"Please rise for the arrival of our honorable Regent of Opalis and the last Mist Maiden of Caldor. Lady Nivara Cross!"
Nivara winced internally at the less than welcome introduction as she made her way back into the main hall. The silence was deafening, her heart lurched with panic as the small crowd of onlookers and fellow Masters of Trait stood resolutely in front of her.
The large training hall had been sectioned to hold three large bandstands. The elite nobles and other Excelliars were in the front stands nearest the door and the previous and potential candidates lined up near the sides awaiting to see who would be next. The Masters sat at the back, mostly concealed within the endless group of onlookers so the crowd to the sides wouldn't feel singled out and the nobles couldn't crane their necks in front to gawk and pick from them like a throng of geese. It was all Nivara could do to quell the gossip but as the audience lowered into their seats it all seemed for nought.
"Is that the Red Lancer, Master Halberd?"
Nivara attempted to mentally block out the noise of the crowd as they started up again no more than seconds after she entered. She sighed, fixing her hood as the game of cat and mouse began before she had even gotten to her seat. Her eyes took in the full view of the room, the noble houses all clustered together at the top of the stands, avoiding the pointing fingers and howling voices. It was easy to pick out the glint of regal armour concealed by layers of cloaks and silks. Blues, reds, golds and purples adorned only the finest of Masters positioned as commanders of their own posts from Pelt to the borders leading into Caldor.
"Look! It's the Piercing Mage! Master Shatter herself!"
Nivara couldn't help but smile fondly at the group of young kids fighting the urge to get up off their seats. They were mesmerised by the prospect of discovering their heroes hidden within the very same crowd they sat in. The sight was tainted however by the sight of Domino jeering a few seats above them, House laughing as she made what seemed like a crude remark towards the precariously seated competitors for today's Trait showcase.
Nivara scowled, sitting into her own seat a little ways in front of the right aisle with the majority of the nobles to the right of her and raised her head high towards Domino's antics. Nivara was fully aware of the silver liquid in goblet in front of her, taunting her to drink in fear of poisoning herself willingly. But it was not a quick death the nobles wanted to give her. For some reason, it was laced with Silvertongue potion. She scoffed at the irony, debating on drinking just to see just how many secrets these nobles knew about her.
They would probably attempt to frame her with it and call for Ethros or another dragon to probe her with questions but she was well prepared for that eventuality. She tapped her cluster of notes gratefully hidden under the crook of her arm. Ethros intended to make his way towards Axis by flight and would be gone for half a day once the sun rose to its pinnacle. Nivara had until then to put her plan into motion.
She was not only a front row seat to the shenanigans of Svalbard and Chimera but could see the nervous faces of those who were about to present themselves. Celtic and the other 'Outsiders' as they had been newly dubbed by the awaiting apprentices would go last much to Nivara's dismay. She had no choice but to agree in exchange for having the Masters hide their identity. It was a hefty cost but it had to be done. Not like they bothered with concealing themselves against the greedy gaze of children but Nivara knew you could never be too careful.
The dragons and other Agars mostly stayed by their partners sides as other worker dragons hung on beams and ledges while inspecting the room and their work. One of those dragons was a Soundboom dragon, capable of amplifying its voice to deafening levels thanks to its large lung capacity and split maw which stored air and its sound with its Trait. These large dragons acted as speakers for the event and allowed Nivara to address everyone equally. Gathering her notes and her courage to one side, Nivara stood up to all of those who got the last chance to showcase their Traits in front of the entire clan.
"Welcome all to the final half of the apprentice showcase." She said, her voice ringing true and clear thanks to the Soundboom dragons projecting her voice around different points in the room.
The noise subsided a little but Nivara could hear the muffled voices of half baked plans and nervous laughter. She took a deep breath, ignoring the hesitations and cracks in her voice and felt the familiar pang of a Traited without a partner. Kaldra may have been a bit stubborn at times but Nivara couldn't help but long for her strong presence even though she would normally be concealed within her cloak. Knowing she was there was what mattered to Nivara the most. Right now, she'd do anything to feel that again.
"This is the last chance for these young Traited to prove themselves in front of our noble clan to become the next generation of Excelliars."
Nivara turned her head towards the crowd, suddenly startled at Domino glaring at her from above, perfectly placed within her line of sight. A knowing smile bore through her mind as a memory of Jester's green eyes flashed into view. Nivara fought the urge to bite back her words, faltering as she tried to continue on.
"You will ...you will all…"
She was stunned into silence, her words dying within her throat as she struggled to hold onto her notes or even take a glance at them. Nivara's face fell, the immaculate mask she had crafted for years of spying and being someone else began to slip at the prospect of losing everything before she could complete what she had set out to do.
"What's she doing? Can't our Regent make a simple speech?"
The Soundboom dragons had scattered, picking up a variety of comments from all around in a cacophonous mess of warbled speech but the Mist Maiden knew exactly what they thought of her. Nivara forced herself to look down, embarrassed and hoped to find some kind of miracle within the pages but instead found something a little more familiar. It was a slowly appearing sketch of two dragons with a small message underneath.
Look left.
Nivara's gaze hovered over the crowd, still fixated on Domino's position as she forced herself to do as the message said. A few seats along, right near the front a few rows below her target Nivara could see the sky blue jacket of her own apprentice glaring at her just as that wretched Fire Traited did moments ago. But his eyes held a kindness and strength that Domino's did not. There on his lap Scout held on tight to his new Agar who was wriggling to break free and leap into action against Domino but a small Knuckle Burst dragon held firm and let out a hiss of warning. Nivara was shocked at the timid dragon who swatted Pocket away with her tail and nudged a stack of what looked like colourful card tied with string.
Not the best looking grimoire in the world but my Gradient grimoire is powerful, Master. It seems we were a bit off about Domino's plans. She has acquired the help of an Influencer Tarragon. Don't focus on her. We're right here.
Nivara's shock was clear to see despite her mask obscuring her features. Scout had used his Trait to warn her of a potential threat before she had even began and had slipped a page of his own creation into her notes. Just like she had recorded her own report in her grimoire, Scout was taking her lessons to heart and communicating with her the only way he could. His Trait.
I'll keep in touch.
Nivara watched as the page was cleared like an invisible eraser, Scout's etchings drifting away as she marvelled at the versatility of his Trait. It was nice to know that the Seven Principles of Trait didn't solely die out with her. He had been diligent in his studies and Nivara had never appreciated it as much as she did this very moment. Her heart swelled to see them all so lively, Ripple most of all who was now curled up against the banister, not taking a single look towards her Agar. She gave them a grateful smile before turning her back on the crowd for a moment, attempting to clear her head.
The accusations drowned out her thoughts, a whir of theories and emotions as she tried to predict her enemies plans without affecting her own. She knew some of the recruits were planning to sabotage the Outsiders, she had vaguely remembered them speaking of two, maybe three others to their small group. Scout had found out that not only were nobles involved but they were blackmailing other people to join their cause thanks to their influence. It was disgusting to think partners and family members were being ransomed all to get back at a simple display of order.
They felt humiliated by her confronting the chain of command, even though she was meant to be their Regent. They could not, would not accept it and neither would she. Not anymore. In a moment of vulnerability she had admitted to the crowd that her Agar was unwell which meant she would not have a dragon present for the apprentice judging. She would not be allowed a replacement due to the strict terms between jealous dragons and their partners. Without an Agar, Nivara could not completely detect lies and had to trust her own instincts. The noble house Chimera had found a way to exploit that by using Domino: a Traited who did not care about her Agar and lied about the very bond they shared.
The last nail in the coffin, despite all the lies and the conspiracies: was Ethros. He was ridden with grief and disillusioned by his duty to Aria instead of his clan. The Excelliars were rotting away from the inside and the only thing he cared about was a book. A book could not give him the answers he sought. He had distanced himself entirely, either leaving everything to Nivara or not saying anything until it was too late. The infiltration of Thundreign, the attempted accidental theft of a Storm Key, even the arrival of the Outsiders and the eventual uprising of Madcap and even the current situation she was in. All of it was of his negligence and Nivara was done with it all.
"Y'know what? I need a drink." Nivara called out to the crowd, some of the front row cheering in response.
The majority of the crowd was of two minds, some yelling out towards the blatant disregard for tradition and the other held a note of disbelief and confusion. Rubbing her temples beneath her hood, the Mist Maiden tried to think of a way to improve her situation.
Her mist rebelled against the idea, a cool edge of frost began hemming her cloak only to be blotted out by the indigo mist of change. It didn't matter what facade she used, her Trait would still reveal itself now she had used it to heal Kaldra after so many years of locking it away.
She allowed the mist to flow, the frost to skitter along the edge of the table as she took a deep breath to centre herself. It didn't matter anymore. None of it did without someone by her side. Ethros wasn't here and even if he was it would not make a difference. The nobles already thought she was useless even after her defending them from threats again and again, both out in the open and hidden beneath the shadows. They were threats themselves yet no one did anything to change that.
The only people that mattered, were the twelve people that sat on the edge of the arena. They were here to show what they could do whether they were scared out of their wits or as confident as could be. At the end of the day, the majority of them were kids thrown into a fight that they were not supposed to be a part of.
Nivara pulled back her hood and tugged out her braid in frustration. Ignoring the rising mist for the meantime, she grabbed the overly decorated cup and downed it in one swift motion, sending it clattering onto the table. Her veins rushed with adrenaline as the sharp taste of Silvertongue hit the back of her throat and made her cough.
"Hell that's raw. How much did they put in here? It's enough to dropkick a dragon!"
A few bursts of laughter echoed around the arena as Nivara caught a glance at a few of the adults chuckling while looking after their children. Nivara looked away, thankful that her mask hid her blush from view. The normally well spoken Regent hadn't realised she had said that aloud but now she had it was like a large weight being lifted off her shoulders.
It was as if Kaldra herself was right here with her telling her to damn the nobles and damn the tradition and just be herself. She turned around and faced Domino head on, sweeping her braid behind her back to hang next to her loose cloak. The storm outside had petered out but it still filled her with more strength than any noble could ever imagine. She could see them still whispering and fighting and bickering amidst the haze of her Trait, fighting to get out of there seat towards the entrances and away from the looming mist.
With a sweep of her hand, the mist filtered around the door, slamming it closed as she clapped her hands together just to prove a point. The spooky atmosphere created by her Trait still lingered in the air, wafting around them in an uncertain, tension filled crowd.
"Sorry about that. I'm not much of an announcer so I'll make this as quick as I can." Nivara admitted, eyeing the lazy dragons who sulked towards their stations to do their job.
Rolling her eyes for good measure, the Mist Maiden languidly walked around the main arena, taking her time to pass around every one of the supports holding the bandstands in place just in case they were tampered by her mist in some way. The ground underneath her was still the same mix of sawdust and soil but with a quick spurt of her Trait in their direction the area began to change.
The bandstands began to slowly shift backwards, the arena growing larger in size to reveal a much larger space underneath. Even the nobles were taken aback by the sudden change in layout, not expecting the Mist Maiden to have such power when it came to illusions. The mist rose and fell, passing over each of the contestants as Nivara remained on her path, the rim of the flat surface staying even while the middle of it changed one after the other.
"This is the Terra Twist arena. It will change it's terrain based on one of the six Core Traits that each person possesses. It will change the surroundings again without warning to work against that attribute until the Traited is knocked out or the time is up." She explained, her arm gesturing to the slowly changing ground.
Nivara stepped into the arena, much to the crowds uncertainty as the mirage parted to form into an endless oasis of calm surrounded by white sand and shady palm trees. She almost lost herself in the illusion, picturing her family sitting by the waters edge like they used to, greeting the Singfall sirens and the Riptide dragons while playing in the cool shade of the burrow trees.
In a matter of moments her mist clouded the arena as it was choked out by the terrain shifting into her worst nightmare. Red cloaked her vision as the ground scorched her feet singed with molten stone as lava bubbled up to the surface only to disappear back into the familiar call of the crowd.
Her breath came out in short sharp pants, sweat rolled down her neck as she struggled to open her eyes and steady her hands. Nivara glued her gaze to Scouts spindly frame as he and the two dragons looked on worriedly, Ripple drifting nearer and nearer towards her Agar as even Nivara could tell how startled the two were. It seemed even Domino could be scared.
"Today you twelve will all be ranked individually on your Combat and Technique ability. This will decide what rank you achieve." Nivara continued, seemingly undeterred by what she had just experienced.
With a flick of her wrist, Nivara's Trait flattened into a long, flat screen as light began to filter through it and form words.
Rank 1: Fighter
Rank 2: Challenger
Rank 3: Trainer
Rank 4: Senior
Rank 5: Expert
Rank 6: Master
"This will help gauge how you adapt to the situation while still showcasing your Trait as you have described in your forms. To pass into one of my six apprenticeships you must achieve at least a Fighter Rank. But be warned, this terrain will test you to your limits." Nivara said, the ominous reminder of the arena causing chills down her spine.
The audience began to rise in noise and anticipation for the upcoming challenges ahead. Domino was back to her smug self, Nivara only daring to stare at her Agars reaction as Ripple made the choice to return to her abusive Agar much to the chagrin of her Talonslash friend. Nivara allowed the crowd to express their excitement as she prepared for the speech ahead. It would be laborious but she could not stand by and allow this petty system of strength over all to continue.
The way the Traited were ranked was all a popularity contest. Those with the flashiest Trait or the biggest explosions would get the highest rank to be able to enter the Master class and achieve great things from then on. Nobles were guaranteed at least a Rank 3 or 4 from standing alone but even Masters like Halberd or Shatter were barely worth a Trainer rank 3 in her book. But this time it was her time to decide. She would not be denied her Regency any longer.
"There is a rumour going around that those of you who are here are only picked because you are the 'least worthy' to join our ranks. I am here to tell you that this rumour is true." Nivara said, making sure the tone of her voice was heard as she folded her arms in disgust.
The crowd hushed in an instant, stunned by the sudden accusation. Nivara kept her facial expressions stern and unreadable as hundreds of people began to hiss and boo at the conversation change. Obscenities were yelled as brawls broke out while some even tried to escape from a height only to be caught and safely returned by Nivara's mist. Even the Masters were outraged, attempting to discard their crudely made disguises while trying to intervene but Nivara simply raised a single hand to silence them.
"According to those who are now outraged at such a comment, you are the bottom of the barrel and not worth their precious time, money or effort to even compete. Ethros our Throneholder hand picked you himself and of course he chose those who are not entirely from Opalis!" Nivara said bluntly, turning her attention to the group in front of her.
Rudely turning her back on the crowd once again she kept her eyes to the ground to avoid the lurking Influencer Tarragon potentially in the front stands. She stood just to the side of the two benches of competitors, the majority of them looking away from such a foreboding presence while she assessed the chosen candidates. Only three were from Opalis and had only recently moved there yet all three had been pushed to the front of the queue. The third spot was currently empty but no one dared to take her place in the roster.
"But today, I am the one who makes the decisions for the good of our clan. I am the one who invited you all here today, regardless or race or Trait or background." Nivara said, lowering her voice to a more kinder tone.
The boy nearest her had his head raised high in response but his dragon betrayed his true feelings. His Rockerfella dragon was fidgeting atop his shoulder, attempting to block out the sights and sounds as he growled to himself. Rockerfella dragons were mostly good natured but like any dragons they had a ferocious temper when riled.
Those types of dragons were normally found underground so it was rare to find one above ground willingly out in the open. He had musty grey spines covering his back scattered with moss and falling bits of seedlings. It was a stark comparison to the boys neatly cut shirt lined with gold trim to match his honey coloured trousers and boots although his long, unkempt hair suggested a bit of a rebellious streak beneath his dark blue eyes. A noble, but not a noticeable one at first glance.
"The existing Masters seated here will eventually make their own choices about who they wish to mentor in the future. I will put those who want to pursue other goals for the Mediators when they also come to do the same. Not all of you will make it but I will do my best to convince you to go down a path away from gangs like the Swarm." Nivara continued despite the noise, addressing only the twelve people in front of her.
Only half were paying attention and visibly winced while the others tried to distract themselves from the chaos as the people above them rose in strength and volume. A few were keeping their anxious or excited Agars at bay as Celtic wrestled with a particularly slippery female smoke troll attempting to flee from a male one who seemed completely enamoured with her. Celtic was yelling quite loudly in Nocturian but continuously apologised to the little girl who was trying to do the exact same thing as him and failing to catch either of their mischievous little smoke friends.
The Sand Wraith twins looked on, one in hysterics while the other silently judged while keeping a small smile on her face. Poor Nudge was hiding from the noise and the scary Havalog as her mentor Ratchet scolded her from beneath her seat while trying to figure out what the badger looking brute meant by 'babysitting.'
Nivara groaned, already being drowned out by mocking laughter, her elaborate speech meant to reunite and rouse the crowd to unite was failing miserably. She could almost picture Domino's mocking laughter as Ripple's dejected face came into view. Nivara sighed, shaking her head while being silently grateful for the arkalite stone preventing the angry mob from using the full power of their Trait otherwise she'd be burnt to a crisp as soon as she opened her mouth. In a bout of sheer panic and righteous anger Nivara let her plan be known in one single sentence.
"Among this group, I have the power to choose my own apprentice. A new apprentice."
Nivara watched eagerly as one by one the nobles took the bait and whispered, desperate to put their candidates hat in the ring. All fighting ceased for no one could deny a juicy bit of gossip like that, especially in a treacherous game of politics like this one. Her heart ached as she searched around for Scout and Pocket but they had somehow slipped away during the ruckus. Nivara bit her lip, not wanting to abandon her current apprentice for a petty wager against her enemies.
She searched through her notes still nestled under the crook of her arm but found no trace of Scout's trademark hand despite his broken arm. At least Domino was unhappy, spitting curses at House for not getting a position among the lesser known Traited for insurance against this possibility. It was Ripple who comforted the Mist Maiden's turmoil by smiling softly despite her flame collar which leashed her to her own Agar. It looked more and more like a noose around her neck but the Knuckle Burst dragon still held firm in her capture.
"Remember. The person you have to impress is not the nobles or your friends or your heroes hidden in the crowd. The person you need to impress, is me." Nivara said at last, ignoring the endless questions plaguing her mind.
She turned away for the final time, the shouts of answers being denied did nothing to fuel her conviction towards the liars and the cheats of this world. She had set her terms in plain sight and they had refused to abide by them time and time again. Now she would be the one changing the playing field. Gathering her notes she ruffled them together and clumped them on the table in front before following suit. Nivara ran her hand through the ink stained pages, the pinpricks of liquid staining her hand as she plucked one from view and noted the newly dry smiley face in the top corner.
"First participant. Prime Castillo. Please make your way to the front of the Terra Twist and make yourself known to us all. When you are ready you may start." Nivara said, giving the young boy the first genuine smile she had graced them with all day.
Taking Prime's form in one hand and a blank sheet of parchment in the other she placed the boys form aside for a moment. Gathering the last of her Trait, she thought of the oasis she had longed to go back to as her indigo grimoire appeared within her outstretched hands. Swiftly opening it, she took her quill and ink to the parchment and wrote a quick note to someone she'd never thought to look for aid again. But she knew in her gut that it was a necessary step to take with all her musings and distractions. It was insurance for what was to come.
Nivara glanced upward as the young boy took his position, the crowd half cheering him on as his dragon grew to half the size of the arena. Rolling the parchment and stamping it with the dawn laced seal of silver and ivory she placed it on her grimoire as it disappeared into the ether of darkness. Leaning back a little easier in her chair she watched as the first participant announced himself to an audience of deceivers and saboteurs.
Nivara the endlessly shunned Regent of Opalis would fit right in.