Chapter 34: Generational rivalry

-Once again the 4th day had arrived. I could imagine that every street corner was flooded with people from anywhere and everywhere. 

-The festival was just at its beginning, the number of people would just increase three times more during the tournament. 

Within a few days a war among legends will occur, Vessel users going against each other for the prize of the elder's blood. A battle between super humans who controls beyond the world logic.

Thinking about it gave Solan goose pumps. the festival last year wasn't as hot as this time, they also hold the same abilities as him. 

He had to be cautious.

"I'll have to talk with Ms. Lumine about the my participation, I need to attend".

Solan thought to himself covering himself with his shirt. 

It was a long day and he was unsure who he'd meet if he headed towards the headquarters.

"I wonder if it can be a quiet day"

He sighed with a hope of a small flame growing within him, relying on what luck the seas had given him this day. 

***

Eating dinner alone in the dining room the butler Alfred was just standing by the door frame, looking at his withering frame, this man was getting to old. But his pride as the head-servant was bright visual. 

--Gleam--

"I'm done, thanks for the food". Solan spoke raising from his chair in the space-full dining room-

As Alfred took his finished plate he raised his attention at Solan watching his back.

"Good luck on the tournament Sir. Solan"

"Thanks Alfred...".

Continuing to the towering doors with a push he was gone.

Solan was adjusting on his marine attire, checking the spear was sitting comforting on the back.

Making sure everything looked nice before sliding down his helmet on his head smoothly perfectly fitting. 

'Its time to do my early patrols with Fehler and the others, I'll have to walk by the roofs...'

Was his first thought.

he sighed with the image of the scenery clear in his mind.

"I'll have to do this for at least some hour before I can have my official meeting with the majesty herself"

Approaching the exit he had finally taken his leave, entering the carriage that was waiting for his arrival.

***

[Soldat's palace] 

Within the luxury of the palace the guards stood as usual, but a slight tension between them.

"That's Cain?"

"Yeah, he sure have balls to show up here after he betrayed the marines".

Across from them Cain was walking through the corridors alongside his grandson. Due to Cain's particular past it was a custom to visit an old colleauge.

"They're whispering bad things about you old man"

Darren spoke with an amused smirk following his grandfather right behind. 

"Don't put your attention on them...".

Cain turned to the soldiers who'd spoken about him. His glare was hateful and held a sense of hostility within. 

The guards tensed. 

The man had a big build and held a very authoritative presence along him as he kept walking.

"...Is this the state of the current marines...".

With a annoyance he couldn't keep to himself he huffed.

"Tch, they haven't changed at all".

Once they'd arrived to their destination they were standing Infront of one big door guarded by uniquely dressed guards. 

"Stop there" 

The guard on the left for them stood with an stoic face, holding a long spear pointing towards the ceiling.

"...Do you have business here?"

Cain stared at them blankly before pulling something out from his pockets.

"We have an official visit with the grandmaster"

The letter was signed with the red-candled emblem of Soldat.

The guards turned to each other for a bit before giving the two access to visit. 

Opening the doors they walked past the guards, only for one of them to mutter something.

"..Traitor".

Cain didn't let the words get to him and once inside the doors closed behind them.

Standing in the grand office of the grandmaster of Soldat.

Lumine sat on her red cushioned sofa decorated with golden outlines almost seemingly like a throne for a royal. 

Cain lifted his gaze to see her, she hadn't changed at all since last time he'd met her. 

"We greet the master of Soldat"

Bowing down with his hand above his heart Darren followed right after.

"You've grown old Cain, has the continuous hunting of Leviathan put stress on you?"

Lumine asked with an almost mocking smile. 

"...Hunting has always put my mind on ease, less stressful than writing reports and documents everyday".

Raising their faces to finally see Lumine in her eyes.

Darren who watched felt something crawling under his skin, a shiver running through him.

"...So that's Lumine Terratorn, The boss of all the marines?".

She was beautiful and looked to be in her early twenties, though he couldn't let himself be tricked. The woman before him... was the reason his grandfather had left the marines.

'Cain Verdanski. Before being titled a legendary hunter he had a past that he didn't like to speak about.

He used to be a admiral.

A few decades ago he was a proud admiral of the Soldat, raised on Soldat's ground he was a powerful force to be reckoned with. Being the first human make an alliance with a unique elder beast he was respected by the people and his fellow soldiers.

'The Marine's strongest man'

Having a fulfilling life he raised his own family once he found the love of his life. He worked for many years and used to hunt Leviathans under the order of the superiors. But growing older he started to see the corruption and dark within his own place he used to call home... and before he realized it he was too late.

Lumine turned to the younger man standing firmly beside Cain, eyeing him up and down she made a smile full of amusement.

"That boy... he looks quite a lot like you when you were younger?"

"Yes... He's my grandson".

"...I presume that hes Zarina's son?"

With a prideful expression Cain put his hand on Darren's shoulder.

"...Yes, hes the pride of the Verdanski's legacy... When he becomes older and gets the full experience of hunting on the seas I plan on making him the next captain of the Sentinels".

Darren stood silently with a slight nod, he was happy to hear his grandfather's expectations yet he found it amusing. 

"Oh?" 

"...That's a lot of expectations you have for him, I find it very endearing to hear".

***

After the long introduction and speaking Lumine had mentioned their reasoning for being present here. 

"...I presume your also here to fight in the upcoming tournament soon". 

"Of course, hearing about the winning prize who would let that offer to go...".

Though the prize was a big deal that had interested many people Cain couldn't help but feel a bit skeptic.

"...The prize of an elder's blood can buy at least 10 warships, So I can't help but wonder if there's any twist to it".

With an reassuring smile Lumine stood up from her fashioned sofa and approached them walking down the marble stones. 

"...Oh Don't worry old man, there's no twist to it... Though I don't really understand why a man like you would get interested by something like that, you already possess a vessel... and I presume your grandson Darren too?"

Darren was surprised by her remark.

"...She knows?" was his first thought. 

"What was your vessel called again?...".

Lumine contemplated to herself. She was already aware of its name but wanted to just play around the corners.

"Ah Yes, The Heavenly chains!"

"That's correct, that's the name... and for the reason we came here-".

"We're here to stop whatever your trying to do"

Cain's face turned more serious as his expression displayed it, his tone turning a bit more hostile towards Lumine.

With the change in tone the atmosphere from reuniting co-workers changed into a visible hostility between them.

"...G-Grandfather?"

Darren was a bit confused by the change in tone but was fast to remember the true reason why he left the marine.

"Ah, Why am I even surprised... The reason he left the marine in the first place... was because the Soldat had given up on finding grandfather's daughter... an aunt I never knew".

'Cain had two daughters, The oldest my mother Zarina and a younger one Marianne.

A passenger ship was sailing from the harbor of Soldat towards the west continent Orient as a tourist business. But tragedy struck fast, according to old news papers the passenger ship was attacked by a Leviathan and the ship and hundreds of passengers sunk to sea... among them was her... my aunt Marianne.

"What's with the change in tone old man?" Lumine asked, her smirk was all too knowing. She knew well why he was angry.

"I've heard about the current situation on the seas, the marines have been decreasing the work for the Anax guild and have been monopolizing leviathan's...".

'When my aunt Marianne died... this woman who is entitled as the master of Soldat, she shrugged off my grandpa's request for search parties, telling him that his youngest daughter was dead'

"...I don't know the reason why the Marines would just give out one of their prized assets... I know your hiding something behind that soft facade of yours, As the captain Sentinel's we're here to claim the prize that originally belonged to the Anax guild".

Lumine's smile faded, unamused by his hostility he was showing she told him waving her hand. 

"...Hah, You really haven't changed at all... Still fighting for what's right, what a clique thing to do in this day and age". 

With a sigh she raised his face to them again.

"...I have no problem with your participation in the tournament, do what you must... All I can tell you is that it won't be easy, many of the admiral divisions are competing this time let alone other Anax hunters who possess vessels".

Turning to Darren once again she spoke up, a dangerous tone releasing from her soft lips.

"...Darren, you should consider your career path... Anax hunting has grown old and is on the brink of extinction, come to the marines instead".

Without hesitation Darren said

"No. Anax hunting is what I want to do... If there's something's disappearing it will be the marine any time soon. On our way here we saw corruption everywhere... Your soldiers have no manners nor respect for anyone, I would rather work with good people then scumbags".

Lumine watched him before bursting out laughing, tears almost forming under her eyelids.

"Really... Well, I'm excited for what the future holds for you...".

Waving her hand she dismissed them. 

"I don't want to see you guys ever in my palace ever again".

The two of them started walking before Lumine spoke up again.

"And Cain".

"...Soon, The Anax hunter's will be rendered useless... Know that the era will soon end".

"In your dreams Lumine, aslong as the real king of Daimon owes us he will never let that happen".

Closing the doors behind him they left a hard smack against eachother.

-Thud!-

"...I feel almost sorry for that old man" Lumine muttered under her breath before finally returning to her beloved sofa.