A Letter

A hearty laughter could be heard from the captain's quarters in what appeared to be an office with metallic walls. Light engravings spanned all over the ceiling reminiscent of tree roots.

A silver-haired woman could be seen lying on a leather couch embroidered by golden trimmings on each side, depicting the epitome of indulgence. Observing the trainees' trials was a favorite pastime of Diana Prideborne. Seeing them struggle reminded her so much of her past.

"Ah, the good times. Roddie was such a delight to pester. If only I had known that witch had her eyes on him from the start, I might have been able to prevent him from leaving service. And to think that he was almost chosen to be a replacer candidate. Pathetic."

"Huh, I still have that letter he sent me not too long ago. Now, where did I put it?"

Using her spiritual sense to probe around in her spatial ring, she sensed a familiar visage. Withdrawing the item from her ring, a letter appeared in her hand. Written on the backside of the letter was "To Diana, My dearest friend - Pffft."

Stifling a chuckle, she chortled, "Oh, how soft you've become, my dear Roddie." Her expression turned wistful. "You were such a bright little kindling. I was sure we would ascend together. Oh, how far you have fallen. All of this power was within your grasp. Yet you let that elven witch blind you with 'love.' You had such a blissful expression upon your face whenever we faced hordes of enemies, not knowing whether we would survive to see the morrow."

Diana muttered, "You always sought greater heights. Yet it appears your mortal feelings chained you down."

Opening up the letter, she took out a small photograph. On it, a black-haired youth and his father could be seen standing shirtless, holding wooden swords, battered and beaten with a smile plastered all over their faces.

Seeing the picture, Diana couldn't help but flash a tender smile. Flipping the photograph over, she read, "Dear Diana, it has been many years. The last time we saw each other, you cursed me out of the military base. Please consider visiting this old man, for old time's sake. This is my boy, Cedric. He is turning 12 this year, and he is a source of endless pride for me. Oftentimes, I find myself enamored by the gaze in his eyes. I am always brought back to the days we spent together in the military. The boy wishes to delve into the Forge-"

Her silvery eyes turned sharp as Diana flipped the photograph around again, engraving the child's face into her memory. She knew they were bound to meet, as every child who wished to go to the Forge would be scrutinized by her to become a 'Replacer' candidate.

Replacers were what the Federation called those who had proven themselves worthy of an Archon's title. Once every five hundred years, The Federation was given the right to choose the top five Replacer candidates who were unfortunate enough not to be noticed by an Archon. Sending these replacers to the boundary in between for them to be judged, whether they could become proper Archons and obtain all of the benefits granted with the title.

"Damn you, Rodrick," she grumbled. "Has the old man gone senile... No, he has at least a couple hundred more years to live. He knows better than to send his boy to die a meaningless death."

Flipping back to read the rest of the note, "-I refused multiple times, yet every time I told him of the tales about the Archons and the battlefield, the look in the boy's eyes. It just reminds me so much of you. If you do cross paths one day, do not go easy on him. That is my wish. If you meet him, know that I have tested him sufficiently, and he passed. P.S - He doesn't know about 'that'. It is not up to you to tell him either.'

'Much love, old Hag. Rodrick.'

Promising herself not to throw the prick's planet into devourer territory, Diana took a moment to ruminate on the revelation.

Widening her eyes, Diana turned back to the paused screen she was watching. Looking at the boy giving the sky-her the finger, she whispers. "So that's your boy. No wonder he looks so familiar. Almost a spitting image of your ugly mug, except this one actually looks like a human."

Turning to a robot standing in the corner, looking much like SCRAP, Diana called out, "Pull up the file on Cedric Bladehart."

'ACCESS DENIED, INSUFFICIENT RANK'

"What!?" Shocked by the revelation, Diana drops back on the couch with a defeated expression.

"Damn Roddie, always the one to throw a wrench in my plans. Fine. Have it your way. I'll judge the boy." With a determined expression, Diana turns to the holo-screen, watching as the orc approaches the boy.

"Let's see what you've got, Cedric."