Manifest War: The Weapons Within

LaVeda was ablaze with students rushing to class and spending time in the library. As the semester had reached the halfway point, midterm exams were imminent. Stress levels were high as people studied and prepared for their many tests, including Carmen and Mariah.

“This sucks! I hate exams so much!” Carmen moaned, not enjoying this aspect of school at all.

“Yeah, but hey, our combat exams will be fun! You aren’t excited for that?” Mariah asked with a fire in her eye.

“I am, but that test isn’t until next week. We still have to suffer through all of these other exams first...”

“I can’t wait til it starts. Apparently the midterm combat exam is a really big thing for first years. This is what'll determine our rankings going forward.”

“Yeah, I guess that’s pretty exciting then. Will it be like a bunch of mock battles or something?” Carmen wondered as she closed her notebook, giving Mariah her full attention.

“I dunno what the test will be like. I asked my brother what it was like when he attended years ago, but he said he had no idea since the format changes every year. We’ll just have to wait and see, I guess.”

Mariah rested her head in her hand as she wondered what the test would entail. Carmen nodded and began to grow curious about something.

“Wait, you have a brother?” She questioned.

“Yep, I’ve got three to be exact. Two are younger than me and my big brother, Cole, is currently doing business in the Arista Empire. Not sure what for though.”

As they continued to have a conversation about their siblings, Carmen quickly remembered something really important.

“Oh no!! Azhane’s birthday is tomorrow!” She exclaimed, hopping up from her chair. “I’ve gotta go, see you later!”

“Geez, how do you make it through life with that brain of yours.”

Mariah laughed at Carmen’s forgetfulness. Once Carmen gathered her things, she stuck her tongue out at Mariah while making funny faces and swiftly exited the library.

Carmen made her way to the communications department at LaVeda University. In the room were multiple booths with mirrors hung up inside. She checked in at the front desk and went to find an empty booth.

She took a seat and brushed her hair out of the way with her hands, making sure her face was fully visible. Carmen then placed her hand on a stone slate protruding out of the desk in front of her. After closing her eyes and focusing her Core Energy into the slate, it began to glow a dull blue color.

Carmen imagined who she was talking to and she opened her eyes, looking into the mirror. Her reflection disappeared and the image swirled for a few moments. Suddenly, Azhane’s face appeared before her in the mirror.

“Carmen! How are you?” Azhane happily asked with her warm, familiar voice.

“Hey Azhane! I’m doing well, I just wanted to wish you a happy birthday since I won’t be able to attend because of my exams.” Carmen replied with a smile, feeling beyond thrilled to talk to her sister after so long.

“Oh thank you, thank you. I’m sad that you can’t come to celebrate, but you need to focus on your studies. Those are more important than a birthday party.”

"Yeah, I guess..."

Azhane noticed the dejected expression on Carmen's face, prompting her to quickly change the subject.

“How are things at school? Going well? Making new friends?” She asked curiously. Carmen hesitated for a second before giving her reply.

“Uhh. It’s going okay, I guess. Things could be better for sure, but I’m slowly getting used to everything.”

Carmen was clearly still not happy with how her LaVeda adventures had been going, and it was painted all over her face.

“Hmm, I see. Well, if there is anything going on that you need to talk about, don’t hesitate to reach out to me. I don’t like seeing you upset about something.”

Azhane’s tone was incredibly soft as she hoped to ease some of her baby sister’s troubles.

“Oh no, it’s fine! Anyways, have you decided on a husband candidate? I know you were worried about that.” Carmen asked while perking herself up.

“Nope, still haven’t decided.”

Azhane’s sharp snicker caught Carmen off guard, causing her eyes to go wide with shock.

“What?! Sis, you have to choose tomorrow! Like, there’s no way to back out of it.”

Carmen couldn’t believe that Azhane would wait so long for something as important as this Belouis tradition.

“I know, I know… I don’t know what to do.. I kind of do, but.. I don’t know.” She replied, looking absolutely stressed and troubled.

“Well, I hope things work out for you. Best of luck!”

Carmen let out a light chuckle before continuing on with other conversation topics. Just before the transmission ended, Azhane chimed in with some news.

“Oh, I almost forgot. I should be able to see you briefly next week for your midterm combat exam. Headmaster Quinn asked me if Volaire would be interested in sponsoring the event this year and I agreed. As a past alumni myself, it only felt right to show my support with you attending now.” She said with a smile.

“Awesome! I’ll be sure to do my best! I guess I’ll see you next week!”

Carmen’s face couldn’t hide her excitement at all, causing Azhane to admire her little sister even more. They said their goodbyes and the mirror shifted again, showing Carmen’s reflection once more. She gathered her things and checked out of the building, heading back to her dorm.

The sun sat above the horizon, patiently waiting to rest for the night. Many members of the Belouis family, nobles and aristocrats from all over entered Castle de Belouis, dressed to impress. Tonight was Queen Azhane Belouis’ 30th Birthday party and also the bridal selection ceremony. Whoever she chose would be married to her and would help oversee the nation alongside the Queen. This particular event was one of the biggest in Volaire and many couldn’t wait to see her Majesty make her selection.

Azhane stood in her room after getting dressed and stared at herself in the mirror. Her dark red dress was absolutely stunning, having a very sleek and slender design to it. Even though Azhane’s beauty was shining bright on such an important day of celebration, her face told a completely different story. She sighed and patted her cheeks, trying to remove the dejected expression written all over her.

“Ok Azhane, it’ll be fine. You’ve got this.” She softly said with a subtle pump of the fist.

Moments later, Azhane heard a knock at the door. After allowing them to enter, someone rather surprising walked through the door. Zolah poked his head inside and smiled before closing the door behind him.

“I see that my cousin is still as beautiful as ever. You look great, Azhane.” Zolah said with an impressed expression, respectfully admiring his cousin’s dress.

“Thanks, Zolah. What brings you by?” Azhane replied, giving him a hug in the process.

“Ohh nothing. I just wanted to see how you were feeling about all of this. Getting forced into marriage seems like such a drag.”

Zolah crossed his arms and gently leaned against the wall, making sure to not wrinkle his immaculately pressed black, two piece suit.

“Fine, I guess. I wish I had more time to decide, but the Belouis Family traditions are absolute, so what can you do?”

Azhane began to sulk again as she mentally ran through her options again.

“Pfft, just do what you want to do. You’re the Queen aren’t you? Not like anyone can tell you otherwise.” Zolah lightly snickered, his vibrant red eyes staring directly at Azhane.

“Yeah, but still, I have an image to uphold. As the current Belouis throne holder, my actions are the example for future generations of our family. I can’t just-.”

Zolah swiftly cut off his cousin as he grew slightly frustrated by her words.

“Who says that you can’t just follow your own ideals? Forge your own path? Azhane, you know me, I find our traditions to be incredibly outdated and downright lazy. If you want to be an example, then start to champion for some change. Doing what feels right for you will be the first step to start that change.”

Zolah stopped leaning on the wall and approached Azhane, placing his hand on her shoulder.

“I’m sure grandfather will be upset, as well as the rest of the old guard in our family, but… Who cares? They can get over it. You’re in charge now, remember?”

Azhane stood there with a blank expression, rendered speechless by Zolah’s statement. Many thoughts raced through her mind as she contemplated everything that was said. After a brief pause, she smiled back and nodded her head.

“I see you’re still as rebellious as ever.” Azhane chuckled. “But, you’re right. I’m going to think for myself from now on.”

“Hey, I just don’t like following the status quo. That shit is so boring to me.”

Zolah joined her with a laugh of his own before another knock was heard at the door. Azhane told them to enter and in came Nadine, bowing her head.

“My Lady, everyone is ready for you. Shall we go?” Nadine asked.

Azhane smiled and nodded before complimenting Nadine’s dress, admiring the vibrant blue accents along the trim. She started to leave with Nadine, but as they reached the door, Azhane looked back at Zolah. He simply smiled and motioned for her to keep going, prompting her to nod and swiftly exit the room. Upon their arrival in the ballroom, an announcement was made across the room.

“Please welcome Her Majesty, Queen Azhane Riallia Belouis! Ruler of Volaire!”

The room erupted in applause as she made her way down the steps. Azhane was stunning in her long, tightly fitting red dress. There was a slit on the left side, revealing part of her leg as the rest of the dress trailed behind her.

The long earrings she wore glistened in the light and she had her signature hairstyle, short hair with the bangs covering her right eye. Azhane’s beauty was matched by no one that evening.

As she made her way down the steps, she saw six men standing in the middle of the ballroom floor. They were perfectly lined up next to each other, well dressed and evenly spaced out. These men were the final candidates she had to choose from and not a single one was to her liking.

Two of the men looked to be in their late fifties, while another was short with a pot belly and a chunky face. The other three men were incredibly average looking with devious expressions on their faces. When Azhane met them prior to this ceremony, they all had ugly personalities and were overall awful people to be around.

She didn’t like any of these options, but Azhane understood that she had a duty to fulfill as the ruler of a nation. Selecting a husband, especially one with the ability to help her lead Volaire, was very important.

Azhane looked off to the right of the room and saw Zalthia standing next to Graymoor and Jordan of Five. They stared intently as she made her way down to the final few steps, wondering who she was going to choose. She stopped at the foot of the steps and the room began to quiet down. After giving a warm smile to all of her attendees, she cleared her throat and started to speak.

“Thank you all for coming and attending my 30th birthday celebration. I truly appreciate all of the warm greetings and gifts today.” She said with great gratitude.

Azhane continued her speech and once she finished, the room applauded and cheered loudly again. During the applause, Council member Omar approached the Queen.

He handed her a small, open box. It had a blue, velvety interior and sitting in the middle was a large golden ring. The ring had the Belouis crest brandished on top with incredibly intricate detail. Omar looked at Azhane and gave a slight smile.

“Your Majesty, place this on their left middle finger once you make your selection.”

Azhane nodded and admired the ring inside of the box, thinking deeply about what she should do. As she considered her options, an announcement was made to the crowd.

“The Queen will now select her groom to be!”

Applause occurred once again and Azhane slowly walked forward, smiling at the six men standing before her. They smiled back with their lustful eyes, admiring everything about her body except her face. It was abundantly clear these options would not see her as a partner, but more so an object to satisfy their selfish ambitions.

Azhane stopped a short distance from them, looking right to left and scanning across their faces. Her heart began to race as she averted her gaze from them to the ring and back to them. She didn’t know what to do in this situation and her empty expression did her no favors either. The room grew quiet as everyone eagerly awaited the choice she would make.