Duke Highblood was not used to waiting, particularly when it involved something he considered important. And if he considered it important, then everyone was expected to.
Particularly when it involved something that could cost him everything if he didn’t act quickly.
His patience wearing thin, he drummed his fingers on the rosewood tabletop as the last of his allies funneled into the secret room under the central public works building of Aurorias. Unlike most of the upstairs meeting rooms, and the duke’s own office in his manor, this room was undecorated. Instead, it was furnished with a small number of filing cabinets and the large, central table where Duke Highblood was irritably rapping his fingers.
The room was inhospitable at the best of times, but was now exceptionally so, both due to the circumstances of their meeting and the presence of the duke’s private security. Even if Duke Highblood wasn’t expecting trouble, it was best to be prepared. And, it served as a reminder to everyone else present that he was the one in charge.
Still, his servants had set out goblets of wine for everyone to provide a basic level of comfort for the others involved.
Unlike their normal meetings, the atmosphere was laced with dread. The last few times they’d met, it had been filled with an air of smug delight as they had worked towards tightening their grip on Solaria and Heliopolis. The plan had been so simple, yet so elegant: subvert the phoenix-rite, and use the newest ascendant to further draw power away from that ageless bitch Raven Inkwell. They’d slowly been working to subvert the systems she’d put in place to give the citizens of Heliopolis greater autonomy from her rule for the last two decades, and this was meant to be the fatal blow.
But then it had all gone wrong.
Now he was having to scramble because Raven had proven that she could not be taken lightly. He’d underestimated her, and how he and his allies were trapped in a rapidly closing ring of fire that they’d need to cut a breakthrough out of if they were to have any hope of survival.
Or, if nothing more, Highblood would use the others as stepping stones to save himself.
But in order to do that, he had to take control of the situation. And that meant an emergency meeting with his co-conspirators.
He could feel the tension in the air as he looked around the room at his fellow nobles. Earls, countesses, a few marquises and marchionesses, and several barons and baronesses. A quick headcount told the duke that there were fourteen of them in the room.
‘Good, everyone is here.’
Tapping his cane against the marble floor, he drew the crowd’s attention, and signalled for the enchanted doors to close and lock. As they slowly swung shut, the sound dampening runes inscribed on the walls flared to life, ensuring that what was said in the room would not be overheard.
“Everyone, please be seated,” Highblood said firmly. “We have much to discuss, and little time to do it.”
Slowly, the group made their way to their seats, lowest ranking members farthest from the table’s head. Once all of them were seated, Duke Highblood took his own throne-like chair. As he did, all eyes turned to him, seeking guidance. Under normal circumstances, he relished the feeling of control and power such looks would bring. But these were not normal circumstances.
“Bright day to all of you,” Highblood said as he rested his elbows on the table and tented his fingers. “It would seem that we have a bit of a dilemma on our hands. And now, we need to go about solving it.”
Most of the others at the table looked around nervously.
“Please excuse my impropriety, sire, but I don’t think that is strong enough to adequately describe the situation,” one of the marquises said.
That prompted a small round of murmuring. Highblood could feel his control slipping as another, this time a baron, chimed in. “This isn’t some dilemma that we’re going to sweep under the rug, sire. We’ve got Dawn Wings and Raven Inkwell on our trails. I would say that we’re being dangled over the maw of a starved linnorm.”
Numerous affirmations floated into the air, the tension rising as his fellows began to panic.
‘Not good’
“Quiet!” he shouted, standing and slamming his cane against the ground, the sharp report instantly silencing everyone in the room.
All eyes fell back on him.
“I am keenly aware of the gravity of the situation we find ourselves in. Need I remind you that I was personally interrogated by Raven before I left the Cathedral of the Sun? But I managed to deflect her attention elsewhere, if only temporarily,” Highblood growled as a gasp went up around the room. “Clearly, she suspects we are involved in the attempt to ensure that a proper and true Solarian was chosen to ascend, but she hasn’t had time to actually gather any evidence. We’ve been far too careful for her to have anything on us yet.”
“How can you be so sure?” a baroness chimed in.
“If she had evidence, she’d have already come for us,” Highblood said pointedly. “In fact, if she had anything more than suspicion, I doubt anyone involved would have been allowed to leave the Cathedral of the Sun. But we did. Meaning we have time.”
An unconvinced murmur passed through the room.
“Time to do what?” a countess asked.
“Time to turn this around, fool.”
“Sire, I’m sorry, but how in the name of Light are we going to do that?”
“There were hundreds of witnesses at the rite, including quite a few high-ranking nobles that support Raven. And the nation-heads of the Solar Alliance. How can we ‘turn this around?’”
“By being smart about it,” Highblood growled as he stood again, planted his hands on the tabletop and leaned forward. “Yes, there are witnesses. Yes, many of them support Raven. But you’re forgetting one thing: the child that ascended was not one of the ‘chosen’ but rather some dirt-eating waif from out in the backwaters of the Western Territory.”
“And how does that help? You saw what happened at the rite!”
“But most of the populace didn’t,” Highblood said. “And that, right there, is the opportunity we need to turn this around.”
“What are you talking about, sire?”
“We force Raven’s hand by turning her actions against her. She subverted the ‘proper channels’ of the rite and brought in someone who wasn’t ‘chosen.’ That is our angle of attack. But we will need to be swift and decisive about it. Raven may be Celestia’s bleeding-heart dog, but she’s just given us ample proof that she’s more aware of what’s going on around her than we thought. So, we need to play our cards before she does.”
“And how do we do that?”
“We spread our own take on what happened at the rite. We tell them that Raven defied the rules of selection for the rite and subverted the proper process,” Highblood said as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. “Most of the populace of Aurorias will eat it up, as will Candesis, Inciner, Radia and Ardor. That’s five of the nine cities that will buy our version of the story. If we create enough potential unrest, we can force her to back down. Raven is far too kindhearted to actively suppress the citizenry like that. That is the only way we’re going to come out of this in one piece.”
As he sat back down, Highblood’s features became more relaxed as a smile started to work across his face.
“After all, Raven is far too distant for most of the populace to really support. She stays in Chromos, away from the common people. They know us. And they believe that we are looking out for them. Unlike Raven, who sits in the light of the sun, trying to force them to accept that the dirt-eaters deserve to be treated with anything other than contempt. That is our opening.”
Highblood took a sip of his wine before continuing, his eyes gleaming dangerously.
“Then there’s the child. We attack not only the legitimacy of the rite, but of the girl herself. Before the rite took place, I learned from my brother that the child is a foundling.” Highblood spat the last word out as though he’d eaten something vile. “The little rat has no family. If we make that public knowledge, and really push that she’s a familyless dirt-eater, support for her in Heliopolis will turn faster than a wheel-spider chasing down a deer.”
“Won’t that turn the Westerners against us? I’ve had dealings with them before, and they’re very protective of their own.”
“That may be the case,” Highblood chuckled, “but they’re also disorganized. Scattered. The Western Territory has no central government. At best, they’re a collection of towns unified by a common geographic area. They’ll resist the idea of a central power, even one that arose from within their ranks. Do any of you have contacts in the west?”
Four of the nobles, two barons and two baronesses, raised their hands.
“Good. You four will use your contacts to sow dissent. Spread rumors that the girl will try to unify everyone under her rule. If those dirt-eating swine are anything like I’ve heard, they’ll cause enough trouble that Raven’ll have to intervene to ensure the brat even has a territory to govern in the first place.”
Highblood listened as a murmur passed through the others. He felt a shift in the air as they began to see the merit in his plan. However, one of the dukes still looked unconvinced.
“And what of Roseluck?” he said. “Surely she’ll rally the Eastern Territory to Raven’s aide.”
“Her influence will be tricky to mitigate, but it’ll be possible,” Highblood said thoughtfully. “There are several houses in the East that would love to gain access to Heliopolis’s resources and influence. Promise them the things they want, and they will aid us.”
“Are you suggesting we enlist the aid of the clans in this?”
“Only for so long as it benefits us. Make them promises of aid and power, get them to do our dirty work turning things against Roseluck. Even if they don’t discredit her, they can cause trouble in the Eastern courts. Enough to cover for us until Raven is forced to back off. Then, we give them the smallest scraps of what we promised, and hold their complicity over them.”
Again, there was a general murmur of agreement.
“And what of Steel Sentry and Spitfire? Do you think they’ll support us?” the same duke as before asked.
At that, Highblood laughed.
“Support us? Steel would probably give us commendations for this. The man’s more of a Heliopolan than any of us are, and he hates Raven and her soft-hearted ways as much as we do. And where Steel goes, Spitfire follows. No no no, Steel and Spitfire aren’t going to be an issue. And even if he were, Flash’s presence among the chosen ensures that he appears complicit. If he moves against us, we can use that to turn public opinion against him.”
“And you’re sure it will work?” one of the marchionesses asked nervously.
“I’m certain of it,” Highblood said with a haughty grin. “Give it a month’s time, and we’ll be hailed as heroes, while Raven will lose so much face that she’ll have to hide under Celestia’s wings for a century. We’ll need to act quickly, and with coordination. But if we do, we’ll be able to completely turn this thing around. Mark my words.”
Another murmur passed through the room, this one less nervous and more hopeful.
“Alright,” Highblood continued as he rapped his cane against the ground to reclaim everyone’s attention. “Now, we need to begin planning who is going to do what. Baron Silver Star, I want you to-”
A sharp crack of splintering wood suddenly filled the air as the door to the meeting room exploded inward. Milliseconds later a sphere of light rocketed into the room and detonated in a blinding flash. Duke Highblood’s vision went white and he screamed in pain as the strobe temporarily blinded him and fragments of the door violently pelted his face.
The sound of boots pounding on the ground filled the air followed by the loud report of firearms discharging. Still unable to see, Highblood instinctively ducked down and covered his head as screams of his fellow nobles fought with gunfire for dominance of the cacophony.
Yet, as quickly as it began, the sound died down, and was replaced by the thumping of rapid footsteps as whoever had just attacked them stormed the room.
Slowly, his vision began to recover. As his sight returned to him, Highblood cautiously looked around. The sight that greeted him caused his stomach to twist in horror: the room was now occupied by a full squad of earth-weaver sun-blades, each in deep blue, full-body tactical armor, and armed with either a bayoneted carbine or a pump-action, single-barreled shotgun, all of which were aimed at the room’s occupants.
As Duke Highblood eyed the soldiers, he caught sight of the walls behind the sun-blades. They were painted with blood and large chunks of grey pulp. Instinctively, he looked at the ground, only to wish that he hadn’t a few moments later. The floor was littered with the bodies of his guards, each one dead by either a single shot to the head or heart. The sound of weeping and retching told him that the others had noticed the corpses too.
“By order of the crown,” one of the soldiers said, “you are all under arrest for heresy and sedition. Any attempt to escape will be met with lethal force.”
At the soldier’s declaration, the room erupted into confused and desperate shouting as the assembled nobles rose to their feet and began to protest, each one proclaiming that there had to be some sort of mistake, or that they had done nothing, or trying to plead for their freedom by offering others in their place.
The loud report of a carbine being fired into the ceiling silenced everyone present.
At the sound, Duke Highblood regained his wits, his shock quickly replaced by cold calculating rage as he rapidly tried to formulate a way out of the situation.
“Who do you think you are to threaten us like this?!” the duke yelled as he drew himself up and schooled his features, ignoring the sun-blades nearest him pointing their weapons at him and moving their fingers to their weapon’s trigger. “I am Duke Highblood, and you are trespassing on Aurorias government property. You have just interrupted an important planning meeting for the city works department, and vandalized city property. I want your names and badges right now! When General Sentry hears about this he’ll have your heads!”
“Be silent,” one of the sun-blades said, their voice distorted by their armor’s mask, as they trained their shotgun on Duke Highblood and chambered a round with a sharp pump of the forend slide.
“You dare to speak to me like that?!” Highblood bellowed as he took a step forward, only for the loud report of the shotgun to go off, a violent breeze whizzing by as the slug passed within centimeters of his face. Duke Highblood froze in terror as the sun-blade that fired on him swiftly pumped the forend to chamber another round.
“I won’t warn you again, heretic. Be silent,” the sun-blade commanded, “or the next one won’t miss.”
Highblood took a step back and nodded numbly.
“Sir, area secured,” another of the sun-blades said.
Duke Highblood and all of his allies turned their attention towards the sun-blade who had spoken. As they did, they saw the air in the shattered doorway ripple like a heat mirage. Almost as swiftly as the distortion appeared, it parted, revealing General Steel Sentry, who casually strode into the room, his hands clasped behind his back. On his shoulder was Vestian, who glowered at the assembled nobles with barely contained hate. Like the sun-blades, Steel was dressed in full tactical armor. However, unlike his soldiers, he wore his officer’s cap instead of a helmet.
Highblood’s stomach dropped out of his body as General Sentry calmly looked round the room at the assembled nobles as if surveying pigs at a slaughterhouse. Moments later, his eyes came to rest on the duke.
“Duke Highblood,” General Sentry said in a calm yet menacing tone.
Duke Highblood’s heart jumped into his throat, but he kept his expression schooled. There was still a chance he could turn this around.
“General Sentry,” Highblood said, his voice feigning relief. “Thank Celestia you’re here. These sun-blades have just threatened myself and my fellow nobles with bodily harm. I demand you reprimand them at once and strip them of their ranks.”
A smirk worked its way onto General Sentry’s face as a condescending chuckle escaped his throat.
“Now why would I do something like that, Highblood?” General Sentry said evenly. “They’re following orders. My orders.”
“Your orders?” Highblood retorted as a gasp went up from around the room. “And what orders are those, Steel? Accost members of the ruling class?”
The smirk on General Sentry’s face grew wider.
“Isn’t it obvious, Highblood?” General Sentry said as he brought his right arm around his front and drew Bloodhound. At the sight, Highblood and every noble in the room took a cautious step away from the general. Legends told about how dangerous Steel’s favorite amp was, and they were not willing to find out if they were true. “I’m not sorry to say that the lot of you are under arrest for sedition against the crown, and high treason for manipulation of the phoenix-rite.”
Despite his fear, Highblood did his best to not show it.
“Arrest? Hah! That’s a good one, Steel,” Highblood said as he leaned forward and rested his palms on the table, ignoring the sun-blades training their weapons on him. “Look, you can drop the act now. We both know you’re not going to arrest any of us. We’re on the same side after all.”
Whatever response he had been expecting, it hadn’t been a single, deep harrumph.
“See, that’s where you’re wrong, dirt-eater,” General Sentry said. “I am here to arrest you. And I have been authorized to use lethal force if you do not cooperate.”
Highblood was dumbfounded. Had Steel just called him a dirt-eater? Him?
“How dare you call me that, Steel! My family has lived in Heliopolis since its founding! We have served this city faithfully for longer than even you’ve lived,” Highblood snarled, his indignation overcoming his fear. “And you dare to equate me with one of those animals that wallows in the mud outside Heliopolis’s walls?”
To Highblood’s surprise, General Sentry didn’t respond verbally. Instead, he raised Bloodhound and pointed the revolver directly at the duke's face, before thumbing the hammer back and placing his finger on the trigger.
“But you are a dirt-eater,” General Sentry said with barely contained contempt. “You’ve blasphemed against Celestia and defiled one of the most sacred traditions of Solaria. As far as I’m concerned, you deserve to eat dirt and drink dust, just like all traitors, cowards and heretics.”
Highblood felt the blood drain from his face and sweat begin to form on his brow.
“And as far as being ‘on the same side,’ you’re deluding yourself if you think that, dirt-eater,” General Sentry continued as he slowly uncocked Bloodhound’s hammer and lowered his arm, glaring straight into Duke Highblood’s eyes the entire time.
“What?” Highblood stammered as General Sentry continued to glare at him.
“If you think that I’d support what you’ve done, you are sorely mistaken,” General Sentry said calmly, his complete lack of emotion making him sound even more intimidating. “Your blasphemy is cause enough for me to shoot you where you stand, but that is only the start of your crimes. You and your pathetic little circle damaged Heliopolis’s reputation both domestically and abroad, and made the queen’s city look weak, fractured, and corrupt to not only our citizens and allies, but our enemies. Do you have any comprehension of the damage you’ve done?”
An angry hiss came from Vestian as he lowered his head threateningly, flames starting to lick across his body. Reaching up, Steel gently scratched Vestian’s chin. As he did, the flames died down, though the phoenix continued to glare fiery death at the duke.
“And, Highblood? If there’s one thing I hate more than heretics, it’s those who endanger Celestia and her city,” Steel said with a growl. “Be thankful Raven wants to make a public example out of only the people involved in your little act of blasphemy. If I’d had my way, I’d have arrested you and your families, then force every one of you to watch them be fed, one per day, to wild vethris before giving you lot to Queen Lumina to do with as she saw fit.”
Despite the mounting gravity of the situation, Highblood wasn’t willing to let it all come crashing down around him like this. He had one last, desperate card to play.
“You can’t do this! We’re nobility! We’re protected by the law! There are legal channels. Warrants. Trials,” Highblood protested as his heart rate spiked. “Even you are bound by the law, Steel.”
“I am indeed,” Steel said with a slow nod.
Highblood relaxed slightly, as did every other noble in the room.
“But what makes you think I don’t have a warrant? Or that your titles mean anything anymore?”
Highblood’s eyes went wide in horror as he processed what General Sentry had said.
“What!?” Highblood bellowed in horror. “What is that supposed to mean?”
“We presented evidence of your crimes to the Council of Light earlier today. Each and every one of you has been declared an enemy of the state and stripped of your ranks. All of the other members of your little conspiracy have already been arrested. I’m merely here to take the viper’s head.”
“You… how? How could you possibly have that kind of evidence so quickly?”
“Oh, don’t you worry your empty little head about that,” a strange, distorted voice from behind said.
Turning, Highblood saw another heat mirage in the air part and reveal a white-clad form wearing a sun-touched mask with a blazing eye glyph on its surface, and radiant, glowing wings. They were leaning casually against the back wall of the room, their arms crossed and their right foot resting on the wall. None of the sun-blades flinched at their sudden appearance.
“Ah, Dawn Wings,” Steel said as Vestian hissed at the newcomer. “I trust you have everything?”
“Of course. Who do you take me for?” Dawn Wings said as they held up a milky white crystal ball. “Everything’s been recorded. Boss lady’s really gonna enjoy this.”
“You… you… how in the name of Light did you get in here?!” Highblood shouted, his voice dripping with fear. “This room is warded!”
“You call those wards? I’ve walked through doors more secure than this place. And, in case you managed to form a coherent enough thought to wonder how I got here, I’ve been following you since you left the Cathedral of the Sun,” Dawn Wings said as they pushed themselves off the wall and dusted themselves off. Highblood could almost feel the smirk of whoever was behind that mask as they looked at him. “Yes. That means I’ve been in your house recording everything you’ve done. Every correspondence. Every meeting with your aides. Going through your papers when you slept. And all of it with the blessing of the queen.”
“But… what? How could you have moved so quickly?” Highblood asked, his voice quavering.
Dawn Wings threw back their head and laughed, the constant shifting and distortion of their voice making the sound alien and unnatural.
“Lady Inkwell has known what you were up to for months, you sack of moorgaunt shit,” Dawn Wings said, their voice full of amused contempt. “If you think that you had any chance of deceiving her, you’re more full of yourself than even I could have imagined.”
“Quite true. Now, if there’s nothing else,” Steel said before he abruptly began to perform a spell dance with his left arm, which ended as he thrust the limb forward and snapped his fingers. The moment the sound emanated from between his digits, arcs of green lightning erupted from the tips of his fingers and spread out to strike every one of the former nobles present.
As the bolt struck him, every nerve in Highblood’s body exploded with burning agony as the magical lightning coursed through him. Before he had a chance to scream, his muscles seized up and he went limp, collapsing to the ground like a marionette with its strings cut.
“Gather up that garbage and take it back to Chromos,” he heard General Sentry say emotionlessly.
Highblood tried to get his body to respond, but he couldn’t move a muscle as the soldiers began to haul off the paralyzed nobles.
“Thank you for your assistance, Dawn Wings,” General Sentry said as he walked towards the spymaster. “Perhaps we might work together again some day.”
“I wouldn’t count on it, Sentry,” Dawn Wings said as they crossed their arms and tilted their head to the left. “I’m here because Lady Inkwell asked. But, if in some odd coincidence your interests align with hers again, I’ll be there to keep you and your goons honest. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got to deliver this lovely little thing to the boss lady. Bye bye, Highblood. I’d say it was nice knowing you, but that’d be a lie.”
And with that, Dawn Wings strode towards the exit and vanished into a heat ripple.
“I don’t understand why Raven puts up with their attitude,” General Sentry said with a shake of his head. “In any case…”
Highblood watched helplessly as General Sentry walked up to him and squatted down to look him directly in the eyes. The expression on the general’s face chilled Highblood to the bone: there was no anger, no disgust. Only apathetic loathing, as if Highblood was some sort of insect. After a moment, General Sentry pointed Bloodhound casually towards the former duke’s head, swinging the barrel back and forth for a few moments, before leaning down and whispering in Highblood’s ear.
“I just want you to know that I’m going to petition to personally handle your execution, Highblood. Were this just about your heresy and treason, I’d have made it quick in memory of our friendship. But… you made the mistake of involving Flash. So now? If I get my hands on you, I’ll make sure it takes you months to die, and that every moment will make you beg for your end to come.”
*****
The dull murmur of The Heart of Fire’s officers’ lounge tickled General Sentry’s ears like the buzz of a swarm of bees, but he easily tuned it out. Most days, he would join his fellow officers for drinks in the main lounge, or more rarely, head down to share meals with the enlisted sun-gazers under his command in the mess halls. But for times when he and Vestian wanted to be alone, he’d retreat to his personal lounge, which was located on the upper floor of the main lounge.
Now was one such time.
The room itself was sparsely yet comfortably furnished, and included only a modest bookshelf, a circle of four, hydra-leather lounge chairs, each with an attached golden perch meant for a phoenix. In the center of the circle was a small table for drinks or food made of lacquered ironwood. The wall opposite the sole door leading into the lounge was completely dominated by a large, single pane of enchanted glass that looked out over the main training grounds of The Heart of Fire, as well as the barracks where the rank and file members of his sun-blades resided.
But the most striking part of the window was what flanked it: a pair of columns made of cracked and weathered grey dolomite. Growing from within the cracks were numerous kaleath shrubs, their long, trailing stems covered in fuzzy, silver-green leaves and large, cup-shaped, bone-white flowers adding a touch of life to the otherwise spartan room. Despite the plant’s beauty, everyone other than Steel gave them a wide berth; their foliage was covered in sharp stinging hairs that carried a potent venom. One that, while not lethal, could reduce anyone foolish enough to touch the plant to a weeping ball of agony for hours.
Rumors had circulated for years about why he’d wanted to have his view occupied by the enlisted men under his command, rather than something more pleasing like a garden or fountain, but Steel had never deigned to give them an answer, only saying he had his reasons. Truthfully, it was a reminder of where he’d come from and his responsibility to the men and women under his command. It was also a not-so-subtle reminder to his soldiers that he could be watching at any time, and if he saw any failure in discipline or effort, he could easily bring the weight of his authority crashing down on them at any moment.
Crossing his right leg over his knee, Steel leaned back into his plush hydra-leather chair, reaching up with his right hand to scratch Vestian at the base of his head. Hearing the happy trill and feeling the contentment through their bond, Steel went back to reading the action reports submitted by the companies he’d dispatched to arrest the traitors.
Most of the arrests had been clean, with minimal casualties among their targets. One group had managed to resist, but they had been easily dispatched like the swine they were. He’d have to put that company through some more intensive training since they’d let their targets get the drop on them. A few extra laps and drills would help cement the need to not make amateurish mistakes, even when dealing with sun-gazers as soft and weak as the nobility.
Hearing a knock at the door to the lounge, Steel didn’t look up from the report he was reading, and automatically said “Enter.”
A few moments later, he heard the door open and the sound of light footsteps approached his chair.
“Your obsidian beetles, Lord Vestian. And your berent malt whisky with cherry cider, General Sentry,” the waiter said.
“Leave them on the table.”
The sound of the glass and serving vessels being set onto the table reached his ears moments later, followed by the retreating footsteps of the server, and the door to the lounge opening and shutting.
Extending two tendrils from his hair, Steel used the first to grab a flash-fried beetle and tossed it to Vestian, the phoenix snatching the snack out of the air with practiced ease. His other tendril grabbed the tumbler and brought it to his hand. He sipped the drink slowly, retracting his tendrils as he did.
As much as I hate to give that white-clad freak any credit, it looks like their intelligence was good, Vestian sent as he finished his first beetle.
I wouldn’t expect anything less from Dawn Wings, Steel sent back. Such a shame Raven won’t let us take advantage of their skills more often.
You don’t need to tell me. I still wish you’d gone after those bastards sooner. The thought of Highblood’s asshole son bonding with my little sister? A low, angry hiss came from Vestian as the phoenix’s hate flooded through their bond. I hope your petition to be the one to handle his death comes through. I want to heat the liquid in his eyes till they pop like overcooked lulli.
Steel grabbed another beetle with a tendril and tossed it to Vestian, the phoenix effortlessly catching it.
As much as I would love to give you that chance, old friend, Steel sent as he took another sip of his drink, savoring the sweet sourness of the cherry cider mixed in with the burning spiciness of the whisky. I suspect Raven may not be willing to leave his fate in our hands. Still, we might be able to get hold of a few of the heretics.
I’ll take what I can get, Vestian sent with a huff.
As will I, Steel sent with disdain. Hopefully Raven’s figured out who falsified Flash’s test results. I want my shot at them if I can’t have Highblood.
I like the sound of that. Doesn’t make how badly those idiots screwed things up any easier to stomach.
I know, Steel sent as he took another sip of his drink. The game’s just gotten a whole lot more complicated.
And the girl? If what we’ve learned about her is true, she could be an enormous asset to Heliopolis.
Steel considered it for a moment.
I don't think she’ll ever directly side with us. Even disregarding Raven already having her claws in her, she’s far too connected to those caitiffs out west to ever consider staying in Heliopolis. At best, she’s going to be another Roseluck: just one more obstacle anyone coming for the holy city has to cross. Shame too. I can only imagine what someone as archanically inclined as she is could do for Heliopolis’s arcane advancement.
There’s an ‘and’ to all of this, isn’t there? Vestian asked tersely.
There is. With Highblood and so many other nobles about to face consequences for their actions, there’s going to be a power vacuum. One that others are going to try exploiting, Steel sent before downing the last of his drink. That means instability in Heliopolis.
And instability can mean vulnerability, Vestian concluded.
And one thing that Heliopolis can’t be, is vulnerable, Steel sent as he reached up and scratched Vestian’s chin. If the girl were inclined to stay, she could fill the vacuum. But as it stands, we may have to gaslight the public into taking power away from the Council of Light and giving it back to us, Spitfire and Raven. This whole incident proves that Raven was wrong about the mortals governing themselves. They’re too shortsighted and too greedy to be allowed to have as much control as they’ve been given.
Before Vestian could reply, there was a knock at the door.
“What is it? I gave explicit orders that I’m not to be disturbed,” Steel barked, his voice resonating with authority.
“I’m sorry, General, but Lady Inkwell is here and she has requested to see you,” the voice of one of Steel’s colonels, a fire-caller named Blaze Artillery, said.
Think of the Moon and it rises into the sky, Vestian sent with an irritated huff.
It was going to happen sooner or later, Steel sent. Well, no point in putting this off.
“Let her through,” Steel said in the same authoritative tone.
Waiting a moment for Blaze to leave, Steel tapped a small rune engraved into the surface of the table, causing a small sphere of blue light to appear above the table’s surface.
“Bring me another berent malt whisky, and one sparkberry cognac,” Steel said into the sphere.
“Yes, General Sentry,” a voice replied through the light sphere.
What does she want now? Vestian grumbled.
Knowing her, to make sure we stay away from the girl at the very least, Steel sent as he rose from his seat and offered Vestian his arm. As the phoenix stepped onto the limb, Steel brought his partner to his right shoulder. Still, no point in turning down a chance to spar.
True, Vestian sent with a bit more excitement as he stepped onto the leather pauldron as Steel turned to face the lounge’s door and folded his hands behind his back.
Steel stood at attention for a couple of minutes before he heard the sound of footsteps approaching the door. But not the soft clop of sun-blade standard issue boots or dress shoes. Rather, they were the sharp clack of high-heels moving at a steady yet clipped pace.
Moments later, the door swung open, and Raven strode in without fanfare, Dylis perched on her shoulder and giving both Steel and Vestian a wary, irritated look. Raven allowed the door to swing shut with a slight shove of her hand as she passed through, never once taking her eyes off her fellow phoenix-born. As Raven strode up to him, her expression unreadable and her gait giving no hint of vulnerability, Steel’s mind went into overdrive, trying to spot any opening or avenue of attack. But, as always, Raven presented an impenetrable barrier.
Were he not so well versed in maintaining his mask, Steel might have smiled as Raven approached.
She is magnificent, isn’t she? Steel sent as he admired Raven.
I’ve probably said it a million times over the centuries, but I question your taste, Steel.
Wouldn’t have it any other way, old friend.
A few moments later, Raven reached them and looked up to stare the general in the eyes. However, she did not speak as she glared at him.
“Bright day to you, Raven. What brings you to The Heart of Fire?” Steel said as he put a disarming smile on. It was a smile he used when he wanted to be charming. One practiced over centuries, and one he knew few people could resist.
It bounced right off Raven like a ball of wool bounces off a steel plate.
“Hello, Steel,” Raven said in a flat tone. “I’ve received Dawn Wings’ report regarding the arrest of Highblood and his conspirators.”
Steel knew the implication being left in the air: ‘Had the operation to bring in Highblood not gone off without a hitch, I would be coming for you because he and you were close.’
“I trust you’ve had time to have a few words with Highblood and the other former nobles in your care,” Steel said with a small smirk.
“I have,” Raven said levelly.
“That’s good to know,” Steel said. “Though, I doubt you’ve come all the way from Chromos to tell me that. Especially now that we have our newest ascendant in need of guidance.”
Raven’s response was interrupted by a knock at the door.
“Enter,” Steel said, knowing who it would be.
As the door opened, a young sky-runner boy in a server’s uniform walked in carrying a tray with a tumbler of amber liquid, and one snifter with glowing red liquid.
“Your sparkberry cognac and your berent malt whisky, General Sentry,” he said.
“Thank you. The cognac’s for Lady Inkwell,” Steel said.
Without another word, the server approached Raven and held the tray out towards her with a bow of his head. Raven looked at it for a moment, then took the drink with an emotionless and flat “thank you.”
The server approached him next. As he did, Steel unlocked his hands from behind his back and retrieved the tumbler from the offered tray with his left hand. His task complete, the boy bowed to the both of them and left without a word. Drink now in hand, Steel gestured to the chairs with his free hand.
“Please, have a seat. I suspect we have much to discuss.”
Raven’s indifferent glare didn’t change as she took her eyes off Steel and regarded the chair he was offering her.
“I suppose it would be rude to decline your hospitality,” Raven said as she walked to the chair right of the one Steel had indicated and opposite the one where he’d been sitting, before offering her arm to Dylis and transferring him to the perch.
Returning to his own chair, Steel likewise offered Vestian his arm and transferred him to the perch before taking his seat.
“I’ll get right to the point, Steel,” Raven said, her voice taking on a rare edge as she swirled her drink. “I’ve interrogated Highblood and the rest of the leadership of this little coup.”
“I take it went well then?”
“It was edifying. And disappointing, in a way,” Raven said as her eyes narrowed. “I’ll admit, I’m pleasantly surprised to find that you had no hand in this whole debacle. At least no direct hand.”
“Do you have so little faith in me, Raven?” Steel said.
Raven didn’t respond immediately, instead taking a slow sip of the cognac.
“Frankly, yes,” Raven said coolly. “Don’t think I’ve forgotten how often you’ve tried things like this in the past.”
Steel closed his eyes and took a sip of his own drink.
“There are lines that I would never cross, Raven. You should know that by now. Political intrigue and campaigning for changes to the law are a far cry from dissidence,” Steel said solemnly. “I may attempt to steer things to ensure the safety and security of Heliopolis and Celestia, but I would never interfere with holy writ. It goes against everything I stand for.”
“Yet, the traitor dared to turn against Harmony’s edicts for her place in the order of things and caused the Splintering in the name of personal ambition,” Raven said coldly, the faintest edges of hate seeping into her voice.
Steel’s expression darkened. Even with as often as they’d clashed, Raven had never insulted him so openly by comparing him to the traitor.
“I am nothing like that embodiment of night and dreams,” Steel growled as he glared at Raven. “What I’ve done, I’ve done to ensure Queen Celestia’s safety. Even if you don’t agree with my methods, nothing will change that fact.”
“You say that, but anyone can fall from the path, even those who believe themselves righteous,” Raven said. “So, I will tell you this right now. You may have been innocent of any wrongdoing in this case, but as far as I’m concerned, that does not absolve you of what you’ve done in the past.”
“And what would that be, Raven? Protect Heliopolis? Ensure the city is strong?”
“Foment hate, Steel. Encourage the division of our people. And attempt to strip anyone who doesn’t live in Heliopolis of their dignity and identity as sun-gazers.”
“If they’re unwilling to stand in defense of Heliopolis or Solaria, then as far as I’m concerned, they aren’t,” Steel said as he leaned forward and gripped the arm of his chair with his free hand hard enough that the leather began to stretch and rip. “Or need I remind you what happened to all of the cowards who fled Heliopolis rather than stand and fight in the Blight War. Hydea’s monstrosities rounded them up and fed them to the Smooze, giving that abomination their memories and knowledge of how to breach our city. How many thousands died because you were willing to ‘give them the choice’ to leave?”
“And need I remind you that had we not let them leave, Heliopolis would have been consumed from within by fear and panic,” Raven countered with a pointed look. “Letting them go may have led to some of the rays being overrun, but if I hadn’t, you would have been forced to turn your attention away from holding back Hydea’s siege, and towards fighting both our own panicked populace and the Blighted. And if that had happened, all of Heliopolis would have fallen.”
“Which only proves my point. They put themselves before Queen Celestia. And anyone who can do that is no sun-gazer. Hydea. Grogar’s old general D’compose. The Storm King. All threats that we could have bested with fewer losses were it not for your willingness to show needless compassion for traitors and weaklings.”
Raven’s brow furrowed as she closed her eyes and frowned, before letting out an angry huff. “I’m not going to argue with you about this again, Steel. Right now, Solaria is about to go through a major upheaval, and we need to be unified. Can I count on you to give Sunset your support?”
“The girl was ordained by Lumina and Celestia’s edicts, Raven,” Steel said coldly. “Even if she wants to return to that mudhole she came from like Roseluck did rather than stay within the capital like she should won’t change that. So long as she doesn’t give me reason to consider her a threat to Solaria, I won’t act against or undermine her.”
“And the nobility that have been arrested?”
“They put themselves before Heliopolis and thought themselves above Queen Celestia’s law. They deserve nothing less than a traitor and heretic’s death.”
Raven took a long draw from her cognac, before fixing Steel with another glare.
“Just so long as we’re on the same page here,” Raven said, before her glare became even colder. “But, in light of that, I can’t help but wonder if you knew about this whole debacle, and didn’t see fit to inform me. One might get the idea that you wanted this little plan to succeed.”
Steel allowed himself to smile at that.
“I was indeed aware of what was going on,” Steel said as he swirled his tumbler’s contents. “But, as for not informing you… well, I had my reasons.”
“I trust they were good reasons, or I may have cause to include you as a co-conspirator.”
Steel was unphased by the threat.
“I suspected you were already aware of what was happening, so I didn’t see any need to involve myself. If anything, word might have gotten back to Highblood if I had. And anything that could have tipped that dirt-eater off was not acceptable. So I chose to stay silent, continue to maintain appearances with Highblood and his cronies, and waited for you to spring the inevitable trap.”
Raven narrowed her eyes menacingly. Steel had seen that look turn even the bravest of his soldiers into simpering cowards.
“That is a very flimsy excuse, Steel,” Raven said, her voice laced with enough ice to turn the season from summer to winter.
“And yet, you did not act immediately when you learned of it. I know how capable your pet spy is at their job, so if you were not acting openly, you clearly had your reasons. I simply decided to respect whatever your plan was and didn’t involve myself until you saw fit to involve me.”
“And if I hadn’t discovered what was going on?”
“One, Highblood was about as subtle as a crazed hydra, so that’s pretty much impossible. Second, if somehow you and the Eyes of the Sun had become so oblivious to the world around you didn’t figure that something was wrong, I would have stepped in, and used it as an opportunity to have you removed from your position for incompetence. Even if I don’t care for your policies, you’ve always been the bedrock upon which Solaria rests. If you’d become soft and weak, you’d need to be removed. Simple as that.”
Steel watched as Raven’s expression shifted into a dangerous, predatory smile.
“I see,” she said in a tone that would have sent any mortal present running for their lives. “Well, I’m glad your confidence in me has not been shaken.”
Steel returned her smile with one of his own.
“If anything, my esteem for you has only grown. Your execution of your plan was a masterstroke of cunning and deception, and proof that you are the one who still deserves to hold your position. If only you’d use that cunning more often, we could ensure that Heliopolis was the shining light of civilization and order that it could be.”
“At the cost of forever robbing our people of their agency. No, Steel, such weapons are only for use against those who cross certain lines,” Raven said as she rose to her feet and offered Dylis her arm, her glare pressing against Steel’s almost equally potent one. “I believe our business is concluded. Don’t bother getting up. I’ll see myself out.”
“As you wish, Raven,” Steel said as he downed the last of his whisky. “We must do this again sometime. It was quite enjoyable.”
Transferring Dylis to her shoulder, Raven began to walk towards the door.
Without looking back, Raven said, “We’ll see, Steel. We’ll see.”
So we back for real, or is this just a pop-in and we back to hiatus?
10502233
The latter. I got this written in between teaching, research and job applications.
10502233
Please read author's notes. The answer is in the first paragraph.
Woohoo, update.
And I'd have thought that Raven, being the oldest, would be a little more sympathetic to Luna.
Huh, an interesting side point of the players and the fencing match they have.
Nice
Steel is much more enjoyable like this. Much more believable too. I hope Spitfire is the same, but only time will tell there.
With Highblood and Co. Out of the way, who is going to be going after Sunset? I know a power vacuum must be filled, and the families of Highblood and the rest can still do stupid things out of revenge, but her life, seemingly, shouldn't be under near the threat it was the first time 'round.
It's nice to see this story hasn't been left for dead yet. Also nice to get some character development for Steel Sentry instead of just having him be a generic villain as you said.
10502250
So Steel May be a Bigoted Asshole, but he's a Patriotic and (somewhat) loyal Bigoted asshole.
Am I getting this right?
Also, obligatory "FOR THE EMPEROR!" and "DIE HERETICS!"
I love this story and your writing style.
This was really cool, I’m stoked to see Steel has much more nuance.
Masterful as always, my friend. The long game between immortals is something you execute well, and i really like how Steel’s character is shaping out. Definitely a case of “antagonist done well.”
Hope things are going well in your real life, despite how busy and hectic it sounds!
*sends hugs and cocoa*
In all honesty I expected this from General Steel. After that incident at the pre-party, the conversation he had with Raven got me thinking. I came under the impression that as a soldier he was more interested in the kingdom's stability/security than anything else.
I also agree with Vestian 100%. I wouldn't want that asshole around my sister either.
Boss character development btw.
-But... the protocol, you're suppose to be cryptic and use metaphor for...
- I spend weeks to undermine a national conspiracy, I'm tired !
Also Raven's flagrant hostility for Luna make me even more curious on the lunaria's side of thing
That must be pretty dangerous to get... I don't think hydra hunter is the most popular job...
Nice work, and Blueblood and his co-conspiriators certially lack brainpower.
Hmm so steel military wise is someone I can respect in a sense.
Nice chapter and it’s very interesting to see what weapons the sun blades use, if I were to make a rough guesstement would the armour of the Sun-blades as described be like this?
https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.reddit.com%2Fr%2FCodeGeass%2Fcomments%2Fatptzl%2Fbritannian_infantry_soldierpng%2F&psig=AOvVaw1bbDF-E1sOOKZaKlM0knXd&ust=1603908966333000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAIQjRxqFwoTCPiq1New1ewCFQAAAAAdAAAAABAW
First of all: called it!
I was pretty surprised to see Highblood taken out this early. I thought for sure he was going to be the main obstacle Sunset would have to overcome as she came into power. That being said, the power vacuum makes for a much more volatile and chaotic environment that is bound to be far more interesting. I imagine there's going to be something of a clandestine civil war for the next decade or so.
Highblood was stripped of his title but does that mean his family was also stripped? Blueblood just got thrust into a prime position to become a very dangerous (not necessarily intelligent) foe for Sunset. Not sure if he would be more trouble as a noble or an outcast. Both routes have potential.
On a more personal note, I totally get Steel's attraction to Raven. It makes me wonder what his wife was like. I assume he was married to a mortal at some point due to his family being legitimate (legally speaking).
Protip: Don't underestimate the woman who's been scheming since before the foundations of your civilization's first city were laid.
Ah yes, the Yoshi Sacrifice.
Buddy, you do not want to bring subverting the rite into this.
While this plan seems dreadfully feasible, somehow I don't see that being the state of affairs a month from now.
Again, never underestimate the woman who's—
Oh. Oh. The plumber is in the other saddle, it would seem. That or some things are truly too sacred to drag into poltics as far as the elder phoenix-born are concerned.
It's funny. Given the people we've most often heard say "dirt-eater," it's taken on something of a childish tone in my mind. So in this high-stakes gambit pileup with guns pointed at people's heads, Steel Sentry sounds like he's calling people "doodyhead."
Very Roy Mustang. I may not be overly fond of Steel, but I can appreciate his style.
Balance is key, and incredibly difficult to attain. Unfortunately, finding it requires more trial and error than Steel could ever countenance.
Logistics, man. Do you have any idea how many are out there at this point? This is why those short-sighted mortals are so necessary in positions of power, so policy isn't trapped at some point several centuries ago.
Okay, I admit it, I smiled a little.
Great way to flesh out Steel. Still antagonistic, but now we have a better understanding of him and his more valid points. Thanks for the interlude. Good luck with the rest of the semester.
Despite his valid points, I still side with Raven. Steel's militaristic and brutal style of ruling would actually spread resent and foment rebellion, which in turn would force the Government to spend more resources in an continuous whack-a-mole thus creating a vicious cycle.
Get fucked, highblood
10502363
You don't ever use an apostrophe s to show a plural. It's only a lone 's' or an 'es'. You're supposed to learn this shit in elementary school, but nobody ever seems to actually learn it.
I really like how Steel has been portrayed. He may be a Jerk, but at the very least you can understand his reasons. He makes for a good antagonist.
10502290
Raven's… loathing of Luna comes from having lived through the Splintering. She may forgive most of the night-weavers, because they were simply following their (at the time) princess. But Luna? From Raven's perspective, she was the one instigated the whole thing when she tried to usurp Celestia.
10502309
Raven and Steel do enjoy sparing. Steel a little more than Raven, particularly if she's been dealing with more nonsense than usual.
10502314
10502315
Me too. He felt far too flat before. Now, he's got nuance. And, there's still opportunity for him to oppose Sunset.
Well, while the ones who manipulated the rite are gone, that's not to say that all of the remaining nobility in Heliopolis are on Raven's side, or aren't going to have problems with Sunset. Just the ones who were dumb enough to try manipulating the phoenix-rite.
10502345
I plan to keep chugging away at it as time permits.
10502363
Pretty much. Steel's not what I would consider a "good" person, but he's dedicated all of his being to his role in protecting Celestia and Solaria. What he considers the best way to do that just differs from Raven.
10502376
10502395
I think he's going to be much more interesting this way. Pure evil villains can be fun, but for what role Steel will be playing, I don't see him really fitting that type of villain.
10502437
Much obliged. I won't lie, writing immortals that act like immortals is a wonderful challenge.
I'm managing, and I appreciate the coco and hugs.
10502468
Steel's the kind of guy who while openly admitting that he hates you for what he considers severe faults in your character, will still stand in your defense if it meant keeping his queen safe. Or shoot you where you stand the moment you become a threat, even if you're his friend for years. That's what makes him so dangerous.
10502509
Raven's got a lot of patience. But even she runs out eventually.
Fun fact: Steel's the one who got the leather for those chairs. Well, him and Vestian.
10502518
They do indeed. They're smart enough to try rigging a sacred rite, but dumb enough to think they'd get away with it.
10502520
Say what you want about the man, but he's both a dedicated soldier, and a father to his troops. As for the sun-blades, when they're in full assault armor, I envision them looking like Helgast. Considering that Col. Radec is a big source of inspiration for Steel, it feels appropriate.
vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/killzone/images/e/e1/Kzsf-helghast.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20140408230112
10502579
Even with Raven's love of subtlety, there are things that she's not going to let stand. Highblood and his conspirators broke some very sacred laws, and committed what amounts to high treason. And, yes, there's going to be hard times ahead with the power vacuum. The Council of Light just lost it's head, and his heir isn't going to be of age for quite some time. Throw in Steel, Spitfire, and Raven all vieing to see things shift in their favor, and its going to be hectic. And Sunset's going to be caught in the middle of all of it.
I've not got too many details about her. What I do know is that she wasn't a soldier, but she was fierce, driven, and stubborn woman who knew how to handle herself in politics. The two of them were happily married until she passed away. Steel still remembers their time together fondly.
10502593
Oh, but its okay when we do it.
Honestly, the intent behind the slur was supposed to be closer to the "N"-word.
One more thing Steel doesn't like. If he had his way, every town outside Heliopolis would have a fully garrisoned military presence, and would be governed by said military.
Mission accomplished.
Glad I hit the mark. And thanks. With the way things are going, I'm going to need it.
10502616
Then I've acomplished my goal. Steel can have points, but he's still meant to be antagonistic. I just don't want him to be flat.
10502617
Oh, he is. No matter who gets their hands on him, he's going to have a very bad end. It's just a matter of how long it takes for him to die.
10502655
I'm glad I stuck the landing with him.
10502746
Huh I would’ve figured they go for function over form personally.
10502746
Will we ever heard Luna's version of the Splintering? Because I feel there is more to the story than "Lulu got crazy jelly".
So Steel Sentry is Loyal to Celestia to a fault. During the battle against Hydea, what happened within Heliopolis and beyond truly left scars far gaping to heal in the General's Psyche, no matter how well hidden they are. He truly believes that those born outside the capital are utterly unreliable with deplorable levels of loyalty.
General Sentry has his heart in the right place but the pain of the aforementioned scars have left a haze to cloud his judgement, somewhat. At least he respects the status quo and won't be retaliating against Sunset in anyway.
Makes me wonder whether or not Sunset can change his outlook on non-heliopolins. Maybe even heal his scars somewhat?
Tangentially, We know that the Phoenix-Borns are somewhat at odds with each other, but what about the Phoenixes (Phoenixi?)? Are they just as at odds with their siblings? Vestian's comment about Blueblood and his "Little Sister" left it up in the air.
So Steel is attracted to Raven, did not see that coming. I imagine that once Sunset becomes too jaded towards their usual banter she might just tell them to get a room
Very well written as always!!!!!
10502593
Not to mention…
Земля, хлеб, мир!
10502761
Well, it's not 1:1 helgast. The idea is that it's protective and functional, but has a secondary intimidation factor. The only time that the sun-blades break out tactical armor is when they're functioning as SWAT troops. It's also not as high-tech looking (sun-gazer firearms look more similar to modern weapons). But it falls into a similar aesthetic.
10502766
Hopefully I'll eventually be able to address it. It wasn't as straight forward as the Solarian tales make it.
10502788
It's a little more complex than that. If you're from outside Heliopolis, but are willing to fight for the city and the queen, you're worthy of respect. It's why Highblood is a dirt-eater in Steel's eyes; he put himself above Celestia's law and endangered the city's stability.
It's why he said that so long as Sunset doesn't become a threat to Heliopolis and Celestia, he won't interfere with her.
As for the phoenixes, even if they disagree, they're family. For example, Dylis thinks Vestian is a hotheaded punk who enjoys violence far too much, but he's still his little brother, and has his back if he needs it.
10502789
While it probably won't ever reach that point, but it's a funny image.
10502830
Thank you.
10502836
Steel's argument is similar to Hobbes: people are selfish, and only the chains of despotism can reign in their wicked tendencies. But, note that he wants Raven involved. He may not like her more "sun-gazers are inherently good and selfless", but he does trust her to do what is in the best interest of Solaria and her people.
10502766 That's actually good question.
10502746 They were stupid enough to even think about rigging it alas, another stone upon the monument to the sins of shortsighted fools.
10502879
Honestly? I think it was crazy enough to work. Highblood´s greatest mistakes were not taking enough security precautions (specially considering the possibility of Dawn Wings getting involved) and not having a backup plan (aka someone to take the fall in case of failure).
10502925
You know, there's a reason why I replied to both comments in the same reply individually, as you now put it off topic.
I really like this upgrade to Steel, and I'm really glad to see an antagonist with a good heart.
Hopefully we get to see more of him in the story. Can't wait to see how Steel and Sunset interact, I imagine it will take a lot for her to see his good side, if she ever does.
I also think I see why Steel seems (is?) so bigoted. He lumps the world into four categories: Celestia - to be venerated, the protectors - to be respected, the protected - to be disregarded, and enemies - to be destroyed. And he's held this view for so long that it would take a miracle to blur any of those lines.
So... Steel properly introduces Flash to Sunset to try and gain influence over her because teenage hormones are a thing; she might remember him not being a total jerk and want someone more "normal" to cope with her upheaval
Flash possibly turns on Steel, or at least becomes neutral in that endeavor and ends the relationship to keep Sunset from going crazy by being caught in the middle.
I don't know, he seemed more like a throw in to show that not everyone there is that bad, but he came up again
How far off am I?
an antagonist is always more interesting then a villan, we didnt really need a proper villan for this stage in the story anyway, i suspect either sombra or luna (or does she go by nightmare moon after the split?) will fill that role, more likely sombra (and or some being or beings atempting ro bring him back to the physical world), For all her fall luna from what i can gather still belived in harmony but just thought that her place in it wasnt being respected, sombra on the other hand....not so much, if he does still belive in harmony his idea of it has been twisted to 'everything that obeys me alive, everything that doesnt, dead from what i can gather, but such a narrow view may yet be proven worng as we learn more about the world its history and these charicters.
10502851
Honestly they are probably lucky Roseluck hadn't caught wind of it, she seems like the shipping type
I'll let Bender B. Rodriguez of Futurama convey my reaction to Duke Highblood's arrest, the stripping of his nobility status, and eventual execution:
Loved it!
10502925
The plan was reasonably sound. Raven suspected something, but never had proof. But, when the candidates were presented, she realized something was very wrong, since she'd met Flash and Blueblood, and she knew their flames were strong, but nothing like a phoenix-born candidate. That and all but one of the candidates were from Heliopolis, which also raised a lot of red flags. She didn't go to Steel on the matter because, as she's made abundantly clear, she doesn't trust him, and suspected that he might have been involved.
Also, consider how Lumina and Celestia are going to respond to what happened. Chances are, they're not happy about this whole debacle.
10503016
I would be reluctant to say Steel has a "good" heart. I'd be more inclined to say that he operates on a very different form of morality than most sun-gazers. If something serves to keep Celestia safe and uphold her sacred laws, it's good. Something threatens either of them, it's to be removed.
Essentially. Though, I'd change 'the protected' to 'the cowardly and weak'. If you're not willing to fight for Solaria, you're a coward and weakling. And that doesn't just mean actual combat. Working hard on farms to supply the sun-blades with food for the campaigns, those working to build arms and armor to keep them armed, supporting industries needed to ensure Heliopolis is ready for emergencies, etc. But, if you live far enough away from the city, and don't contribute to its safety in any way, you're disposable.
10503100
I suspect Flash and Sunset will have some interaction in the future. Whether it becomes intimate is up in the air, but chances are pretty low. Flash may be a good guy, but he's also a Sentry, and that brings a certain amount of baggage.
10503130
We may have a villain yet. Who it is, well, that's TBD.
As with most things, Sombra and Luna's situations are not as straightforward as the legends would depict.
10503198
I'm sure Rose has caught wind of Steel's… admiration of Raven, but she knows when to leave well enough alone. Roseluck may be a romantic, but Raven's also one of her dearest friends, and she knows exactly how Raven feels about Steel.
10503246
Yup. To the max.
10503261
Wow you really flipped the dynamic here. It really feels like a spar of wits in this chapter, rather than some others' attempts at making something that looks or feels smart. Very nice.
10503319
Isn't a huge blind spot that the guy in charge of the military doesn't really care about the nation and its citizens beyond the capital?
10503491
Thank you. Steel and Raven's little sparring matches are fun to write.
10503648
It is. If we were using the D&D alignment chart, Steel would be Type 1 Lawful Evil. But, just because he personally doesn't care for cowards and weaklings, Steel's still a soldier. There's a threat to Solaria, he's going to fight it. Just don't expect him to be particularly sympathetic to the plight of anyone that falls into the cowards/weaklings category in the aftermath. Or care much for collateral damage to areas outside the capital if it meant beating the threat more soundly.
10503864
Visual representation of Highbloods arrest.
10503928
Lol.
Smokey back room politics. Ooooh, fun and chillingly accurate with how a lot of things get done. Good luck and stay safe out there.
I like the way Steel Sentry is written. He's much more interesting than if he was just a pure villain. I especially like how protective he is of Flash, and how he took it personally when Flash's test was falsified. And even though he didn't mention it I assume he took it as an insult that Highblood would use Flash's presence as means to implicate Steel being involved with the plot.
10504082
Thank you. You as well.
10504560
Me too. Steel, like most Solarians, values his family greatly. As unpleasant as Steel can be, he genuinely loves his great-grandson. Endangering the boy is one of the fastest ways to have Steel start gunning for you.
Need more please
Each chapter is better and better.
On the other hand, I really hate politics things.