How long had it been since that day? Five years? Six? It felt much longer than that… Strange nostalgia crept into her thoughts as she watched the battle unfold before her. But why was she thinking about that now? Maybe because war reminded her of him…
At the age of sixteen, Vivio Takamachi had become what her mother and Yuuno-san long hoped she would never be. In a free society, conflict was inevitable. Incompatible ways of life and thinking breeds strife and quarrel, until finally the boiling pot explodes and war once again spreads. At the forefront were the next generation of soldiers and mages of the Time Space Administration Bureau. Though their objective was a peaceful end, they would not find it this day. Unable to merely sit back and watch, the teen made a faithful decision.
And so, upon a hill overlooking the battlefield, Vivio watched.
By her side was a gleaming sword, ever brilliant in luster despite being thrust repeatedly into the fires of war. Archaic runes were etched into the blade, ancient words that were not wholly understood, and its edge was unnaturally sharp. It was a memento and a reminder of a man she had known for only the shortest of times, yet deep inside she felt she had known him for far longer… Memories of a life that wasn’t hers, yet she was of her blood. For the longest time, such thoughts lay hidden in the furthest reach of her mind, faded and almost inaccessible. Yet when she alone drew the sword from the place where the Knight last stood, those memories were suddenly available to her.
It felt… right in her hands. Natural. As if this sword was meant for her. Everywhere Vivio went, so did it in full form, sheathed in an ornate scabbard. At first, it had disturbed the peace-minded; a weapon of war present in times of serenity? How absurd! It was almost insulting. But in time, the weapon had become her symbol. Even on her personal heraldry, flying proudly above her, had the sword emblazoned upon it.
But what good would her reputation stand against an overwhelming enemy that sought to spill her blood? The enemy general was supremely shrewd, his tactics expressing amazing foresight and analysis. And this was just the tip of the iceberg! Vivio’s troops, though hardened veterans, were fighting their all against a force a mere fraction of what was lay in wait. A retreat would be prudent in this situation, but it was not an option. This place held extreme strategic value to both sides. This place… the Round Table, was the bloodiest battleground of the entire conflict – to lose this place would be to waste the blood, sweat, and tears of the fallen and the still fighting.
She had to hold this position, no matter the cost!
“Ma’am, the Northwest line is being hammered! They’re requesting support, but we don’t have anything to send them!”
“Allocate bombardment squads to give them fire support—Ahh!” the young leader gasped and ducked her head, a high-speed group of aerial skirmishers buzzing dangerously close to the hill. Immediately the air was ablaze with anti-air beam fire, followed by the streaks of aerial mages moving in to intercept.
“Shit! Where the hell did those things come from?!” a soldier nearby spat. “We’re losing air superiority!”
In a way, little Vivio wished that her mother, godmother, or any of their friends were here to help. The experience and advice they could share would be invaluable here, not to mention the extra firepower. Alas, the entirety of the former Riot Force Six had been split up on different fields of battle. They were needed elsewhere, just as she was needed here.
“The lines! Our lines have been broken!”
“Dammit, they’re coming!”
How quickly it had all happened. Barely she had blinked, and already the tide of war had shifted against her.
“Prepare for close quarters combat! Belkan-styles to the front! Mid-styles bombard from afar!” Vivio yelled, readying her device. A standard storage device, it was the best they could find in such short time. Still, she was trained in both the device and in the sword, and she would not die without a fight.
But rather than gather their courage and muster up the strength, Vivio’s soldiers were overtaken by fear. “We’ve been overrun! It’s every man for himself!”
“What?! No! Stop! We cannot retreat! We cannot let the enemy take this place!” she cried to no avail. Her own allies were fleeing, dropping all they were doing and retreating from the area. In one terrifying instant, she had been left alone.
Alone! Alone! Abandoned by her troops and left to die on this wretched field, terror like never before gripped her heart. She turned to gaze upon the battlefield, devoid of all friendly forces. The enemy was coming, and there was nothing she could do to stop them…
[Pathetic. Those cowards have no right to call themselves men.]
Who?! Who said that?!
The young Takamachi felt a warmth by her side, drawing her attention to the scabbard there. Upon the hilt was a shining gem, one that pulsed as if it were alive. The sword… a device?!
[I am Avalon, the Paradise of Heroes. The weapon you wield is the Sword of Akashic, the holiest of blades. For years I have slept, waiting for one’s arrival. The time has come, my lady, for you to take your place once more. Take your place among kings.]
But… I am no king! I’m just a clone, a copy of a person long dead! I’m just… Vivio.
[You have Her eyes; Her spirit; Her will. Though you are a creation of man, you are still a living being. A being that has been granted the power of a holy king. You cannot deny your blood, just as you cannot deny your existence. You need not be the Sankt Kaiser, but you must be a hero!]
I… Then… what must I do?
[Thrust me into the earth and summon up your will. Call for your army, your men of arms and might. You, of holy blood, have right to power.]
I… I understand.
The platina blade of her sword shined brilliantly as she drew it from its gilded sheath. Easily it sank into the soil by her feet. Though her heart thundered in her chest and her breath quavered, she could feel it. From deep within her soul, she felt a rising power, gushing and overflowing in her veins. Her entire body felt electrical as the power within her awakened. The words came spilling forth, as natural as a nightly prayer.
“By the right of blood, I command thee! Hear the call of war, heed the bellow of the horn! Come forth, my faithful army! Come forth and prepare for war!”
The sword glowed incredibly bright – blindingly so, as flames erupted forth from the blade. Fire scorched the earth it touched and traveled as far as the eye could see. The land itself seemed to burn mightily behind her, a fiery tempest that ate up the land. Suddenly, the flames burst away, revealing those forged by the fires of war.
“Rise! My Army!”
[Yes, your majesty.]
Raising her head, Vivio found herself no longer alone. No… all around her were soldiers from ancient times, resplendent in ancient armor and gleaming weapons. Upon the earth, in the skies, by her side and as far as she could see, hundreds upon thousands of soldiers, cavalry, even great armored beings – Knightmares, they stood at ready.
[Blood Summon: Aionian Hetairoi – Army of the Holy King]
Amazing…
From the sky lanced forth a great beam of furious blue, an attack from a powerful mage. Aimed at her, the spell indeed seem powerful enough to annihilate the girl and the entire hill in an instant. Gazing up at the beam, Vivio felt a jolt of fear – how could she defend from that? Even with this army… could nothing more be done?
She closed her eyes.
If you need me…
Her shield. Her sword.
Call my name.
“Noland…”
The Knight of Calamity. The Traitor Knight. The Great Betrayer. What horrid titles history had given him, besmirching the memory she and the
Sankt Kaiser had of him. How dare they insult him!
HER Knight!
“NOLAND!”
The bombardment beam never struck its mark, its path cut down barely a meter away from her. Vivio opened her eyes to see that the beam had been split in twain, its remnants deflected into the fiery sky. Before her he stood, a white cloak billowing in the hot winds of war. Rather than gnarled sable and crimson plate, his armor instead was of glorious silver and rich blue. A noble Knight, his crescent moon halberd in hand.
He had returned.
“By your command, I come forth. My Lady, ‘tis an honor to serve you once again,” he spoke, clearly now. He turned to face his king, sending a mysterious bolt of excitement and happiness down her spine.
“Your eyes…” Vivio whispered.
“Hmm?”
“They’re blue.”
He laughed, dry but warm. “Aye, they are. Blue eyes, to see the truth. I’ll allow not lunacy nor hatred to lead my astray ever again. From the dark of despair you have brought me to the light. And in this light, I can see clearly. Now, Vivio. Lead your army.”
She followed his hand, turning to face the legendary might of Ancient Belka before its fall.
“Your Excellency,” a wizened knight knelt before her, head bowed in reverence. “We await your command.”
Behind him, eleven other knights also knelt. The finest of Knights, with strengths and skill beyond any that had come before and after them: The Knights of the Round.
“Then…” she murmured, bringing a hand up. She stared into her palm, encased in soft leather and magical cloth. With but a wave, she would bring the destruction of all her enemies and completely dominate the Round Table. All this power, this might… was hers and hers alone.
How terrifying.
A gauntlet gently grasped her shoulder, turning her attention upwards. Even in this form, the Knight of Two was much taller than she.
“Are you afraid, my Lady? What is it that you fear?” Noland asked gently, already knowing what gave her pause. “This power is indeed terrifying, easily misused and tainted. But so as long as your cause is noble and just, so as long as you fight righteously to protect, then you have nothing to fear. We are by your side.”
Slowly, Vivio nodded. To doubt herself for even a moment was to give the enemy victory. To use this power now, to save her soldiers and the lives off all those fighting this unsung war… To bring peace back…
She waved her hand at her enemy.
“Crush them.”
“
Yes, Your Majesty!” the Knights of the Round saluted.
“Yes, Your Majesty!!!” the army roared in tandem, their weapons thrust into the sky.
A great cry rose from the grand army as they charged like a great tsunami, a roar that drowned the enemy in terror and discourse. No longer did they have the numerical superiority – no longer did they rule the battlefield. Now they faced the ancient might of the army of the Saint King.
“In the name of the
Sankt Kaiser, strike them down with all your might!”
Upon that wounded hill, Vivio watched on with wide eyes. The moment the armies clashed, the victor was already decided. Her army washed over the opposing force like typhoon smashing a small island, tear it apart in an instant. This war… this war was going to end. She would get to go home, back to mother and her family.
But until the end of this war, she would fight. This time, she will not be alone.
Vivio looked at the Knight by her side.
Noland gazed back, a smile spreading across his face. “By your side, I will forever be. We, your ever faithful, are eternal. This, Vivio Takamachi, I swear.”
The gate of hope had been opened.