Davak and Meah, sitting alone in the nearly dark room--Just sat still for a moment as Meah glanced around the room. Davak took a long breath, looking down at the child who looked even smaller than usual in such a large seat.

  “The other House Leaders are trying to instigate a war against the Bottom World.

  In the past, we have attempted small scale invasions, but due to the terrain of the Bottom World and the fact it cannot be mapped out, we have always lost scores of men--When I first took over as Head of House Conquest, I even aided Vin and Bel in a few of these invasions personally.

  But, I had only done so against particularly cruel and devilish groups.”

  He spoke between long breaths, bringing silence again. “But I changed when my first wife, of which Vista was named after--Was killed in one of these battles.

  Much like Vista--I turned to vengeance to fill the hole in my heart--I swore to kill all who resided below the earth by my own two hands, never again letting another face death by Sol’s enemies.

  I cannot hope to guess how many I killed, how many were slaughtered by my hands.

  I understand all too well what Vista is feeling, but unlike him, I have experienced the other side of that path--I know that it does not end in pride, nor in satisfaction.”

  He closed his eyes. “If not for your mother, I would have kept fighting until my final breath, or until there was nothing left to fight against.

  But, that was yesterday, today is today.

  Vin has declared that Sol must fight a complete war against the Bottom World, he has done so many times before, but only now has he gained the support of every other House.

  They need House Conquest's strength however, and so--It is only me who stands against them--But now, it seems they are using Vista’s thirst for vengeance, to turn him against me.

  So, Meah--While Tista is here, she wishes to meet you specifically, and I fear she will attempt to turn you against me as well.

  If she, or anyone else discusses the need for war with you, I want you to tell me.

  Do you understand?”

  He asked, as she nodded, then sat still for a moment. “But what's so bad about a war, anyway?” She asked, as Davak lowered his face.

  “What Vin desires is a complete war against the Bottom World--In other words, we would completely erase the people of the Bottom World.

  Currently, we have agreements with the people of the Bottom World, so long as they remain underground, we will leave them be--If they step out, they break that agreement, the Warriors of Sol have the right to kill anyone who steps out of the Bottom World.

  However, historically, this agreement hasn't been fully enforced--Those that leave the Bottom World, and do not cause trouble for the people of the Surface or Sol, have been ignored, it would be more trouble than it is worth to hunt them down, and, as long as they're behaved, we have allowed these individuals to continue their lives without trouble.

  These people offer insight into the Bottom World we lack, and we have come to understand that the people below the earth are not inherently evil as some claim--Although individuals or groups of great influence can erode what morals they have.

  But I digress--Meah, surely, you must understand that not everyone who would die in a complete war would be evil?

  As long as even one innocent person is at risk of being killed--I cannot allow such a war to commence.”

  He explained, while she listened quietly, until he stopped speaking. “But, if we should only fight them when they kill people, doesn't that mean that other innocent people will die anyway?” She asked.

  He pinched the bridge of his nose. “Mortals, and even the people of Sol kill one another as well. There will always be evil individuals, but an entire people cannot be so.

  I cannot assume that an entire group has sinned off the circumstances of their birth, nor can I judge them off my own standards of morality, when they themselves do not share them.

  They live in a world where food is scarce, so to survive, they eat each other.

  How can they know that it is wrong to do so as they first step onto the surface?

  They are like children, we must teach them, not kill them.”

  He explained, but she crossed her arms. “So, they're not dangerous?” She asked, as he raised his face to look her in the eyes.

  “Some are very dangerous.”

  He responded, causing her expression to shift. “How can you tell if they're dangerous or not?”

  “You can't know for certain.”

  He confessed, causing her to look down at her feet. “So, if some are dangerous but you don't know which ones, wouldn't that mean all are dangerous?

  How am I supposed to know if I should fight them, or teach them?”

  “You fight to protect, to defend. As long as you remember that you will never be led astray.

  Wherever you go, there will always be someone to protect--That might be Vista, it might be yourself--But you can never be wrong if you are protecting a life.”

  He put his hand on her shoulder, it was so large, he could fit her head in his palm, yet he was entirely gentle. “It is natural, some might even say it is easy to protect those behind you, but it takes a great strength to protect those in front of you as well.

  So you must ask yourself; Meah--Are you strong?”

  With that question he stood up, and she did as well. “Now, go eat your breakfast--Tista should be here soon.”

  He opened the door, as Meah ran to his side, following close beside as he walked down the hallway.

  He glanced down, and watched as Meah took three or four steps for every step he took, despite that, she was eager to walk beside him--He slowed his pace down just a bit, as he glanced forward again.

  As the two walked quietly, his eyes kept shifting down at her, her expression was somber, lacking her usual enthusiasm.

  “So, what sort of Armament do you want anyway?” He suddenly asked, hoping to lighten the mood.

  “I want something cool, like Garen!” She announced without hesitation, as he rubbed the side of his neck.

  “Garen's great, but you might wanna pick something, more your size.” He insisted.

  “I'm strong!” She declared.

  “You can have all the strength in the world, but the Mantle Cracker is as tall as three of you! Lifting such a blade would be difficult, swinging it much more so.”

  He pressed his hand on her head, as she winced. “Let me try!” She hissed, he rolled his eyes, a smirk on one side of his lips.

  “Sure thing.” He stopped in place, standing in the middle of a hallway, gently pushing her back with his right hand, when holding his left hand out.

  A massive red sword appeared in his hand, with magma-like veins flowing through the blade. The hilt alone is the length of Meah's forearm, the blade itself taller than her by a great deal, yet Davak held it up with one hand, appearing to hold it with ease.

  “I first took hold of this blade when I was twice your age!”

  He proudly proclaimed, before kneeling down on one knee, allowing Meah to approach. “Be careful of the blade, it may not be a sword meant for cutting, but it's still sharp enough to cut yourself if you're careless.”

  Meah looked at the sword, eyes fixated, Davak lowered its tip against the ground, lowering the hilt down to where Meah could reach it. “Hold it with both hands, don't be afraid of letting it go if it's too heavy.” He explained, her hands grabbing onto the hilt while Davak released his own grip, immediately, just the hilt alone nearly fell right to the ground, but she managed to support its weight enough to keep it from falling straight down to the floor.

  She dug her heels onto the ground, mustering all the strength she had in her little arms until her face went red, trying to lift the blade off the ground--Davak watched, taking a step back, she adjusted her grip, grabbing the guard of the blade, and with one final burst of her strength, she managed to get the tip of the blade just less an inch off the ground, before losing her strength and dropping the sword completely--As was falling right for her feet, it safely disappeared--She fell backwards after losing her grip, only to be caught by Davak.

  “Wait! I almost had it!”

  She stubbornly shouted. “Your goal was to see if you could wield such a blade into battle, not if you could lift it.

  Unfortunately, your size will limit your choices greatly, you passed the ordeal far younger than anyone ever expected was possible afterall.”

  He explained, seeing a frustrated expression on her face. “Still, you did lift it off the ground, Garen weighs as much as a tree!

  A mortal adult of the surface couldn't even dare to lift it off the ground, even most adults here in Sol couldn't hope to wield it into battle.

  You've got my strength in your blood, just not yet the body to match!”

  He patted her on the back, practically throwing her forward. “You think I'll be as big as you someday!?” She asked, as he crossed his eyes, scratching his chin.

  “Maybe not as big, your mother wasn't that tall nor muscular.

  But, she was strong regardless--She could carry Garen with ease despite her size.

  On the surface, your strength is determined by your body--Yet our strength is supernatural, given by the God of Strength, a mortal man could not hope to lift a tree, nor a boulder--As you are Meah, you could overpower even the strongest of men from the surface.

  This is why you must protect them, why you mustn't hurt them. Their blades cannot cut our skin without precision, their arrows are like being pelted by sharp needles.”

  You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

  He looked down at her. “With that said, you mustn't lower your guard. I am exceptionally strong, even amongst our people.

  Our people can still be killed, we are far from invincible. I am the strongest, and so my body is nearly invincible to the people of the Surface, and even those from the Bottom World whose strength rivals our own.

  You are still young, blades can still cut you, arrows can still pierce you.

  Even if you are a Warrior of Sol now, I want you to understand, you are still a child.

  If you pass that second ordeal, and go to that surface to fight--You should remember, you will still need to be protected, no matter how strong you are, there's no end to those that have more experience, that are more cunning, and even those that are stronger than you.

  Being the youngest to pass the Ordeal, simply means you are the first to face unique challenges related to your age.”

  He looked down at her again, her height barely reaching to his knee, as his expression soured. “But you said our size doesn't affect our strength?” She responded.

  “Size, does not--Your age does. A baby, even with the strength of a God, could not hope to lift a sword. It does not yet know how, its fingers cannot yet grasp a blade--Even if it could, it would not do much than swing it blindly.

  And so, a baby with God-Like strength would only be a danger to its mother, a baby with a Godly bite would be impossible to feed, or with a Godly kick would rupture a Mother's belly from the inside.

  As a result, when you are a baby, you are no different than a mortal baby. Your body will gradually be given more strength as you reach adulthood--By the time you're as old as you are now, your strength is already beyond what a mortal adult is capable of.

  How much strength you are given is dependent on your bloodline, and you can still become stronger than what is inherently given to you by cultivating your strength.

  But unfortunately, you cannot force that strength to come early, there are things you must wait for--As such, Damascus and myself decided that we would limit the choices of Armaments you may choose from.”

  As he spoke, it was obvious she was becoming less interested in the conversation, she first began to fidget, then started to glance around.

  “Alright, why don't you go eat before our guest--"

  “Uncle Wayne's here!”

  She suddenly shouted, as he winced: “What are you--” He attempted to speak, only to see her dash down the hallway. “Where are you going? You'll miss breakfast!” He shouted as she shook her head.

  “I'll be back before lunch!” She responded.

  She ran through hallways, nearly tripping on her skirt, wincing as she turned towards the stairs, dashing up them as quickly as she could, running past a man with a missing eye. “Princess?” He stepped aside as she dashed beside him.

  “Good morning Tomaa!” She didn't turn back, heading up another flight of stairs, back up into the long hall with windows all across.

  She ran straight to her room, quickly changing into clothes more fit for running about--Before dashing to the balcony, glaring down at the long fall directly below, smiling wide as she jumped right down without hesitation.

  Her hair fluttered with the wind as she pulled the string keeping it tied up, letting it fly free as she fell closer to the side of the mountain, landing with her heels, sliding down on her boots as she rolled straight onto a stone path below, completely unfazed, she turned towards a specific direction in Codeas.

  Still, she was only partway down the mountain, she started running down the path circling the mountain, rather than directly follow the path however, she'd do as she did before, and leap right off the edge of the upper path, to the lower portion of the mountain, landing with precision and grace, repeating this until she'd practically jumped down the entire mountain.

  Surrounding the mountain, is a tall wall that disconnects the city of Codeas from Mount Conquest, she leapt from the mountain path, straight onto the top of this wall, nearly tripping forward, spinning her arms to catch her balance, as a guard standing a few feet away just rolled his eyes. “Don't hurt yourself!” He shouted, as she said:

  “I won't!” Leaping from the side of the wall straight down onto the rooftop of a three story building.

  Running along the red rooftops, her eyes fixated in one specific direction, avoiding the crowded roads below, jumping the length of each road from rooftop to rooftop, she didn't slow down in the slightest, even when stepping on a loose tile nearly caused her to lose her footing, she marched forward with ease.

  In a matter of minutes, she'd made it halfway across the city, and what is called The Gateway was right in sight, there was a crowd of Warriors surrounding a stone arch in the middle of a clearly, all talking in a circle--Even from this rooftop, she could clearly make out one of the men--Leaping straight from the roof, over a crowd of people, landing right in the clearing around the archway, she shouted:

  “Uncle Wayne!”

  In a blink, Wanye was tackled by a pintsized bullet of sorts, nearly thrown off his feet as Meah grabbed her tightly, and span around to catch his balance. “Young Meah!” He responded, placing her down as he got down on a knee, looking her in the eyes and patting her head. “Where did you come fro--”

  “I passed the first Ordeal!” She interrupted, his expression wasn't that of surprise, yet it took a moment for a smile to reach his lips.

  He has short silver hair, and pointed ears, with pale skin and red eyes, without much muscle, he is neither tall of stature nor wide of body. “I would love to say that I was surprised, but you, Meah, are exceptional for your age!” He stated.

  “Do you have any stories?” She asked, as he stood up straight, glancing back at the other Warrior's.

  “I do, but I believe our guests should take priority.” He stepped aside, as a giant in red armor approached the child.

  “Hello.”

  She spoke from within her suit of armor, glaring down at the pint sized child. “Did you come with your father?” The armored giant asked, as Meah shook her head.

  “No, I came on my own.” She answered, looking up at her armor. “You're Tista, right?” Meah inquired, as the giant nodded in response.

  “So you do remember me.” She responded.

  “Did you and Wayne come together?” Meah asked as Tista nodded.

  “Aye--Wayne was fighting alongside my men recently, and has been staying in House Rain to rest since.” Tista explained.

  Meah glanced back at the others standing around, one was a young woman in appearance, with long red hair, Tista gestured to the woman. “This is my daughter, Lissia.”

  Lissia stepped forward, she wasn't as tall as her mother, but was considerably taller than most people in Codeas--Meah approached. “I hear you passed the first Ordeal.” Lissia glared down at the child.

  “Does everyone know that?”

  Meah asked. “It's very impressive, I was nearly fifty before I passed it.” Lissia responded.

  Meah stared at her for a moment. “How old are you?” She blurted out.

  “That’s something you begin to lose track of after a while.” Lissia answered.

  “She was born in the sixth year of the previous century--So that would make her one hundred and seventy three.” Tista answered, as Meah listened carefully, before turning her attention back to Wayne.

  “Did you come running from the Palace?”

  Wayne asked, scratching his head, glancing down at the child with a somewhat soured expression. “I did!” She explained, as his expression turned into a wince.

  “I did not send word I would be coming home today; it was a spur of the moment decision.

  Were you waiting for Tista?”

  He asked, as she shook her head. “I wanted to see you! So, I came as soon as you got here!” She explained with a smile, as he pressed his hand on her head, a forced smile on his face.

  “Then let us go meet your father.”

  Wayne led the crowd through the streets, Tista following close behind, while Lissia was at her mother's side, focused squarely on the path ahead--Meah was sticking so close to Wayne's side, she was nearly tripping him. There were a few soldiers from House Rain trailing behind but keeping their distance. “Daddy broke the table today.” She explained as Wayne took a long breath.

  “This would not be the first time.” He responded. “I can only hope his guests will be fine eating without one.” He sighed.

  As they approached the foot of the mountain, preparing themselves for the long walk up, walking through a white stoned gate--Davak was waiting on the other side. “Meah!” He shouted, as she turned to her father.

  “Did you jump down the mountain again?”

  He asked, as she froze up. “I did.” She answered as both Wayne and Davak sighed.

  “You know that if you make a mistake, you could be hurt. You don't need a broken leg, do you?” Davak asked.

  “It'll heal!” She responded, when Tista stepped forward.

  “Our people used to dive off the edge of Sol thousands of years ago, a little mountain should not be enough to injure a warrior who passed the Ordeal at just eight.”

  Tista interjected, as Davak turned his glare to her. “As much as I love to be lectured on our history while talking to my daughter, I will ask that my guest does not put dangerous ideas into the mind of my child.” Davak turned to Tista with a glare as Tista crossed her arms.

  “Caution is a poison to the mind of a blossoming warrior.” Tista retorted. “If she can leap from a mountain, and land safely, then she should be praised, not scolded. If she does not take risks, she will not be strong.” She added.

  “Risks are a necessity in life, but they must be weighed. If she were to land on her head or neck, she could easily die, and for what?

  I know she is strong--I am proud of her strength.

  But it is a parent's duty to worry for their child, I am sure you understand.”

  He glanced back to Lissia, as Tista adjusted her posture. “To Meah, who understands her strength better than we, a scolding does not tell her what she should not do, it burns into her mind what she cannot do.

  If you make her fear of a challenge she has already overcome, she will be afraid to challenge the unknown.

  Fear breeds hesitation, and hesitation kills in a blink of an eye.

  I have raised twelve daughters, and each that I coddled were killed in battle.

  Embrace her strength or risk bringing her to fear it.”

  Tista stood nearly at the same height as Davak, yet she talked down to him as if she were twice his height, walking right past him towards the child. “She is a Warrior at the age of eight, daughter of Meraphi and Davak--She will grow to be strong, even if you would prefer for her to be weak.” She explained.

  “Prefer for her to be weak?” Davak winced.

  “As a parent, the scariest thing a child can be is strong.

  The strong fight the most dangerous of battles and die the most gruesome of deaths.

  When a child is weak, you never have to worry about them running off into a battle--They could remain in Sol and till the fields or work as a baker for all eternity--But when they're strong, they will always strive to use that strength.

  You cannot stop the flow of a river, but any blockade you build can be torn down after a rough storm--So instead of attempting to stop the raging waters, it is your duty to guide it where it must go.”

  Lissia stepped in. “Mother, you're rambling again.” She interrupted, as Tista sighed, when Wayne cleared his throat.

  “Young Meah, would you lead your Father's guests to the Palace?” He asked, when Meah shook her head.

  “But Wayne, I wanna--” She retorted.

  “Fret not, I will be here for many more days. We will see one another plenty more!” He insisted, as she took a deep breath.

  “Do as your uncle says.” Davak added, glancing down at his silver haired brother in-law.

  Meah nodded, and without another word left to quietly lead the group up the mountain path. Davak was dragged aside by Wayne--The two remained at the gate between Codeas the city and Mount Conquest. “So, spit it out.” Davak kept his arms crossed, leaning against a wall, clearly still frustrated by the words of Tista.

  “Meah sensed that I arrived in Codeas without me even letting you know I would be here.”

  Wayne explained as Davak lowered his sight. “And what of it?”

  “Her sense is subconscious but growing stronger by the day. She can wield the Crown.” Wayne responded, as Davak closed his eyes. “We should be--”

  “The barrier is still up.” Davak interrupted as Wayne nodded.

  “The barrier will only work if she remains in Sol. The moment she steps onto the surface, she will be discovered.

  Why is it you allowed her to take on the first Ordeal?”

  Wayne asked. “I thought, it'd be good if she had an Armament, to protect herself in an emergency.” Davak answered.

  “But now you are not able to prevent her from challenging the second Ordeal--And when she passes--”

  “If she passes!” Davak interrupted.

  “Are you counting on her to fail?” Wayne asked.

  “There’s no guarantee that she succeeds!” Davak insisted, taking a step forward.

  “She will. She is the daughter of my sister, she will succeed.” Wayne retorted, as Davak turned towards him.

  “What would you ask me to do then!?” He spoke through clenched teeth. “The other Houses all insist on a war against the Bottom World, and how long do you think they will wait for me to change my mind!?” He hissed. “If I continue to stand against them, we might see a war between Houses! And if Meah and Vista are weaponless, do you not think they'd make for easy targets?

  I don't know how far Vin is willing to go to get what he wants!”

  Wayne lowered his gaze, taking a long breath. “Then do you not think it is time we told them the truth? About Meraphi and myself?” He asked, when Davak froze up.

  “No.” He spoke under his breath. “Absolutely not!” He raised his voice, glaring down at Wayne.

  “Are you ashamed of the truth?” Wayne asked.

  “Of course not!” Davak yelled, taking a deep breath, before slumping over, and sitting on the ground against the wall.

  “Vista wishes to avenge Meraphi.”

  Davak confessed, pressing his hands against his face. “I cannot convince him otherwise; he intends to find the killer of his mother.”

  “Yet that is impossible.” Wayne replied. “Then all you can do is tell him the truth.” He added, as Davak closed his eyes.

  “You might be right.”

  Davak responded, much to Wayne's surprise. “I just don't know if I can.” He turned his sight to Wayne. “Vista trusts you better than me, perhaps he might understand if you explained it to him.” Davak confessed.

  “Why are you afraid?”

  Wayne asked, as the giant closed his eyes. “Meraphi made me promise never to speak a word of this all to them.

  So, they could live in Sol as proud warriors, safe from her, or rather, your family.

  Even to protect them, I cannot break that promise to her.”

  He explained, as Wayne took a long breath, sitting next to him. “She kept secrets even from me, some to protect me, some she could not speak.

  But now that she has left us, all we can do is protect what she left behind, and, so, what can we do to save them besides speaking the truth?”

  He glanced up to the sky. “I will tell Vista tonight, so you can rest knowing your promise remains.

  You will honor the word of the promise and speak not a word.”

  Davak nodded. “Then perhaps we can knock some sense into him together.” He joked, as Wayne stood up.

  “Well, let us make haste--We have a mountain to climb.” He said while glancing up. “I bet we could arrive at the top before Meah!”

  He turned back to Davak, who had a slight smile on his face. “What, you want me to throw you all the way up?” He joked, Wayne shrugged.

  “That sounds entertaining, actually.” Wayne glanced up, the sun still low in the sky. “But you did just scold Meah for being reckless, so we should not.”

  With that, the two started up the path, not far behind Meah.