The Arks And Hiring

"Well, I speak my mind too often that people find me rude or too blunt. Thus, I was merely stating whatever I felt when I saw you in your physical appearance. You are pretty, but I would say that Mother Mav would be levels higher than you," replied Duncan.

"The fact that you called me pretty is enough for me to be alright with you... Because ever since I was burned in my village that night, no one could see me like a girl anymore unless I wear my dress."

"Whatever floats your boat, I guess. But don't expect me to get friendly with you any time soon. On another hand, Z was right. You do look like a kid more than me," noted Duncan, resting the scythe on his shoulders.

"And your thinking and combat skills are of the First-Rate Mages from this area... Is it true? That you are part of the Arks?" asked the Crystal Princess.

"Why are you asking me that question? You've looked into my memories, didn't you?" asked Duncan, raising an eyebrow.

"It's just that... I never thought a reject like you would gain such a high position within our dream organization..." confessed Astria, twiddling her thumbs.

"Dream organization? What did Fabian Brookes tell you about the Arks? Or what do you know about us?"

"We were supposed to be part of the Arks, but Fabian told us it was only an organization exclusive to those who knew the Big Six. Thus, Fabian collected the few of us and promised to train us to make our rival group against the Arks. That's all I know from my side."

Duncan looked at the girl as if she was from the planet Mars... Did they fall for Fabian's lies?

"And that's why I refused to believe it when they said the Dementor Pillar was coming after me when it turns out that you are just a kid... I thought you must be a seasoned Mage of centuries to be in the Arks. But I guess my assumptions were wrong..."

"Technically, you are right about the Arks being exclusive to the Big Six... But that was from years back, before I was even conceived. So the Arks are hiring, but it depends on the Mage if they prefer to be in which Ark. Because not all Mages in the Arks are in the Five Arks."

"Some of them aren't suited to be in any Ark, so they are just helpers or lookouts for the Five Domains, alerting the rest if there's something amiss with the area. Because entering an Ark would mean you have to serve a lifetime bond with the group."

"The Five Arks have their niche and pull their weight for the care and stability of the Mages within the Five Domains. I'd said earlier that you are technically correct because the Barren Pillars are only exclusive to those that Mother Mav has met and sees them as allies."

"The rest of the Arks get their members from interviews and tryouts. Only the Barren Pillars can't be entered by other means. Do you wish to join us that badly?" questioned Duncan, tilting his head to the side.

For the first time in a long while, Astria found herself blushing and tongue-tied. Over so many years... Of endless lies, pains, and tortures... Now she was faced with her long-time wish of being in a family. The answer was a solid 'yes,' but... Could she handle the stress of being in the Arks?

What would happen if the Arks met the same fate as the Congregation? Where would she go then? If she betrays Fabian now... What's going to happen next? Will the Crystal Princess be hunted down forever, forced to sleep with one eye open for the rest of her life?

"Well, if you're not going to give me an answer now... I guess I have to get on with my task of killing you," announced Duncan, pulling his scythe back into battle position.

Without warning, Duncan lunged toward Astria, who was conflicted about how to answer the previous question.

"Hey! That was rude!" shouted Astria as a long staff with a curved top made out of crystal appeared in her hands.

Had she drawn out her weapon a second later, Astria would've had her throat pierced by Duncan's giant scythe.

"Sorry... I mentioned being rude because I don't have much more time to waste! I'm now on a time limit since I stepped into your lair! So do me a solid and die!" yelled Duncan, skillfully swiping at Astria's feet.

The Crystal Princess cursed as she was forced upwards and into the air while Duncan rolled underneath her to strike from her back. One slam to her spine made the Crystal Princess kiss the ground. Duncan laughed as she tried to get back up.