Chapter Text
“You're weak, brat!” A hateful voice spat. A solid boot hit him square in the gut. “Do you really think you can protect your siblings like that? At this rate I'm going to be able to sell them all for a good price! Except maybe your sister… oh do I have special plans for her!”
“You won't touch her!” A young Wriothesley growled. He picked up the sword that had fallen from his hands. “Not until I'm cold and lifeless!”
Blood was already leaking from several wounds across his arms and body. A young boy, no older than 12 defending his family against the man who was supposed to be his parent. A foster parent at that. The pain… the throbbing… the ringing in his ears…
Wriothesley woke up with a start, gasping for air. Fingers jolted to his deeply scarred neck, almost checking to make sure the wounds had not reopened after 8 years. A dream… It was just a dream. He realized it as his eyes focused on his military dorm room, mostly barren except for his bed, a desk, a wardrobe and a bookshelf.
He hardly remembered anything from his childhood anymore. Just remembering he was found when he was a baby in the northern mountains. He was taken to a nearby kingdom where he was raised to be a mercenary since he was old enough to hold a sword. He remembered brief memories of his final showdown with his foster father when he had threatened to sell his dearest sister to the highest bidder. He remembered the kingdom fell that day and black eyes with red glowing ‘x’s in them.
He heard a knock in the doorway. Speak of the devil… Clorinde stood in the doorway, fully dressed in her dark gray military uniform. “You good?”
“Yeah… shitty dream about dad is all.” Wriothesley sighed, finally getting out of bed. “How much time do I have before we leave?”
“Less than 20 minutes now. I had a feeling you would oversleep today of all days.” Clorinde smirked.
“It's the first time I slept through the night in damn near a month, cut me some slack.” Wriothesley groaned. “I’ll meet you in the dining hall in a few minutes.”
Clorinde nodded and took her leave, giving her foster sibling privacy to change into his uniform. They had both joined the Fontainian military shortly after the kingdom fell and Wriothesley healed from his injuries he sustained from his foster father. They were given two choices; be added to the foster system and grow up as semi-normal children or fight for the nation that saved them. Both chose to fight.
Now, 8 years later, they both had decorated military careers. Both siblings were well known across the military channels for their skills and specialities. Today however, was the biggest day in their military careers.
It was the day for trials for the Royal Guard. The trials would determine who of thousands of competitors were worthy of being a knight to the prince and princess of Fontaine. It was the biggest honor in the military… giving your life and dedication over to the royal dragons.
The nation of Fontaine was led by Queen Focalors and had been for centuries now. The queen had two fledgling dragons which were heirs to her throne. Her oldest was the prince, Neuvillette. Her youngest was the princess, Furina. It would be Furina’s first royal guard, just recently coming to an age where she needed one as her diplomatic duties began. This however, was Neuvillette’s second guard. His previous one was hung until his neck snapped about a year ago. He had committed horrible atrocities, thinking he would be spared under the crown. Until he hurt a Melusine. The queen had no mercy in her heart for such horrible crimes… They were never even released to the public due to their severe nature.
These trials were not held often. Every single member of the military, and even some citizens, were fighting for the honor. The generals had encouraged Wriothesley and Clorinde both to sign up. They insisted they had strong chances to win the honor. Neither sibling saw harm in it… hell the trials even sounded like a fun time to them.
Now that Wriothesley was dressed, he met Clorinde in the dining hall for a fast breakfast. They acquired their gear for the day in the weapons room when they finished and they were off to the court of Fontaine’s royal palace… the Palais Mermonia.
The siblings walked the hour-long trek from their military bunks to the meeting area of the event in relative silence. Neither of them were nervous. But it was an overwhelming honor to be among those fighting. It was even more an honor to be going with letters of recommendation written to the crown about their achievements.
The palace grounds were quickly filled with soldiers and warriors alike. So many people had signed up this year, it was the largest crowd the queen had ever seen for such an event across the seven nations. The queen stood on the balcony with her own royal knight as she observed the crowd.
“I don't remember this sort of turn out when Neuvillette came of age.” Focalors commented. “Could it be curiosity from what happened to the last knight? Or because there's two positions this time?”
“I believe it is a mixture of both depending on the person.” Her knight, Arlecchino replied. She observed the crowd with darkened black eyes with ‘x’s vaguely glowing in them. Her long black and white hair was pulled back into a low ponytail. She stood on guard, protecting her queen, scythe at the ready. With so many people in the castle grounds, she preferred to be ready for anything.
“Do you think the siblings will show?” Focalors asked curiously.
“Indeed.” Arlecchino pointed lowly to the massive castle arches leading into the courtyard below. “They have arrived. I received word from their generals that they were joining the trials. Are you sure my queen they are the ones you would like me to watch closely?”
“More than sure. If our theories are correct, they will be the best choices for keeping my hatchlings safe as they grow up. Are you positive, Arle? Those are the siblings from the fallen lab and the fallen kingdom?” Focalors looked down at Wriothesley and Clorinde entering the massive crowd to begin registration for the event.
“More than positive. I remember those scars along his neck almost killing the young boy and the shaking little girl with purple hair begging me to save him.” Arlecchino sighed at the memories. “They are all grown up now with an impressively decorated career within our military. They will protect the prince and princess with their lives.”
“Should we have just pulled them from their platoon and saved all this chaos? Neuvillette is already quite upset about a new guard.” Focalors bit her lower lip anxiously. “After what happened to the last guard…”
“Focalors.” A sharp black claw lifted the queen's chin softly to look at her knight. “This is what is best. A small show for the kingdom. Furina and Neuvillette will be fine watching this affair unfold. It is also tradition among the dragons. This is how I even found my own knight thousands of years ago.”
“You're always right, my dear dragon knight.” Focalors smiled.
Registration for all of the participants was finally complete, the hardworking melusines handing the roster over to Arlecchino. It was time for the show to begin. Focalors walked to the center of the massive castle balcony overlooking the courtyard filled with people. Her long blue and white dress flicked softly in the breeze. Behind her appeared Furina and Neuvillette, joining their mother to commence the trials. Both dragons wore light blue ceremonial cloaks, covering their tails and their clothing.
“Welcome one and all!” Focalors announced. “I am quite pleased with this level of turnout for the trials of the royal guard! It is not often we hold these trials as they are truly a rare honor. For today's trials, you all will have to prove your charisma, strength, speed and smarts to secure the position to become a guard of the prince and princess of Fontaine.”
The crowd cheered from below, most of the men and women excited at the concept of winning the grand prize. Arlecchino stood back in the shadows, observing the reaction of those in the crowd.
“For the first trial, you will be split into small groups of 30 and sent into the foggy forest of Erinnyes. You will be given a bow and three arrows to hit three Oceanid creatures created by my hydro. First to land three arrows in these creatures will be the victor of the round. In this phase, you are forbidden to interfere with other hunts. You will rely on your own wit and hunting skills. There will be many, many eyes in the forest so cheating will not be tolerated. In fact, it will result in your immediate removal from the trials.” Focalors explained. “You were given a number when you registered. That will be your group number for this event. We will see you at the starting point to begin!”
Wriothesley looked at his slip of paper. Group number 3. Clorinde had group number 8. “Looks like you will have a lot more fun before me.” Clorinde chuckled.
“I know the trials vary from year to year and leader to leader but I didn't expect to hunt.” Wriothesley commented.
“It's to our advantage. Afterall, we have been hunting for our own food since we were four in a winter wasteland.” Clorinde shrugged. “We both have this round in the bag.”
The large crowd began to disperse to walk to the foggy forest a short distance away. Focalors was at the starting point between the two large marker flags. With her ability to conjure hydro out of the atmosphere, she created a large boar, a large crab and a medium sized frog. The water creations spirited into the woods, fleeing in multiple directions. Several Melusines darted into the woods as well, being the eyes and ears for the royal family. Although the dragons could see what was happening around the creatures with their sense of water.
The first round went slow, the hunters struggling to hit their marks. One emerged victorious about an hour into the hunt. Group two went much faster. A citizen claimed the victory, one with a distinct hunting background hitting two small squirrel oceanids and the large duck within 10 minutes. The others didn't stand a chance. Wriothesley’s group was next.
There was a group of soldiers from a rival platoon eyeing him, likely plotting on how to beat him. Wriothesley wasn't nervous. He knew his reputation precedes him and that he was a good marksman. Bow and arrows in hand, round three entered the woods to begin the hunt.
Wriothesley was hunting for a large boar, a small squirrel and a medium sized frog. He was right… The group of soldiers were following him around. He had his sights on the squirrel but they hollered behind him and scared the water creature off. Taking a deep breath, he took a sudden turn in the woods to lose the group harassing him. He wasn't sure if they would be caught cheating nor did he truly care.
Crossing his path by chance was the frog. Arrow still notched into his bow, he let the arrow fly. A direct hit. One of three down. It wasn't long after he watched another soldier miss his mark for the squirrel. He kept low to the ground, taking his show when the soldier got frustrated re-stringing his bow. It must have been a cadet… they barely knew their weaponry. He let the second arrow fly and hit the squirrel dead center.
Last to hunt was the massive boar. He was following a trail left behind recently. It baffled him that the water creature even left a trail. From behind, he heard footsteps. He barely caught the rock that was thrown at his head.
“Don’tcha think you have enough metals, wolfy?” One of the soldiers sneered.
“Are you hard of hearing? I think this counts as disrupting other competitors and harming others given you were going for my skull.” Wriothesley sighed. “You really think you can get a title like royal knight when you can hardly comprehend simple instructions?”
“Now you're back talking to us?!” the second soldier growled.
“I outrank you.” Wriothesley said bluntly. “Now go hunt on your own.”
“Oh no you don’t!” The largest soldier came up and grabbed Wriothesley by his hair. He hardly even flinched, simply raising his brow in question as the other soldier glared at him.
“If you think I'm losing this opportunity to advance because you want to be petty, you're wrong. I'm pretty good at being punched.” Wriothesley smirked.
“You're pretty mouthy.” The soldier laughed. “You probably deserved all these scars you got from your daddy. A fucking loser son like you.”
“Yet I'm the decorated war hero who is admired among the military and you're a mere sergeant.” Wriothesley retorted.
The large soldier was winding up to punch him when a melusine called out to drop him. The group of soldiers froze, being caught in their act. They would be disqualified. The brute dropped Wriothesley, who was smirking at the men being caught.
“Competitor number 352, please continue this trial.” The melusine said to Wriothesley. “Competitors 430, 474 and 397 please come with me. You are disqualified.”
The soldiers listened to the small purple melusine, heads hung low like a child being caught by their mother stealing a treat before dinner. No one in this kingdom questioned a melusine unless they had a death wish. They were dear friends of the dragons, and have been for eons. It was the death penalty if someone were to cause any harm to one. They were straightforward, calm, gentle creatures by nature but some had very feisty personalities.
With his stalkers gone, Wriothesley continued the hunt for the large boar. The tracks led down by the water. He found it by the large lake in the center of the woods. Without hesitation, Wriothesley took aim and sent the arrow flying to the boar. He nailed it in the hip.
A light blue melusine came out of a nearby bush. “Congratulations competitor number 352~! You have won this round!”
Wriothesley thanked the melusine as she led him out of the woods. The other competitors would be filed out slowly behind him by the others. Wriothesley grinned at Clorinde as he came back to the entrance, giving her a thumbs up. One trial done and victory was his.
Sometime later, Clorinde’s group was called up to enter the woods. Multiple groups were using different sections of the woods at this point, the queen vastly underestimating the amount of attendees. Clorinde’s group went in for a short 15 minutes before Clorinde emerged victorious. She had taken a lucky shot and hit two of the small squirrels in one go.
The trial of hunting wrapped up early into the afternoon, the thousands of attendees dwindled to a mere 60. The others were released to go back to their homes or platoons, but some chose to stay to watch the final trials.
When they returned, the courtyard of the palace was turned into a rugged military training field. Wriothesley grinned at Clorinde. They had been doing training like this since they were teenagers. This was a walk in the park for them. The others around them gulped in anxiety. There were steep walls to climb, barbed wire to crawl under, obstructs to fight through and more. Unless they were extremely fit or a soldier they would lose this round.
They set up in rows of 5, giving each group the time allowed by the queen to complete the course. Clorinde was two rows ahead of Wriothesley. Neither sibling was worried about their fate in this trial.
Row by row, the winners of the hunt set off in the obstacle course. Some competitors gave up before they even managed to climb over the large wall, Clorinde and Wriothesley scaled it without even breaking a sweat. A few dropped out going through the tight obstacles, unable to deal with the sharp cramped spaces. They were trials for a reason. They were tough. The person who passed them to become a royal knight had to be tough. After all, a day may come where they give their life for the crown.
The obstacle course cleared the competition easily, a meger dozen soldiers remaining. Four females, eight men. It was mid afternoon when the final trial began.
The queen herself inspected the final twelve alongside her knight. However, she already had her eyes on the two who were destined for the position. She was pleased by the reports the melusines had delivered to her. She was even more pleased at the time and strategy they put into this trial.
“I’d like to congratulate you all for making it this far.” The queen smiled. “There is one trial left. A very simple one… a battle royale.”
Wriothesley glanced over to Clorinde beside him. They had discussed a strategy prior to today on what they should do if the case were to come up that this or a duel happened. This was in their favor. They could back each other up. The reaction on the other attendees' faces varied from worried to excited to fearful.
“The rules are simple. No guns. No swords. Only wooden staffs and your bare hands.” Arlecchino explained. “I expect everyone to make it out alive. If you attempt to kill, I will intervene myself and you will be held on trial for your crime. Now, please follow me to the soldier’s armory while the battlefield gets set up.” She turned to lead the group. “Oh one more thing… you may work together as much as you'd like… but remember there can only be two winners. And just because you're the last man standing doesn't mean you will be the royal knights.”
There were whispers among the group, some panicked at that prospect. Even if they lose they could get the position. Wriothesley assumed the queen had her eyes on who she liked already. It mattered not to him. He was going to put on one hell of a show anyway.
They entered a small stone door at the base of the palace. Down a small staircase was a training armory. Each person was handed a wooden rod to use to disarm someone. Clorinde spun it in her hand, trying to get a feel for the weight. Wriothesley knew she would end up with his anyway. He preferred his bare hands. He tightened the black wrapping around his arms and hands, cracking his knuckles. They were ready.
When they emerged from the palace, the obstacle field was back to its courtyard form. The only addition was fencing placed to create a perimeter. The royal dragons all watched from above on the balcony except from Arlecchino. The attendees entered the ring and took their stances in opposing corners of the ring.
They waited for the announcement they could begin. A rather large crowd was gathering of citizens, melusines and losing attendees to watch the battle. Arlecchino stood beside the ring and called for their attention.
“Do NOT make me intervene because of stupid acts.” She threatened, her dark black and red eyes glowing in the dusk. Wriothesley looked curiously at her, remembering those eyes vividly. He shook off the thought.
“Let the match begin!” Focalors called.
There was a battle cry among the multiple competitors. Many took a swing at the closet opponent they had, no strategy involved. Others went straight for Wriothesley, being the biggest man left in the competition. He threw his staff to Clorinde, his sibling catching it and taking on watching his back.
Wriothesley dodged punches and jabs from two men coming at him at once. Clorinde was fending off a smaller soldier who thought she would be an easier target as a female soldier. That soldier was very wrong, being knocked down by a swift staff to both of his knees. Wriothesley’s elbow made contact with one man’s stomach, his boot meeting the other man's chest. Both men went flying in opposite directions from the force.
The remaining fighters hesitated their assault for a moment, seeing how powerful Wriothesley actually was. His muscles were not just for show after all.
The battle royale continued, the siblings having eachothers backs until only they and two others remained. The competitors tried their best to counter the siblings but they were out matched. All of the competitors were outmatched by the siblings.
None of them had their upbringing. None of them had their drive. None of them had their will to survive. None of them had their dedication to the nation that saved their lives from the awful kingdom they grew up in.
It was sunset when Clorinde and Wriothesley emerged victorious in battle. The other competitors had received enough blows by the siblings to be considered out. The queen from the balcony applauded their display.
“And we have the newest members of the royal guard! Competitor numbers 352 and 353, Wriothesley and Clorinde of the Fontainian army!” The queen announced. The crowd cheered as the siblings smiled at each other. They really had done it… they really did it.
The queen said a few closing words as her dragonlings looked over the ledge at their new guards. Curious blue eyes and scornful lavender ones looked down at them. The prince and princess were escorted inside the castle by Focalors shortly after.
Arlecchino led Wriothesley and Clorinde inside the true castle gates and into the massive Palais Mermonia. She briefly pointed out things as they made their trip though the massive building. She assured them their belongings would be collected from their dorms and be delivered by morning.
They apparently had a very busy morning. They would be fitted for custom royal guard robes of their choosing. They would have a very detailed tour of the castle. They had a meeting with the queen in the morning as well and of course to meet their prince and princess.
Arlecchino gave details of what their new jobs would entail. Watching over the dragon royalty. Escorting them in public places and events. Travelling with them overseas for their diplomatic trips. Meeting with other royal guards at dragon summits and guard summits. Night watches. Military training exercises. And of course, protecting the castle and its dragons at any cost.
“Now, dragons are very far from helpless.” Arlecchino said. “But their abilities can be draining. Their elemental power is also far too powerful to use on humans unless necessary. And the prince and princess are still fledglings. They have a hard time controlling their abilities and do not know how to use it in fighting techniques yet.”
“Will we be training them as well?” Clorinde asked.
“Potentially in the future. Furina has expressed little interest in learning how to fight. Neuvillette however…” Arlecchino sighed. “He is still hurting from the betrayal of his previous guard. You are going to have a hard time earning his trust, Wriothesley. But I do believe you can do it. Or at least manage to do your duty.”
“I will do my duty without a doubt.” Wriothesley confirmed. “Don't worry… I understand trust is earned not expected. I’ll earn it over time with some hard work.”
“I like your attitude, pup.” Arlecchino chuckled.
“I'm sorry… pup?” Wriothesley raised a brow.
“You don't remember?” Arlecchino asked.
“I certainly remember those eyes.” Wriothesley confirmed. “The rest… is pretty fuzzy. Just bits and pieces from my childhood.”
“I am in the same boat.” Clorinde said.
“Well… good things come to those who wait. You’ll learn in due time, I'm sure.” Arlecchino said. “Welcome to the royal guards, Wriothesley knight of prince Neuvillette and Clorinde knight of princess Furina. I look forward to seeing what you two can do for the dragon leaders of Fontaine.”