Cycle of Fire

2. Chapter 2: A Call to Action-1

2 Chapter 2: A Call to Action

Three days later, rumors of Hinnoc’s destruction had spread across the continent. City leaders struggled to quell their frightened citizens. Masses of curious onlookers and sects of humans protesting the integration of other races flooded the streets in the wake of the incident. The newly established Ariculon City served as a refuge for the survivors of Mar. The city had become the new central hub of technology and military might on the continent of Zannondale. The city earned its name when the survivors stumbled upon a new element that the inhabitants coined Ariculon. The relocated citizens of Mar rebuilt their homes and did their best to bury the tragic remnants of their past within the walls of their newly formed haven. After the death of Mar’s previous leaders, Maxim, and the appointed council members, the people clamored for capable leaders to guide the city.

The survivors wasted no time in appointing Maxim’s former aid, Aulrin, to the position. Despite the people’s pleas, Aulrin respectfully declined, stating that he did not feel qualified to please the people. He vouched that the highly decorated, General Gains, would be better suited for the role of leader. The people obliged and appointed Gains as the new leader of Ariculon. Soon after, the people appointed new council members to advise Gains and aid in the ruling of the newly established capital. Through drive and ingenuity, the Mar survivors banded together with the Droragorian to rebuild their civilization. In doing so, many Droragorian volunteers formed bonds with the survivors. They shared stories, cultures, and soon realized that they were not so different. Some humans were reluctant to accept help from the Droragorian, but with staunch encouragement and support from Gains and Julius, the Droragorian were welcomed into the city.

The act of humans and Droragorian people working together to rebuild the future ultimately led to a newfound confidence among the two races. The Droragorian rejoiced in their reemergence from their cavernous solitude. Their revival spurred other, long-hidden races, from their hideaways in the forests, caves, and desolate hills. With the emergence of each new race, more people that were eager to aid in the construction surfaced. As race relations between the Droragorian and the humans stoked the fire for racial peace, the other races soon formed bonds of their own, believing the construction to be the perfect endeavor to reintroduce themselves into modern society. Despite the swelling optimism of the progressive city, twenty years after the fall of Zathandalous, many humans still harbored hatred for the destruction caused by his union of fire. Despite mixed sentiments, Ariculon City had become a beacon for tolerance and peace for all the creatures of Zannondale.

Throughout the previous ten years, Ariculon City gradually adopted the technological and scientific prowess of Mar’s former glory. The city’s greatest minds were responsible for the creation of new technologies that vastly improved the military capabilities of the city. Many humans demanded that the city possess powerful defenses capable of quelling any enemy attack to ensure that a disaster like Mar could never happen again. Gains agreed and established an aeronautics division within Ariculon’s forces. Gains commissioned the surviving members of Mar’s greatest minds to build a small fleet of skyships inspired by the original design utilized in the fallen kingdom.

Gains, with the help of the people, appointed new leaders for the city’s infantry and the newly formed division. Additionally, Gains requested the development of an official naval force that could protect the city from the nearby sea, one that would rival Mar’s might. A middle-aged gentleman named Cyrus Cain was appointed as the primary general for the aeronautics division of the Ariculon forces. Azura Delacroix, his second in command and protégé, provided additional support. The newly appointed leader of the infantry division, Hilde Sauvage, quickly gained respect among her troops with her commanding presence and demanding expectations. She was a familiar face, yet her troops knew not to be fooled by her cheery smile and shaggy-haired appearance. She knew how to have fun, but suffered no fools when she was crossed. Lastly, one of General Gains most trusted soldiers, Maximillian Belmont, was appointed the leader of the new naval division. In the wake of Orthenius’ attack on Hinnok Gains called for a meeting with the military division leaders and the council.

Upon receiving the summons, General Cain readied himself for the meeting and made his way to the throne room to join the others. His aide, Azura, followed closely behind, keeping up with his quick pace. Cain was imposing in stature and walked with a distinct strut of confidence, up tall, and intimidating. His short charcoal hair had been groomed neatly. Two faint grey highlights stained his hair near each of his ears. A goatee covered his chin and the skin just beneath his nose. His pearl armor gleamed in the light as he passed the hallway windows. His aide Azura was considered by many within the city as a daughter to him. She was slightly taller than the average woman and walked upright as he did as if she were raised by royalty. She hailed from a mixed heritage of races, a mystery to some in her appearance. Her long dark hair had been tied into a short bun, restrained atop her upward tilted head, bundled like a tightly wound knot. The maids would often say her style of hair exuded an air of class and sophistication, but enough pomposity to shame an unbroken mare. A master-crafted cutlass rested on the left side of her belt, swaying as she walked. The detailed image of a butterfly had been engraved on the hilt.

Cain was once a member of the Mar military and served under General Gains. In the chaos of Zathandalous’ attack, Azura’s parents were killed. Cain rescued her as they both escaped from the sinking city. The General took a liking to the young woman and adopted her. As she grew, Cain saw the potential within her to become a fighter. He encouraged her to train her body and mind to become stronger. As the years passed Cain found himself a part of the newly established Ariculon military. When Gains was appointed the new leader of the city Cain was asked to take over Gains’ former military duties. However, following the inception of the aeronautics division, Cain’s duties shifted and Hilde was soon appointed the new infantry general. Cain knew combat, it was his life.

Cain and Azura neared the throne room. Gossiping voices lingered in the air, bouncing secrets and wild theories through the castle halls. Azura trailed behind, speeding up to match Cain’s stride again. Cain looked toward his young protégé with a subtle glance of disapproval, a sentiment solidified with a slight shake of his head. “Why aren’t you wearing your armor?” Cain questioned

“I didn’t think it would be necessary, father.”

“Sir. Call me sir when we are on duty, and it is always best to be prepared,” Cain corrected, bearing a slight undertone of displeasure.

“I’m sorry, sir, but I really don’t think it is necessary at the moment. It’s just a meeting.”

“It wasn’t necessary the day Mar was attacked and now it’s at the bottom of the damn ocean. The next time we are summoned and you fail to wear your gear I will train you until your bones crack. Is that clear?”

“Yes, sir,” Azura replied.

Azura’s pace slowed, dropping back a bit. She seemed phased by Cain’s words. Cain stared straight ahead, intense, and focused on accomplishing his mission. He and Azura rounded the corridor and approached the throne room doors at the end of the hallway. Two guards, Reginald and Colin, stood watch outside. Colin saw Cain coming. He recognized the intimidating expression on the grumpy General’s face. It was a familiar one, one the General seldom ever dropped. Colin leaned toward his fellow guard. “Uh oh. He looks pissed today,” he said.

Reginald traded gazes with Cain. The General’s eyes beamed with ferocity and a focus reserved for the most stubborn of hunters.

“Good day, sir,” Reginald greeted, “Gains is expecting you. The others are inside, but we are still awaiting General Sauvage’s arrival.”

“She’s probably still drunk in a pub somewhere,” Cain replied and entered.

Colin examined Azura with a faint smile. Azura could feel his eyes combing her body. She scowled and grasped the man’s testicles. Colin yelped as she squeezed, glaring into his eyes. “I’m aware of my natural beauty, you brutish bastard. But if I ever catch you sizing me up like a common animal again I will remove your testicles and serve them to the dogs. Is that clear?” Azura calmly threatened.

“Yes, ma’am,” he whispered.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t quite catch that,” Azura replied, tightening her grasp

“Yes, ma’am!” he squealed louder.

Azura released her grasp and entered the throne room. Colin cupped his privates, panting. He turned his head to watch Azura enter the room. Reginald slapped him in the back of the head, rolling his eyes.

“What?” Colin questioned.

“Stop staring, you i***t. Did you already forget what just happened? Next time she might do the same to me…and I just got married. If she sees you she is liable to eliminate both of our chances of having little ones.”

“Yeah…if she sees me. She did say if. Besides, I was looking at that shirt and those shoes. Poor girl wouldn’t know fashion if it hit her in the aft deck, ” Colin retorted.

Azura caught wind of the shirt and shoes crack and turned, scowling at the two guards.

“Oh s**t…” Colin replied and pulled the doors closed.

“Morons…” Azura murmured as she joined Generals Cain and Belmont in the center of the room. The council sat atop an elevated platform, onyx in hue. Seven decorative chairs lined their table. The center chair, reserved for Gains, appeared much more extravagant. It’s white, black, and gold palette accentuated the charcoal platform. The emblem of a phoenix lay carved into the smooth floor where Cain and Azura stood, wings stretched and ready for flight. The newly appointed council consisted of seven total members, six of those whose purpose was to provide Gains with support, expertise, advice, and to serve as aggregates for the people of Ariculon.

The first member, Nina Shikoba, hailed from a small settlement in the Western region of Zannondale. Her lineage was said to originate from a native race of people that once lived side by side with the Droragorian in peace. They were masters of the land and in their time and had learned to tame the very nature around them. They respected the land and all of Zannondale’s creatures. Nina was of average height and her skin was a slightly darker hue than most. Her long, brown hair had been braided into multiple strands that draped down to her back.

The second member, Kedrick Farrion, was quite tall in stature. He bore the appearance of a sophisticated man but his physique was often compared to that of a powerful giant. His hair had been shaved bald and he bore a dark goatee, similar to Cain’s. His dark skin was often a point of contention. However, he found solace in the newly established city of Ariculon.

The third, Neila Miara, was a young yet seasoned woman with wisdom beyond her years. The people of the city would often say that her smile was radiant enough to light the darkest trenches of the oceans. Too much cheese for her liking, but she couldn’t disagree, and she loved cheese. She was well versed in the trials of life yet seemed to retain some small piece of innocence and naivety. She had escaped from the city of Mar on the day of its downfall and vowed to rebuild the fallen icon. She was vital in the rejuvenation of the morale of the people and encouraged the formation of bonds between the refugee humans of Mar and the Droragorian. She was of average height, lean in build, and her eyes carried the sparkling blue sheen of Mar’s oceans. Her light brown hair curled around the back of her neck and lay dangling over her left shoulder.