Around 4 AM, June 3rd, 3289. Xernas.
"Report of... an almost impossible event, folks, Kayn, the number one wizard, was assassinated yesterday at 4 PM," blared the megaphones in one of the most important cities of the alliance.
Billions of people across the galaxy poured out of their homes to honor his passing. Kayn had been more than a hero to the people. He was the savior who made them feel safe. Every time a disaster struck, the only thing that mattered was, "When will Kayn arrive?"
"His death was at the hands of the Demon Lord who attempted to invade the southern area of the alliance, specifically the world of Cerullion. After the Magika Military ceremony had begun," the announcer added, unable to conceal a hint of hesitation.
Tears streamed down the faces of countless worlds. The masses moved, viewing Kayn's death as something impossible. Many still couldn't accept it. However, the body arriving with an entire fleet of the Military was undoubtedly his.
Kayn had been born in Xernas, and in some way, it was fitting that his journey ended here. The capsule traversed the streets, suspended on a floating platform, until it reached the city center. Beneath the imposing statue commemorating his countless exploits, the coffin was placed with utmost care.
The streets, filled with grieving crowds, stretched before the eyes of the third strongest in the galaxy, Jacko, who watched the scene from atop one of Xernas' governmental buildings. A gray scarf covered most of his face, which bore traces of military paint around the eyes. At 29, he had witnessed countless battles and losses, but he had never before seen such an outpouring of collective grief.
Jacko relaxed his shoulders as he observed the finely crafted silver coffin bearing Kayn's body, the most powerful wizard the galaxy had known. His fall at the hands of the Demon Lord was a devastating blow, not only for the loss of his immense power but for what he represented to the citizens of the Alliance.
"He was more than a hero to them," Jacko murmured gravely. "He was their personified hope, their guarantee of peace."
"The troops have already mobilized to the north; a large-scale invasion is expected in the next twelve hours," added his companion, one of the lieutenants he trusted the most, named Kaido.
Now, with Kayn dead, that hope hung by a thread. Jacko knew he had to act fast to restore the population's trust and prevent chaos from spreading. Without him, it was obvious that the Military would be at a disadvantage against the Demon Lord.
"The higher-ups have been waiting for this day for decades. Since Kayn took control of the imperial groups, the alliance has always been under his thumb," Jacko commented, taking a sip of black whiskey. "And it's not that he was bad, quite the opposite, the alliance had its golden years with Xernas' son in charge. However, those above always saw his power and influence with envy. Now, they'll try to take his place."
"Don't you think it's too soon for that?" Kaido questioned.
"No, they've been waiting for decades. Surely today or tomorrow, they'll convene an emergency meeting to choose a new leader. And they'll clearly want to bring back the system of groups."
Kaido pondered the idea. At some point, it was expected to happen. However, it was difficult for him to believe that in the face of such a great invasion risk, they would focus more on political elections than military matters.
"Now we're at a crossroads. There are many options, but several where we come out on top," said Jacko, swirling the liquid in his glass. "The Military needs to regain its influence to once again be one of the four pillars of government, and for that, we need two things: One, that the system rotates or remains annexed to the Military."
"The politicians' representatives won't accept that," Kaido clarified.
"They won't without a good reason, and that's where our wild card comes in. Second: we need a new Kayn."
Kaido was surprised by Jacko's comment, but he knew Jacko didn't throw words around without purpose. He studied the veteran warrior's face, searching for any sign of his intentions.
"A new Kayn?" Kaido repeated, skepticism evident in his voice. "Do you mean finding someone who can fill his shoes?"
Jacko nodded slowly, taking another sip of his whiskey. His eyes gleamed with cold, calculating determination.
"Exactly. Someone who can lift the Military and the Alliance out of this darkness. Someone with the charisma, strength, and power to face the Demon Lord and, most importantly, to inspire the people." Jacko said.
Kaido fell silent, contemplating the magnitude of the task. Finding someone who could match Kayn seemed like an impossible mission. But the need was urgent. The Demon Lord wouldn't wait for the Alliance to resolve its internal issues.
"Do you think Nana could be that someone?" Kaido finally asked.
Jacko smiled slightly, a glimmer of hope shining in his gaze.
"No, she was very reluctant to get involved in political formalities. I don't think she'd even want to come near a military leader now after what happened with Kayn."
Kaido nodded gravely. Nana was a formidable warrior, but as Jacko had pointed out, she lacked the desire to take on a political and military leadership role after the loss of her friend and brother-in-law Kayn.
"So, who do you have in mind?" Kaido asked with growing curiosity. "It must be someone exceptional to fill the void left by Kayn."
Jacko finished his whiskey in one gulp and set the glass aside. His eyes bore into Kaido's with overwhelming intensity.
"Yes, I have someone. There are several young prodigies in the new ranks of the Magika Military. They, the ones who survived the Cerullion incident, will be the new stars that people will have their eyes on right now. And that's where you come in, Kaido. Your mission will be to infiltrate with them and find out who could assume that role, also ensuring that they remain loyal to the Military."
Kaido nodded, aware of the weight of the mission entrusted to him. Jacko was a master of manipulation and control, and Kaido knew that his own future in the Military depended on successfully completing this task.
"Understood, General. Any recommendation on whom I should observe first?"
Jacko smiled with a mixture of satisfaction and cunning.
"Yes, Kaido. There's a name that has emerged strongly among the survivors of the incident in Cerullion: Takeru Windrider. He has demonstrated exceptional combat skills and has a presence that could inspire both troops and the population."
Kaido nodded again, committing the name to memory. He knew Takeru by sight, but he had never worked directly with him. He would have to approach cautiously and assess his capabilities and loyalty.
"Also gotta keep Kurosawa Kamo in mind," Jacko continued. "She's a damn brilliant strategist and has earned the respect of many in the Military for her sheer badassery. But she's also more sadistic and unlikeable, which could be a hurdle in taking on the leadership role."
Kaido mentally noted every detail. He knew finding the new Kayn wouldn't be easy, but it was essential for the Alliance's survival and, more importantly, for Jacko's plans.
"Don't forget to keep everything low-key," Jacko warned, his tone growing more severe. "Can't have the politicians catching wind of our intentions before we're ready to unveil our candidate."
"Got it, General. I'll proceed with discretion."
With the mission clear, Kaido withdrew to begin his task. As he headed towards the Military base, his thoughts swirled around the immense responsibility resting on his shoulders. Not only was he searching for a leader, but he was also navigating through the intrigues and ambitions of those like Jacko, who saw Kayn's death as an opportunity to shape the future in their favor.
Meanwhile, Jacko remained in the government building, gazing out at the Xernas skyline. He knew the Alliance was at a critical crossroads. With Kayn off the board, the balance of power had shifted drastically. But where others saw despair, Jacko saw opportunity.
His mind churned ceaselessly, seeking ways to consolidate his own power and that of the Military. To him, Kayn's death wasn't just a tragedy; it was a chance to reconfigure the established order. He knew that in chaos, there was room for new leaders to emerge, and he was determined to ensure those leaders were loyal to his vision.
While the crowds continued to mourn Kayn, Jacko was already plotting his next move. Because in the Alliance, only the cunning and ambitious could thrive, and Jacko intended to be the architect of the new order.
"Long live you, Kayn."
Across the galaxy...
Kurosawa sat in her RailXen seat, watching the changing landscape through the window. After the traumatic events in Cerullion, she had been assigned to the Military Academy on the planet Sorna to continue her training.
The news of Kayn's death echoed in her mind like a persistent echo. Transmissions had spread throughout the galaxy, shaking the Alliance to its core. Even on the peaceful journey to Sorna, the RailXen speakers were broadcasting the latest updates.
"...the body of Kayn, the greatest hero of the Alliance, has been transported to his homeworld of Xernas for a state funeral. Millions of citizens from across the galaxy are expected to attend the event to pay tribute to his sacrifice..."
Kurosawa looked away from the window, lost in her thoughts. She had witnessed Kayn's bravery firsthand, seeing him confront the Demon Lord without hesitation. His strength and courage were something Kurosawa had never seen before, and it had left a profound impact on her. For her, it was confusing that the greatest hero of the Alliance would prefer giving his life than sacrificing a few people...
After the incident in Cerullion, Kurosawa, along with the other Military recruits, had been transferred to different mother ships outside the planet, where they stayed for about a day. During that time, Kurosawa and Ren had separated due to group reasons. She was grateful to be rid of him, yet deep down, she felt that she would miss him in one way or another.
"At the scene, several military chiefs have gathered to bid farewell to Kayn," the speaker continued. "Among them is Nana, his closest companion and one of the most powerful warriors of the Alliance."
Kurosawa remembered seeing Nana in some Alliance pamphlets where they promoted her as the "Second most powerful" of the Alliance. Nana was an imposing figure, and many considered her the natural successor to Kayn, although her aversion to politics was well known.
The train finally arrived at its destination. Sorna was a planet of mountainous landscapes and vast plains, home to one of the most prestigious military academies of the Alliance. Its blood-red sky hung on the horizon, and its two sister moons rotated parallel to the planet. Kurosawa stepped off the RailXen, feeling the cool, clear air contrasting with the tense atmosphere of the mother ships. Around her, other recruits also disembarked, all with serious and determined expressions. Kayn's death had put everyone on high alert.
Kurosawa slowly made her way through the Military Academy in Sorna's plaza, her boots resonating on the polished stone floor. Around her, the academy buildings rose with imposing majesty, a reminder of the greatness and legacy of the Alliance.
As she walked, Kurosawa noticed the curious glances of the other recruits and cadets. Whispers and murmurs followed her, as if she were a celebrity or something more than just a simple recruit. Soon, she realized that her involvement in the events of Cerullion had made her a renowned figure.
"Hey, isn't she the one? The one who was with Kayn when he faced the Demon Lord," she heard a nearby cadet say.
"Yeah, they say Kayn personally saved her before... you know," another responded in a reverent whisper.
Kurosawa clenched her jaw, uncomfortable with the sudden attention. She didn't consider herself a hero, just another recruit who had the misfortune of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. But it seemed that her mere survival from the confrontation with the Demon Lord had turned her into some sort of legend among her peers.
Suddenly, an imposing figure approached her. It was a senior officer from the Academy, a burly man with a firm, penetrating gaze.
"Cadet Kurosawa Kamo," he said in a grave tone. "It's an honor to have you here in Sorna."
Kurosawa simply nodded, indicating she wasn't pleased with the exposure she was getting.
As Kurosawa tried to maintain a stoic demeanor, the officer continued speaking. "Your involvement in the events of Cerullion has been widely discussed. Witnessing the sacrifice of one of our greatest heroes must have been a profound experience."
Kurosawa nodded solemnly. "I guess it was."
"Well, cadets, disperse," the general ordered. "You, come with me."
The officer and Kurosawa began to walk, in the distance, several smooth stone buildings lined up in square shapes. And in the midst of them, a tall control tower observed everything from above. Soon, they arrived at a building with the symbol "A1" engraved on the door. The officer opened the door and led Kurosawa into an austere but functional meeting room. Inside, several high-ranking officers were seated around a rectangular table, discussing animatedly among themselves.
"Cadet Kurosawa Kamo, present," the officer announced, drawing the attention of everyone present.
Kurosawa stood firm, her expression neutral as she assessed those present. She recognized some of the officers as academy instructors, but others were unfamiliar faces. The atmosphere in the room was tense, charged with anticipation and urgency.
"Cadet, we have been closely monitoring your progress since you entered the academy," began one of the officers, a middle-aged man with a sharp gaze. "And, of course, we have heard about your participation in the recent events in Cerullion
Kurosawa nodded solemnly, keeping her silence. She knew her involvement in the events at Cerullion had put her under the scrutiny of the Military higher-ups.
"As you can imagine, the situation within the Alliance is extremely delicate right now," another officer, a silver-haired woman with a firm voice, continued. "Kayn's death has left a power vacuum that needs to be filled as soon as possible."
Kurosawa listened in silence, feeling the weight of the moment.
"That's why we've called upon cadets like you to discuss a special assignment," said the head officer, an older man with a serious expression. "From now on, you belong to the A1 cadet group, the top team of mages in the academy."
With that, a military uniform was placed on the table in front of her, along with a badge bearing the symbol of an eagle and the inscription "Unit A1 No. 107."
ns 172.69.6.202da2Thanks for reading! I'd love to hear your thoughts and feedback on this chapter. What did you like or dislike? What are your predictions? Leave a comment below!