S1200. January 1st.
Erebonia, The City of Water, Ordis.
Around the same time, shortly after midnight...
Somewhere in the vast underground aqueduct sewers that resided beneath the entire city crisscrossing throughout, a sole construct could be seen in what appears to be a large room.
At its center was a large and ancient-looking door. The center of this door, which had the crest of House Cayenne etched on it, could be seen split wide open, parting in both directions. This signaled that the place was now in use.
This door just so happened to be the starting point of the Azure Trials!
These Trials behaved similarly to Primal Grounds, sealed areas which housed artifacts. Items created by the Goddess Aidios herself that provided a variety of effects, all in an attempt to promote mankind's growth to strive and be better. These artifacts have been lost over the ages, but to those that did were picked up by the Gralsritter of the Septian Church. That was their primary, designated task, and was the very reason why the Gralsritter was formed in the first place, all so they wouldn't fall into the wrong hands.
And yet, those Primal Grounds were special places created by the Goddess herself.
There was one key difference from the Primal Grounds to these Trials. Seven of them existed throughout Erebonia, with an exception of one of them, as that one was housed in Crossbell City, but wouldn't emerge until it came under Erebonia rule.
These Trials come in all shapes and sizes, nor did they house any artifacts whatsoever. These Trials were created by Humans, and not the Goddess. In particular, they were created by the Gnomes, in a collaborative effort with the Hexen Clan Witches to seal way the fragments of the Great One. There were seven fragments in total. To this date, only two fragments have been claimed.
The Ebon Power, and the Agreion Power. Claimed by Giliath Osborne and Lianne Sandlot respectively. Right now, it looks like the third power was looking to be claimed. The Azure Power. Or more commonly known as the Ebon Knight, Agreion Knight, and Azure Knight. In due time, the fourth one will be claimed, the Vermillion Knight, and the fifth one to follow in the coming few years, the Ashen Knight. The Auric Knight and the Palatinate Knight will likely be the last two to be claimed by Rufus Albarea and Rutger Claussell!
Just about anyone and anything can challenge these Trials, should one's strengths hold strong, and if they form a bond with a Witch. There are exceptions to that, like having enough power to force one's way through. That was likely the case for Rutger, considering he is known as one of the strongest individuals on the continent, the Jaeger King. He claimed the Palatinate Knight without the guidance of a Witch. Rufus is in a similar light, but he has the persuasion of the Ebon Knight, since he works under Giliath as an Ironblood.
Cooperating with a Witch while the Gnomes watched over the Trials went in tandem throughout the centuries. That was how it went, even to the modern times.
Emma is the Witch who will guide Naoto through the Vermillion Trials. It is still unclear whether or not Emma will guide Rean to claim the Ashen Knight during Cold Steel I. Presently, here, underneath Ordis, is another Witch, guiding another trial-goer. As to where the rest of the Trials were located, it was Hamel, Heimdallr, Trista, Lohengrin Castle in Legram, and the Wetlands in Crossbell City. The only Trial that wasn't known were the Ebon Trials, but that's null and void, as Giliath already pilots the Ebon Knight, and is under Ishmelga's influence.
Further inside the opened ancient door laid a rather complex maze. One that was very easy to get lost in.
Many branches of this stone-clad maze lead nowhere, easily blocking the way forward. Some of these would lead to groups of Monsters, while others lead to precious loot. It was all randomly generated, based on the desires of the Trial-goer. It could even amount to nothing, if that is what a Trial-goer wanted.
Another popular word used to describe places like these mazes that were found in popular fantasy stories were called Dungeons. Clear the mobs, get the loot, and earn experience points to dive deeper and deeper within it to claim the big prize at the end. It wasn't just that either, each Trial was placed atop very active Spirit Veins that constantly twist and churn, becoming different throughout time. That is why the Trials are never static. The amount of Monsters that appear are rather frequent too because of it.
Knowing that, each "Dungeon" possesses different challenges, elements, and gimmicks. One wouldn't know what to do until they stepped inside.
Right now, a total of four figures could be seen, making their way toward a single and large empty room, void of any Monsters roaming about. A safe zone. Beyond this group stood another large door that was presently sealed. A Roman numerical number could be seen etched on its center. I. It was tightly shut.
Going from left to right, the first figure appeared to be a woman who had just turned seventeen with flowing bright and orange scarlet-like hair. Everything about her appeared beautiful in one way or another. She was currently wearing an alluring minidress which split off each side. It was cerise in color. At her waist was a sword that had the ability to detach into different parts. A sword that the Septian Church Squires use. A templar sword!
The only disgraceful thing about this girl was the eyepatch she wore over one of her eyes, making it appear as if she was blind in one of them. Or perhaps injured beyond repair.
This woman went by the name Scarlet. Or "S".
Next to Scarlet was a rather bulky man with a short buzz-cut, light blue in color. His muscles appeared quite packed, almost akin to that of a bodybuilder. Those muscles weren't just for show either, they were very, very real. This man used to belong to an active Jaeger corp before they were obliterated in a ploy by Rufus Albarea in an attempt to claim Giliath Osborne's life, only to flock to his side afterward and form the Ironbloods, becoming the first Ironblood. This man was the only Jaeger left alive after that tragedy. It's no wonder he hates Giliath, wanting to claim his life.
This man is called Vulcan, or "V".
Next to S and V was a messy, gray-haired boy who had turned fifteen not too long ago. Eventually, this boy would get held back a year or two and arrive in Angelica's class at Thors Military Academy, and is someone Naoto has already met. Crow Armbrust!
Or "C".
The only person missing from this group was their last comrade who went by the name Gideon, or "G".
Crow was actually two years older than Naoto. He was presently wearing his long leather brown jacket with that headband over his head, which held his messy gray hair together. It was the very same appearance Crow displayed when he founded the Imperial Liberation Front. When he joins up with Thors Military Academy, Crow would switch to using dual orbal pistols, but the true weapon Crow wields is a double-bladed saber. Very similar to what Darth Maul attacks with from Star Wars. The difference was Crow's weapon was metal blades and not made up of energy. It was large enough to be used like a Glaive.
To the right of Scarlet, Vulcan, and Crow was the final member of this group. A breathtaking beautiful woman, even more beautiful than Scarlet. She currently wore her azure-colored dress, an icon that made her receive the title of "Azure Diva" on the outside, or "Azure Abyss" to those in the know. This woman is an Anguis of Ouroboros, but more importantly, she is a Witch of the Hexen Clan! Who else could it be but Vita Clotilde?
Vita currently had a large blue folded fan at her waist. Unlike Emma, Naoto, or Roselia, Vita knew how to cast wandless incantations. She didn't whip out her Azure Staff unless she faced powerful Monsters. The ones they have fought to this point were trash mobs at best, so she has been attacking them, backing up Crow with this fan. Wands help concentrate the flow of Mana to ensure the accuracy of said incantations. Knowing that, Roselia viewed Vita as a prodigy, even if Vita's attitude wasn't the best.
Roselia's only regret was letting Vita do what she wanted to do, to her own benefit. Because of that, Vita joined up with Ouroboros, instead of taking the reins of the Hexen Clan. Instead, Roselia diverted her energy and began training Emma, in hopes that one day, Emma would become the next Elder of the Hexen Clan. By now, Vita has gone far on her path where she couldn't return, even if she wanted to. Becoming an Anguis tied down that freedom, unlike Enforcers where they could still move around without restriction.
At the same time, Roselia couldn't blame Vita, even if she joined up with Ouroboros. She is still doing her role as a Witch, guiding a Trial-goer through the Azure Trials. Vita could divert enough attention to do so, as The Faceless was the Anguis leading the Gospel Plan that will see the light in the coming couple of years when Trails in the Sky begin. Instead, Vita is partaking in the eventual Phantasmal Blaze Plan that would eventually bear fruit in Cold Steel 3 where all seven Divine Knights come together.
To say the least, Vita could now be seen, together with Crow. Their group of four were currently on the first floor of the Azure Trial. While the contents of each Trial may change, the layout typically remains the same. Seven floors to conquer until they reached their true destination, the Realm of the Great Shadow. Apart from the single door that was labeled I beyond them was an elevator that had the same Roman numerical numbers. It went from I to VII, showing that there were seven floors. The one labeled I was currently blinking blue, showing that it was in use.
The four soon came to a halt, arriving in front of the elevator that would eventually lead them further within the Azure Trials.
"So this is the entrance, eh? This place doesn't seem too exciting to me. Are you sure it's considered a challenge, Vita?", Crow said, and shrugged his shoulders, unsure.
"It most certainly is one. The difficulty grows as we descend further. The real challenge hasn't even begun yet. This place is child's play compared to where the true danger is. I do hope you are ready, Crow.", Vita replied, and scoffed at him.
"Yeesh. Did you wake up on the wrong side of the bed this morning?", Crow said, blinking his eyes at Vita. "Was that Grandmother of yours really that much of a b*tch back then?"
Hearing Crow ask that, Vita laughed. After all, this was happening mere moments after Vita did her astral projection, showing her phantom image at the bottom of the inactive Infernal Castle where Naoto's group went. She was surprised to see them all there, but at the same time, Vita saw that Naoto wanted to take the Vermillion Trials easily. Perhaps it was because of that which gave a push, making Vita guide Crow to start the Azure Trials now at the start of the next century.
Normally, Crow wouldn't tackle the Azure Trials until a year down the line in S1201, but here they are, currently standing inside it.
"The less you know, the better it will be, Crow. It is true you are not the only piece at play here.", Vita said. "Once you go beyond the first door, there is no turning back. You will soon be part of something that is greater."
"Heh.", Crow chuckled. "As long as it can be used for what we want to accomplish and kill that bastard, I don't give a shit if I end up being a pawn in whatever game it is you want to play, Witch. That Chancellor is going down whether he likes it or not."
"Haha.", Scarlet laughed. "You sure are eager to gain the power needed to do that, aren't you, Crow? I say that, but we're very much in the same position you are. I had no idea a place like this existed within Ordis's aqueducts."
"Scarlet is right, Crow. Are ya sure this place is gonna give us what we need?", Vulcan asked, appearing confused. "Our Imperial Liberation Front ain't official yet., but if this place really is meant to make us stronger, then I'm down for beatin' it to a pulp. Whatever may lurk beyond that door."
"Well, well. That will be the least of our worries once we clear these so-called Azure Trials. You said so yourself, right, Vita?", Crow asked, and gave her a smug grin.
"Hmph. Since when did I allow a first-name basis to address me?", Vita scoffed again. "We're working acquaintances at best, Crow. But if you want the answer, yes. Clearing the Azure Trials will give you power beyond your wildest dreams. I am surprised you called for some backup though. And what's this whole Imperial Liberation Front business?"
"Haha!", Crow laughed. "And here you are, calling me by first name, but whatever. Scarlet and Vulcan are here as added insurance. You can just ignore the Imperial Liberation Front. That has no business with you, Witch. But I do have one suggestion."
"Oh? And what would that be? I am being quite magnanimous, letting you be able to converse with such a renowned beauty like me. Do not forget I am the Azure Diva. What advice could you possibly have?", Vita asked, playing along.
"Don't get your panties in a bunch. Otherwise, all of your hair will fall out by the time you turn thirty, hahaha!", Crow laughed, and grinned from ear to ear. He then urged Scarlet and Vulcan to follow him, and quickly vanished into the first door of the Azure Trials.
It took a good moment for Vita to register what Crow had just said to her. Her cheeks turned red out of embarrassment.
"H-Hey! Not cool, Crow!", Vita shot back, yelling at him.
At the same time, when Vita regained her composure, the three were already standing in front of the first door. She observed Crow's back from afar, and before long, Vita's thoughts stirred. An image of a violet-haired boy dressed in regal attire soon appeared in her mind as she turned quiet for a moment. "Naoto...why did you choose Emma to be your guide, and not me?'
That thought only flashed for a brief moment before Vita quickly shook her head. She could only bottle that up deep inside her, and could only focus on what was now in front of her. Vita knew she had to guide Crow through the Azure Trials. While Vita found it pleasant to chat with Naoto, she could only keep that to herself for the time being.
That sense of longing grew as the moments passed by while Vita chased after Crow to head further inside...