Book 7, Chapter 15 - Conscription Exam (2/2)

“But-”

“Don’t worry, I know we’re strong enough to make it happen!”

She almost glared at him. What was he thinking? But although she disagreed with his false sense of ability, there was no going back now. Idonea could only shuffle after them. As they entered an open space.

“The conscription exam is really quite simple,” the officer explained. “It’s a sparring contest. You win, you’re in. Please wait here, your opponents will arrive shortly.”

So they had to beat a challenger? Easy enough to understand. But Idonea was unconsciously fiddling with her necklace, a sign of her nerves getting the better of her.

A large pair of doors opened on the other side of the room. Two figures entered and when Idonea saw them her face fell. She knew these two.

“Mercury Merlo and Apollo Haven...”

Idonea recognized them immediately. At least in Stormford they were household names. The Merlo name immediately marked Mercury as a member of the mighty family. He was Jupiter’s elder cousin and at thirty years old, his strength was widely known.

As for Apollo Haven? He wasn’t one to discount! The Haven family didn’t ring very loudly in Fulmulta, but the young man was one of the capitol’s Mighty Ten. More accurately, their leader. In Stormford he was the greatest of his generation.

Jupiter had shown real promise but was on the lower end of the Mighty Ten. He was, after all, only eighteen years old. Who could have said in time if he might have risen to the top. As of now, though, he was far below Apollo in skill.

“Oh no!” Idonea felt her heart sink. She would rather have fought anyone else, any stranger. Their connections made this more difficult than it had to be. Indeed it was Cloudhawk who so thoroughly embarrassed Mercury’s cousin. He also openly mocked the Mighty Ten on more than one occasion. Now Mercury and Apollo had their chance to seek reparations.

Not the best time for personal feuds.

“You’re the one who beat Jupiter for his position among the Ten. Lance Nilam.” Mercury had been at Sky Base for only two days. He’d heard everything that happened during the wedding. “Word is you’re arrogant. Today we’ll see if your skills can pay for what your mouth buys you.”

There was a cold light in his eyes, one that promised he wouldn’t hesitate to win vengeance for his family.

Apollo didn’t say anything. They were here for a solemn task. He was here, so he had to be at least as strong as Mercury. A pair of piercing, hawk-like eyes were fixed on Lance.

“Alright. No more wasting time.” Mercury drew his weapon from its sheath. There was a flash of light and they watched as the man swelled to ten times his size. In his right hand was clutched a dangerous looking saber which spawned eddies of wind as he swung it around. “If you want to join the inner circle then you have to go through me!”

Apollo, true to his stoic way, remained silent. He, too, pulled out a sword which glinted with a cold light. Unlike his companion, Apollo did not waste energy on showy displays. Even still, the aura of the weapon was enough to prove it was more than it appeared.

By the way they looked at Cloudhawk and Idonea, it was clear how little they thought of their opponents.

Idonea was daughter to a famous father but herself didn’t even qualify as a veteran demonhunter. Her abilities had to be average at best. As for Lance, he was completely unknown before a few days ago. Even if he did manage to beat Jupiter, he was probably only barely considered a ‘veteran.’

What in the world made these two think they could join the inner circle?

“Be careful!” Idonea was already on guard. “Mercury’s weapon is called Tyranny and it’s strong. Don’t let it get close. Apollo is carrying the Nebula Blade which allows him to attack an area. He’s also a skilled martial artist who prefers speed and bursts of strength.”

“Well if you aren’t going to get this started, than I am!” With a roar of challenge, Mercury Merlo came charging at Cloudhawk with both hands on Tyranny.

1. Apollo Haven’s Chinese name is 霄辰 which can mean all sorts of things, but is basically two names meaning the bright shining heavens/universe. Apollo is the grecian/roman god of the sun and the day. Mercury’s name is 玄天通, “passage through the sky”. I went with Mercury because it fits with the Merlo family’s roman motif, and because Mercury is the heavenly messenger, always cutting paths through the sky.