Dark Descendants: City of Domes

Chapter 6:The 24 Aces of Raven

“At last, the Alpha Cardinal was here.” A blonde man said upon my arrival with pure and thick sarcasm in his tone. “We can now start this stupid meeting then, shall we?” he added. His sarcasm makes me want to punch him hard in his face.

“If you talk again like that, I’ll cut your tongue even if you’re a guardian.” Alexiese warned him while taking a menacing step towards the blonde guy, but I stopped him. Remembering that people in this room is guardians and has their own elemental gifts they can wield. “But… Solem— “I cut him off.

“Don’t Alexiese, just don’t.” I warned him. Then I smiled as if no one talked to me with sarcasm. I roamed my eyes with the people here in the room, and was shocked seeing that Johann is here too. “You’re a guardian too?” I pointed my finger at him.

“Nice meeting you again, my lady.” He smiled while approaching me and bowed when he’s infront of me, the he holds my hand and placed a kiss at the back of it. “Pleasure to be here with you. I’m the new Pisces Guardian.”

“Oh. Yeah great, atleast I knew someone in here.” I whispered. Then I just smiled and took my hand from him. “Let’s start then.” I sat down in one of the seats placed around a magnificent table.

“Let’s start by introducing you one by one, starting by the Pisces Guardian. Please stand mister.” Commander Brick started. Then Johann stands and introduced himself. I observed the others while he was talking. Counting everyone who’s sitting, I wondered why we were 13 if the guardians are only 12 according to the chronicles of Apocalypse.

“I’m Liam Surovski, the new Aquarius guardian. Sorry for the sarcasm earlier. I’m just not for waiting too long for a certain person…” he started. He was the man who talked a while ago to me. Then another and another ‘til everyone is done and it’s my turn.

“I’m Solem Du’Tritz, I lived in dome 12. I finished practical arts at the Central University of Practical arts. I have a sister, Selene Du’Tritz. My mother died a year after my graduation, and I didn’t have the chance to meet my father. I’m now 5 years in the service for the Eagle Legion, under Delta Force. I’m currently 27 years old as much as many of you. That’s all.” I finished. Everyone then nodded and Commander Brick started to discuss important matters in accord with this obligation we now shoulder for the whole humanity.

Now I then know why we were thirteen persons sitting in here, the Gemini guardian’s, Aaron Santiago and Lewis Santiago, are counted as one. They are literally twin’s, as likely as their star. I also observed that only I and the Virgo guardian, Kylie Lopez, is the only woman guardians. Here is also the Leo Guardian, Michael Tatsuko; Libra guardian, Lexxus Adams; Scorpio guardian, Ian Pasivoch; Sagittarius Guardian, Gabrielle Du’ponte; Capricorn guardian, Jacob Chestin; Taurus guardian, Ethan Wills; and Cancer guardian, Bryan Kim.

“Don’t worry, everything is hard before it became easy newborn.” Ariean appeared just beside me. And because she told me that only I can see her, I just speak to her in my mind because I remembered that she said she can hear my thoughts.

“Do you think I can really lead this people here? I mean, I told you I’m no leader, I’m a soldier and a warrior. I’m a follower.” I said in my mind addressing to her.

“Competent leaders first became the best followers.” She smiled. “It’s just in the start that you’ll all adjust with each other. It’s part of this. But then as you get along often, everything will flow accordingly like a calm stream leading to a beautiful Falls.” She added, giving me some light of perseverance.

“I wish and hope for that. Shouldering the survival of humanity is no joke.” I sighed.

“What do you think Warrior Du’Tritz?” A voice grabs me back to reality, and cuts my conversation with Guardian Ariean. When I looked up on whose voice was that, it was Commander’s.

“What was it again? Sorry. I’m a bit… you know.” I apologized. “Sorry.” I repeated.

“I was saying that maybe, we accept the mission of exploring the lands outside the domes. Our researchers said that you have a high percentage of surviving the state outside. What do you think?” The Commander repeated.

“I think sir, that this group is still premature and newborn. We still need to build trust with each other. And we could only develop those if we first get into missions here inside the dome. Like finding the pack of wolves that made chaos back in dome 12. Jumping this fast to hard missions like what you have said will be a bit futile. If it doesn’t bother you, sir, that will be my opinion in the matter.” I explain while touching and grasping the ring in my pointing finger.

“Good point, warrior.” Commander Brick nodded. “Any other opinions or suggestions about some more matter?”

“I just want to suggest we presented formally as one team and will be provided our own barracks. That will help us get along with each other.” Kylie suggested.

“I agree.” Lexxus said while raising his right hand. “Besides, the Alpha Cardinals decision is the best option we have for now. Maybe we’ll take much risky missions when we already have the camaraderie we needed as a team.”

“I suggest separate barracks but one ground to train, it’s much cheaper than building another barracks just for us. Besides, training is much more essential for now right?” Liam suggested.

“Guardian, expense is no problem with King Alexandrov II. He will provide you all what you need, as long as it is for the sake of all the people here in the City of Domes.” Commander Brick said.

“I think another base is much wiser. Placed just near the palace, provided with 12 barracks, and a training ground.” Johann suggested. “Who agrees with me?” he asked us. Lexxus, Kylie and the others raised their hands except Liam, Ian, Gabrielle and Michael.

“What about you Alpha Cardinal? What will be your vote?” Johann asked me.

“I think I’ll agree with your suggestion.” I answered after a minute or two of thinking.

“Then, majority wins. We’ll be providing you a separate base, but for now you will all be staying here in the palace. The King told his helpers here to provide you all 6 rooms. You will decide who’ll be your roommates for now because where kind of short in rooms here. Mainly they are used here for office matters but the King temporarily spare some unused office for your accommodation here. And then, I’ll just send to your room some documents and books you’ll need to study after we adjourn.” Commander Bricks stands up. “Is there anything else we need to discuss gentlemen’s and women’s?”

“No. Nothing we think of.” I answered. And the whole room agrees.

“I think were done on important matters.” Gabrielle said.

“Then this meeting is now adjourned. Thank you guardians.” Commander Brick stated before immediately exiting the room.

“Were you also a guardian? You stayed in here but I didn’t hear you introduced yourself.” Michael asked Alexiese who were standing the whole time behind me.

“Nope. I’m Solem’s Battle buddy. I asked permission from Commander Brick to stay on your discussion and he said he won’t mind, so I stayed.” Alexiese explained.

“You seem very close for battle buddies then.” Lewis said, or was it Aaron? I’m a bit still confused on recognizing who’s who between this Twin Gemini Guardian. “Lewis by the way, if you’re confused.” He said, answering my question as if he can read my mind.

“We’ll get going now, Ms. Alpha Cardinal.” Aaron said bowing, then they both walked to the door.

“Let’s go, Solem. It’s getting late. We still haven’t eaten dinner.” Alexiese reminded me and we immediately left the room.

--- --- ---

“So had you already told your sister about… you know…” Alexiese started as we enter the room Commander Brick gave us, the Virgo guardian is who’ll be with me in this room. But Alexiese insisted that he’ll stay just for dinner and will leave when it’s about to take sleep. He was preparing dinner while I was just watching him. The room was a suite type, moreover was an office turned into a room. The only changed is that instead couches, we have two beds. This room also has two cabinets for our clothes, two small desks that serves as somewhat a study table placed in both either sides of the room. Our beds are also separated using heavy curtains. Our dinners were served by the Palace helpers was brought here before we actually arrived. Luckily it was placed in the study desks, so I knew what food is mine because my roommate is still hasn’t arrived here.

“I can’t tell her Alexiese, she’s so happy while we were together.” By the thought of it, my mood saddened.

“I’m sorry, you need to spare your sister just for these.” He sympathized, putting the food down the desk.

“Where will you sleeping then? You could sleep here if you actually want.” I suggested to him, thinking where he’ll be staying here because we guardians were only those whose given rooms.

“No. It would be awkward for the Virgo Guardian. Why didn’t you think you were roommates?” he asked.

“Uhhh… I-don’t actually know.” I answered.

“Because you’re both women. I haven’t even known if the Virgo guardian was part of the Legion. I told you a while ago that the meeting moments ago were hurriedly set just for you guardians to meet each other.” he answered, his face telling me ‘aren’t that obvious? Duh’. I scratched my head, sometimes I become really not observative.

*KNOCK* *KNOCK* *KNOCK*

We then got interrupted by three knocks in the door as Guardian Kylie of Virgo slowly entered.

“Oh, hey Alpha.” She greeted me as she entered. “I didn’t know your buddy will be joining us here.” She asked the moment she saw Alexiese who was in the middle of swallowing his food.

“No. Actually he only joined me for dinner.” I smiled, turning to Alexiese who doesn’t mind a thing while devouring his food, such a glutton.

“Oh. I thought he’ll also be staying here.” Kylie smiled and walked to her bed, slumping her body hard to it. “It’s a very tiring day!” she exclaimed.

“Oh yeah it is. By the way, there’s a food at the top of your desk. It was brought by the King’s Helper.” I informed her, pointing my finger to the direction of her desk.

“Oh, f*ck food. I’ll take that later. I’m super tired and all I want is to sleep ‘til tomorrow’s sun rises.” She yawned. Curling her body in the bed and pulled up her bed blanket.

“You better take your food first, you know. Or tomorrow when you wake up your stomach will be groaning madly looking for food while you are being called for training or mission. We never know.” I said, swallowing my food.

“Hmmm…” she groaned. Moving slightly in her bed but doesn’t stood up for her food.

“Maybe just wake her up later to take her food. This is a very tiring day for everyone, Solem. Especially for those who were summoned unexpectedly and was sent to chronological meetings the moment they entered the Palace.” Alexiese said, finishing his food now.

“You ate fast.” I observed. “Very hungry?” I chuckled.

“Indeed.” He chuckled too, realizing the fact.

After Alexiese and I finished dinner, I decided to immediately go to sleep.

“Mom? Mom?” I knocked to our houses door. “Mom? Please open the door.” I shouted in case she’s sleeping and didn’t hear me outside. But it was more of gut feel, something’s strange. Following my instinct, I kicked the door and it swung open. When mom didn’t show up I hurriedly entered mom’s room.

“Mo—mom? M…mom?” I fell on my feet. I don’t need to go near her just to realize what happened to her. The river of blood inside her room is enough proof for me. “NOOOOOOO!” I shouted, tears falling from my eyes like a mad river.

“Alpha? Alpha! Hey!” someone then shrugged me. “Guardian DuTritz! Wake up!” someone shouted and wake me up off my nightmare. I got up my bed immediately, soaking with tears and sweat. I turned to the woman in my side, looking worried at me.

“K-Kylie?” I said the moment I fully recognized her. “What happened?”

“You were sobbing loudly while I was eating my dinner. I then realized you were having a nightmare. So I decided to walk to your bed and wake you up.” She said. “Is it about your mom?”

“Uhhmm.” I was torn to answer her question or not. Were still strangers after all.

“I heard you murmuring the word ‘mom’ while you were having your nightmare. Don’t worry, I won’t force you to tell me about her knowing that she already passed away. Wounds take time to heal.” She smiled and walked back to her desk and continued to eat her dinner. I decided then to follow and joined her in her desk.

“Kylie, was you a member of the Legion?” I asked as I sitted beside her. “If you don’t mind me asking.”

“I’m from Alpha Force. About 4 years in the service. Why did you ask?” She said, stopping for a while to answer.

“Just curious.” I looked intently to her. She doesn’t seem tough by looking to her facial features. “Why did you enter the legion?” I added again.

“To protect my family. I have brothers and sister, and I’m the second child. Our oldest owns a food house near our home in dome 4. My other brothers and sisters are still studying in the local academy.” She shared. “How about you? Why did you enter the legion?” she asked me back my question.

“Because it’s the high paid job.” I shrugged.

“You know what?” She sighed deeply. “By my instincts, you're lying about your reasons.” She said, sipping her tea. “But I won’t force you to tell me, I just hate when people lie to me. So just please tell me you can’t say your reasons instead of doing that.” She added. I nodded.

“It’s a bit personal.” I said as she finished her food.

“Do you feel like sleeping? Because if you don’t, I think we can have fun talking to know more about each other. Like sharing some things that you don’t include too personal.” She laughed a bit. I smiled and nodded.

“Good idea indeed, I just woke up from a nightmare though.” We then walked to her bed and sat together.

“Have you already met your Guardian?” she asked, opening our conversation. “I actually don’t mind if you lay on my bed, I’m not that sensitive. Were both comrades after all.” She chuckled as she observed I wanted to lay down a bit.

“Thank you. They were just some person I met in the legion that doesn’t like when someone lies on their bed.” I lay down her bed. “I’ve only met Guardian Ariean. But the other’s still not. Guardian Ariean seem to be more interactive than the others.”

“Nope. I think actually that the first guardians were also the first to appear and interact with us. I first met Guardian Virginia, the first Virgo Guardian, the moment my tattoo and mark showed up. She’s the one who explained me things first than everyone. Luckily my buddy wasn’t around when she showed up or he’ll think I’m crazy.” She giggled.

“I just met Guardian Ariean couple of hours ago before I went to the meeting with those of you. She didn’t show up when my mark appeared maybe because I passed out due to panic and shock.” I chuckled, remembering that I passed out simple because of it. “I went to a lot of battles since I entered the legion but I never passed out, not until my mark showed up.”

“You’re a bit famous, didn’t you know? I hear a lot about you in our base. About your missions and all. We also heard that you and Warrior Ce’ Vieze are really close.” She said.

“Oh really? I didn’t really know about that. I’m a bit centered on working on our missions and training, I didn’t realize that I was famous.” I innocently replied. “Warrior Ce’ Vieze was like a bestfriend to me, that’s why we were that close. Along with my closest friends Hector and Diana back in Delta Force.”

“I also heard rumors with that Diana whose Hector’s battle buddy, was sent to the archers because of some sort of romance with each other?” she turned to me. “Was that true?”

“Yeah.” I shortly replied. “How did you become a guardian again? Did you also meet the Cloaked Man?” I asked, changing the topic about Hector and Diana.

“Yeah. He asked me a question that tests my loyalty for the legion, gave me a lot of tempting things to turn my back against it. But then I proved my loyalty, so as he gave me some sort of power. Then, the rest is history along with the mark etched on me.” It’s my turn to look at her. “Oh yeah, my mark was etched here.” She showed me her chest, the part where her heart beats, is where Virgo’s mark was etched on her skin.

“Why were yours etched on your chest?” I curiously asked, differentiating mine and her.

“I actually asked my guardian about that when I saw you in the meeting and she said that the mark shows up in accord where the guardian’s star is known of. In my case as a Virgo, Loyalty. So the mark was etched in my chest. You, Aries guardians are known for leading. Thus, mark etched on your forehead that somehow also symbolizes supremacy. You’re the Alpha after all.” She explained.

“Maybe I should talk more with Guardian Ariean, what do you think?” I smiled.

“Yeah, indeed.” She chuckled, then yawned.

“Good night, Guardian Lopez.” I said, “Let’s go back to sleep, we still have a long day tomorrow.” I walked back to my bed.

THE next day, we were all summoned before the sun even showed up. We started to exercise in a secret base nearby the Palace. After an hour we was commanded to get ready before 7 am strikes, because that’s the time Commander Rusty, our appointed team Commander will be introduced to us along with another announcement. So we quickly obliged. We took a bath, ate breakfast and wore our uniforms. Alexiese then quickly briefed me about the things I must know, especially about our entry in the Raven’s before I head alone for our meeting. After getting ready, we were informed to hurry to the meeting room where we first met each other and is said to wait for Commander Rusty’s arrival. After about five minutes after the clock strikes 7 a.m., our meeting room’s door swung open and Commander Rusty’s muscular tall built stands infront of us.

“Good morning, Guardians.” He greeted. “I’m Commander Rusty from Palace Royal Guard, your Commander-In-Charge. I’m here to formally announce and brief you about your first mission as a separate and individual force in the Raven Legion.” He started.

“Everyone here received candidacy, am I right?” he asked. Bryan, Johann, Ian and The twins raised their hands for objection. “You haven’t? You're not part of the Legion?” He asked as he points his finger to them.

“I work in a food house sir.” Ian replied.

“I’m an assistant to our local healer in Dome 8, sir.” Bryan replied.

“We help in a local clothing house, sir.” One of the Santiago twin’s replied.

“I help in an owl farm, sir.” Ian replied.

“How about you?” Commander Rusty asked Johann.

“I’m a volunteer in the Central Library, sir.” Johann answered. Is that why he’s always in the library?

“But your all had been briefed about the Raven Legion and your entry into it yesterday, right?” The Commander asked again and we all nodded. “So you all knew that in a week, your all be announced dead from a mission and some of you, those who weren’t part of the legion, will be listed as casualties. Am I right?” he asked again and we nodded again.

“Okay then, you will all be heading to our Metalworks right after this meeting. Our blacksmith there will forge you your new swords. As you know that your swords will be put into your so-called graves like part of our normal rituals, then he’ll also forge you your new battle suits and battle gears that would be your new battle uniforms. After that, our Palace sewers will provide you your new training uniforms. Then, you’ll meet up with your new Battle buddies. All except for Guardian Du’Tritz for her Battle buddy, Warrior Ce’ Vieze had also received the candidacy and entry to the Raven’s and The Santiago Guardians. From then on, your team will be composed of 24 warriors. Those who weren’t part of the legion will undergo harsh trainings all day to learn the essential skills they’ll be needing to survive on the battlegrounds before the formal annunciation comes and that’s 5 days from now. Those who were already part of the legion will undergo normal daily training’s. I’ll meet you up again after the day of formal annunciation giving you your very first mission. For now, Commander Brick will be your Commander-In-Charge” He stopped, letting us digest what he said for a moment before continuing. “Good luck, Guardians.” Then he quickly left our room. Commander Brick then entered.

“He’s a bit speedy, don’t you think?” Commander Brick jokingly said. “I’m here to tag along with you to the Metalworks where your new battle buddies are waiting for you all. I’ll be also the one who’ll be training the five here whose greenhorn’s in the legion. Let’s all move now.” He smiled as he left the room and waited us outside. We all the head straight to the Metalworks, as they meet their new battle buddies while for me, I saw Alexiese waiting.

“How’s the meeting with Commander Rusty?” he started as I approach him.

“He’s speedy, as what Commander Brick tagged him.” I chuckled. We then walked to inside the Metalworks.

After we finished all Commander Rusty told us to do for the day, we were—or actually they were—introduced to their new buddies. My fellow guardians then were provided the folder containing the information about their new buddies—including profile, background and many more. Then we all trained together. After a long and tiring day, I head back to Kylie and I’s room inside the Palace, slumped back to the bed and immediately fell asleep.

At the end of this day, I felt somewhat lucky that Alexiese is still by my side on all of this. Were both in the same team, still buddies, and will still be together fighting in the battlefields. So I felt some contentment and peace for now, and I slept silently ‘til another day comes.