Strix of Trinity

Leaping through the portal with Aurelia upon his back, Zariel felt the rays of firstlight whip across his tender cheek and peered past the snowy streets of various men and women slowly exiting their homes. It was the start of a new day.

Aurelia tightened her grip around Zariels neck and rested her chin over his head as though she were a hen. "Did we miss it?" she asked, enjoying the warm glow against the icy winds caressing her cheeks.

"No idea," Zariel said uncertainly. He reached into himself, letting the astral force within him extend out from his soul. And he slowly shook his head, " There is a gather not too far away, and a certain lady is in wait."

"What about Ella and Sionn?"

"What about them?" Aurelia groaned in response, rubbing her chin ruthlessly into his head, watching Zariel mince with a bit of annoyance. "Fine! They are there too, the even broth the owl."

"See? That wasn't so hard. Now giddy up! Ya bitch~!!"

Zariels jaw dropped, and Aurelia's mischievous laughter exploded, drawing all kinds of attention, both wanted and unwanted. The young lass grip tightened even more. Using all her strength just in case her dumb-dumb pulled something she didn't expect.

"When did your mouth get so filthy?" he murmured.

Aurelia giggled in his ear, "Big Bro, Arsene taught Aurelia."

Making a quick note to keep those two separated, Zariel headed north to the onslaught of various humans gathered together; weapons were tightly strapped around their waist or back as they stood firmly over the icy streets in an open area. Anticipation gripping the hearts of many of the youngsters present.

It was the third day of the trials, and tensions were at their highest. The king had long since chosen over twenty of the most talented his kingdom had to offer that would be accepted by the academy, known as the Strix of Trinity. This powerful organization's influence had stretched far and wide into the World of Alos. And it was with their permission King Cyrus was allowed to send twenty of his subjects, no questions asked to join.

Standing at the forefront beside two monstrously muscular griffins, monsters with a lion's body but an eagle head, stood the Vampiric Lord, Theia Semptis, Lady of the Twin Isles, resting lazily with her arms crossed just outside her carriage. Around her stood several young men and women in a black, red, and white uniform of the Strix of Trinity.

"Curse that priest. By the Hells, why did I agree to this?" Theia moaned softly, her scarlet eyes shimming with a weak glow under the rays of first light.

"It's not so bad, Professor Semptis." A galavant young man with long blonde hair and icy blue eyes said. He had a sharp smile and a confident demeanor that reflected itself over his overly handsome face.

"Oh, Vesryn," Theia whispered, pursing her lips," You know I hate the sun. It's so bright."

"That's because you keep forgetting your umbrella." the chivalrous knight said, releasing a long sigh. He turned to Ivan, beckoning with a knowing smile.

"I'm in love!" Theia cried, watching one of her students reach into one of the two carriages, connected to a single Griffen twice the size of a lion. Catching sight of her black umbrella in Ivan's hands, she reached forward, taking the umbrella in hand.

A playful smile tugged on Vesryn's handsome cheeks.

"Wow, she is a lot different than I thought!" Aurelia's voice seemed to echo. "Hello again!"

"Aurelia!" Theia said, releasing a sigh of relief, opening up her umbrella, "I thought you might not have made it." She fixed her gaze on the young lass and then the silver devil whose name had become the talk of the town as of late. " I heard you stormed into the king's chambers a few days ago and almost killed the queen."

"Who?' Zariel thought, shaking the hearts of everyone present. " oh yeah, that bitch. Yeah, she took my cook—" Stifled by the punch to his head, Aurelia growled.

"her name is Innis, dummy."

"That is a professor! And get off of me!" Zariel tried to wiggle the little lass that clung to his back like a koala, refusing to let go.

"Hehe, never!" The Fallen mischievously cheered.

Theia smiled. She hadn't interacted much with Zariel, but he felt much warmer for some reason than before. She felt like he was a lot easier to approach. Soft in some way, she couldn't grasp.

"I see you're doing well, Duke Blackwater." She said.

"Aside from this one, yeah, I am—"

"Professor, is he the one you were waiting on?" Vesryn interjected with a measured stare towards the silver-headed duo. His lips curled downwards in a veil of discontent at the lack of respect. Zariel and Aurelia appeared on piggyback and did not even bow but Instead greeted a professor of the Strix of Trinity as though they were equal. A crime, in his opinion.

"Oh? Did I forget to tell you?" Theia said, slapping her forehead with a mischievous glint Aurelia quickly picked up on. "Let me introduce you to Trinity's newest Professor. Please meet Duke Zireael Blackwater. You may address him as Professor Blackwater."

"A duke?" Vesryn questioned, turning to Zariel and then back to Theia, " Really? Has Ferrum fallen so low that they—"

"Is there somewhere more private we can go, away from… the undesirable?" The Young Master said, his lips arching into a thin veil of contempt. His graze grossed with the icy blue eyes of Vesryn, then to the crowd, where his voice thundered.

"What the hell are you three doing? Hurry up! I hate traveling, you know." Dashing out of the crowd, Ella, Sionn, and Innis both appeared with embarrassed smiles. "Good! Now hurry, get in one of the carriages."

"Dumb-Dumb, you are being mean," Aurelia said.

"But, I am mean." The Silver Devil retorted, his lips curling upwards.

"Come follow me," Theia said. "We have much to discuss unless you still have questions?" She relayed, directing her attention towards Vesryn, who nodded.

'I do—"

"And I don't particularly care to answer." Zariel chimed in. His gaze locked onto Theia. "Not unless you wish me to crack his neck." He paused for a moment, " Ah, sorry, I forgot I'm a teacher now. I guess I could just shatter his knee caps and leave him to walk back.

"Please don't!' Everyone who knew Zariel said in haste.

"Tsk bunch of bitches."