Chronicles of Lumaria and Tenebris: The Blue Banner Rising

The morning sun cast golden rays across the Grand Hall of Colors, where nine banners hung from the vaulted ceiling. Each one represented a faction sworn to protect Lumaria from the Shadow Born threat. Alexis stood in the center of the marble floor, her hands trembling as she faced her older brother. "No." The word came from Captain Theron of the White Banner, his silver armor gleaming like starlight. To anyone else, he was a hero. To Alexis, he was simply the brother who refused to look at her. "But I passed the combat trials! My time magic—" "Is unstable." Theron's voice echoed through the hall. Around them, representatives from each colored group watched with varying degrees of interest. "You nearly froze three examiners in a temporal loop. You're not ready for White Banner, Alexis. You're not ready for any banner." Heat flushed Alexis's cheeks. She was nineteen, not a child, yet he still treated her like the clumsy girl who'd accidentally turned their family cat into a kitten for three days. "Then let me prove myself. Please, Theron. For our family name." "Our family name is exactly why I can't show you favoritism." He turned away, his white cape swirling. "Apply to another group. Maybe Yellow or Green will take you." But they wouldn't. Alexis had already tried. "Blue Banner will accept her." The voice came from the back of the hall, lazy and confident. A young man with messy brown hair and golden eyes stepped forward. He wore the blue sash that marked him as captain of the lowest ranked group, and his grin was infectious despite the murmurs of disapproval that rippled through the room. "Captain Orion," Magnus Ironhart spoke from his throne above. The Supreme Leader of humans watched with cold interest. "Blue Banner is already undermanned and undertrained. Why burden yourself further?" "Because everyone deserves a chance, Supreme Leader." Orion's smile never wavered, but something sharp glinted in his eyes. "Besides, time magic is rare. Could be useful against Shadow Born." Theron turned back, his jaw tight. "Fine. Take her. But when she fails, don't come crying to White Banner for support." Alexis wanted to argue, to prove she was worthy of more than the lowest banner, but Orion was already walking toward the doors. "Come on then, newbie. Let's get you sworn in before they change their minds." As she followed him out, Alexis caught sight of her brother's expression. For just a moment, something like regret flickered there. Then it was gone, replaced by the cold mask of White Banner's perfect captain. Outside, Orion stopped and turned to her, his silly demeanor dropping slightly. "Listen, I'm not going to lie. Blue Banner gets the worst missions, the least respect, and the smallest budget. But we're family. And we fight like hell to protect this realm. You in?" Alexis thought of her brother's rejection, of the whispers that followed her family name, of the magic that crackled unstably through her veins. Then she thought of the determination burning in her chest. "I'm in." "Good." His grin returned, bright as sunshine. "Welcome to Blue Banner. Try not to accidentally freeze any of your new teammates. They're weird, but I like them."