News from the Capital

A month passed.

Julia had grasped the basic of defensive wards and enhancing the strengths of others quickly. She still had a long way to go to be considered competent but considering her civillian education, she adapted fast. Her offensive spells though... were awful.

Their mother, Augusta, and younger sister, Livia, were watching the twins in the training yard. All of them were clearly related with the distinctive silver hair and golden eyes of their dynasty. Their mother, watched the scene with amusement, ignoring the gawks of the recruits in the yard. Her full figure, elegance and surprising youth made her an unattainable desire amongst many young men. Livia, however, was much more timid under their gaze. She'd always been shy, she was the only sibling without a twin and often felt left out, but ever since her breast had grown to an impressive size, she'd hidden more and more to avoid the stares. Thankfully, living this far north gave her plenty of excuses to hide her figure under furs and bulky clothing.

Julia, however, was much more slender. To others she was refined and unapproachable but to Marcus, she was needy and overly affectionate.

Marcus tested his sister's wards relentlessly. A fireball, a lightning bolt, a wave of arcane energy. Each time, the shield resisted briefly before shattering.

"By the gods brother! It's impossible! How are you this strong?!" She cries out in frustration.

"Easy sis, you're doing a lot better than most new combat mages. You've only been at it for a month and you can already deflect a lot of the damage." He reassures her calmly. "This is different to civillian magic where you have unlimited time. Here you need to work on instinct."

"Everyone's making fun of me..." She mutters in defeat.

"No one is." Marcus continues to reassure her as he heals her wounds. Once he has he takes her face gently in his hands and looks into her eyes. "It's just you and me. I'm telling you, you're learning fast. Faster than I expected."

"Faster than you?" She asks playfully and hopefully.

He laughs. "No one was faster than me. Besides you're weighed down with all that theory nonesense they teach at the academy." He teases. "Forget what you know about how magic should be done and just... let it flow." He tries to explain as best as he feels it. "I love you, sis. Don't pressure yourself so much and have fun."

"You suck as a teacher." She playfully complains. "Love you too though."

The next few hours are the same as most days. Marcus throws spells at her, she gets knocked on her ass, he heals and reassures then repeat. Just as he learned.

That evening, at dinner. Their mother waits beside Marcus' chair at the head of the table, while the sisters and Amelia wait patiently at the table for you to arrive.

"Mom? Are you waiting for me?" Marcus asks as he enters.

"I am, darling." She says, concern clear on her face. "We've recieved a message from the capital. The High Oracle has had a vision." She takes a deep shaky breath before continuing. All at the table exchanged nervous glances. "The empire will fall."

"What?! When?" Marcus asks, trying to come up with a plan for his family if nothing else.

"We don't know. In our lifetimes."

"But the Oracles visions don't always come true..." Julia says. "They're only one possible future."

"True... but this one seemed different. The solutions presented by the gods was vague." Their mother replies.

"W-what solution?" Livia asks.

Their mother sighs and looks into Marcus' eyes. "You." She says as though the word is heavy on her heart. "One of the solutions was you. No hint of how you can help or what you must do... but the gods and the emperor have their eyes on you."

The silence is heavy in the room as the revelation sets in.

"Who knows this?" Marcus asks after a moment to collect his thoughts.

"Outside of this room? The emperor, his closest advisors, the High Oracle and the High Priestess. No one else can know. We can't afford a public panic now." She replies tensely.

Marcus' mouth is dry as he processes the news. The attention of the gods is a blessing and a curse. The heavy news of the impossible task weighing on him.

"And the other solutions..?" He asks.

"Impossible. That's all the letter tells us."

"Bullshit!" Julia blurts out. "More like, it means the emperor has to make a damned effort for once in his fucking life!"

"Julia! Some opinions should be spoken in whisper, if at all..." Their mother says, looking to the door nervously.

"What's he going to do? If this is true... he needs me. If he hurts any one of you, the empire can burn for all I care." Marcus declares, now regaining his composure. Shocked gasps from his mother and Livia but Julia and Amelia give devious grins. "I'll do it. Whatever the gods need. Hopefully they give us a sign soon..."

"Not alone you won't." Amelia speaks us. "If the gods want you, I'm going with you. We're a package deal, you tall motherf-" She stops and looks apologetically to Augusta. "Sorry Augusta... but my point stands."

"The language kids use nowadays..." Augusta sighs with a chuckle.

"Of course short stuff." Marcus says with a warm playful smirk. "I'm not going to my doom without dragging my trusted sidekick with me."

"Ha, oh please! You're talking as though you're waiting for the executioners axe. For all you know they might just want you to fuck our enemies to our side." She teases.

"They wouldn't do that... would they..?" Julia asks, seemingly more concerned now than before.

Amelia shrugs. "Probably not, who knows, gods are weird."

"W-whatever you need, bro. I-I'm with you..." Livia speaks up.

"Thanks Livvy." Marcus says affectionately. Despite being no help in a tense situation, his sister was an incredible alchemist.

"We all are, darling." Their mother says, placing a hand on his cheek. "I still have some favor with the gods from my days as a cleric."

"Thank you all." Marcus says adressing the room. These were his most beloved friend and family, those he'd do anything for. Their comfort and support lifted the weight from him. "Until we know more though, don't be too eager to sign up."

"Whatever it is, we're with you." Julia says.

"Until the end, darling." Their mom finishes.