In the dimly lit classroom of the military school, Kai Aoki sat amidst her peers, her mind wandering far from the droning lecture of the history teacher. The monotony of the lesson on the founding of their city, ATLANTIA, failed to captivate her restless spirit.
As the teacher's voice faded into the background, Kai's eyelids grew heavy, the pull of sleep irresistible. Just as she began to drift away into the realm of dreams, a sharp slam on her desk jolted her back to reality. Startled, she blinked rapidly, meeting the stern gaze of the teacher who stood towering over her.
"If you are sleeping in my class, then you must know everything?" the teacher's voice carried a hint of impatience. Kai, unflinching, responded with a touch of defiance, "I find history to be very useless as a subject."
The teacher, Corporal Aoki, known for his no-nonsense demeanour, fixed his gaze on Kai. "Nepotism will indeed help you move up ranks, but it won't serve you well in combat, nor will it validate your opinions," he remarked sharply. Kai held his gaze, her eyes reflecting a silent challenge.
"And history," she retorted, "applies to that rule as well." The tension in the room simmered as the two locked eyes in a battle of wills, each The classroom fell into a heavy silence as the teacher dismissed the class, but before Kai could gather her belongings to leave, Corporal Aoki reached out and grasped her arm firmly. "I am going to sign you up for my special forces program," he declared, his voice firm yet tinged with a hint of admiration.
Kai raised an eyebrow, a flash of scepticism crossing her features. "I thought you despised nepotism," she remarked, her voice laced with a mixture of curiosity and defiance. The teacher released her arm, a faint smile playing on his lips.
"You have strong opinions, Kai, and you're unafraid to voice them. Some may call it arrogance, but I see it as potential," he explained. Kai's gaze softened slightly, a flicker of intrigue sparking in her eyes.
"Can I leave now?" she inquired, testing the waters. The teacher nodded, a glint of pride in his eyes. "Well, you're dismissed."
As Kai exited the classroom, a whirlwind of thoughts and possibilities swirled in her mind, signalling the beginning of a journey that would test her limits, challenge her beliefs.
In the heart of ARXCE, the first city to rise from after the Great Booming, stood the grand hall where the council convened. This was no ordinary gathering; it was a clash of power, influence, and conflicting agendas that shaped the destiny of a fractured world.
The council of ARXCE was a formidable assembly, each member representing a pillar of society that held the city together in its fragile state. Crass, the Duke of the Mantels, exuded an air of opulence and authority, embodying the pillar of wealth. Paella, the Duchess of the Wardell, emanated a sense of justice and righteousness, representing her pillar with unwavering conviction. Ceasarius, the Head Council, commanded respect and authority as the pillar of governance, his decisions carrying the weight of the city's future.
Alongside them sat the Senate , a group comprised of the principal families who had founded ARXCE, their influence echoing through the corridors of power. As the council meeting commenced, tension hung thick in the air, each member keenly aware of the stakes at hand.
Ceasarius's voice cut through the silence, setting the tone for the deliberations. "Today, we decide what to do with the Empirium," he declared, his gaze piercing as he addressed the council.
Crass, ever the pragmatist, dismissed the threat. "Really, that small extremist group that has only been looting passing caravans," he remarked casually, his tone betraying a hint of indifference Paella, with a keen sense of justice, interjected, "I share the same opinion with the Head Council. We shouldn't underestimate them. Every spark has the potential to ignite a wildfire."
Crass, unmoved, redirected the conversation. "We should focus on something more important than that," he insisted, his eyes flashing with a hidden agenda.
Ceasarius, resolute in his duty, raised a cautionary flag. "We can't keep pushing away this issue. The Head General reports that they have now taken over one of our small colonies in the city of ATLANTIA," he revealed, his voice tinged with urgency.
"It's just a colony, surely we can just ignore it," Crass retorted, his dismissal palpable.
Ceasarius's tone hardened. "They are disturbing our war against ATLANTIA. We cannot have that. They are growing rapidly, and let us not forget they originate from this city. If we allow them to flourish unchecked, they may return with a vengeance, causing untold damage," he warned, his words echoing with a sense of impending doom.
As the council meeting drew to a close, a decision was reached - the Empirium would be wiped out, setting in motion a chain of events that would test the very foundations of ARXCE and push its leaders to confront the shadows of their past and the uncertainties of the future. The tranquil village nestled on the outskirts of ATLANTIA, three friends, Jean, Paulin, and Kadesh, went about their morning routines unaware of the looming threat that would soon shatter their peaceful existence. Living simple lives in this close-knit community, they had grown up together, their bond forged in the shared joys and sorrows of village life.
Jean, with his quick wit and adventurous spirit, was known for his fearlessness and unwavering loyalty to his friends. Paulin, the quiet thinker of the group, possessed a keen intellect and a heart brimming with compassion, always ready to lend a helping hand to those in need. Kadesh, with his strength and resilience, was the pillar of support for his friends, his unwavering determination a source of inspiration to all who knew him.
As they gathered at the village square, exchanging greetings with their neighbours and preparing for another day of work, a sudden commotion shattered the peace. The unmistakable sound of approaching footsteps and raised voices sent a shiver down their spines, signalling danger on the horizon.
The Empirium, cloaked in darkness and fuelled by a fanatical zeal, descended upon the village with a ferocity that left no room for mercy. Armed to the teeth and driven by a twisted sense of purpose, they bore down on the unsuspecting villagers, their eyes ablaze with a hunger for chaos and destruction.