Earlier, before the sun had set--In Codeas.

  The throne room of the Palace of Combat does include a pair of thrones, but it is also used for various events. From dances to banquets--Upon entering through the tall doors, you are greeted by a long red carpet between golden pillars, and at the end of this hall, are the two thrones, elevated on a small step.

  Davak's throne is abnormally large, and the one to its left is no larger than a simple chair--Neither are complex in design, made of wood, and seldom used.

  To the right of the thrones from the entrance, is a massive room with enough space for dancing or conversation, and near this space off to the side of the room are several round tables, each with a few chairs around them. The left side of the room is a wall, decorated with various beast pelts and stuffed heads, as well as a few paintings, while the right wall has tall rounded windows.

  There are also a few doors to a balcony between these tall windows--The room itself is decorated with gold and red, glowing crystals on chandlers hanging from the tall ceiling above.

  A small crowd had gathered here, Tista was standing while Lissia and her soldiers were all sitting around a few tables--Lady Penn and Wayne were at a table with Meah, while Davak was busy elsewhere.

  There were also a handful of servants tasked with preparing the tables, and bringing up the food--Which were various meats, vegetables and breads--Most trays were simply full of meat, however.

  Tista removed her helmet, still dressed in a suit of armor, placing the helmet on the floor, it caused a loud thunk to fill the hall, bringing the attention of the room to herself.

  She has scars all over her face, and very short red hair. Lissia cleared her throat. “Mother, you shouldn't eat while dressed in your armor.” She complained.

  “I don't believe I've ever seen your face.”

  Wayne spoke from his table, while the ever-curious Meah stood up from her chair, walking towards the giant Warrior. “How heavy is that helmet?” She asked, approaching it.

  “Enough to crack stone if dropped carelessly.” Tista responded, while Meah lifted the helmet, she was obviously strained just trying to pick it up, but then while trying to put it over her head, she nearly dropped it, as Tista caught the helmet before it crashed down.

  “Why is it so heavy? Wouldn't that slow you down?” Meah asked.

  “My armor is not just for fighting in.” She answered. “It is weighted, to constantly put strain on my muscles. If you relax even for a moment, your body may not be ready when it is time to fight.” Tista explained, while Meah glared up at the giant.

  “What happens when you have to go potty?” She asked, when Tista sighed, while Lissia lowered her face.

  “It is increasingly becoming obvious you were raised without a Mother.” Tista glanced down at the child’s big eyes. “A Warrior is prepared to hold their bowels for long periods of time if need be--But, the armor itself can be removed far quicker than it takes to put on, if need be.

  It takes me just a moment to remove my armor, putting it back on is the hard part.”

  She answered the child's question without hesitation, or embarrassment for that matter. “The soldiers here all wear armor, it isn't all that different in principle, just much heavier.”

  “But armor wouldn't do much against an Armament, right?” Meah asked.

  “No metal in Mosao can compare to the steel of an Armament, even in my armor, I would be as good as naked against a fellow Battle God.” Tista explained. “But the Demons carry weapons of mortal craft, crudely forged below the earth without talent or skill.

  Against their crude constructions, my armor makes me nearly invincible.”

  She explained, while Meah examined the helmet a moment longer. “Then why doesn't everyone have armor like yours?” She asked.

  “It is not practical to fight in for most warriors, they would be better off with just their Armaments anyway.

  Marching for days on end, dressed in armor that inhibits natural movement, causes unnecessary strain on long journeys, most cannot handle it.

  On top of that, it is made of a rare metal, and takes a master smith to create--It would not be practical to fit even fifteen men with, let alone a whole army.

  My armor was crafted by a mortal man who died over a century ago--Because we have our Armaments, the people of Sol have little reason to use a forge. And so, we lack the skill to make enough armor like this for us all.

  Even if we did, when you fight below the earth, the tunnels can be small, and large suits of armor would make pressing on impossible.”

  Tista had answered all the child’s questions, when Meah’s attention moved over to Lady Penn, who was only wearing a simple metal chest plate, without a helmet. “We have Armaments that are gauntlets, boots and shields, what about a helmet?” The child asked.

  “You truly have no end to your questions, do you?” Tista remarked, glancing down at the tables of food. “A curious mind is a healthy mind, but do mind the setting. We should eat while the food is hot.”

  Then Wayne approached. “Come on back to our table.” He insisted, as the child sighed and did so. The two began to eat: He took this chance to ask Meah: “So, why have you not chosen your Armament?” When the child took a momentary break from chewing on a large steak.

  “I wanna, but I haven't had a chance!” She glared down at her food.

  “Eat your greens too.” Penn insisted, causing Meah to practically growl a response:

  “I will!” She said in an annoyed tone, before turning her attention back to Wayne. “Anyway, everyone keeps saying I'm too small for most Armaments, so I don't even know what to pick.”

  “Then why not wait to observe Lissia's Ordeal before making a choice?” He asked. “Your Armament will be necessary to complete the challenge you will one day take, so if you understand what the challenge entails, then you might decide not to rush your choice.

  There is no harm in waiting until you are older, either.”

  Wayne explained, causing Meah to lower her face. “I passed the Ordeal, that means I'm ready and worthy to carry an Armament and be called a Warrior.

  I want an Armament as soon as possible, so I can start to learn how to use it immediately!”

  She insisted, bringing a forced smile to Wayne's face. “The people on the surface would never allow a child your age to fight, you know.” Wayne responded.

  “The people of the surface would never allow a woman or girl to fight, either.

  They have put their own women to death for disguising themselves as men on a battlefield.

  Their morals are irrelevant to our own.”

  Tista interjected, interrupting their conversation. “She is both a girl, and a child--But also a warrior.

  Gold peered into her mind and soul, and tested her conviction and morality--Just as he did with us all.

  If he felt she was not yet ready for the responsibility of an Armament, then he would have turned her away--That he did not, and that she completed the challenge, both prove that she is worthy of taking an Armament of her choice.

  If you fear for her safety, then allow the second Ordeal to test her ability--If she cannot complete it, then she is simply not ready to fight.”

  Tista spoke over Wayne, who waited for a moment to respond, as it appeared not to come--He stood up. “Soxoine completed the Ordeal, too.” He suddenly spoke out, causing Tista to wince.

  “What's your point!?” She asked, glaring down at him.

  “The Ordeal is not infallible, there are times that we should make judgment of worth or readiness, and--” He paused, composed himself, and took a short breath, before looking Tista in the eyes and saying:

  “No matter what Gold's judgment was, I cannot believe that an eight year old is ready for an Armament crafted by the Battle Gods!”

  He yelled, causing Meah to freeze up, Tista glanced at the child, whose expression was full of surprise, then back at Wayne. “You should be proud of her accomplishment!” Tista hissed.

  “I am proud of her, but unlike you, I lack a proper pride in the traditions of Sol!” Wayne responded. “It is apparent to me that you battle hardened, meatheads are more willing to turn kids into weapons than allow them to remain as children!”

  “Meathead?”

  Tista’s expression shifted. “We have a duty to uphold, for the sake of our people, and the people of the surface.

  Nobody can coerce Meah into fighting, she chose to take on the Ordeal of her own fruition--Now, she is bound to this duty whether you like it or not!”

  Tista yelled. “She is my niece, she and Vista are all I have left of my sister--No matter what you believe, I will protect the both of them no matter what.”

  Tista closed her eyes. “I have said my piece already, you and Davak have rejected my advice.

  I will not overstep these boundaries further--But you should ask yourself, what does she want?”

  Tista asked, when Wayne glanced over at Meah, who was keeping her sight away from the two, practically hiding behind the table. “Meah, is something the matter--” He attempted to ask, when she stood up from the table, then ran off--Running from the throne room, down a hall.

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  She ran through hallways, down a flight of stairs, and back into her own room, a frustrated expression on her face, climbing into her bed, she dug herself into the blankets.

  There she remained until the sun began to set, hiding in her bed, complaining under her breath.

  Until a knock at her door pulled her out of her blankets.

  “What is it!?” She yelled.

  Then, the door slowly opened, and Vista was standing at the other side.

  “Are you going to hide away all night?”

  He asked, stepping into the room and closing the door behind him. “What do you want?”

  “To know why you're sulking the day away.” He responded, sitting at her desk, placing a book down.

  “I'm not sulking.” She glared at him, as he removed a cloth cover from a small glowing crystal at her desk, allowing the room to be lit up slightly. “I'm mad!” She added.

  “Frankly, as am I.”

  Vista responded, flipping open the book, page after page. “But that's normal for me, so what's gotten you riled up?” He asked.

  She looked down at her hands. “Am I really too small to fight?” She asked.

  “You'll grow.” He answered.

  “And how long will that take?” She retorted.

  “Wayne says I'm too young to fight--Father says I won't have my strength until I'm older--Then everyone else is making a big deal about me passing the Ordeal--It wasn't even hard!”

  She complained, as Vista nodded. “You did rush into this all--The First Ordeal is simply a mental test, to ensure that nobody with a bad heart wields an Armament.

  Completing it is not a test of your ability or readiness to fight, but a test of your mental fortitude. You have the strength to fight, to kill, and even be killed.

  Most children your age cannot pass the Ordeal, simply because they're afraid. Yet, you displayed courage that many adults cannot yet display.

  That it was easy for you, is a testament to your character, and anyone would be rightfully impressed.”

  He explained, not taking his eyes off the pages. “Yeah, but you also passed, and you're not much older than me.” She glared at him, who was just over a head taller, but small just the same.

  “Sure, but I'm only a year younger than Vin was when he passed, you're four years younger.

  There's a precedent for children in my age group to pass the Ordeals, even Sha passed both Ordeals at thirteen.

  I may be on the younger side, but nobody is all that surprised by my achievement--I have a clear goal in mind, and the willingness to sacrifice myself.

  I think they'd be more surprised if I failed.”

  He thought aloud, as Meah winced. “Anyway, what's really gotten you worked up?” He asked.

  She stood up, approaching her desk. “I feel like Wayne wanted me to fail.” She explained.

  “Is this a surprise to you?” He asked.

  “He said we're all that's left of Mother, and he doesn't want to lose us.”

  Her words caused Vista to freeze up. “Well, they did grow up together--Imagine how you'd feel if I died.” He responded, keeping his glare down at the book.

  “I don't wanna spend my life sitting around in Sol, just because he wants me to be safe!”

  She hissed, while Vista listened, holding still before finally turning his attention to her. “No matter what, he and Father are going to worry about you.

  You can't help being young, so you might as well accept it for now.”

  He said with a smirk, causing her to clench her fists. “What you should focus on now is your choice of Armament.” He changed the topic.

  “Everyone keeps telling me what I can't pick, saying I'm too small!” She complained.

  “That’s a fact you cannot ignore though, you are small.” He responded, causing her wince to turn into a grimace, he glanced over at her, reading her expression. “You can cry about it all day if you want, like a baby.

  Or, you can prove that your size is irrelevant.”

  He let out a slight chuckle. “Don't call me a baby!” She yelled.

  “Then don't act like one.” He calmly retorted, with an exaggerated shrug.

  “I'm not!” She yelled, throwing her fist for him, bringing him to tilt the chair back to dodge.

  “You really are mad.” He was now sitting on his back, looking up at the ceiling.

  He then rolled over and away from the chair, standing back up. “If you fight with me, Father will yell at us both again, and I'd rather avoid that.” He glared at her. “Besides, you don't know how to hold back.” He added.

  “Don't call me a baby then!” She yelled, twisting her body and aiming a high kick for his face, he blocked it with his arm, then grabbed her leg, causing her to lose her balance. “Let go!” She practically growled.

  “You really need to calm this temper.” He sighed, releasing his grip as she fell backwards. “You always seem to punch first.” He reached his hand out to help her back up. “But believe it or not, I didn't come here to antagonize you.” He waited for her to reach back, while she just pulled herself back up.

  “Then what do you want!?”

  She asked, as he nodded, then pointed to the book he'd placed on her desk. “You're looking for an Armament that'll suit you--The problem being, you want a weapon you can wield proficiently now, not later, right?” He asked, but she didn't respond, just glaring at him.

  “So, you need either an Armament that makes up for your physical size and strength, or, an Armament that has a strong ability.

  A large Armament will be too unwieldy for your size, something like a Halberd is only useful in specific circumstances.

  Since you're young, your soul is still relatively weak, so an Armament with a strong ability would exhaust you quickly.”

  He thought aloud. “I know all that already!” She responded.

  “So then, if you're so desperate, there's another possibility.

  I personally can't recommend it, but do you know about the Banished Armaments?”

  He asked, while lifting the book. “Most people call them Forbidden Armaments, but they differ from the Armaments of Damascus's Armory, in that they pull power from the Armament itself, possessing the user in a way.

  Only those with a strong will, could hope to wield one without becoming completely possessed by it, but these Armaments can strengthen the user by combining their own power with yours.”

  His words were stiff, as if he’d read them right from the book he was sitting over, she glanced at the open page--And it was a page discussing exactly what Vista had just spoken. “If these Armaments are so great, why do people call them forbidden?”

  Vista nodded. “When I call my Armament to hand, I can hear its voice. But that voice disappears entirely when the weapon is dismissed back into my soul.

  A forbidden Armament can never truly be silenced, because their voice is too loud.

  Since an Armament joins your soul, and can never truly be severed from it, a well behaved Armament silences itself when dismissed, out of courtesy to you.

  But an ill-behaved Armament will always wish to be at the forefront of your soul--Some desire battle unending, some bring the user to drink the blood of their enemy. Others bring the wielder to madness.

  Only with a strong will can you make this ill-behaved Armament behave.”

  He explained. “But what would be the advantage of using it over a normal one?” She asked, looking over the page.

  “I believe I already said, but these Armaments can be so ill-behaved, that they reject the limitations of your own soul or body, and enhance it to fit their use.

  This is because a regular Armament changes the shape of its soul, to fit your own.

  But, a Forbidden Armament, changes the shape of your soul, to fit its own soul. Strengthening your soul and allowing you to use its ability.

  That is the quickest way to grow as a warrior, if you are so desperate to do so.”

  He explained. “They sound dangerous!” She had calmed down enough to say.

  “They are.

  That’s why, we're just discussing them, not considering them. You're probably too weak--”

  “I'm not too weak! But I should talk to Father--”

  “He'd never allow it; he would simply coddle you.

  Believe me, if you so much as want to see these Armaments, I'd refrain from bringing them up at all.

  But forbidden Armament or not, you should focus on proving Wayne wrong--Showing him your strength, showing him his worry for you is misplaced.

  Or you could sit in her and sulk.

  The choice is yours, really.”

  He closed the book as he spoke, handing it to her. “But wouldn't father--”

  “You're a Warrior of Sol now Meah, Father cannot dictate your every move anymore.

  Any Warrior of Sol who has completed the First Ordeal takes on the title of Battle God and is permitted to take any Armament from either the Armory in House Conquest or the Crypt in His Vin.

  Countless warriors have taken Armaments exclusively from the Crypt, they are not evil.”

  “But why didn't you take one if they're so great?”

  She asked, glaring at her brother as he crossed his arms. “Because, without an Armament I couldn’t use the Gateway to get to Rave--I already know Father wouldn’t let me go to the city of Rave without his guidance.

  But I very likely will take Armaments from the Crypt after I complete the second Ordeal.”

  His reasoning was put on display, while looked down at the book, a hand-bound journal that was very clearly old. “I can't even go to House Vin, it's way too far.” She explained.

  ` “I can take you anywhere in Sol, at any time, if you want.

  We could sneak out the balcony and be back before morning, Father wouldn't even know you left.”

  “We'd go out at night?”

  She glanced out her window. “Just you and me, what's the harm?”

  “What if Father found out?” She asked.

  “He won't. Not unless you blabber about it.”

  “I have to think--”

  “Everyone is leaving you alone because of your little scene earlier, but they'll get nosy by tomorrow morning.

  Tonight is the only time you can sneak out without being watched.”

  “What do you mean by scene? I didn’t even yell like I wanted!”

  He took a step back. “Well, if you're too afraid to go, I won't push the matter further.” He turned for the door.

  “But, doesn't the Armory close at night?” She asked.

  “Damascus locks the Armory at night, as it becomes too dim to see anything.

  But the Crypt is underground, and thus, does not rely on natural light in the first place.”

  He explained, causing her to glance away. “Won't Father be able to tell if I do go?” She asked.

  “Again, only if you--”

  “But if I took an Armament from there, he'd know, right?” She asked.

  “We're just looking, we'll see a few Armaments, and head right back--This is only so you can have a little change of scenery. I won’t let you take an Armament from there without careful consideration from both you and me.” He explained.

  “In that case, I suppose…”

  She took a long breath, but before she could finish her words, Vista stood up. “Alright then, let's go before we're missed.” Turning to the balcony. “Although, you might want to dress up in something that can hide your face--The soldiers know us well enough, so we have to avoid being spotted.” He thought aloud, when Meah crossed her arms.

  “Why do you wanna help me so badly?”

  She asked. “Because, you seem down, and Father and Uncle just wanted to let you rest it off--I wanted to check on you myself.

  But more selfishly, the sooner you choose an Armament, the sooner we can begin sparring.

  I need practice against an opponent on a similar level as myself.”

  He explained, causing her to cross her arms.

  “I won't extend this kindness long though, so make up your mind.

  I'll wait for you at the Gateway for a bit, if you decide to come, don't be seen.

  If you don’t show up, then we won’t ever discuss this again.”

  With that, he opened the door and stepped out onto the balcony. Stepping up onto the guardrail, balancing as he walked along it, before leaping right off, fading into the darkness, leaving Meah all alone.