It was now coming to the end of the first month of the fifth year after Xaryus and Zadius began their training with Leveness.
Xaryus had woken up much earlier than Zadius and made his way beneath the Hold to begin his basic training routine. His dark skin was now toned and muscular, the scars on his body glistening in his sweat and the bright light that emanated from his training sword.
His eyes produced a gentle, yellow glow from beneath the set of locs that fell to the front of his face as he gracefully swung his [Solaris] enhanced weapon through the air
He had been practicing to maintain one of two boons he had achieved from his enlightenment. Originally he was only able to apply one of [Solaris]'s functions at a time, but he had gained the capabilities to perform two applications simultaneously.
On that day's session, he was practicing to apply to ability to a weapon and enhance himself with [Solaris] whilst using [Solar Augment]
***
"Leveness said to rest, Xaryus." Zadius' voice called out, sleepily.
Stopping his blade, Xaryus looked over to see Zadius leaned against the large arched doorway to Leveness' training room. His long grey hair tied into a bun with two strands falling to each side of his handsome face.
"I can't sleep." Xaryus responded.
"Are you seeing them again?" Zadius questioned.
Xaryus' face stiffened as flashes of all the people he had killed whilst he was in captivity ran across his mind.
He had terrors where they screamed in anguish, rushing and grasping at him with cold, bloodied hands, begging him to tell them why he had to kill them.
It was impossible to forget their faces. Sadly, he even remembered them better than his own mother's face.
"I can't get them out of my head. How did you get rid of yours?" Xaryus asked.
"I didn't. I don't have the right to forget the lives I've taken, even if I was forced to. I simply made peace with what I've done for us to survive and move forward." Zadius answered.
Xaryus listened to his words intently with a sliver of dissatisfaction creeping in his heart.
"How can I make peace with something like that?" He thought as he continued to swing his sword through the air once again, this time more intensely.
Zadius sighed before he continued to speak, "Finish your training quickly, our final test is today."
***
On one of the higher floors of the Hold, Leveness sat in a large room adorned with portraits of herself. At its back was a large window showing a wonderful view of the grassy plains and the ocean in the distance.
She sat at her desk completing some paperwork, her beautiful eyes crossing over the amount of work completed and those that were still unfinished.
"This job is such a hassle, I wish I was still back home." She thought.
Continuing to scribble away at her paperwork, the room's door opened and Xaryus and Zadius made their way inside. They both wore basic clothes and basic armouring aspects that covered their vitals and didn't restrict their movement.
Leveness gestured to the two chairs across from her.
After Xarus and Zadius seated themselves, they patiently waited for her to speak.
"Both of you have shown extraordinary will and talent over these past four years. Now, just as it was my duty to mould you, it is now your duty to express the fruits of your labour and show me that you're ready to become members of the Red Lion Order; and most importantly… my swords."
Leveness' words would have sounded like that of a loyal knight to the Lionhearts and Rosa. However, over the years Xaryus and Zadius realized that she was more akin to a wild beast that chose to spend its time in Lionheart territory.
They were not tempered to be useful to the city and its rulers but to Leveness herself.
For what purpose, she made sure to keep that close to her chest.
"The first part of your final test was supposed to be an extermination mission, but that will be replaced by a request from the Lionhearts themselves." Leveness sighed in annoyance before she continued, "They specifically requested that you two escort the niece of the king and prodigy amongst prodigies, Rosaly Lionheart."
"Why are they requesting us specifically?" Zadius asked.
"Merely the whim of the rich and powerful I suppose, and you both have history with the young Lionheart." Leveness responded, "You are tasked with escorting her to our sister city, Castillan. In a day or two, you would then escort her back to Rosa."
"Travelling to Castillan by carriage can take up to three days and Rosaly is not some low priority individual. Why not send her with someone stronger, or use a spatial gate?" Xaryus asked.
"I would not have made this one of your tests if it was outside of your capabilities. Neither of you are strong enough to resist the authority of the Lionhearts, so do your best and try to enjoy the time out in the real world." Leveness explained, her quill still gliding across the paperwork.
"Does that imply you're outside of their authority?" Xaryus asked.
Leveness simply wore a soft smile and looked up towards Xaryus, "You leave today, they'll be waiting for you at Lionheart Manor."
***
After leaving Leveness' office Xaryus and Zadius made their way to the Holds med bay.
It was a large hall-like area filled with several medical beds separated by thin white curtains; many of them stained with blood.
To the back of the hall and to the front were small rooms that acted as offices and storage areas for staff. However, due to Healing aspects being a rare commodity, most medical positions within knight orders were understaffed.
Sitting in front of the room situated at the front of the hall was a man in a white coat, with pale skin, short, black hair and a scruffy beard.
He looked as if he hadn't slept in days.
"William." Xaryus called over to the man.
"If it isn't the prodigal sons." William replied as he stood up out of his seat.
"We're here to collect healing potions, our final assessments start today." Zadius added.
"About time." Willaim ended as he turned away and entered the room behind him.
Xaryus and Zadius could hear rustling and shifting of objects behind the door. Shortly after, he emerged with five vials filled with a red liquid.
"Two each and another for emergencies." William added as he outstretched the vials.
Xaryus absorbed two vials into a silver ring shaped SDS he wore on his index finger and Zadius absorbed three in a similarly shaped SDS.
Once they retrieved the healing potions, they said their goodbyes to William and gathered Hold issued basic aspect weapons.
Once they had gotten all the necessary supplies, they made their way to the room that held the gate connected to Lionheart manor.
An awakened stationed at the gate nodded at their arrival and activated the stone archway. The dim runes began to pulse with white light before a similar white light consumed the space beneath the arch.
Without any hesitation, Xaryus and Zadius stepped through the gate and towards their first test.