Chapter 1.5: The 7 Clans

With the High Glaives' help, the New kingdom's army was brought low bringing peace back to the rebels earning them some time to rebuild what they lost. 

The Glaives showcased their might and heart to the people helping them rebuild their homes and doing their best to fill the void left behind by the scars of war. 

To some, the Glaives are nothing more than weapons to serve a purpose, to others they are monsters that deserve only to be stepped on beneath the boot heel of the mighty. 

To the Sky Raiders they are not monsters or weapons, but brothers in arms and family through and through. 

Two weeks passed since their first arrival and securing of New Hope city all in part to Astaroth’s Glaives securing the perimeter wall of the city, relentlessly patrolling the city streets day and night ensuring the safety of the Vai’len from any possible sneak attack from the New Kingdom.

On an ordinary morning Astaroth woke earlier than his daughter, he took the liberty of patrolling the city streets where his blade Wyverns guarded with dedication and honor. 

After making his rounds, Astaroth sought out a very old orphanage that had been built near the northern wall where many children stay under the care of the Temple of the 3 gods.

He watched from a distance as the regular shipment of food arrived on time and the doctors Astaroth requested from the Sky raiders come to check up on the children.

Before his day started he did not leave his place until he saw the priestess that cares for the children.

The sight of her caring for the children calmed his heart but the sight of the priestess was more than enough to make his heart flutter. 

He mustered the courage to finally face the priestess that captured his heart all of a sudden. 

Astaroth received a communication from his older brother Tyrannox asking to meet at the city hall. 

"Next time, I…" Astaroth mumbled.

He made his way to city hall seeing as his Progenitor and his older brother were at the meeting hall to talk strategy for the upcoming battle.

During the strategy meeting, the Demon immediately noticed Astaroth's attention was far-flung into the wind.

That son of yours seems to desire something else… I am intrigued… The demon uttered.

Kent noticed he retorted that this was not a good time or place to speak of such personal matters.

After the meeting, Tyrannox praised his little brother for performing admirably during their first landing.

Though some of his siblings did doubt their younger brother's ability to fight knowing he was born during the trip to Ren'veil.

Kent praised all the Glaives for coming to his aid and promised to help them in the future whenever they needed him. 

Before his progenitor left the war room, Astaroth wanted to talk with him for a moment.

Despite Kent's calm presence, his domination in the eyes of the Glaives was overwhelming as they were standing in the presence of their god.

Astaroth held his peace and silently left the war room just before he left Kent was able to catch up to his son asking what troubles his young heart.

The two made their way to a private room in the city hall as Astaroth explained his awkward situation.

The two shook their heads in disbelief that Astaroth, a clan lord of the High glaives had fallen in love with a priestess. 

Though it is a very common sight for any child of creation to feel many emotions like love and happiness and the High Glaives are no exemption to the rule and nothing to be ashamed of Kent explained.

The Demon knew that the Glaives will gain emotions overtime after blessing them with free will. Faith would be very proud of them regardless of their origins, they must be proud of themselves for achieving such a feat.

Astaroth thanked his master for his praise knowing that he does not know how to speak with other species unlike him and the other Clan lords.

The Demon took over tapping the child on the shoulder he explained in detail that none can tell him what he must do. 

"Son, listen well… Love is never a simple thing to partake of. Simply put, it is a journey of a thousand miles, the true question is… Are you willing to take the first step? All I can say to you Astaroth as this is your journey to take is just be yourself… Get to know the girl, if she expresses kindness to you simply cultivate it and let it bloom to be something more."

Astaroth smiled, thanking his progenitor for advising him in the matters of the heart, Kent looked at the beds when a single tear fell from his eye.

"Not long ago... I was in a dark place… I even fell to my demons…  Reality seemed irrelevant for a time… Though I saw what I had become and left a shadow in my heart.… For a time I wished for an honorable death or even Eternal Rest… I was brought back to the light all thanks to them..." Kent told with a heavy heart.

Astaroth, humbled by his progenitor's journey, the memories he made, the pain he endured, and the life he once had and given all because of love. 

He contemplated for a moment when Astaroth gained a brand new perspective, The lord bowed before his progenitor, returning late to the Underhive with much to prepare.

The next morning Astaroth performed his duties with the utmost dedication even to his own daughter's surprise.

Astaroth made his way to the Orphanage carrying the daily supplies the orphanage needed, he was immediately attacked by a group of children.

He set down the massive crate as the children dragged him to the yard where the children played.

The priestess looked upon the clan lord tucking her hair with a gentle smile asking if the children bothered him.

Astaroth's Heartbeat wildly remembers his Father's words echoing in his mind. He smiled stating that they were not a bother but loved the company of children.

The priestess giggled, thanking the glaive for entertaining the children but the children asked if they could play with the warrior. 

"It is my pleasure… Lead on children!" He shouted happily.

Astaroth picked up two of the children, placing them upon his shoulders as they played the day away.

The children tired from playing for hours with their visitors while the priestess prepared the children's meals.

He showcased his strength for the children as he threw the apples up into the air and drew his blades with great speed and precision cutting them into small rabbits.

Astaroth helped the priestess with the preparation and cooking despite how he looked. All Clan lords have the same power and skills as their progenitor before he fell into Hell's gate.

The children saw how the clan lord and the priestess worked well together as their meals were made with great love and care.

Astaroth earned some peace when the priestess offered him some tea. 

The aroma of the tea danced inside his nose, the gentleness of the chamomile and lavender eased the tension in his body.

"Thank you kind sir for helping the orphanage time and time again…” The Priestess’s voice lingered in his ears.

He took a sip of the tea calming his mind from the stress of his daily tasks. The girl sat right in front of him tucking her hair behind her ear.

“My name is Astray Hana. I serve as the head sister of this orphanage under the protection of the Temple of the Twin moons.” She glances at him again.

"Astaroth, High Glaive lord of the Iron blood lotus at your service Lady Astray." Astaroth smiled.

Astaroth’s Red horns gleaned with the sunlight despite his crimson eyes reflecting like that of a diamond. The two conversed for hours on end as if time was nothing more than an illusion for them they could only see each other and nothing more.  

Despite her careful cover-up Astaroth took notice of the bruises she was hiding and her smile may be filled with joy but her heart was grieving in pain.

Before he left the orphanage the children begged him to stay for the night, Astaroth contemplated remembering his progenitor's words to take the first step.

He accepted their offer if Lady Astray would permit his intrusion. She nodded knowing the children are happy around him despite her best efforts to hide her true feelings Astaroth saw the pain in her eyes.

They went into the orphanage deep down Astaroth praised himself for taking the first step. On the other hand, the Demon watched from afar. 

He raised his brow praising the young lord for quickly taking the first step though far different from their first step but it is a win nonetheless.

"Well done little one… You have taken your first step, may your journey be filled with fortune and favor… Now your test shall begin… Let none find you wanting..." The Demon whispered.

Later that night after the children went off to bed after a hearty Astray contacted his daughter Banshee to manage the glaives until he returned. 

Soon after he went to check on the lady seeing she was praying to her god thanking him for another day.

While she prayed Astaroth sensed a lingering presence, a group of eyes watching over the Orphanage with malicious intent.

He closed his eyes seeing a group of 5 men from the rebels who had eyes upon the lady. Despite the ongoing war they had not stopped harassing the orphanage.

Astaroth drew his blade as the Lady asked him to stop and watch over the children while she talked with the group waiting outside the orphanage.

Astray smiled, thanking him for her selfishness as she left, he had the Chameleon Lions who followed him to watch over the children while he followed them in secret.

The rebels tied her hands and took her to an abandoned tavern somewhat near the eastern wall. 

The rebels pushed the lady down roughing her up a bit asking what happened and where was their money.

The priestess pleaded that she will have their money soon enough. The leader of the rebels punched her in the stomach stating he was no longer playing games with her.

"We gave you plenty of time and now that the war will soon be over we're going to need every last coin we can get to rebuild our lives… You think some change would help…" The rebel shouted.

Before they continued the leader had another idea knowing that they had a priestess right in their hands. 

Their eyes once filled with wrath now turned to lust as they encroached upon the defenseless girl that lay before them.

Before they had their way upon her they heard a knock upon the door. The leader asked one of his men to check on the door when it burst open seeing Astaroth kick down the door.

"Are you in need of assistance my lady?" He asked.

"Astaroth!" She shouted.

Before he could move Astaroth saw her coughing out blood, his rage burned greatly inside his heart.

The rebels drew their weapons against him shouting hateful words towards the clan lord but did not phase him.

The clan lord asked Astray to keep her eyes closed for what will happen next will ruin him.

One of the rebels tried to stab him from behind, Astaroth lunged at one of the rebels and grabbed him by the neck, punching him several times in the stomach before throwing him to the wall.

Another rebel tried to shoot him with his bow but he caught the arrow before it hit him and returned it to the archer nailing him in the shoulder and into the wall.

"The Progenitor asked that no rebel blood shall be spilled upon New Hope and we shall comply… Though you deserve to die… I will leave your judgment to him… Surrender peacefully or else." Astaroth warned.

"THIS IS NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS MONSTER, GET OUT OF HERE BEFORE I GUT YOU LIKE A FISH!" The leader shouted.

Astaroth sighed, wasting no more time to talk, he defeated the remaining rebels with ease though bludgeoned but still alive-ish. 

After tying the rebels up he stayed with Astray until Rex and a group of Marines arrived to take away the perpetrators and face Kent's judgment.

"Thank you, Captain Rex, for helping me." Astaroth salutes.

Rex thanked the clan master instead for helping them clear the trash from the true rebels. Though Kent had plans to deal with them after the war, it would be too late if they returned to civilian life. It would be much easier to deal with disobedient soldiers now while they are still under his command.

The captain further explained the situation of the rebels was mostly composed of abusive people including those the ones Astaroth caught for them.

"I see, Captain, give my regards to the Progenitor… I must go back and tend to my duties." He proclaimed.

"Sorry sir, but I think you need to do something else," Rex said, pointing behind him.

Astaroth saw Astray receiving medical treatment for her injury before she was taken to the field hospital.

The Lady thanked him for saving her life that night though he did his duty to protect her. 

But her relief turned to sorrow thinking of the children, Astaroth sat next to her holding her hand.

"Lady Astray, I know your worries are for the children but you must worry for yourself first… If the Children find you in such a state they will surely be disheartened to see you." Astaroth smiled.

Astray giggled, thanking the Glaive lord for his unwavering kindness despite seeing the dark side of humanity.

"Thank you, Astaroth, For being my hero… If I may ask, Will you come and visit the orphanage again… I mean for the children's sake…" Astray blushed.

"It would be an honor If you shall have me again Lady Astray Until duty's end." 

Though he liked the children that welcomed him as they took the priestess to the field hospital his desire to learn more of what humanity has ignited the fire inside him longing to know how his journey would take him.

But that did not stop him from fulfilling his promise to never spill rebel blood until the war ends.

At the same time at city hall, the Demon smirked, praising Astaroth for remaining calm in the face of adversity.

"You have done well to pass your first test child… I can see a bright future ahead of you… Now the time for pleasantries is over for the war shall soon come to its end… It would seem that all the players are nowhere…" The Demon laughed maniacally. 

The Demon put the cup down looking above the darkening sky as the thunderous song of Engines roared at the distance as the final player had finally come to Ren'veil.

The Storm Raider arrived upon the blue world as tens upon thousands of gunships escorted the continent-sized Arc-Battleship into the eastern shore. 

Now the last player has come, all the pieces are now in play, eyes now turn upon the Sky Raiders whether they shall succeed in liberating the world or fail to save her.

May Faith bless them upon the battle that lay before them.