A metallic hallway begins to protrude from the outer hull of the Lycantine Research and Defense Station. A familiar hiss begins to fill the ears of the interstellar cargo ship, the LNS Odyssey, as the hallway makes contact with the ship's port bow. The Odyssey's crew sighs with relief as the air locks activate, and its complement of 27 crew prepare to load this quarter's extracted resources from the Castaneda Asteroid Belt.

"Hello Captain, welcome to the station. I hope your quarterly visit is comfortable."

The representative of the station's scientist complement shakes the hand of Captain Jonathan Kinkade as the crew of the Odyssey are greeted by the local military presence and escorted to the guest habitation lounge.

"Why thank you, Commander, it's a pleasure to return to the station. We're here for our quarterly deliveries. I trust the local Garrison can manage to load up our cargo bays with as much of the mined resources as possible?"

The commanding scientist responds.

"Yes Captain, trust us. Take a rest before you go on your voyage again."

The two respectable officers shake hands and leave each other's presence. Jonathan walks off, his ears filled with the orders of the Commander in the background. Trucks, rovers, and industrial equipment begin to shuffle at the entrance of the Odyssey. It will be at least a day before the Odyssey is prepared to return to Lyzantium Space Elevator, and the Captain takes this opportunity to use his impromptu break to explore the station he's often visited, but never really explored.

The Captain opens the doors to the Habitation Lounge's primary hub. He's greeted by a wonderfully massive cafeterium. Spacious tables and comfortable lounges extend throughout the main hall. Restaurants, both owned by massive companies located on Anegana as well as, interestingly enough, local businesses run by local soldiers and scientists as a way to pass the time have formed a rather eccentric yet unique type of extraterrestrial station culture, and the food is all free of charge. As the Captain of the Odyssey asked for a plate of local Sycamorian Food, made by an intelligence officer from Sycamore itself, he hears a familiar voice behind him.

"Already comfortable with the station's amenities, Captain? That was shockingly quick."

Jonathan turns around to see his First Officer, Subcommander Pheonix Krinios, mocking his superior

"Ah, Phoenix. Hello to you as well. If it weren't for the fact you weren't on that bloody ship for three years longer than me, I'd have beaten your sorry ass by now. But why don't you get some food, and have a seat with me?"

The First Officer of the Odyssey chuckles, and nods his head. He takes off to taste some of the local Coridgean Food, made by the station's Intelligence Officer who happened to have visited Coridge as part of Lycantine's ten year ambassadorial program. In a few minutes, he returns to have a seat with the Captain, and they continue their conversation.

The Captain restarts their talk.

"I spoke to one of the engineers that once we return to the Space Elevator, the Oddysey is gonna be hooked up with a new FTL drive, and they're gonna upgrade our Fusion Reactor to help run said new FTL Drive. We will be able to make the trip from the Elevator to Castaneda in 5 days instead of a week."

The First Officer responds.

"Wait, really? No paperwork? No crew inspections? Not even a conversation with any of the fat cats in the MoonBeam Company?!"

"Nope. It'll all be covered by Parliament this time. They're paying for everything, from the new equipment to even the pencils that the state-provided inspectors will be using. On top of that, we'll even get a two week vacation during the upgrade."

"Damn. What a world we live in. Long Live Lycantine I guess."

"More like what a universe we live in, but indeed First Officer. Long Live Lycantine I guess."

The two sarcastically clink their paper cups together and proceed to eat. After their well earned meals, they decided to walk around and look at the other places in the space station. The stars and asteroids continue to silently spin in deep space as the two commanding officers leave the Habitation Lounge. They visit the Research station, where they are introduced by one of the scientists on all the equipment they use to monitor and redirect asteroids in Castaneda. They visit the testing site, where the local military scientist allows them some front row seats in the testing of a new Plasma based weapon. Finally, they visit the Bridge, where, after practically begging on their knees, the Commander allows them to use the station's communications systems to send a message to their families back in Seneca. A long day had passed for the two commanders, and soon they found the day had already gone, and it was time for bed. They returned to the Habitation Lounge, now empty, with only the eternally rotating space rocks acting as the only form of visual stimulus and the distant stars faintly shining through the glass. After arriving in their designated rooms, they shook hands, and went to sleep.

The following morning was routine as usual. Captain Jonathan of the Odyssey takes five minutes to log yesterday's events in his personal diary. He departs his room and gets some local Lyzantium Coffee, this time from a large fast food chain instead of one of the local businesses, and leaves the Habitation lounge to arrive at the drydocks.

As he walks towards his crew, already gathered at the entrance waiting for him, the Commander of the Lycantinean Research and Defense Station greets him.

"Alright Captain! We've loaded some of this quarter's harvest. 1.1 Million Tonnes of Raw Materials have been sorted and stored in your cargo hold. Thanks again for coming out all the way out here."

The Captain of the Oddysey shakes his hand and responds.

"Thank you as well Commander, for both your help and your hospitality. Is there enough food in there to last my crew a week?"

The Commander lets go of his hand and responds.

"Why yes Captain, and then some. You've got enough food in there to last for a week and a half."

"Alright then Commander, we shall be off. See you in a few months!"

The two commanding officers once again leave each other. The crew board the Odyssey and take their positions. The Captain sits in his seat as First Officer Pheonix takes his. The Captain's voice thunders throughout the bridge.

"Status!"

His crew responds

"All systems go, Captain."

"Shield Generators ready and charged"

"Engines at maximum capacity"

"No damages to hull and armor, Captain."

A light begins to flash, signaling a message coming in from the wormhole drive.

"Message from below Captain! Wormhole Drive is charged and ready! We are ready to depart."

The Captain responds.

"Good. Begin the departure."

The airlock from the metallic hallway hisses as it detaches itself and returns to the station. A final fraternal greeting is sent from the RnD station wishing them safe travels. The LNS Odyssey turns to it's Starboard side and faces Anegana, ready to depart. It's distance from the station increases and its engines begin roaring louder and louder. 2000 meters, 4000 meters, 6000 meters, 1000 meters, until they are a safe 7000 meters from the Space Station.

"Captain. We're a safe distance from the station now, permission to jump?"

The Captain responds to his Officer

"Perimission to jump on my Command."

The Captain activates a ship-wide intercom and begins to speak

"Wormhole Jump in 60 seconds. Crew, get into position!"

The timer begins to count down. 60..... 50..... 40..... 30..... 20..... 10... 5... 4... 3... 2... 1...

The clock runs out, and the Captain gives the signal.

"Permission to jump, Officer! Let's go!"

A flash of light engulfs the LNS Odyssey as it propels itself towards the planet it calls home. On board, 27 souls bring valuable resources to their homeland. Though they are one of thousands of cargo ships ferrying men, material, and resources from Lycantine and back, thoughts and prayers are with them as they begin their week long journey home.

The snow capped peaks of the Alaran Mountains reflect the sunlight onto the beautiful Lyzantium fields, thousands of feet below. Three Hundred and Fifteen Kilometers north of the Capital, a ruthless and merciless war is being waged. Lycantinean Forces fight Ultranationalists and Terrorists, seeking to form their own nation made of ideals that are destructive to Lycantine's. One whose policies which would cause the suffering of the thousands that call the Alaran Mountains their own.

After the terrorists destroyed and collapsed the Lyzantium Trade Center by flying a commercial jet liner into it, Lycantine moved to swiftly eradicate any terrorist influence. One by one, cities on the Lycantinean Mainland and the Southern Isles were cleansed from any terrorist influence, except for one. When the terrorists claimed the Alaran Mountains as their Fortress, they built up every entrance into Alara's underground cities hoping to stall and find International Support. However, as Lycantine and the rest of Anegana were in one global Federation, their efforts were in vain. They moved to hold out as long as possible, clinging to whatever dream of a Ultranationalist Utopia they had left.

Anton had been there at the start of the counteroffensive nearly three years ago. The war had been waged for nearly seventeen years now. Lycantine itself is technologically superior to any weapon any other nation on Anegana could field. However, with the terrorists being a part of their nation, and as such armed with their own Lycantinean weapins, Lycantine finds itself facing an enemy on par with its own technology.

"Bloody hell, it's a bit cold out here isn't it Private?"

Anton turns around in the direction of the voice that was addressing him. In front of him, wearing a set of shining Atlesian Knight Armor, is Colonel Bartholomew Anderson.

Private Anton Anderson turned around to salute his commanding officer. He addresses him formally.

"Good morning sir! Yes it is quite cold sir!"

"Come now, brother, there's no one around. No need to be so uptight," Bartholomew replies.

Anton sighs. "I know but you know what they've taught us in the academy. Professionalism breeds discipline!"

His brother laughs. "Yes but against terrorists, even us professionals struggle to maintain discipline. You have no idea how much I've restrained myself from just straight up blasting surrendering terrorists out of existence." The Plasma Cannon equipped on his armor charges up in agreement. He fires a small ball of Plasma at the pile of sticks in front of them, starting a fire that warms them both up.

"You know our armors and suits keep us warm, don't you Bart?" Anton asks him.

"I know, but I like the ambience."

The two sit in silence a bit, before Anton continues their conversation.

"Why didn't you Bart?"
"Eh? What's that now?"
"You mentioned you held yourself back from just blasting the bastards from existence. Why didn't you? After everything they've done in Lyzantium and here in Alara."

Bartholomew ponders a bit, before responding.

"Because, Anton, it was the right thing to do."

Anton sits there in shock. "What? How could you say that? After everything they did? We should be slaughtering them by the thousands!"

Bartholomew responds to his passionate brother. "We already are. Slaughtering them while they've given up would make us no better than those bastards, as you like to call em."

"I guess. But they still deserve to suffer!"

"But have you ever considered why they're fighting? A terrorist army of only seventy thousand occupying a city with over sixty-eight million? How do you think they're continuing to fight when we've killed over a hundred thousand enemy combatants already?!"

Anton thinks for a moment, before his mouth drops.

"Oh my god... don't tell me?"
"Yes, Anton, some of the enemy combatants are forced conscripts from the occupied cities. You're not a Colonel, even though you should be at this point. But you don't see how we interview the prisoners. Some of them basically cry tears of joy when they escape and surrender. That's why we capture them instead of killing them. Yes, there are plenty of times where we have to kill because they shoot, that's war. But in every sector of Warfare, you can always shed a little less blood."

The two sit in solemn silence for a bit. The reality of their situations already deeply rooted inside of them. As they enjoy the ambience of the fire, their armors providing them enough heat to enjoy the cold of the snow, a Lycantinean Floating Artillery Ship zooms high above them, disturbing their peace.

"Hmmm, they're gonna try and overwhelm their shields again. No offensive tonight. Get some rest brother, you'll need it. They'll probably see if we can break the line tommorow, and we will need all the rest we can get. Good night."

Anton responds. "Good night sir. Sleep well."

"God it feels weird whenever you call me that."

"Well then maybe you shouldn't have gotten promoted."

Bartholomew chuckles and walks off, leaving Anton to the fire and his thoughts. The more he thought about it, the more he realized his brother was right. I mean, shouldn't the point of a war be to achieve something that can't be peacefully reached? His mind is wracked with history lessons about ancient wars. The Lycantinean Civil War and the Great War of Betrayal flashes through his mind. They all fought to preserve the principles of Lycantine. Yeah, he was right. Instead of fighting to kill as many terrorists as possible, let's fight to save as many of our citizens in Alara as possible. To do that, we'd need to liberate it first.

The sun rises over the snow capped peaks of the Alaran Mountains. The Lycantinean National Anthem blasts over the loudspeakers as every person in Lycantine is greeted with news from Parliament. An arms deal was conducted with the nation of the Felines. Most of the general citizenry ignored it. On the Alaran Front, however...

"What's that, brother?" asks Anton. In front of him, a massive construct that appears to be a drill of some sort stands proudly on top of some fresh snow.

"Ah, this? Bartholomew replies, "Is the key. This drill from the Felines is meant to carve through rock, allowing soldiers to break through certain fortified positions. The terrorists don't know we have this because, frankly, we didn't make it!"

Anton stands there in shock. "That's brilliant!"

"I know!" says Bartholomew enthusiastically. "With this, we're going to end the war. We can finally drill straight into the heart of Alara itself and set a foothold in that damned city."

"Finally," Anton thought, "we can actually make a dent in the terrorists defenses!"

"Soldiers! Board your designated drill! Today, we ride for freedom and democracy!" Bartholomew ordered his men. His troops scramble to board the Drill pods as they prepare to march forward.

"Well brother," Anton says. "See you on the other side."

Bartholomew chuckles. "Not if I make it there first!"

"Well no kidding. You're the freaking Colonel, your pod goes first."

"True... eh. First one to set up their tent once we secure the landing site wins then."

Anton smiles. "You're on."

As the 201st Lycantine Infantry Division boards the drills from the Felines, they do so prepared to end the great war they've been fighting on the pristine, snow-capped peaks of the Alaran Mountains. While the 201st is one of dozens of divisions assigned to bring these terrorists to justice, they do so united under the Red and Green banner of the Technocratic Federation, bringing with them the hopes of, not just Lycantine, but of every individual on Anegana, eager to see these terrorists and menaces brought to justice.

"Lyzantium Air flight delta seven eight, disengage! I repeat, disengage!"

The massive domestic airliner flies rapidly towards the Atlas, the floating section of the capital city of Lyzantium. It destination? The Lycantine Trade Center, home to the city's largest economic trade hub. The expansion of the Atlas from a militarized Guardian of Lycantine to a habitable area representing Lycantinean ingenuity had inspired many of the nation's strongest corporations to begin moving their headquarters onto it. As more and more companies had their mailing addresses on the Atlas, much of Parliament decided that it would be significantly better if Lycantine could use the Atlas for economic purposes as well. It was a tumultuous time in the nation's history, as, for the first time since the Great War of Betrayal, the nation was now a fledgling and young democracy. Three years into the Republic of Lycantine, many thought that the worst of the transition was now over, with the shining beacon of the Lycantine Trade Center now representing the nation's rapidly growing private sector and a symbol of Lycantinean Liberty.

However, as Kita Sasaki woke up on that faithful day, she didn't expect to be the last person to speak to a doomed flight.

It was a normal day for her. Well, normal for air traffic controllers, at the very least. She woke up at around 3 in the morning to get to her post at the Lyzantium-Atlas International Airport. She had her usual coffee, cream and 2 sugars, and ate a mediocre breakfast of plant-based cereal. She decided to take a shower that day, too, as she could not bare to smell in any way off that faithful day.

At around 4 AM, she arrived at the airport, and after being scanned by security, she entered the tower. She did her job, as she should, talking to pilots of both commercial and economic services, sometimes being serious, and sometimes joking around.

However, things would not be okay for Kita today. Life had a way of stuffing people into madness they cannot control.

At 9 AM, one of the flights outbound towards Lunalagrad, Lyzantium Air flight D-78, had gone silent.

"Lyzantium Air flight Delta seven eight, this is LAA tower. Report status if possible."

Silence. Nothing.

The radar saw no changes in the flight path, what was going on?

At 9:13 AM, the Radar detected an increase in speed, followed by a turn of the aircraft in question. The commercial civilian Corvette has turned around and was headed to Lyzantium.

At first, Kita was calm. There must've been something gone wrong at the plane and now the flight was headed back to rectify it.

"Lyzantium Air flight delta seven eight this is LAA tower. What's your issue and why are you returning?"

No response.

She continues trying for another 5 minutes as the airliner rapidly closes in on Lyzantium.

Then, the reports start coming in at 9:21 AM.

Panicked calls and texts were being sent to relatives from people on board the flight. There was panic. Hijackers had siezed control of the corvette and were doing... something. The few audio recordings that were recovered were filled with sounds of crying children, panicking whispers, and a voice saying "Just be calm. Once were finished we will let you all go." One audio recording had an angry man yelling, followed by a gunshot, then an orchestra of screams that were louder than the now dead man's demands.

Kita was there when those reports came in at 9:21.

She ordered someone to get in touch with Fleet Command immediately. This was now their issue, as commercial air companies do not have the authorization to interfere in the event of an air crisis. However, maybe she could try to stop and slow them down. Maybe, just maybe.

At 9:26, 4 minutes before, Kita tried one more time.

"Lyzantium Air flight delta seven eight this is LAA tower. We know your intentions. Disengage now."

But she didn't really know their intentions, or at least, she was foolishly convincing herself she didn't know. There was only two reasons that a flight would return to Lyzantium-Atlas International Airport. One, a fatal air accident resulting in an emergency return. Or two, to hit something.

At 9:27, 3 minutes before, Fleet Command finally contacted Kita and ordered her to cancel all flights. They were going to turn on the Shield Generators to stop this thing from coming back.

9700 Kilometres from the Atlas, the Corvette was barreling towards the target at a speed of 194 000 Kilometres per hour.

At 9:28, 2 minutes before, Kita looked at the radar as the Corvette began barreling towards Lyzantium. The Shield was supposed to be on by now.

Unbeknownst to the entire military, one Loyalist to the dictatorial way of government had not been purged from the army. Using his position, he snuck in and shot every man at Atlas's Shield Generator station, preventing it from being activated, just in the nick of time. Had he been there any later, he would've been caught by local patrols on the premise. It seems luck was on the side of these ultranationalist terrorists.

At 9:29:13, Kita saw the Corvette in the distance. She was smart, and using the Radar, she knew where it was headed.

She panicked. The Air Control Tower panicked. The Admirals of Battlegroup Lyzantium panicked. It was such a perfectly timed plan, from hijacking the Corvette, to planting someone in Fleet Command, to timing the exact time to turn around and head to the target. The Admiral's schedules, the status of the Atlas's defenses, it was perfect.

At 9:29:47, 13 seconds before, Kita sent the Corvette one last message:

"Lyzantium Air flight delta seven eight, disengage! I repeat, disengage!"

At a titanic speed of 79 000 kph, the Corvette entered Lyzantium's airspace, crashing into the Lycantine Trade Center. The building stood no chance at the super fast ship, and was sliced in half. The resulting fireball from the impact crashes further onto the ground below. Then, the firestorm. Several districts and blocks around the Trade Center were set ablaze. It's as if the Atlas was hit with a nuclear blast. Being close to the Trade Center, the blast shattered the windows of the Lyzantium-Atlas International Airport Control Tower, its glass leading a scar on Kita's face.

"I could've stopped it." She foolishly thought to herself.

"I could've stopped it. I could've contacted Fleet Command earlier, I could've done... something!"

It took 4 years after that faithful day for Kita to finally understand that there was nothing she could've down to stop it. It was such a masterfully orchestrated plan that the entirety of Lycantine was transformed. Where once the Lycantineans believe that, thanks to Democratization, a powerful and vigilant army was no longer needed. A temporary period where the part of the national motto that states "In Strength: Unity" was considered a relic of a bygone era. Kita Sasaki was there that faithful day. The day where Lycantine was vulnerable. The day which it transformed. Kita Sasaki was not only alive on that faithful day, but was talking to the Corvette itself.

Twenty-three thousand people died that faithful day. Kita Sasaki was not one of them. Instead she'd live on to tell the story of those fallen twenty-three thousand, determined to make sure they're remembered to this day.

To say that Lycantine has never been in a more chaotically political state in the last 200 years would be a gross understatement. While yes, purges in the military have happened before, they're usually only reserved as a means for a dictator to remove any of their political enemies in the strongest department in Lycantine. However, Ethan Porter, the Field Marshal of Army Group Sycamore now finds himself running down a dark alleyway, Lycantinean police hot on this trail. He's found himself the target of the last great Lycantinean Purge. A purge that, instead of solidifying a dictatorship, was meant to crush it, crumble it, and spearheaded by the current dictator of Lycantine himself.

"This way men! I saw him run down here!"

Panting, running, pure exhaustion. Ethan runs down the alleyways of Sycamore, desperate to evade the police. He picked up his phone and tried contacting any of the other pro-dictator military and political leaders so that they could, just maybe, organize a pick up for him so that he could retreat.

"Come on, come on! Somebody pick up their godforsaken phone!", Ethan says. He desperately tries to call anybody. He calls the Mayor of Sakara, the Admiral of Battlegroup Lunalagrad, and he even tries contacting the local pro-dictator insurgents in Sycamore itself, but no one answers.

It had just been 2 years since Lupus announced his intention to transform Lycantine into a democracy. Ethan was there that day. He saw Lupus return from the Hospital and enter the Administrative District. He joined the symphony of applause from the rest of the Military Council as Lupus took his seat at the center of the Council. He watched as the smiles of the other military leaders rapidly disappeared as Lupus declared his support for Democracy. Only a small minority of leaders smiled at the prospect. The rest had a combination of shock, anger, disgust, or all of the above. He was there when the military council lambasted the Dictator. He joined them, turning the symphony of applause that welcomed him into an orchestra of boos and jeers as the Dictator was led out of the military council by his guards.

Ethan continued to run faster and faster, using his knowledge of Sycamore's ancient alleys and passageways to dodge and evade any police that he encounters. Unfortunately for him, he was actually being funneled into a trap. Lupus had guards stationed at every exit, even the ones that the pro-dictator insurgents had created. He planned to end this foolish notion of a dictatorial government. Once and for all.

The leaders of the Pro-dictator movement, known in the military council as the Silver Souls, had sworn themselves into secrecy. If the news of Lupus' support for a democratic government reached out to the wider public, the entire country would erupt into chaos. Lupus was a popular leader, and should the people discover his plans, they'll support him wholeheartedly and there would be no turning back. One by one, the Silver Souls intimidated anyone and everyone in the military council, swearing them into secrecy and "accidentally" getting others into an accident. However, they missed one person: the Head of Espionage and External Surveillance, Joseph Allen. Using his connections he released this news to the wider public 6 months after Lupus announced his intentions to the military council. The Silver Souls were in outrage. It was Ethan himself who tracked down Joseph, and it was him who pulled the trigger to enact upon Joseph the anger of the Silver Souls. However, with the information already out, it was too little, too late.

Ethan ran further and further until finally, Lupus had forced him into a corner. The two faced each other with mutual disgust. The darkness was suddenly lit up by the moon high above the skies, and the two could now clearly see each other's faces.

"Lupus, you know I've been loyal to you since you took power all those years ago. I've watched you do things greater than anyone of us"

Lupus responded. "If you really believed that, why would you get in my way? Democracy is what this country needs. It's been more than 750 years since the Great War of Betrayal, and I think the institution that was formed during those times should finally disband and return this country to who rightfully owns it: the people."

Lupus pulls out his gun and shoots Ethan in the leg, preventing him from escaping, and solidifying his fate.

"AGH! But why Lupus!? Why!? Lycantine is a great nation that needs a strong ruler! How could you forsake your responsibilities to our great nation?! How could you do this to us!?"

"Oh please, Ethan. You forget I appointed you your position of Field Marshal and yet you had the audacity to rebel against me."

"I did it for the country! For the people!"

"You really are an idiot, aren't you? You and the rest of Silver Souls just wanted to preserve your power for yourselves. Isn't it funny? How quickly humanity turns on its guardians the moment their current status quo is disturbed? Their guardians give them gifts, but the moment those gifts ate threatened, even by the smallest of things, they use those very same gifts to turn on their guardians. Case in point, you, my dear Ethan."

"You won't get away with this Lupus. Agh-We will find another in the Fortis Line, another to replace you! We will kill you and create a puppet for our own, one that we will use to lead Lycantine into greatness! If needed we will even take your daughter and use her as a puppet! The Silver Souls will never allow you to ruin this nation that we built through generations of sacrifice!"

"Oh poor, naive, Ethan. Don't you get it? You're the last one."

A sense of dread and fear washes over the Field Marshal of Army Group Sycamore. "What did you say?"

"You're the last one. I've had my men round up and shoot every last major member of the Silver Souls ever since you shot Joseph in his very own home."

Lupus shoots Ethan's other leg, making the Marshal writhe in pain.

"He was my friend, Ethan, and you shot him."

Another gunshot. This time to the shoulder. Ethan screams louder.

"You know, just because I'm benevolent, doesn't mean I'm merciful. I am a part of the Fortis Line you know?"

The second to last gunshot, this time at the arm. Ethan screams once more.

"No one will remember you Ethan. Once this nation has been reborn, this little rebellious period where a bunch of old stuck-in-the-past fools tried to prevent the rebirth of Lycantine will just be footnote in its path to greatness. The people must lead, lest we fall into stagnation."

Lupus points his gun barrel into Ethan's forehead.

"Wait. Lupus, y-you d-don't have to do th-this..."
"So long, Ethan."

"BANG"

Silence washes over the city of Sycamore once again, but this time, not for long. With the fall of the Silver Souls, Lupus uses his uncontested influence to recruit pro-democratic officers in helping him shape a Democratic Constitution of Lycantine. Cities across Lycantine wave flags in support. Rallies and celebrations tore through entire cities, with many praising the dictator for his push towards Democracy. A year after Ethan's death, his death anniversary was shadowed by the Proclamation of the Republic of Lycantine. Lupus was right. Ethan was rapidly replaced and was left as nothing more but a footnote in history. He's remembered today as the man who shot Joseph Allen, resulting in Lupus Fortis using his dictatorial powers to rapidly Democratize the nation. So much work, for so little gain.

The Underground of Lyzantium is home to, arguably the worst off of Lycantine's citizens. Unsurprisingly, a house that is underground with no real way of seeing the sunlight above can dramatically reduce the real estate value. Instead of sunlight, massive, overhead spotlights and chandeliers dot the metal and dirt roof of the Underground. Thanks to its cheap housing, the Underground is home to a cultural mosaic of different immigrants and refugees from different nations in Anegana. City districts called "Mini Coridge" or even "Sakara-Town" have formed closely knit communities of like-cultured people. Unlike other communities, however, the government has made an effort to maintain similar qualities of living across all three Lycantine Municipalities: The Underground, the Surface, and The Atlas. The familiar cultural violence that could be found in other cities with a melting pot of different cultures are not present in the underground, and with enough services to go around, most citizens just live in harmony with each other. As an added bonus, the Headquarters of Lycantine Land Command, and since Lycantine values it military, they want the local army and police presence to be comfortable. As such, this care for the Underground's military apparatus extends to the rest of its inhabitants as well! Talk about convenient.

Louise Thompson has just graduated the University of Lyzantium's Operatives Wing. She was offered a spot at the Palace Guard, the esteemed military unit reserved solely under the command of the Prime Minister, meant to guard Parliament. While mostly ceremonial, members of the Palace Guard often have other jobs and responsibilities such as acting as ambassadors to foreign nations, serving as bodyguards for highly important military and political leaders, participating in lectures and presentations in various educational institutions, and even providing advanced military training to new, aspiring recruits. She obviously accepted this position, and has been granted the next 3 months as vacation and compensation for her efforts at the University. Now, she's visiting her home town in the Underground, where her family has prepared a massive celebration for her return. Everyone in the neighborhood was invited, and she can't wait to see the Underground for the first time in 4 years.

As her car reached the end of the underground tunnel, she was exposed to the sight of the massive undercity. Lights shined through every window, and her descent into the city made it seem like she was on a commercial Corvette, landing into a lit sky at night. She drove through the downtown districts, covered in skyscrapers and businesses. She even passed by the prestigious Headquarters of Lycantine Land Force Command. As she got further and further from the city center, the surrounding skyscrapers slowly transformed into apartment buildings, then small, neighborhood districts and standard houses.

Louise drove for a few more minutes until she finally reached her home. Her shiny new car seemingly out of place with the rest of the neighborhood. As she pulls into the driveway, her little sister, not so little anymore, runs out to meet her.

"Hi Big Sis! Welcome back!"

Louise bends down to meet her embrace, then speaks to her.

"Oh my gosh! Hi! You're so big now! Pretty soon you'll be pushing me around!"

She wasn't wrong. The only time she sees her little sister is during her phone calls every two or three weeks. One can't really gauge the rate of someone's growth through the screen.

"Cmon big sis! Everyone's waiting for you!"
"Ah wait- let me get my stuff!"
"You can do that later! Now come on!"

Louise can barely resist her little sister as she drags her into their home. She can feel the familiar mahogany door as she swings it open and walks inside. Her nostrils fill with the smell of her mother's signature pasta, her personal favourite. The wooden floor creaks as she takes a step, but stops creaking once she walks further inside. Everything is so familiar, and she can pinpoint every precious memory she's had in this home. The only unfamiliar view was her entire family, surrounded by the rest of neighborhood, welcoming her home.

"Welcome home Louise!"

"Huh," Louise thinks to herself. "A pretty good unfamiliar sight."

The university has taught her to be meticulous with every little detail in her surroundings. It was actually her major in the school: Battlefield Analyzation Expertise. She brought it home with her.

The Celebration begins. In Louise's culture, whenever a celebration occurs, it's standard for everyone to bring some sort of dish to the host's home. As everyone in the neighborhood was invited, the table was covered in a plethora of different dishes, so much food in fact that there was no more room for any guest to sit on the table. There was a small group of eating guests in the living room, some on the kitchen counters, some on the backyard patio, hell even some on the front porch. All of this just to welcome the top of this year's Operative Class and her conscription into the Royal Guard.

Louise does what she decided was the best course of action here: go to each group and speak to them for about 15 minutes each, then repeat cycle until the party was over. Afterall, she just got back from her inauguration at the Headquarters of Lycantine Fleet Command, and she really just wants to sleep.

The party continues way beyond midnight. Even the police and other neighbors, realizing the party was for a graduate of the Operatives Program, ignored or even joined the party. This was much to the dismay of Louise, as in her culture, the celebrant can't just decide to go to sleep. When the last of the guests and drinkers finally left at a ridiculous 5:45 AM, she was fully ready to just collapse right then and there. Unfortunately for her, her mother and father motioned for her to come to them after the last guests left.

"Shoot. And just as I was about to head to bed as well...," she says, somewhat exasperated.

Her mother spoke first. "I'm sorry about that party, Louise. Had I known that so many uninvited guest would show up, I would've just not thrown it in the first place.

Her father continues. "But, we do want you to know that we did all of this for you. We're so proud of you and everything you've done. You truly are an accomplishment to us."

Louise responds. "Oh, it's really no big deal Mama and Papa. I enjoyed seeing everyone here at home again." This is what she thought was the most proper response.

"Louise," her mother replied. "You don't have to lie to us. I know that you always believe in doing what's best in the situation, but even someone as composed and calculating as you would've been exhausted after what happened. I hate to keep you awake any longer, but we have something to give you."

Louise's parents give her a small box. She nods and says thank you, then opens it. Inside was a piece of jewelry. A beautiful ruby gemstone with a nice silver button right in the middle. When she pressed the button, it'd show a hologram of the current time and date. Just looking from the ruby, Louise could tell how expensive this was, and was somewhat disturbed by the potential price of this item.

"Mama, Papa, how much was this...?" Louis says with some slight worry in her voice.

"Oh don't worry about that dear, it's a gift." Her mother replies.

"Mama, please tell me."
"Fine. It was about 7500 Lychans."

Immediately, Louise reaches into her wallet to repay them in cash, but her parents stop her.

"No dear, stop, it's a gift."
"But-!"
"We know how expensive it is dear, but just because we live in the Underground doesn't mean we're poor. Remember your roots sweetheart."
"Regardless, mama, this is too much!"

This time her father jumps in. "No, sweetheart. No gift is too expensive for you, especially with all the good you've brought into our lives. Seeing you up there, proudly in uniform, and seeing you win your final battle in the University, your mother and I can't help but feel nothing but pride. We say 'wow... that's our daughter right there...' and we can confidently say that 'yup. We raised a powerful and strong independent woman'"

Her mother speaks, her voice breaking. "Look how big you've grown...! My Louise. Take this necklace as a reminder that even though time and time will keep moving forward, that Ruby, us, will always be close to your heart."

Louise can barely hold back her tears. "I- I don't know what to say... thank you Mama and Papa"

Her father holds her hand. "Anything for you sweetheart."

All three of them share a loving embrace. Then, after sufficiently crying into each other's shoulders, they let go. Louise kisses her parents goodnight, and goes upstairs. She enters her room, which her parents purposefully left untouched but clean since she last slept in it four years ago. Her paintings she made are still in the exact same spot as she hung them in her youth. Her gemstone collection on her clothes rack, with every piece of clothing on said rack being several times too small for her now. She turns on her lamp, shaped like a Spaceship, which blankets her room with stars and planets. The familiar sight immediately gives her a sense of peace, and she's ready for bed. She lays down, her feet sticking off the edge of the bed. She decides to curl up instead, embracing her giant teddy bear which she left behind four years ago.

As Louise falls deeper and deeper into slumber she thinks to herself, "Maybe being methodical isn't always the right answer. Yeah, I'm gonna be just fine."

She slept for the next seventeen hours. Darn neighbours. Let the girl get some sleep! She deserves it!

The Atlas, Lycantine's Floating City/Titanic Warship Hybrid, is located some 1,656 meters above the rest of Lyzantium. It is home to the wealthiest citizens of the capital. Capable of housing more than a hundred million people, it contains the most concentrated firepower in the Lycantinean Arsenal, as well as the home of various massive megacorporations, most of which are industrial, manufacturing, and ship-building businesses in particular. The largest ship building corporation that has the Atlas as the location for its headquarters is Castaneda Construction, responsible for building some of the larger capital ships in Lycantine Fleet Command.

Javier Castaneda has found himself in the interesting position of being the heir to the vast and titanically profitable Castaneda Construction Industries. While most of Lycantine would do literally anything to be in Javier's position, if they were to look into his inside life and the specifics, they'd probably revoke that wish right away. Javier Castaneda was initially built up to become a resolute, emotionless, and bold leader. He was taught to use everything in his Arsenal to propel the strength and glory of Castaneda Construction. To prepare that Arsenal, his mother, a former member of the military, has bombarded him with tutors and trainers seeking to transform this fine young man into a powerful adult. His father, however, the direct descendant of the Founder of Casteneda Construction, has been raising him to be a bold and professional leader. His determined parents had seldom enough time for him, besides checking up on him to make sure he's paying attention to his lesson. However, on one faithful day, on his 14th birthday, he was given the gift of being the company's ambassador to the underground. His parent said there's "no greater gift than the gift of experience."

The things he saw there and the experiences he had permanently changed his point of view. His parent's original plan was to allow Javier to see the state of the underground, to convince him never to be with the "plebians". This plan, however, had backfired spectacularly. Instead of being determined never to associate with the citizens of the lower sections of Lyzantium, Javier was instead determined to ensure the lives of all those working for his future company would live positively and prosperously. His parents saw this as a form of pubescent, teenage rebellion, but Javier saw it as his awakening and his freedom.

At age 23, after years of torment and suffering, he was determined to make his position in the company's policy. It was time to make a stand. He opened his parent's office, and stepped inside.

Walking on the red carpet, surrounded in a room with bright white quartz pillars, he prepared his mind for a clash of ideologies. At the end of this road lay his father and mother's desks, the dual monarchs of the Castenda Construction Industries. As he stopped in front of them, he began to speak.

"Father, Mother, I demand to speak with you."

Ever since Javier began to show compassion to the "lower classes," his parents stopped speaking with him less and less. His constant arguments and bickering with his own guardians has hardened his heart to the cruelties of the world, yet it simultaneously ensured that the ideology he was raised on became less and less enticing. Now, he was sure. He would not allow his parents to continue to look down upon the people that made them rich. It was time to give back, and he would lead Castaneda into a second Age of Enlightenment, even if he had to do it all on his own.

"Javier, we're busy," his mother replied.
"Mother, Father, this is important."
"Listen to your mother, Javier," his father said. His voice thundered throughout the room.

Javier recalled the years leading up to this pivotal moment. The numerous amounts of elitist tutors his parents had hired, hoping to convince him to reject the lower classes. Their hope was immediately shattered as Javier systematically caused the tutors to resigned, either through dialogue or through intense torment. He has had it with his parents using their money to create a wall between them. He no longer wanted to talk to their puppet tutors. He wanted, instead, to speak directly to them.

He slammed the desk with his fists, catching them off guard and causing several documents to fall on the floor.

"What on earth-!"
"I have had it with you two ignoring my existence in favour of your elitist, narcissistic views. You will listen to me now, or else."
"Or else what?," his mother replied. "What're you going to do, child?"

"Or else," Javier continues, "I'll denounce you publicly and leave the company."
"Hahahahaha!" His mother began laughing. "You and what influence?! Without us, you are nothing!"

Javier, being taught the theory of politics during his time at the University of Lyzantium, knew how to make allies. The tutors he converted were teachers or philosophers in the country. Within the company, he had converted several higher-ups, as well as the entirety of the Underground's division within the business. If he were to leave, a sizeable chunk of the company would strike, enough of them that the stocks of Castaneda Construction would plummet dramatically.

So, instead of convincing his foolish parents, he decided to act. "Watch me," he said. "I'm disappointed it's come to this. I really hoped that despite everything, you'd realize I'm still your son. There was once a time that you said, 'there's no greater gift than the gift of experience." Now, you shall see how I've weaponized that experience to destroy you."

He leaves his stunned parents behind as they yell after him. All he can hear is his past disappearing behind him. He's ready to lead a revolt, even if it means sacrificing his lavish lifestyle.

He returns to his room, planning his attack on Castaneda. He contacts his Loyalists, telling them to notify other dissatisfied worker cells to go on strike tommorow. He himself prepares for the media backlash that will come as a result of one of the largest ship building industries in Lycantine nearly collapsing. However, before he goes to bed, he hears a knock on the door.

"Javier, it's me. Please open the door."

It was his father! Here? Why at this time? If it's to convince him not to tear down this wretched company then he's wasting his breath.

"Javier, please. Please open the door and let's talk."

No, why would he? Why would he waste his time? Javier is sure that his father is just trying to get him to open the door so their guards could apprehend him. They're just trying to stop him. As he continued to mobilize his resistance groups, he began to hear the sounds of crying across the door.

"Javier, we failed you," his father said. "I failed you."

Javier stops for a bit. His more sadistic side enjoyed his father finally admitting his inadequacy. However, his interest began to pay him pity, so he stopped and gave his father a chance to speak through the door.

"I watched as the child I had raised to be the perfect and powerful leader of Castaneda became soulless and heartless. Not in terms of our employees, but in terms of us, your parents."

Javier rolled his eyes. Of course. His father just wanted to chew him out one last time. He continued to prepare for his rebellion, but his father continued.

"But, none of that was your fault."

What?

"None of it was your fault at all. How could anyone blame you for the terrible things we did to you...? The horrendous things we did to justify your growth... Lycantine would be disappointed in us."

What did his father just say?

"I've begun thinking ever since you threatened us with the destruction of our livelihoods, and you're right. You shouldn't have to do this to get us to listen. You're right. You've been right this whole time. I- I know you'll never forgive me for what we've done son, but if there's one thing that I promised, is that everything I did really was for your benefit. I wanted you to be the greatest of our line, but your mother, she- she-!"

Javier was frozen with his knees on the floor. What did his mother do? Was the mastermind of his abhorrent childhood... really... his mother?

"Javier you have to believe me! I wished for you the world! I wished for you experiences that would've made you passionate but resolute! But your mother... she threatened me.... she threatened to sell Company secrets to the others... she threatened to sell them to foreign buyers... All of that! To keep us around her finger! But Javier, I love you so much and I did once believe that experiences are the greatest of gifts. So please son. Please open the door. Don't do this. Don't try to destroy what I have built for you to inherit."

Silence ensues. Javier sits there, mouth agape and hands on his mouth. So... that's what happened...

"Hello? Javier? Should we proceed with the mass strikes? Hello?"

The communication array in his room relays the voice of his second-in-command. They await his further instructions. Behind him, a door blocks him and his father from reconciliation.

"Javier? We're ready. Let's get started!"

Javier stands. His face hardens for one last time.

"Call off the operation."
"What?! But Javier you-!"

He turned off his communications array, calling off his carefully concocted plan. He turns to the the door, his face still hardened by years of neglect and torture. Now, it's about to end. All of his torment and suffering, it ended when Javier opened the door.

As he and his father met face to face for the first time in years, that hardened face turned into a solemn smile. It was then replaced with quivering lips, then a full expression of Javier's suffering, manifesting itself as tears running down his face. His father smiles, and joins him, as the two share a loving embrace. They both fall to the ground, as father and son reconcile and become whole.

Shortly after, Javier used his connections to get his mother arrested and dishonorable discharged. Turns out, threatening company secrets and abusing your child foe the last 23 years was a terrible idea. At the same time, since his wife was arrested, there was nothing stopping Javier's father from surrendering the company to his son. He had become a better man, and he will become a better leader than he ever will be. As his first act as the CEO of Castaneda Construction Industries, he established a meritocratic recruitment system across not just all levels of Lyzantium, nor the rest of Lycantine, but the entirety of Anegana. It would bring prosperity and growth to Castaneda and Lycantine.

In a charity event in the underground, the same one he went to when he was 14, his father finally validated him.

"I'm proud of you, son."

As the sun sets on the Atlas, Lycantine's Floating Capital, Javier sits in his office. He begins sorting through the various application papers brought in from around the globe. Where before, his fate was a slave to his mother, today, he spearheads the freedom to choose your own fate. Like many others, Javier discovered that through determination and strength, one can become the Prince of their own fate.

"and that, class, was the two Battles of Lunalagrad. Your task is to analyze the battle and make a presentation on the various tactical and strategic reasons why the Lycantinean Coalition lost the first battle, and the improvements they made in combat effectiveness that allowed them to win the second battle."

The University of Lyzantium is home to every major course in Lycantine's post-secondary curriculum. With the university being free, it prides itself in every student that enters its halls. Afterall, if a student still ends up in the bottoms of society despite attending the UoL, they'll have no one to blame but themselves.

However, the most interesting events that rock the school's internal politics was the arrival of two, very important delegates. Prince Alys Valli of Coridge, the heir to the Coridgean Throne, and Princess Madison Dyri, the heir to the Feline Throne. With such important students, the school has taken extra care to make their lives comfortable, but also taking an active effort in challenging them as much as any other student would. Their skills and talents are unparalleled to that of the other First Years within the University of Lyzantium Operatives Wing.

Alys sits on his desk, furiously writing down notes as he continues to jot down every minute and every word of his military tactics teacher.

"You will have the rest of this week, which is 3 days, to finish this presentation. Afterwards, you will have all of next week to schedule a time to meet me so that you may present your assignment to me. If you miss that window, I will not hesitate to fail you from this assignment and this course."

Alys and his teacher make brief eye contact.

"I expect great things... from all of you. Dismissed!"

The A-1 class stands and salutes their commanding officer/teacher, all of them eager to finish their projects. However, Alys was hardly paying any attention. It was the end of his first year, and he pushed through the final tournaments with ease. However, there was one combatant left. In the Operatives Wing, the students partake in combat against each other as a way to test their skills against opponents of similar caliber. However, they don't get hurt, and only fight until their enemies' shields get destroyed.

Alys was more focused on that. His final test is against someone from Class C-1. How? They were several orders of magnitude weaker than him. It shocked him that someone from a weaker class would be his final test. Granted, he was the strongest in the entire school, but his future challenger managed to beat someone else from his own class. If this lower-ranked student could beat someone remotely close to his level, why was he even in the lower levels anyways? Corruption? Persistent studying? Maybe even hacking the school's personal shields database. He doesn't know, but he does know that whoever this last threat is, he will crush them like so many others.

Meanwhile, in another section of the school, class B-1 was being assigned the same exact project. In fact, the entire wing was being assigned this project. Granted, expectations would slightly decrease with each lower ranked class, but that's to be expected. Madison Dyri, after losing to an A-1 student in the semi-finals of the tournament, had little left to do before the university would allow its students a month-long break. Granted, they can't leave the country, but at the very least they can explore the Atlas once the vacation period begins.

Madison salutes her teacher as he dismissed them. She meets up with her friends outside the classroom to discuss their plans on how to stay together once they pass the first year. Little did they know that their teacher had actually put in a good word for them, and several seats have been reserved in A-1 Year Two for them.

Madison prepares to do everything in her power to get her and her group in A-1. Alys prepares himself for his final test against an unknown foe. Whatever the case they're both ready for the storm ahead. Afterall, the one thing that could prevent them from reaching their fullest extent is across the school.

"At least I don't have to see that idiot here."

Yes, that's right. The two heirs aren't particularly fond of each other. Several diplomatic incidents resulted in a negative relationship. It even affected the foreign university they were now attending. Just a mere month ago, the two saw each other in the University courtyard. The resulting confrontation would've resulted in several hundreds of thousands of Lychans in damage, had the Principal not come out in full battle armor and stopped them. Yes, they hated each other, and it was no secret either. Alys's teacher caught the other staff placing bets on who would win in a fight between them. They were looking forward to the end-of-the-year combat tournament, but their hopes were quickly dashed when Madison lost in the Semi-finals.

Alys went to the University's library, looking for books to formulate a strategy in his final fight. He takes a seat at one of the computers which he so lovingly calls the "Demon box." As usual, he asks the guy on his left, who is always conveniently there, to help him turn this damn thing on. Inside the Kingdom of Coridge, the spread of information is regulated to tyrannical proportions. There is no internet there, and even though Alys has access to the world's information as Coridge's Crown Prince, he does not know how to use this damn computer.

"Excuse me," Alys says to the young man on his right. "Can you help me turn this damn thing on again?"
"Certainly," he responds. "Don't worry about it. These computers are quite confusing for me too."

The young man helps Alys turn on the computer. It awakens, and he once again, for the hundred and fity-seventh time, guides Alys through the computer's systems. Fifteen minutes later, now remembering how this demon box worked, Alys thanks the young man to his right. They shake hands, and cease communication as the two return to their studies.

Madison went to her room to write an entry into her journal. She had long noticed that the school has been monitoring her, and through assumption, Alys as well. The only no surveillance time she gets is in her room. After proving her willingness to study, the engineers "repaired her wall." In reality she knew that they just removed the surveillance camera in her room. So now, she can write about anything in her journal. She writes about her defeat at the hands of someone in A-1 and how much it sucks. She writes about how many days she last saw Alys, and she hopes that number continues to go up. One of her pages is filled with indiscriminate scribbles. Coincidentally, that entry and today's entry have the same number of pages in between them as the number of days it's been since she last saw Alys. She continues to write her worries and concerns away, ignoring the congregating students outside of her window. Students are celebrating the end of the first school year. Joyous cheers erupt as students begun to discover that they're moving on to Year Two, while some share tearful goodbyes as they've been informed that they've been told they can no longer continue in the Operative Wing. She ignores all of the noise in the courtyard and writes away until she gets tired, turns off her light, and falls asleep.

Just like other students within the Operative Wing, they live mundane daily lives, comprised of studying, lessons, food, studying, more lessons, and sleep. Yes, it was rigorous, and even the lowest ranked classes have significantly higher expectations than other standard courses across the university's prestigious programs. However, the purpose of their education is different compared to the others. While most students use the Operative Wing to get into the military, to visit the far fung Colonies of Lycantine, or to even use it to get into any job in the nation, the dual monarchs have a different plan. No one really knows for sure why they're here. No one knows how noble or how corrupt, how faithful or how cruel the reasons for their education here is. However, they do know one thing. Everyone, including the dual heirs themselves, knows that they are here to prove their might. They're here to display the talents they've developed in their respective kingdom. They're here to show Lycantine what their hermit Kingdoms can really do.

Sleep, ah yes. The necessary part in one's growth. Lycantinean Scientists recommend that any Operative student sleep at least eight hours daily. However, due to a combination of their rigorous discipline and thirst for Lycantinean Knowledge, Alys and Madison sleep around 5 to 6 hours every night. Somehow, they never change personalities or change moods in this lack of sleep. Maybe their personalities are, in fact, caused by this lack of sleep. Only they themselves really know.

It was now the day of the final battle in Year 1's Operative Tournament. Alys and Madison steel themselves for the challenge ahead. Tradition states that everyone, including staff and students that aren't moving on, should come watch the final fight. It's mostly ceremonial in nature, and the two combatants will probably be graded the same regardless. The only thing at stake really is who will be named the greatest warrior in A-1 Class in Year Two. Alys prepares himself mentally and physically for his final obstacle. Madison prepares herself for the chaotic spectacle about to unfold. Finally, both of them prepare themselves for when they inevitably see each other. They still haven't forgiven the other for the incident at the courtyard a few months back, and they knew that they would see each other every day from this point onwards. A challenge, both physically and mentally await them today.

Alys steps out into the arena. The audience erupts in cheers as they await the challenger. In front of him, Alys sees the iron door rise and open. Slowly, the figure of his opponent comes into view, and when it does, his mouth gapes open.

In the audience, Madison sees Alys' opponent, and has the same reaction.

The dual monarchs look at the challenger.

"No way!"

Applause and cheers erupt as James Kuribayashi walks outwards, the strongest student in Class C-1. It was the young man that had been helping Alys understand the computers. The young man who is always to the right of him. It was the young man who had helped Alys more than a hundred and fity-seven times.

The audience goes silent as the National Anthem of Lycantine plays. Everyone sings except for Alys, his ears ringing and his thoughts blurring at the sudden realization of who his competition would be.

The song ends and the countdown begins. The heat of battle washes over Alys and snaps him back into consciousness. It doesn't matter who his opponent is, he will crush them anyways.

Madison looks down on them in concern. She knew how Alys could get over surprises. The state dinner they last saw each other at made it evident. She's now both intrigued and worried at what is going to unfold.

The announcer counts down the start of the battle.

"Three!"

Alys grips his hammer.

"Two!"

James smiles at his opponent. He bends his knees, preparing to strike.

"One!"

The audience stays silent, eager to see it begin.

*BANG*

Cannon fire signals the start of the battle as the audience erupts in cheers and applause.

Alys momentarily blinks at the sound of the Cannon, but in that brief millisecond, James is already headed towards him. Shocked, Alys activates the Shield on his hammer, ready to meet his attack. What he wasn't expecting, however, was for James to activate his own shield on his mace, propelling him behind Alys. Before he could react, James' mace makes contact with Alys's back. He feels the sting of the impact through his body's shields as the Kinetic energy pushes him 50 feet and face first into the ground. Such speed! He realizes he needs to counter with his own.

In the University, each student is equipped with a custom made Shield that, instead of wrapping a sphere around an individual like the standard issues in the military, wraps around the individual's body. While it keeps them relatively safe from impacts that would either be severely damaging or fatal, it doesn't negate all the pain. One can still feel a sting with each impact, and it doesn't negate the Kinetic energy transferred onto the individual either. This makes the combat as realistic as possible without injuring the students, as tournaments are fought until one side destroys the other's shields.

Alys stands up and blocks an incoming attack from James. He uses his Plasma Cannon to propel himself forward using the Kinetic energy of the discharge as a boost. While not as effective or as fast as James, Alys can still maneuver and begins to effectively block most of James' attacks.

James goes for hit after hit, but only some make contact. Alys continues to dodge, blocking or avoiding James' blitzkrieg of hits. In between these attacks, Alys strategically spots an opening in James' attack pattern, and lands a kinetically powered hammer hit on James, sending him flying. Each time Alys does this, he takes advantage of the momentum and attacks James with everything he's got, bit everytime he has to return to the defensive as James' superior speed and maneuverability regains the upper hand.

The Battle lasts for a solid twenty five minutes. The audience is a combination of shock, horror, intrigue, enjoyment, and every other emotion in this battle between two equals. Throughout the fight, the shields of the arena seperating the audience and the combat begins to breakdown from the amount of plasma blasts and mace hits it has sustained. The Palace Guard had to be deployed in case it does break and they needed to interupt the fighting. All throughout, the fight continues the vicious cycle of Alys defending and James attacking. Slowly but surely, the two tire themselves out. Their shields are weak and their energy has been spent. It is now up to whoever can muster up their last little bit of strength to land a decisive hit and win the battle.

James musters his strength and goes for one last attack. If he fails, Alys will win, but if he succeeds, he might finally humble the Crown Prince of Coridge. He dashes, and Alys turns and activates his shields to counterattack.

James rapidly approaches as Alys charges his Plasma Cannon. The two scream as they collide. James' mace makes contact with Alys's face as Alys's Warhammer fires and impacts onto James' chest. The two are sent flying as their shields break and they fully take in the impact onto the ground. The two pass out as the announcer struggles to realize who won that match. The two combatants are dragged away as the referees look at the status of their shields and the time they deactivated.

They look at both shields and conclude.

"Both of these shields deactivated at 03:45:4523. They broke each other's shields at the the exact same time, down to the millisecond."

This had never happened before. The announcer struggles to relay this information to the audience. Some are in shock at the two's skills that they perfectly tied together. Others can't accept it. They cry foul. There must've been some sort of tampering or some type of corruption. There's no way the two were perfectly countered to the other.

But Madison knows. She's seen Alys fight hundreds of times even before they were at the University together. This was it. The Crown Prince of Coridge had met his match.

An hour later, Alys awoke. He panicked a bit, demanding to know where he was and why he was so beat up. After a brief explanation, he calmed down, and politely asked who won the match between him and James.

"Tell me, kind stranger who cared for me. Who won between the two of us?"

"Well, your highness... it was a draw."

"...what?!"

"You and James, crazily enough, managed to destroy each other's shields at the exact same time. 'Down to the millisecond' the announcer put it."

Alys lay there. He was at a loss for words. He never thought he would ever be challenged, let alone be tied with someone. He thinks about the consequences of his tie. He has shamed the Valli Throne, he has failed.

On the other side of the infirmary, James is told the exact same thing. He smiles, proud. He never could tell Alys that the reason he was motivated to be as good as he is now was because he was humbled by Alys. Never had he expected the Prince of Coridge to not understand how to use a computer, and to fail spectacularly at it to. He was human, just like he was, and it motivated him to be as good as Alys was. Every time Alys fought, he would analyze his tactics, and soon he was able to develop his own talents into actual, raw power, translated into real time decision making and rapid movement.

Outside of the infirmary, Madison smuggles alcohol into campus and celebrates with her friends. There are two reasons for this. The first is because they all got acceptance letters in A-1 Class for Year Two. The second reason is because Madison finally saw the Prince of Coridge get knocked down a peg.

They really despise each other.

A week passes and the two are let out back into the school to finish their last little bit of classes. At lunch time, Alys goes to the Library to study. There, as he always has been, to the right of Alys's computer spot, was James. Just the man he wanted to see. Alys stomped right up to him and demanded to know how and why such a lower classmate was able to challenge and even nearly beat him.

James smiles.

"You'll just have to find out, won't you?"

The two sit down and have a passionate conversation of the battle. Alys wanted to know how James was able to challenge him. James, on the other hand, wanting to understand more and more about Coridgean politics and culture. Their thirst for knowledge and contradicting personalities perfectly paralleling the other.

As the bell rings on the last day of the school year at the University of Lyzantium, the Operative Wing breathes a sigh of relief. Those who do not pass wave goodbye to their now former comrades, while those who were accepted into Year Two would take a momentary respite at the challenges they now face ahead.

Madison and her friends go out into the Atlas, exploring its vast civilian sectors and admiring the surface from above. Alys spends his time in the library or the training grounds, refining his tactics and strengthening his physical capabilities for the next time he and James would fight.

Regardless, the University has taught the dual monarchs many things, and, just like the rest of their comrades, changed the way they saw the Technocratic Federation of Lycantine. The stories they learned, the various important historical events, and even the nation's proudest achievements. From the Great War of Betrayal to the Last Great Purge. From the depths of the Underground to the Research and Defense Station in Casteneda Asteroid Belt. The Dual Monarchs learned much about this country, and they are eager to return to their nations, eager to report their experiences, and eager to learn more.

- Writer's Note.
I know not a lot of people read the Stories from Lycantine series, but regardless, I thank you for reading it anyways. This series has been a way for me to express and refine my writing and creative mind. Throughout this series I've tried my best to express and emulate what I think Lycantinean Society and History is like into a few short paragraphs. If you've read all of them, thanks! I appreciate you. Stay tuned for Season Two people, and I promise I'll do my best to refine my work and deliver more magic, more wow, and more everything in Season Two of Stories From Lycantine!