Aeress
"New look?" Klein raised an eyebrow at her when she entered the room. His blonde hair was lighter under the morning light leaking from above.
Aeress almost forgot about her makeover or transformation-whatever it could be called. "Yeah. I guess."
He shrugged and she appreciated that he didn't question further. "Well, you already know we got to warm up. Give me four miles, now."
Aeress immediately got on the track and welcomed the distraction.
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"Harder. Harder!" he commanded. She groaned in frustration, throwing the hits and kicks he taught her. "Okay, stop! Time for one-on-one."
She wiped her forehead and was greeted by a hell of a lot of sweat. Her muscles-while somewhat worn out-mostly pumped with newfound energy. This fusion process definitely had its benefits, though she still remembered how uncomfortable it really was.
They entered the mat area, circling each other like two jungle cats. But before she could charge him, she felt a presence behind her. She twisted her body so that she could nail the mystery person right in the jaw. He went down quickly, having been caught off guard by her whip-like attack.
She did not know the man and looked to Klein in inquiry. "What the hell is going on?"
He crossed his arms. His biceps bulged under the pressure. "You think they will test you with one man? I'm not preparing you for preschool now, I'm preparing you for the trials."
A surge of confidence swept through her mind. She gestured to him tauntingly. "Bring it on, Calvin Klein!"
He took a few steps back. There was a taunting curl to his lip. "My pleasure."
Aeress got to work as she was charged from all sides. A kick here. A punch there. She didn't bother to see who went down and who remained up. She cut them down like she was a farmer collecting their harvest.
She thrummed from within, thriving on the sparring. She even laughed. She couldn't recall having more fun in her life.
A woman came up, with a knife in hand. Aeress literally caught her by the throat and lifted her off the ground-the weight was slight and in no way unmanageable. Taking the knife, she watched the blue flames burst from the weapon and prepared to sink it right into her chest-
"Aeress!" she blinked, dropping the woman as well as the knife instantly. She looked over to Klein who looked around, ready to hold her down if he needed to.
He stepped over some of the unconscious bodies. Low groaning and moaning could be heard. Some of them were out cold. "What exactly were you about to do?" It was both a fearful and curious demand.
Her brain was still stuck in the fog. "I was going to free her."
"You mean kill her?" He tilted his head at her.
She shook her head, leaving the fog behind. "No, freedom is different than murder."
"Did..." He studied her so closely that it finally made her nervous. "Godhead tell you this?"
"Yes. It's crazy, but... maybe I'm crazy, because I believe her." There was a drop of pride and steadfast resolution in her heart.
He was quiet for a little while. "Okay, then, Aeress. But warn me next time before you try to free one of my workers."
"Noted."
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Aeress sat down with her stomach in her throat.
Before her stood six women and three men. All ferocious and mighty. All stood with pride and confidence. Two of them she had already met. These were figures just under Premier and they didn't have to say it out loud for everyone to understand how powerful they were.
One in particular caught her attention. He was tremendously tall, staggering, most definitely taller than the rest. With rosy and tanned skin, he was a beast, covered head to toe in old wounds and scars, so thick and irritated. She focused close and realized that both scars went through his eyes. He was blind. It was hard to tell since they were so far away.
One of the woman stepped forward. Her hair was braided back, against her scalp, falling low and down her back. Her skin was a warm cinnamon, gorgeous. She was barefoot, dressed in close to nothing. "I am Viceroy Diana."
And one by one they all spoke up.
"Viceroy David." His brunette hair was thrown up in a messy bun, matching the rugged fashion of his beard. Real life lumberjack vibes.
"Viceroy Adonis." He had an all-knowing smirk on his face.
"Viceroy Jia." She had long black hair with red-colored tips pulled away from her face. Guaranteed to be of asian lineage was her guess.
"Viceroy Maribelle." A more welcomed familiar face.
"Viceroy Katrin." Heavier set, packed with muscle and orange hair cut fairly short, it was obvious she had a kick to her. She reminded Aeress of Guide Declan.
There were two women who looked exactly alike. Both had curly bobs and thin, metal armor covering their tawny-colored physiques. "Viceroy Moira," and "Viceroy Natasha." They could have been gladiators for all she knew.
And last, but not least. His voice was so deep and vibrating, like wood that had been burning for hours. "Viceroy Idris."
Viceroy Diana spoke up once again. "We are servants of Godhead and her protector. We have come here to be blessed with the presence of not only the mate of Premier, but also our potential Godhead. With this demonstration, we hope to impress thee. Please, enjoy..."
Aeress sat forward in her seat to get a better view. Not quite understanding what the demonstration was, she watched nervously as they each armed themselves before facing each other with a look in their eye that she could only describe as hungry.
First, Viceroy Adonis and Viceroy Katrin stepped closer to each other. They lifted their weapons and went at it.
Aeress was out of breath from excitement. She had never seen such a dance of violence be so beautiful and deadly at the same time. Her eyes never dared leave the show, watching every detail as each of the Viceroy exemplified their individual talents in combat.
If she had to rank them, it would be nearly impossible to do so. Some utilized brute strength while others valued agility and speed more so. Even Viceroy Adonis surprised her by being a completely capable opponent against all others, not matter style of fight or size or gender.
It was simple to decode why each person earned the spot they found themselves in that day. Aeress truly was fascinated and tried to pick up as much as she could. Each unique manner of the Viceroy had something new to offer, a different lesson to absorb.
Weapons entered and exited just as quickly each spar. They battled as though their very lives depended on it.
It was marvelous.
A long hour passed, and Aeress was sure they would kill each other, until they finally all stopped, and once again formed into a line. She was amazed, got to her feet, and clapped fervently.
Each and every man and woman kneeled before her.
Aeress was honored. "Thank you so much. Your skill is otherworldly, and consider me thoroughly impressed! I just mean... Amazing, truly amazing!" She even clapped a little more, just to emphasize what her words couldn't.
When she finally was silent, they all came to a stand.
Viceroy Diana addressed her with a booming voice. "If you would excuse us, we would like to clean up before you perhaps grace us at dinner?"
Aeress didn't know why she was so joyful. "I would love to." She hoped to keep this positive attitude up.