Her Crystal Tears (Slash II)

As soon as Zayn walks in some big, fancy conference room, she feels four pairs of arms hug her tighter. She first looks down to see Amur hold her waist, and looks up to see Chase cradle her helmeted head. 

"Sorry guys..."Zayn said, her shoulders sagging. "I let everything get the best of me. You were right, Amur. I shouldn't listen to what people say-."

"Yeah, but to be fair, I didn't really place myself in your shoes either." Amur said. "I know it's been so much for you, and it's okay to get overwhelmed. That's why we're here, you big oaf!"

Zayn smiles, holding back another sniff as she squeezes Amur tight, laughing with Amur as they share a haughty hug.

"Is this like an everyday thing for them?" It's a familiar voice who asked, and when Zayn looks down, it's a woman with blonde pigtails and big blue eyes that speaks--Lia, if Zayn remembers correctly. 

"Gross." It's a tall man with sky blue eyes and matching hair that mumbles, not even blinking as Clarke nudges him with her elbow, a strained smile on her face. 

"I'm glad to hear you all made up!" Clarke said, smiling at the trio. "It wouldn't have felt right to not have you here, Holy Knight Zayn!"

"I-I'm sorry for being so late." Zayn said, shyly bowing her head. "I promise it won't happen again."

"Well technically, those two were also late." Clarke said, giving Lia and the tall man a pointed look, "but we'll survive since we're still missing three members, but we'll introduce those that are here!"

Clarke moves between Lia and the other man, pointing to Lia first.

"This is Lia!" Clarke said. "She is a mage of the Mage Tower, but she also works for Black Fawne for her magician community service!"

Clarke quickly points to the emotionless man, who rolls his eyes at her chirpy behavior. 

"This grumpy fella is Aliane." Clarke said. "He's pretty lazy and really grumpy, but like Lia, he's one of the top mages of the tower. He also works here too for his magician community service!"

"Community service?" Amur said, raising a thin eyebrow. "Mages do that?"

"Every mage has to have another duty besides the tower, like a 'services' to help the greater community." Clarke said. "It's how the magical tower stays connected with the people, kind of like how the temple does charity work."

"That sounds like a bother..." Chase said, giving Aliane a look of pity.

"You're telling me..." Aliane said, nodding his head as a sign of respect to Chase.

"A-anyway, you already met me and Captain!" Clarke said, pointing towards herself, "And your friend, Ramon-."

"She's not my friend." Amur pouts, glaring at her small feet.

"Y-your past recruitment-mate has been assigned on our team, courtesy of Lia, of course." Clarke said. "And we have two more--Eric and Erin, they're our twin duo, bur currently they are away on a mission, so we'll get the rest of those introductions out the way later."

There's a soft knock on the door, followed by a few group of voices outside of the council door. Clarke clears her throat, standing up straighter. 

"It seems like the rest of the knights are here for our meeting," Jeremiah said. "Please be seated. Let us begin shortly."

...

Zayn watches from her seat at the table as six new knights walk in confidently in the room, each taking a random seat at the table as Jeremiah stands at the front of the table behind a large world globe, and in front of a large blank piece of parchment paper behind him.

"Knights, before I begin," Jeremiah said, "I'd like to introduce Squadron II and III to my new knights. These new knights here are Holy Knight Zayn, Knight Chase, and Knight Amur."

"Now to introduce the other squadrons: first, Knight Shaka of Squad II." A short woman with dark skin, golden eyes, and a large black afro puff tied into a puffy ponytail stands up and bows, placing a hand on her chest. 

"Shaka the One, at your service!" Shaka said, bowing and sitting down.

"Squad II, Knight Co." Jeremiah calls. A man with orange hair and dark, bright purple eyes stands up. The man bows in respects to everyone, says a soft word of greeting, and then he quietly sits down.

"Squad II, Knight Li-Li." Jeremiah calls. A short, really short young woman with two short buns, stubby eyebrows, and big, sky blue eyes stands up and salutes. 

"A-at your service! Nice to meet you!" Li-Li said, her voice high, and her accent thick.

"And Squadron III," Jeremiah said. "Knight Sia." A tall, curvy woman with cat-like glasses and purple hair and matching eyes quietly nods her head. "Knight Mill." A short man with ear-length pink hair and dull yellow eyes nods his head. "And Knight Koven." A tall, buff man with long light brown hair and one pale reddish eye, the other covered with a large scar, smiles, standing up and cuffing one fist into his palm and bowing his head in respects. 

"Now that I introduced everyone," Jeremiah said, "this meeting can now start."

Jeremiah spins the globe on the table, landing on a space with nothing on it but a blue background, like the sea. Jeremiah taps the vacant space and slams his hand on the blank parchment, suddenly wakening the paper by causing it to glow gold. The paper glows, and without a artist nor a hand to guide its strokes, the page itself draws a large tower--high enough above the ground that its height of the tower passes even the clouds in the sky. It's nine, vast and large curved rows covered in vines and leaves lead up to the top of the tower.

"We must travel a day out to Avia's borders, where Magician Aliane and Magician Lia will use their magic to open the God's realm using the key the Gods gave the prince." Jeremiah said, eyeing each knight sitting at the council table. "After we open the gate, we will arrive at the Forest of Arcane, where we will be directed to the tower. After we reach the tower, there are nine floors we must pass through to get to the Gods."

"H-hold on." It's the knight with short pink hair and yellow eyes that speaks. "D-does that mean the Gods aren't going to just teleport us or something?! We can to pass through those levels? What if they're dangerous-!"

"Always worried about something..." The girl with the glasses--Sia--mumbles. "You think the Gods care? They do this crap for ill-formalities. Screw us, right?"

Jeremiah sighs, pointing towards the tower. 

"You aren't exactly wrong, Knight Sia." Jeremiah said. "The Gods created each level as a security for any intruders that aim to the top. They believe only the strong are meant to even be in their presence. This is probably a test, to be frank."

"So...be ready to die, I guess..." The man with orange hair--Co--mumbles. "Better say bye to Jasmine..."

"Don't die on me, Shaka!" The small girl, Li-Li said, hugging Shaka, her friend close. "Besties forever, okay?! Okay?!"

Clarke clears her throat, pointing to Jeremiah. The other knights quiet down.

"I will give everyone two days. One day to say your farewells, and one to pack and relax before we depart." Jeremiah said. "I thank all of you for choosing to serve Black Fawne, and Gods bless. I hope for all of our safety. Please be prepared for anything, including the worse outcomes of this journey."

Each knight bows at Jeremiah, either with confidence, nervousness, fear, or lack of emotions.

"Let us prepare swiftly, my knights." Jeremiah said. "As we ready ourselves to face the Tower of Gods."