The first of the 108

*Allina is in Sinden, doing whatever it is she's there to do amongst the panic in the busy streets, when all of a sudden a red-haired boy accidentally bumps into her and he falls over.*

Boy: <Owww...>

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*Today, in Ilvan, there is an ongoing riot to attempt overthrowing the Maguare invaders stationed there. They are, however, being beaten back by the superior skill of trained soldiers. The entire town is in chaos right now, and it isn't looking like the end result will be pretty no matter how it ends. Legel is in the middle of this.*

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*In the royal palace of the Maguare capital Varas, soldiers are constantly being sent off in wagons to Voletre day in, day out. On such a day, Minerva, one of the up and coming strategists of this military, is being requested for a meeting with the king, alongside her bodyguard Mars.*

*Minerva walks along towards the meeting. She has a stressed look on her face*

Minerva:[ Oh man......this is so stressful. What if I don't do a good job?]

*Mars walks up beside her and sees her worried look.*

Mars: <Nervous?>

Minerva:< Very. I don't want to mess up in front of the king.>

*Allina also stumbles back, but quickly steps forward again, curling her fingers into an angry fist.*

Allina: <Hey!>

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*Legel advances through the town towards the Maguare force.*

*The boy gets back up and backs away a bit.*

Leon: <Oh! Umm...>

*He pulls out a beat-up looking notebook and flips through the pages.*

Leon: <(What did dad tell me to say in this situation...? Oh! Here it is!)>

*He zooms in on the word to double check and then looks up with confidence and a smile.*

Leon: <Sorry!>

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*He's stopped by a blockade in the middle of the road, a wooden fence stationed with Maguare soldiers armed and ready.*

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Mars: <Well, I'm sure it'll be fine. The king's a pretty nice man, you know.>

*After a bit of walking, they come to a huge set of doors, big enough that they'd probably be better referred to as a gate, with a guard on each side. They salute and open the gate.*

*Minerva nods nervously at the soldiers as she enters the room*

*She lowers her fist and frowns, then sighing and smiling.*

Allina: <Ah, that's all right. Are you okay?>

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*Legel draws his sword and stares at them blankly. He speaks slowly and coldly*

Legel: <I'm here to stop you.>

*He looks all over his body first, and then looks back at her and nods.*

Leon: <I'm fine.>

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*The soldiers look at him and laugh, a few of them falling over. One of them, whom is rather tall and rough in appearance steps forward through the blockade and pulls the humongous axe off of his back and grips it with his hands. One of the soldiers also steps forward.*

Soldier: <General Bear, sir! You don't need to dirty your hands with him! Allow me!>

*The soldier jumps in front of the presumed general, blocking him from Legel, and draws a beat-up, 1 handed sword from his waist, and then points it at Legel. Archers from behind the blockade have their arrows ready to be fired, and pointing at him should he do anything suspicious.*

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*Inside is a rather large hall, decorated with swords and other weapons hung on the walls on both sides, large portraits, and a long red carpet that stretches straight to the throne itself, where the king sits. He is, however, asleep. The guards urge Mars and Minerva to hurry along over there.*

*Minerva walks up to the throne and clears her throat*

Allina: <You seemed to be in a hurry. Do you need help finding your way?>

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Legel: <I want you to join me. I want all of you to join me. However, and as I am aware the gears of reality seldom turn the way we want them to, those who decline my offer will see their lives cut short within minutes. Please do consider my gentle offer.>

Leon: <Oh, right! I came here looking for medicine. Do you know where the clinic in this place is?>

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*The tall man smiles and then straps the axe back onto his back. The soldier in front looks back at him.*

Soldier: <S-sir?>

*He ignores the troop's question and laughs as he does an insane, inhuman jump behind the blockade.*

Bear: <Defeat all my troops and I'll consider joining you. That's the deal.>

Soldier: <Sir! That's a ridiculous agreement! Would you really betray us so easily?!>

Bear: <Why are you so scared you'll lose? I won't lead a squad that can't defeat a single man, not in a million years.>

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*The king is still passed out, almost falling out of his chair and whispering something about alcohol to himself. There are empty bottles of wine scattered all over the place around his throne.*

*Minerva slightly shakes her head and then kneels*

Allina: <Sure thing! I work there.>

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*Legel smirks.*

Legel: <I wouldn't be so sure.>

Leon: <Really? Oh, that's great! Let's go, then.>

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*From behind the blockade, a soldier jumps over and pulls out a knife, then quickly dashes at Legel with it.*

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*The king wakes up and shakes for a few seconds before looking down at Minerva and Mars.*

King: <Oh, yes. I had requested a meeting today, correct? Well then, let the meeting commence.>

*He clears his throat, guzzles back a shot of wine, and then clears his throat again.*

King: <I'll get straight to the point. Minerva Auenes, I have summoned you here today to discuss a promotion.>

*Allina nods and heads towards the clinic.*

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*Legel steps forward and abruptly swings his large blade upwards across the soldier.*

Minerva:< A promotion, your majesty?>

*When they get there, they see two suspicious looking men harassing a girl outside the clinic, one of them holding a club in his hand.*

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*The soldier blocks it with his knife, however it shatters from the impact and he falls backwards, denting his armor as well. From the looks of it, all of the soldiers' equipment seem rather beat-up as well, as if their armor could break at any moment.*

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King: <Yes. I'm promoting you to the head strategist in the war with Voletre. If you accept, you will be transported via wagon over to their country after dinner tonight.>

Minerva:< H-head strategist? Your Majesty, I would be honored, but are you sure you want me?>

*Allina runs over to them, looking angry.*

Allina: <Hey, what's going on here!?>

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*Legel whips his hand forward, blowing a gust of flames at the downed soldier.*

*The other one looks over, clenching his fist. He looks young, likely around their age. He faces them, and then immediately dashes at Allina with the blade attached to his hand.*

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*He's burning alive and screaming in pain. The soldier with the sword from before looks at the burning troop and then back to Legel.*

Soldier: <Rune user, huh? I can play that game as well.>

*He raises his left hand, and then a current of water circles the burning troop and gets rid of the fire, as well as seems to heal some of his injuries.*

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King: <There are many candidates among the ranks other than you, but I chose you solely because I have faith in your abilities. I know you won't disappoint me.>

*Minerva bows again*

Minerva:< I will do my best, your majesty.>

*Allina shrieks and rams a fist into his face with the fury of a hundred volcanoes.*

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*Legel smirks and abruptly darts forward, swinging his blade at the soldier.*

*He's hit and gets sent tumbling backwards where the other man with the club catches him.*

Kid bandit: <Didn't think there were women out there with the courage to do something like that... interesting indeed.>

*He bro-fists the other guy with the club with his other hand, whom then charges straight for Leon.*

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*He sidesteps it and lunges at Legel with his own sword.*

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*The king nods and then looks at Mars.*

King: <You'll be accompanying her, as always.>

*He bows.*

Mars: <Yes sir.>

*The king takes another swift drink from his bottle and leans back.*

King: <That is all. You'll meet your escort after dinner tonight.>

*Minerva bows for a final time and walks back towards the door*