipping a holographic armor schematic from her watch.
"Your new armor is finished. We need to go look at it for any final adjustments," she said in a calm tone. Gilbert offered a small smile of acknowledgment.
"Okay, guess we are making a trip to the armory then. Adam, could you help me move my stuff into my new quarters, please? And thanks," Gilbert said, glancing toward his friend. Adam, returning from his punishment of watch duty now sporting a new crescent scar that traced his left eye, gave a simple nod in response as Vivian gave him an endearing pinch that caused him to wince in pain.
With that, Gilbert and Anastasia separated from the group, embarking towoatds the armory. As they made their way through the corridors in silence, Anastasia set aside the armor schematic and turned her gaze toward Gilbert. Her eyes lingered curiously on his hair, and after a brief double take, she spoke up.
"I was meaning to ask you, who did your hair?"
Gracefully, she twirled a stray lock between her fingers. At the compliment, Gilbert's smile brightened into one of genuine giddiness.
"You like it?" he asked softly, as he turned around so she could examine his meticulously styled locks.
Anastasia nodded, her tone playful yet sincere.
"Yeah, it's nice. But really, who did it? I doubt anyone in our squad could do a hairstyle that good, except for maybe Adam and me."
With a touch of fond laughter, Gilbert replied, his confidence growing with each word.
"Colonel Aniela did it while I was in the hospital."
His smile widened as he preened like a peacock.
"Oh, that was sweet of her. I didn't know you two were close," Anastasia remarked, genuine surprise lacing her tone.
Gilbert's chin lifted proudly.
"Yeah, we are getting closer. We've even got a date planned."
Anastasia looked at him in amusement
"I didn't know Colonel Aniela liked to collect toys," she teased lightly.
Gilbert scoffed at the remark. "I think she likes me," he declared, quickening his pace with two quick steps ahead. Anastasia, catching up to him with a light jog, reached out and grasped his arm firmly.
"Sorry, but the truth is, women like Anastasia never go for boys like you, especially given where you're from. You know she's one of the heirs to the Ameliorate Company, a top pharmaceutical firm in the Federation. In the future, there's a high chance she could become a high minister if she so desires," she replied calmly, her eyes locked on his as she spoke. "I don't mean to be harsh, Gilbert, but people like them rarely date people like us. It's almost a blessing if they don't hate us."
Gilbert fell silent, his heart heavy with what he knew to be the truth behind her words. As stinging pain of her words ached, he weakly replied, "Maybe she is different."
Anastasia let out a sigh and, with a light, skipping step, continued ahead. Pausing momentarily, she twirled around gracefully while walking backward so she could look him in the eye. "I hope that's true," she began, her tone dressed in pragmatism, "but chances are her interest in you is for another reason. You're young, Gilbert, you'll find someone who truly suits you." With a teasing glint in her eye, she added, "Besides, she's too old for you anyway. You should go for someone like Chen Mei or Aisling."
With that, Anastasia spun and moved away once more, leaving Gilbert to shake his head and sink into his thoughts.
The Armory buzzed with the quiet hum of machinery and the smell of oil as mechanics scurried around busily. Anastasia led Gilbert through the labyrinth of storage, past rows of metallic boxes suspended in mid-air by large machinery. With practiced ease, she stepped up to a terminal and began navigating the system that controlled a rotating carousel of armor boxes.
After a few seconds, the machine halted before a specific box. As Anastasia then lowered the box. With a soft hiss, its air locks disengaged. To reveal a gleaming, black power armor with red and gold accents. Embellished on the forehead of the helmet was the symbol of the white horns, along the chest piece were scale-like embroidery, the insignia on the pauldrons were now changed to two scales and a golden flame. Along with the new armor piece, a gorget hung with his bird charm. Gilbert moved closer as his eyes appraised the armor.
"It doesn't seem any different from my Squire class armor, except a little bulkier," he commented as the box came to rest on the floor.
Without missing a beat, Anastasia tapped on the terminal, and a holographic schematic of the armor materialized in the air. With a deft swipe, she started highlighting different sections of the armor design.
"You are right, it is a bit bulkier," she explained. "As a knight, you have the strength to handle heavier armor, but that's not all. First, the flight unit has been enhanced for more power and short-range flight. I've also modified the bottom two segments so they're attitude-controlled, which should help you pull off those crazy maneuvers you love. And secondly, knowing your penchant for dual-wielding, I've installed an energy shield module in your right gauntlet; depending on the output, it can cover as much as a medium-sized shield."
The holographic display rotated, emphasizing each newly engineered feature as she spoke. Gilbert absorbed every detail before looking at her
"Weapons?" Gilbert asked, his voice mixed with curiosity and excitement. Anastasia's lips widened into a smile ever so slightly as she tapped a few commands into the terminal. In response, two hidden drawers on the side of the armor box slid open with a mechanical click.
Inside the drawers, an array of arms was revealed: two finely crafted swords with a bird and a dragon for hilts, a sleek rifle lacking a grip, and two gleaming pistols. Gilbert stepped up and took down both swords, as Anastasia explained
"Two swords made from advanced alloys and a small amount of dragonite, one is a heated blade sword while the other is an electric blade which you are used to," Anastasia began as Gilbert took a few quick practice swings
"Why isn't there a plain sword?" Gilbert asked as he hung both swords back up
"I plain swords aren't really the dragon legions style, plus this gives you more variety," Anastasia said, waving her arm at him.
"Yes, but plain swords are better, though, they don't damage easily, and they are usually sharper," Gilbert complained, but quickly shot his mouth as Anastasia gave him a pointed look. Seeing her stare, he quickly changed the topic. "What about this rifle? I can't exactly use it without a handle to hold?" Anastasia rolled her eyes at him as a holographic image of the rifle appeared
"It is not meant to be held in your hands. Your pauldrons and back plate are engineered for the connection of an energy rifle, like what you did in the match against Alexander, except this time, it won't blow up in your face." She said as the holographic image showed how it would work, "Finally, I gave you two ballistic pistols."