The Blade of Rebellion

  Lineage of Fate

  -The Blade of Rebellion-

  Thank you to everyone I confided in

  while I wrote this book.

  Any and all input and I gained from

  you all was invaluable.

  Thank you to my family for always

  loving me and/or putting up with me.

  I write this as someone who considers himself

  painfully average in every way.

  Do not allow your self perceived flaws

  to stop you from doing what you love.

  Prologue

  In the distant past, an unknown nation formed naturally in the center of the continent around a large freshwater lake. It was known for its passive, neutral behavior, and for thousands of years its exports mainly consisted of food. They continued until a fateful day; its citizens held a coronation to bestow upon a throne the 30-year-old head of the nation's most powerful family. The new king—his name lost to history—forged an original path for his newly born kingdom. He championed values of diligent work, inventiveness and self-improvement. He demanded his citizens take these values to heart, and through these values, claimed their dreams would come true. As the citizens began to bring these values to heart, the Kingdom of Orilia was born.

  As time progressed, Orilia conceived discoveries and advances in areas such as medicine, architecture and technology. Its reputation and influence spread at a frenzied pace. After a time, the five nations that sat on Orilia's borders sensed an opportunity to seize the many advances for themselves. They placed their armies at Orilia's doorstep as they sought to curtail Orilia's culture within their borders and quell the increased restlessness of their populations.

  Orilia's king, though peaceful and a kind man, was also prideful. To avoid unnecessary bloodshed, he offered a proposal to each nation who lusted after his borders. He would accept any challenge levied against it, whether it be a physical or intellectual exercise. If Orilia were to lose the contest, it would freely allow itself to be assimilated by the victorious nation, bringing with it all its technologies and advancements. If Orilia were to win, it would instead absorb the defeated country and save the bloodshed of thousands of citizens. The compromise satisfied the king's pacifism and ego while also offering the restless nations an easy path to victory.

  The only condition attached to the challenge was a simple one. The nation needed to inform Orilia what the contest would entail at least 14 days ahead of the date. All five countries, eager and greedy to obtain Orilia's fruits through such a bloodless and easy path, accepted. The kingdom did not lose a single challenge and assimilated the five nations into its own kingdom. Though friction and unrest were feared, the new citizens happily joined Orilia and accepted their new lifestyle.

  Through its victories and continued progress economically and socially, Orilia grew to become the second-largest entity on the continent. Perhaps its most significant accomplishment was that it continued to maintain the values the king had championed, even after they acquired new lands and populations.

  Thirty years after Orilia's king took the throne, Nalon, the largest and most powerful entity on the continent, began to worry. Orilia had grown to half their size directly on their northern border, and Orilia's technology had almost come to match their own. Nalon was irritated and fearful of what could happen if Orilia was freely allowed to continue their ascension. They decided to amass their army and marched on their rival.

  Orilia's king, as he had done the times previously, offered the same gambit to them. Nalon ignored the offer and penetrated Orilia's southern border.

  The king had no tangible history of conflict with other nations. He immediately realized that though they were roughly even technologically, Nalon vastly outnumbered Orillia in both human resources and experience in war. The king feared their assault, and in desperation, spread a message across his now mighty kingdom. He asked for nothing but a single invention. One that could affect the balance of power and give Orilia a fighting chance to even the odds against their powerful enemy. He believed in the values his kingdom embodied and awaited a response from his people, whom he trusted with all his heart and pride.

  That response came a mere 14 days later.

  An unknown inventor requested a meeting in the Royal Hall and was granted an audience that same day. Surrounded by curious nobles are guards, she presented the king with what she called a Stone. The Stone held a deep crimson color and was the size of a gold coin. The puzzled king, taken with the beauty of both inventor and Stone, asked how it could be applied to combat. The inventor smiled and asked permission to draw her sword, which the king granted.

  Once drawn, the king noticed a crude hole bore into the sword's cross-guard, and summoned his steward and requested a better quality sword for the inventor to use. The inventor smugly brushed the suggestion aside. She respectfully declined and said that she required the particular sword in her hand for the demonstration. She grinned as she inserted the Stone into the sword, caused a gentle click to echo throughout the room filled with silent witnesses. The inventor then held the sword above her head.

  "Fire!" she shouted. As if a magic trick, the sword itself roared to life with a brilliant crimson flame, which caused the room of observers to gasp and fall behind available cover. The king sat in disbelief with his mouth agape, stunned. "This is the power of the Stones, Your Highness. You insert one into this special sword, which I simply call a 'Blade,'" she claimed with pride.

  The king showed no delay with the production and distribution of these new inventions. With the power of Fire and Ice Stones distributed to its new Bladesmen and Bladeswomen, Orilia managed to beat back Nalon's advance. Through countless destructive and bloody battles, they drove Nalon back across Orilia's border. With no way to combat the first magic ever seen, Nalon retreated and returned to their homeland.

  Eager to strengthen the kingdom in case of future attacks by Nalon, the king called upon the five great families of Orilia. These families, bloodlines of the nations who had lost their challenges in the years before Nalon's invasion, each became responsible for the development of Stones with unique characteristics. On that day, the families enacted the Stones Covenant, and the Five Stone Houses entered existence.

  The House of Tallec became responsible for Stones that manipulated the elements and built on the inventor's original work. The House of Verne would work on Stones that shaped and gave abilities to the Blade. The House of Deloof was responsible for Stones that altered or affected the body of the human holding the Blade. The House of Valis poured their efforts into a Stone called the Synth Stone. It held the unique ability to combine the effects of any two Stones produced by the other Houses.

  The final House, the House of Braga, officially helped the other four Houses in their efforts. However, they also worked on a secret project: The Soul Stone. The idea, taboo in nature, was to find a way to put a deceased human's soul into a Stone and harness it with a Blade. The ability of these exceedingly rare stones was unknown to all but a few in Orilia. But whoever did know called it one thing: immortality.

  Shortly after the conflict with Nalon and the establishment of the Stones Covenant, the king became ill with a fatal disease. The Houses began to wonder aloud and debate as to who would become the new king, or if it was even necessary for one anymore. The king's daughter openly advocated for herself to succeed him, as she claimed her blood alone was able to keep the kingdom united. Unable to come to an alternate conclusion themselves, the Houses agreed to the princess' claim.

  One full year to the day of the kingdom's victory over Nalon, the king passed away, and the throne ceded to the princess. However, the Five Stone Houses immediately began to argue and have many disagreements. Greed befell the leader
s of the Houses.

  The Stones, once a blessing, became a curse that plagued Orilia. Each of the Five Stone Houses viewed their work with the Stones as the most critical and vital. Each of them began to demand concessions from the other Houses, as well as the queen. As strife in the kingdom grew more intense, the queen foresaw an inevitable civil war. She tried to quell the concern and ego that had taken over.

  The Five Houses ignored the queen's pleas. They saw her as nothing but a representative of an age that no longer held a place in society. The families no longer saw a need to pay her attention unless it was for their financial and political gain. The queen, afraid of what she saw, sought a symbol of harmony to ensnare the Houses and take a firm grasp on Orilia's affairs. In secret, she tracked down the inventor that had helped her father and requested her help once more.

  "Please, create for me a powerful Blade," the queen begged of her subject. "A Blade that can hold a Stone from each of the Houses. I must show them that each of their Stones is equal and an integral part of the kingdom my father worked so hard to create. Only I can return harmony to the houses."

  The inventor, though retired, agreed to the request and began to craft a new Blade. She asked the queen for time and promised that she would present the Blade to her in just 14 days, the fabled length of time found throughout Orilia's history. But as the inventor toiled in her workshop, spies planted among the inventor's assistants spread whispers to the Houses. They became further disenchanted with her, and they began to plot an assassination attempt on the symbol of the kingdom's bygone era behind the scenes.

  After 14 days as promised, the inventor arrived at the royal hall and bestowed upon the queen a Blade, born from pure platinum. It was detailed with ornate carvings and bore the five slots in the cross-guard needed to adorn a stone from each House. As the queen thanked the inventor and inserted her Stones, dozens of cries erupted around her.

  When the queen rose her head, she saw the inventor's severed head a few meters from where the rest of her body had collapsed. The assassin deactivated his Invisibility Stone and appeared as blood dripped down his Blade's tip. The queen, with no experience in swordplay, engaged her attacker. The queen defeated him with the power of her Platinum Blade and fled the castle with her guard; never to return. With Orilia's queen now in hiding, the Five Stone Houses officially began their rule, and shortly after, their bloody civil war as well.

  As years passed, the Kingdom of Orilia slowly became no more. In less than two years it had fractured into five separate countries, each ruled by a House. Each House toiled to devise new ways to develop their Stones and solidify their dominance over each other. As the war raged, the Houses formed alliances only to break them when it best suited their needs. The power shifts that resulted would continue for over three decades, with the population of each country continuously under strife and near famine. Throughout this time, Nalon looked on pleased that their once bitter enemy had torn itself asunder. Orilia had burnt itself to cinders. Once again, Nalon reigned across the continent as an undisputed power.

  After the decades of distrust and attrition, a singular Bladesman appeared. Platinum Blade in hand, he traveled the borders of the old Orilia and rallied the disenchanted citizens to his side. He called himself Edwin, the lone heir to the Orilia name and rightful king. In the ways of tradition, Edwin challenged each of the Five Stone Houses, just like his Grandfather had with the House's ancestor countries. The Houses, humored and angered by Edwin's claim and blinded by their confidence, agreed to his challenge. However, they would not allow him the same fourteen-day advantage they allowed his Grandfather. In addition, each of the Houses chose a two on one duel. Edwin agreed, and each House put forth their best two Bladesmen and women to duel him to the death.

  During the duels, the Houses excelled in trickery and strength, and attempted to gain the upper hand. However, Edwin managed to defeat all Bladesmen and women sent against him. With the results clear, citizens of the five countries revolted against the Houses. They demanded that Edwin ascend to the throne. The Houses relented beaten by a man of extraordinary strength and faced with a rebellion from their citizens. The kingdom began the path to reunification six short months after Edwin's emergence.

  Wary of the treatment his mother famously received, he gathered the leaders of the Five Stone Houses in front of the former royal castle, in disrepair and partially destroyed by decades of war and neglect. Edwin unsheathed his Platinum Blade and plunged it into the earth, surveying his subjects. Edwin announced that he was disbanding the Five Stone Houses and that the lands that were ruled separately were to be united under the Orilia banner once again. The kingdom had been reborn; not through peace, but by rivers of blood and its Champion.

  After the war, Edwin began a new reign marked by peace. Though they were no longer individual entities, Edwin allowed each of the five families the ability to continue developing their Stones. However, their operations would be run and overseen by the royal family. As a further sign of respect and mercy, he included representatives of the families on his council of advisers that would be used forthright to determine the kingdom's actions. Edwin hoped that this would help deter the families from future aggression if he allowed them an avenue to submit their concerns and proposals.

  Finally, 25 years after the re-establishment of Orilia, unbeknownst to Edwin and his council, a new threat had formed in the far corners of the kingdom. The duty to quell this threat would inevitably fall to Edwin's lone heir and son.

  Chapter One

  What Is and What Should Never Be

  The clash of metal echoed across the grounds, through the tree-lined path and spread across the lake until it eventually faded away. Two combatants danced in the crisp and chilly spring air as the sun peaked through overcast clouds, which allowed their shadows to act in time with their movements. A young man defended a young woman's fierce attacks while nearby a middle-aged man watched on from the sidelines, judging their movements and posture. They matched each other step for step until the middle-aged man suddenly raised his hand and barked the signal to end the spar. The smell of dirt and sweat welled in the fighter's noses as their observer walked over to meet the two young adults.

  "Prince Kai, you're showing real growth. Your fundamentals keep improving, and I am happy with your progress turning into a real swordsman. However, you're fighting a little too, should I say... by the book. You have to add in your unique style or flare, along with some surprises. That will give experienced Bladesmen a harder time predicting your movements."

  "I'll take your words to heart," the young man replied.

  "Your movements are becoming smoother, and you're getting better at keeping your guard up against heavy attacks. You've been doing extra work outside our sessions again, haven't you?"

  "I have to. I need to improve faster," Kai reasoned.

  "Whatever you're doing, keep it up. Be warned, however. Hayleigh isn't fighting anywhere near full strength or intensity, and you just barely keep up. The speed at which you process information is good, but that isn't fully translating to your movements. Future experience will help a lot and will accumulate with time. I know I'm always a little hard on you, but you tend to perform better when I only point out your flaws. Keep your head up and keep improving."

  Prince Kai wiped the sweat from his brow as he took in his instructor's guidance. As the sole heir to the Kingdom of Orilia's throne, he underwent daily swordsmanship training. His short brown hair stood messy, styled with sweat by brushing his hand through it. He was not considered exceptionally handsome, but his strong jawline did win him a share of fans. He had an average build and height, with a moderate amount of muscle on his body that he obtained through his sparring drills. His top tier education, paired with his good instincts, was enough to get him by most situations. His major weakness was dealing with the opposite sex. He was embarrassed to acknowledge that he had not lost his chastity.

  Kai had been born to the king and queen of the kingdom, Edwin and Ann
ie Orilia. Queen Annie had been Kai's primary caretaker until she passed away from illness when he was 3. As Edwin grieved for his lost love, Kai was raised by the many chambermaids that populated the castle. Eager to not upset their grieving king, the royal castle inhabitants spoiled and babied Kai through his early childhood years.

  The coddling continued nonstop until Kai arrogantly expressed to Edwin that he would easily be the best swordsman ever to exist. Edwin, upon hearing his son's spoiled tone and regretting his neglect towards his son, he took a more proactive role in raising him. When Kai turned nine, Edwin hired an instructor to teach him how to wield a sword. Edwin and Kai's teachers slowly erased the influence of his early upbringing as Kai learned the true nature of discipline and work ethic and moulded Kai into a respectable young man. However, the spoiled child stereotype followed him through his life, no matter the effort exerted by those involved.

  "Hayleigh, business as usual," the man continued, turning to the young woman. "Your footwork needs to keep up with you as you get tired. You still try to force your attacks when you should step back and evaluate your situation. Just be aware that Bladesmen at your skill level and above will try to exploit that."

  Hayleigh was only two years older than Kai, yet she treated him much like a child. She had held her Tournament four years ago, spending her time in Orilia's military. Her service earned her a post in the city of Erkau in their City Guard. She quickly gained a reputation around the kingdom as the fiercest beauty in the kingdom. Her attacks were near impossible to stop, and her attitude placed her opponents on edge. She had seen real and vicious combat, and her attitude and confidence reflected it.