Back to the present, just after Vista lept from Meah's balcony:

  Meah was dressed in a black cloak, covering her face in a hood, she quietly stepped out onto the balcony. Closing the door behind her, she stepped over to the ledge.

  Amidst the darkness, the mountain below was only lit by torchlight at certain stations along the pathway. From above, these little flames looked like flickering orange dots--But the ledges she'd normally slide down were bathed in darkness.

  Leaping down without a second thought, and as she inched closer to the side of the mountain, sliding down its side, as she landed on the stone path near a torch.

  She fell almost silently, even the soldier nearby hadn't noticed her, dashing forward over the next side of the path, and just as he had done in the morning, jumped down the side of the mountain until she reached the wall to the city of Codeas.

  From atop the wall, most of the city could be seen, it was glowing with candlelight and lanterns littering the streets, though alleyways were dark, the red rooftops were glowing beneath starlight--One rooftop to the next, she quietly moved above the city, out of sight almost entirely.

  Instead of jumping right into the streets, once arriving near the Gateway, she climbed into a dark alleyway--The child got around with relative ease, showcasing her balance and strength, landing from multiple storied falls without even flinching.

  Still dressed in a hood, she snuck out of the alleyway, towards the Gateway, where a Soldier was standing nearby, she managed to avoid their glare, sneaking around behind him up to the archway of the Gateway.

  Then, Vista approached from behind--Following behind. Without a word, he pressed his hand on the Gateway, opening it, when the two stepped through--As the soldier quickly turned around to see a Blue Light shoot across the sky, away from Codeas.

  In an instant, they stepped across Sol, into the city of Rave.

  The Gateway here, is made of carved stone, cut out from a much larger boulder, and shaped into an archway--The arch, is smaller than the one in Codeas, but far more decorated, as Meah came running out the other side, she was immediately surprised by how instantaneous it was--It was no different than walking down the street, there was no feeling of movement, she was in Codeas, and then she wasn't.

  But, her attention was immediately pulled away from the Gateway, to the sight of Rave.

  Even at night, the entire city is bathed in a blue glow--Glowing crystals in the streets, the sides of buildings, even hanging from trees--She was immediately taken aback by the sight, where Codeas is built below a tall mountain, surrounded by tall walls, with white stone and red rooftops, the city of Rave is much more somber.

  More than just the Gateway, the entire city was made of carved stone, not a brick in sight--It was as if the buildings just formed from the ground from a single piece of stone. Not every building was made of this solid stone, some were made of wood, others had a mixture of stone and wood--But all were noticeably taller than the buildings in Codeas.

  The rooftops were blue, and alongside the wide streets were tall trees with grey bark and blue leaves, but what caught Meah's attention most, was that no single building was without carved art pieces along the outside of their walls, some had statues of figures carved into the walls, some were scenes of fields, or forests--But each was a unique craft, yet they seemingly had one artist as their style was similar between each.

  But, what was most impressive, was the tall castle at the center of the city--It made the Palace of Combat look small by comparison, like with the rest of the city, it too appeared to be carved out of a single stone--Yet is far too intricately designed for that to be so.

  It is tall, with dozens of spires reaching from the top of several towers around the castle itself--The tallest of the spires, reaches far above the entire height of Mount Conquest.

  The stone shifts in color, from grey to black--With every inch of it covered in pieces of art, carved intricately across every surface--There are also massive stained glass windows, made not of glass, but colored crystal, shaped and fused together completely unnaturally.

  From the Gateway, the buildings block the full view of the castle, yet even from here, the tall spires that stand tall above the rest of the city are clearly visible--Meah was immediately taken aback, stunned by the new sight.

  However, as Vista stepped into the city, his eyes were squarely on the street ahead. “We don't have time to stand in the streets and stare.” The boy explained, grabbing Meah by the hand and dragging her forward.

  “Which way are we heading?” She asked.

  “To the big castle, obviously.” He retorted sarcastically, as Meah glanced around while being dragged.

  The streets were quiet, empty even--Not a soul in sight, no soldier nor a late night wanderer. Looking into the windows, all were black, no candlelight bleeding out. “Is everyone asleep?” Meah asked, her voice carried down the empty stone street.

  “Rave is the resting place of all Warriors, where they go when their bodies have aged from prolonged fighting on the surface.”

  Vista answered. “The houses closest to the Gateway are reserved for the elderly of body--But few are around these days.” He turned his sight to the nearest building for just a moment. “It'd be easy enough to surmise that anyone here would be resting by nightfall.”

  “Why do they come here?” She was looking right up as Vista held her arm and led her forward.

  “Because there's baths across the city from underground springs, which help soothe the aching of old and worn out bones.

  The soldiers here are adept at taking care of the elderly as well, and Vin ensures that each of their stories are written down to be stored in House Trust.”

  She was listening, but paying more attention to the scenery. “Did Vin make all these statues?” She asked, eyes locked into the eyes of a stone bust of a long forgotten warrior.

  “It'd be impossible for one man to make all of this, old as he is.

  This city was built by Ruby.”

  “Ruby?”

  Meah turned back to Vista. “Who's that?”

  “Do you pay attention to your classes?” Vista asked.

  “Of course I do!” She yelled.

  “Quiet down!” He turned around and shushed her.

  “Ruby was one of the Servant Gods.

  Sister to Damascus!

  Ring any bells?”

  He asked, while she glared at him. “Damascus has a sister?” She asked.

  He sighed, pushing forward. “You'll just have to ask about it in class--I don't have time for a history lesson!” The boy moved forward again. “All you need to know is this entire city was built by Ruby, who could create all types of stone from nothing, and then shape and mold the stone easier than you can with clay.

  She built the Palace of Combat too--And parts of Codeas.

  The buildings, not made of stone, were made after she disappeared, by us.

  Since we're Warriors, not craftsmen, few in the House of Vin actually know how to work with stone, our architecture clashes with that of Ruby--And so, Vin attempts to preserve Ruby's creations as long as possible.”

  “You know a lot about this place.” She noted.

  “I spend plenty of time reading and studying our history, and as the second heir, you should do the same.” Vista responded.

  Lacking a proper response, Meah turned to follow Vista close behind, as the boy walked the streets with precision, as if he knew exactly which way to go. “Have you been here before?” She asked.

  “No.” He answered.

  “How do you know which way to go?” She asked.

  “We're just heading for the castle.” He glanced up, watching the tall spires inch ever closer. “It'd be hard not to know which way to go.” He added.

  As he spoke, her eyes wandered about, and then she yawned, before narrowing her sight on the street below her feet. “How do we find the Gateway again?” She asked, causing him to stop in place, before turning around.

  “That’s--” He paused. “We came from that direction.” He pointed back.

  “We turned down a bunch of streets, and they all look mostly the same.” She responded.

  “Worst comes to worst, we ask for assistance.”

  He continued on, all the while Meah was silently taking it all in.

  Then, at the end of a particularly long street was a massive clearing, a circular street that surrounds the entire castle. There is a moat between the castle and the city, filled with water, and only one bridge that leads across it.

  From the city streets, the castle appears to go straight up, like a tall, impenetrable wall--Reaching high above the city. Standing directly below, all you can see is this wall, yet if you want to enter this monolithic structure, naturally you would wander to the bridge.

  The Bridge, like the rest of the city, is made of stone with carved art strewn into every inch, but where the rest of the city has been quiet, there were soldiers stationed at this singular entry point along the length of the bridge, standing on both ends. They're all dressed in identical uniforms, their individuality melting away the moment they don their gray armor with a blue sash across their shoulder and wrapped around their wastes.

  As the two children walked across the bridge, the soldiers made no attempt to stop them, remaining still, like statues, not even glancing down at the children.

  Two massive wooden doors leading inside the Castle were wide open, with only a single Soldier standing in front of them, dressed in two sashes across both soldiers, he was holding a sword in front of him, held between both hands, the blade standing straight up, ready to fall in a blink.

  Vista made no attempt to speak, simply leading Meah past this lone soldier into the castle, but as Meah walked by she glanced up at the man in armor. “Doesn't that get uncomfortable?” She asked, as the soldiers turned his head ever slightly, looking down at the child, before raising his head again--Then he nodded, answering Meah's question without a word.

  Satisfied, she ran up to catch up with her brother, but immediately slowed and stopped again as the sight of the interior caught her eyes, somehow the inside was somehow more intricate in design than the outside.

  The Foyer was tall, there were stained glass decorations above the entryway, allowing various colored lights to shine on the wall opposite to it in various patterns that shift with the time of day. In front of them was another pair of doors, these doors closed and guarded by a pair of soldiers.

  As the two arrived before these soldiers, they took one look at Vista and said: “State your business.” He awaited a response.

  “We'd like to see the Crypt.” Vista answered, when the soldier nodded then stepped aside, opening the doors, allowing entry beyond the foyer

  “The Crypt is down the passage on the left, follow the underground tunnels--There are no branching paths, you will arrive before it after a short walk.”

  From the foyer as the two stepped in, it opened into a tall hallway, at the end of which is a spiral staircase leading upwards. But, before you arrive there, there are two passages on both walls of the hall, opposite from each other.

  Vista paused, looking down both passages, the left leading down a staircase, the other, leading straight. He turned left down the stairs, and Meah followed.

  At the bottom of this staircase was a tunnel, they wandered down into darkness, lit only by dim crystals embedded into the stone of the walls every few feet--There were no wrong turns to make just as promised.

  It went down at a slight bend to the right for what felt like forever for the young Meah, whose expression was becoming increasingly more frustrated until: “How much longer is this tunnel!?” She asked.

  “Just, give it a moment more.” He responded, continuing along.

  Then, they reached the end--A small room with six pillars and two red doors, a soldier standing in front of each pillar, and two soldiers standing in front of the doors.

  Behind the pillars, there were tables and chairs, considering how few wander down here, the soldiers end up sitting or resting most of the time.

  Yet this room is always guarded, as behind these two doors is their destination.

  As Vista approached the doors, and Meah followed close behind, the soldiers stepped aside while Vista pushed the doors open from the center. Unlike the bright and inviting sight you'd come across upon stepping into the Hall of Armaments, the Crypt, is oppressively grey.

  And unlike the long, seemingly endless hallway of the Armory, the Crypt has nine stone coffins, each with an Armament wrapped in a white cloth resting atop them. There is a large crystal hanging from the ceiling providing light, there are four stone pillars at each corner of the small room, then three archways: One on the left wall, one on the wall right in front of the entrance at the other side of the coffins, and one on the right wall.

  Behind each archway, is another small room, identical to this one, with nine more coffins, four more pillars, and archways leading further into the Crypt on each wall.

  The Crypt seems to go on in every direction just like this forever. It would be easy enough to wander around and get lost, if not for:

  “What brings you to the Tomb of the Forgotten?”

  His tone couldn't be further from Damascus, his voice was completely monotone, his hands out in front of his chest, held together at the fingertips.

  Despite the difference in tone, he appeared nearly identical to Damascus, although his skin and hair is pure white, his clothes are monochrome--His eyes, however, are a striking red. “You look just like Damascus! Are you twins?” Meah was quick to ask, his expression shifted ever so slightly as the corner of his lips held back a wince.

  “I am Platinum, the Guardian of this Crypt.”

  He responded, looking down at the two shorter guests. “I am not to judge a Warrior based on age or size, but I must ask, what brings you here?” He asked, glaring down at the Eight Year old.

  “I wanna see the Armaments!” Meah answered confidently.

  “As one who has completed the first Ordeal, it is beyond my authority to reject your entry to this place.” He spoke aloud. “However, it is within my jurisdiction to advise that your First Armament not be one from within my collection.” He added.

  “Of course, she has only come to observe all of her choices.” Vista interrupted.

  “What would be so bad about taking an Armament from here anyway?” She asked, but Platinum did not humor her question with words.

  He turned around, and the three moved quite some distance in just a breath, yet the scene was nearly identical except for the shape of the Armaments below their cloth.

  Lifting one weapon, still within its white cloth. “Young child, observe Oohl, this innocuous cutlass." The cloth unraveled itself, as it wrapped around Platinum's arm, preventing his skin from touching the blade or hilt.

  The weapon itself appeared to be nothing special, it was a silver blade with a bronze colored hilt. “Oohl was carried by a young warrior over a century ago, once he called this weapon to hand, it possessed him.

  His own will was overwritten by the will of the blade, and as a result--He was forced to fight until starvation ended his life.”

  He placed the blade back on the coffin, as the cloth wrapped around it once again. “These Banished Armaments can be powerful weapons, but in the wrong hands, they can be deadly for the one who wields them.” He explained, as Meah reached up over the coffin, to look at the cloth up close.

  “Why are they covered?” She asked.

  “Weapons that are deemed safe are passed onto Damascus, but those that have never been carried or are known to be dangerous, remain here.

  Anyone who has passed the First Ordeal is permitted to take any Armament they desire, but a freshly ordained Warrior with untested will of mind and soul, should avoid carrying Armaments from the Crypt--As such, only I am able to remove the cloth that covers these Armaments, to prevent anyone from tricking a young warrior into taking one.”

  He explained, as Meah climbed down. “But are these strong?” She asked.

  “Some might say the strongest Armaments reside here.” He answered, crossing his arms, before turning his sight to Vista.

  “With them all covered up, it’s hard to tell what they are though.” She complained, as she started wandering off into the next room over.

  “What’s the strongest Armament here?”

  She asked, causing Platinum to release a slight chuckle. “There is no way to know which is the strongest, as each Armament may bond with each user differently.

  One must not seek the strongest weapon, one must find the weapon for you.”

  He followed behind, eyeing Vista, who wandered with crossed arms, eyeing the coffins. “Is there anything proven?” The boy asked.

  “Proven?” Platinum asked. “There are plenty that have been carried, many more that have brought great success to the Warriors who carried them.

  But, none that have been carried by a child.”

  He explained, before Meah froze up. “I passed the first Ordeal, why does my age matter?” She asked.

  “Whatever words I may choose shall not soothe you so long as your ego persists.

  I am but a lowly servant of this Tomb, I can offer little advice, other than:

  You cannot change what you are, only who you are.”

  He closed his eyes. “I just wanna see the strong Armaments!” She responded.

  “In accordance with your demands, I can think of a few Armaments that might suit you.

  If you insist that you leave with an Armament, then consider this curated list.”

  The three moved across the Crypt, though this section was identical to the rest. Platinum approached a small blade, hiding beneath its dust covered cloth. Lifting it up, as the cloth wrapped around his arm. “That’s just a knife!” Meah complained.

  “Not just a knife, it is a blade that can change its shape.

  An Axe, a sword--Or a humble little dagger, it is a versatile weapon that can shift to fit your style, rather than force you to use just a single type of weapon.”

  Stolen story; please report.

  He explained, holding out the small knife with a black blade, and a red handle. “That seems strong.” Vista noted, approaching Platinum.

  “It is, this blade, Essa, the Blade of Transformation, has been carried by seven great warriors.

  However, five of them were killed by the weapon itself.

  Essa demands its wielder to constantly shift their fighting style, to constantly change and evolve.

  Yet, as the blade demands transformation, eventually it will become something that hardly resembles a blade.

  Like thorns that creep up your arms, or a blade that stretches around your body--One Warrior turned Essa into a spear that pierced his own heart just to carry.”

  He held it down for Meah to look at, but out of her reach. “So long as you are able to control its demand for change, you might succeed with it. But, if its own will ever overpowers yours, you will lose control of it entirely.” He explained.

  “That seems too dangerous.” Vista glared at it.

  “All the Armaments in my collection are of at least equal danger to this blade, many are much more so.

  This is why I cannot recommend--”

  “I wanna see more!”

  Meah interrupted, as Platinum sighed, placing the small knife back down.

  Moving to the next, a bow in Platinum's hand. “Ivo, the Bow of Destruction.” He held up the weapon made of what looked like white wood, with a glowing blue string.

  “A weapon that can fire explosive arrows, creating explosions enough to crack a mountain right open, the strength of the explosion is dependent on how tightly the user pulls the bowstring.”

  He held it up for both children to see. “What’s the downside?” Vista asked.

  “This weapon demands that the user destroys anything in their path, the previous user had to be killed by his own brother to prevent him from destroying more of their village here in Sol.” Platinum explained.

  “That seems considerably worse than the last.” Vista noted.

  “You aren't just showing us the dangerous Armaments to dissuade Meah from choosing an Armament from here, are you?”

  The boy asked, when Platinum placed the bow down again. “As I have thoroughly stated: An Armament would not be here, if it did not have drawbacks.

  The strongest weapons have the strongest wills, and this is true with any Armament here in this Tomb.”

  He said with a frustrated sigh, while Vista looked at the other eight coffins. “Something does bother me, how are there so many Armaments here?

  Each is forged by a soul, but the people of Sol cannot have filled this entire tomb as well as the Armory, can they?”

  The boy looked down the endless corridors that seemingly lacked an end. “The God of Forging, Storm--Did not just take the souls of Sol's people as material for these Armaments, but also the souls of every follower the Battle Gods had blessed from every Realm they had traveled across.

  Then, there are the Armaments created by the Souls of the Demon’s--Most of which end up in this Tomb.”

  “The Demons make Armaments!?”

  Meah shouted. “The Battle Gods did not judge the righteousness of a soul, only the strength.

  The Demons were originally defined as the Warriors of Sol who fell to evil--While the beasts of the Bottom World, were those beasts created by the God of Wonder.

  In recent times, the words have become stirred together--And you use them interchangeably--Especially after Soxoine and her followers were banished to the surface.

  But, all of those that carry the blood blessed by the God of Strength long ago, even in part, were, and will have their soul be used to forge an Armament.”

  Platinum explained, approaching an Armament below a cloth. “However, an Armament is always forged by the desires and will of a soul from life, and those with evil hearts shall create Armaments that carry evil desires.

  Such Armaments are banished to this Crypt, while those pure and righteous Armaments are sent to the Armory.”

  He then turned to the two children. “This is why I cannot recommend you choose one of these Armaments as your first.”

  Meah approached the coffin. “Has anyone ever taken an Armament from here first, instead of the Armory?” The child asked, when Platinum nodded.

  “Many times--Including Soxoine, the Demon Queen of sol.”

  “Really?”

  Vista seemed surprised. “She passed the Ordeals?” He asked. “Was she not a Demon?”

  “She was a child of Sol and one of the original house Heads.

  Also, one of the Warriors who fought back the Battle Gods, and liberated your people from their tyranny.”

  Platinum explained, putting his hand to his chin. “Much of her story has been erased in the past thousand years, she was not much older than you, Vista, when she first took an Armament from this very hall.” He explained, before glancing down at Meah.

  “In fact, I would say that you are a spitting image of her, she had silver eyes and black hair, no different than yours, young lady.”

  He explained, catching the curiosity of both children, Vista, a sour expression, Meah, a curious one. “It is said, her Armament had been slowly overpowering her own will for thousands of years, until she succumbed to madness as she aged.

  You know the rest of her story as well as I, you would have to ask someone who experienced the rest firsthand to truly grasp what happened one thousand years ago.

  I have not left this Tomb since the day I was assigned to it, and that was around seven thousand years ago.

  But, since the fall of Soxoine, more Armaments have flooded this Crypt than ever before--And having heard the story of Soxoine, I have sided with caution in offering them.”

  Meah froze. “Wait, you never leave?” She glanced around. “What do you eat!?”

  “I am a God, servant to your people or not, the divine do not need food, nor rest.

  I was never a mortal like the Battle Gods you may have heard stories of, who ascended to Godhood rather than be born to it, where they continued to enjoy the pleasures of mortality, such things do not appeal to me.”

  He turned to press his hand on a coffin. “But don't you wanna see other things?” Meah asked.

  “I am bound to a duty, no different than my siblings.

  The God of Contracts, had ensured we would never know freedom.

  And so, I have surrendered to this fate--It is beyond mine, and your ability to fight it.”

  He glanced down at the Tomb. “That doesn't seem fair.” She responded.

  “When life is not fair, you make the best of it you can.

  I enjoy my solitude, and the occasional smile to brighten this dreary catacomb.”

  He sat against one of the coffins. “Is it lonely?” Meah asked.

  “Very much so--Although, much more so since the disappearance of my sister's.

  Ruby, Sapphire and Crystal all disappeared a thousand years ago--They had the freedom to travel anywhere in Sol, unlike my brothers who are bound to the location of their duty.

  Ruby and Sapphire would often visit, and create gifts to entertain me--They would tell stories, and even enjoyed tea and food.

  Crystal was like a mother to us all, who cared for us, and loved us.”

  He glanced up. “It was Ruby who built this Tomb, and Crystal who provided those gemstones that bring it light.” He then turned to Meah, and smiled, then cleared his throat. “Sorry, I’ve gotten sidetracked.

  Few allow me to ramble on--Have I bored you?”

  He asked, when Vista shook his head. “What happened to them? Your sisters, I mean?” The boy was curious.

  “Nobody knows for certain, Ruby, Sapphire, Crystal and Silver all disappeared during Soxoine's Conquest.

  Since Trent and Kaz, two of the original House Heads, had been murdered by Soxoine, many believe that she murdered my siblings as well.

  Yet, if this did happen, she would have ascended to Godhood--And that complicates what happened next.

  So, it is my belief, that the four of them, were either taken by a traveling God in the commotion of Soxoine’s war, or found a means to escape, using the chaos as a veil.”

  Meah looked at the cloth covering the surrounding Armaments. “Are there any others you wanna show me?” She asked, clearly growing bored of this conversation, when Platinum closed his eyes.

  “I suppose that is why you are here.” He opened his eyes, noticing Meah pointing in a single direction.

  “I can feel something calling me from over there.”

  She explained, as he stood up. “Calling you?” He cocked his head. “How do you mean?”

  “I can feel it over there!” She pointed to the right.

  They moved to the next room instantly. “Over here?” He asked, as she shook her head.

  “Further.” She responded, while Vista crossed his arms.

  “I beg your pardon, but you aren't playing a game, are you?” Platinum asked, only for Vista to respond:

  “Wait!” Vista shouted. “Let’s indulge her, I wanna see something.”

  So, in an instant, they moved far across the Tomb, to an entirely different section.

  “Too far!”

  Meah turned to face another direction. “A little more that way.” She pointed.

  They moved a few more rooms, as Meah adjusted herself again and pointed ever so slightly in a different direction. “Close! Now it's just right that way!”

  For a final time, they moved a few rooms over, and this time, rather than point, Meah ran forward.

  “Right over here!”

  Right through three rooms, straight to a single coffin, with an innocuous Armament resting atop. “This one!” She pointed at it.

  “This one?”

  Platinum examined it, lifting up the cloth. It was a long sword, with a crude serrated blade, it looked to have a handle of stone and lacked any kind of guard. “What’s it named?” Meah curiously peered over the side of the stone coffin.

  “Vioine.”

  He looked down at the crude craftsmanship. “It has never been wielded, so I cannot say what type of blade it is.” He turned down to glare at Meah. “What exactly drew you to this specific blade?” He asked, when Meah shrugged.

  “I felt it, that's all.” She pulled herself up onto the coffin, only to be grabbed and lifted by Platinum as he pulled her away from the uncovered blade.

  “I cannot recommend playing so close--One touch, and it joins your soul.” He reminded the child, placing her down.

  “Meah, are you sure, this specific Armament called you?” Vista asked.

  “I just could feel it nearby.” She answered.

  “Is there anything special about this blade?” Vista asked, when Platinum covered it again. “Or rather, what do you know about the soul it was forged from?”

  “I do not know much of the souls a blade is forged by, only the name.

  If a record of a Warrior exists, then it shall be written in House Trust, the current head, King V, would be the one to have access to Sol's written knowledge.”

  Platinum shifted his posture, falling into a slight slouch as he stood over this blade. “But I can infer the identity, based on the fact that this blade has resided here for nearly a thousand years and by examining the name itself.

  Vioine as a name has no meaning, therefore it must be a vestigial name.”

  He explained, when Meah chimed in. “Vestigial name?” She sounded curious.

  “What is your own name again, child?” He asked.

  “Meah!” She answered, as he pondered for a moment.

  “The name Meah is likely a vestigial name as well, as it has no particular meaning.

  As such, you were likely named after your Mother or Father, right?

  What are their names?”

  He asked, Platinum asked, catching Meah's attention from the weapon for a moment. “Huh? What's that matter?” Meah asked.

  “Your name is important, once named, your soul becomes bound to that title and only the Divine can rename you.

  As such, it is the duty of a parent to name their child in such a way their name carries a great significance, either by naming you after someone, or something--Choosing a name that means something of importance, or, by giving you a vestigial name, a name that takes pieces of a family members name, and, states that they are watching over you forevermore.”

  He explained, as Meah thought for a moment.

  “My Mother was named Meraphi, not Meah! And my Father is Davak!” She shouted, as Platinum nodded.

  “Me, the first portion of both hers and your name, comes from the name Meizu, the God of Travel who used her power to create the Gateways--Your mother likely descends from the current day House Trust, where the people there had maintained the Gatekey under Meizu's instructions until the Battle Gods were chased from this world.” Platinum explained.

  “My name can tell you all that?” Meah asked.

  “Not precisely, but it can help make your lineage simpler to understand.” He responded.

  “So, is the name Meah common then?” She asked.

  “Names that begin with Me are, and Meah, is a relatively simple formation of Me and Ah--Me's meaning is currently unknown, as Meizu the God, could have originated from any of the Realms, and any of the worlds from within--As such her language of origin is, something we do not know.

  But the Ah portion of your name likely comes from your father's name, specifically the portion spoken as Ak--Ah is a gentler sound than Ak and was changed to sound more feminine.”

  Platinum mused, and as he spoke he had clearly captured Meah's curiosity once again distracting her from the Armaments around. “You know a bunch about names, don't you?” She asked.

  “I know the names of all these Armaments, and I've had thousands of years to piece together the meaning of the different names of your people.” He answered.

  “But if Ah comes from Davak, where does Father's name come from?” She asked.

  “That one is extremely simple--Davak, is named after Dava--The God of Combat, and the strongest of the True Battle Gods.” Platinum responded.

  “What about Vista!?” Meah excitedly asked.

  “Much like your own name, you can break the name Vista up, Vi comes from Vincent, the God of Contracts--The second half of the name is less obvious, as it matches neither the name of Meraphi nor Davak.” Platinum explained. “Vin, was also named after Vincent, and so was V of House Trust.” He added.

  “Just the same, this sword, Vioine, must have been named after Vincent, at least the Vi part of the name likely was.

  But, the second half of the name can only come from the same place as Soxoine's name, whose name is not common today.

  Up until a thousand years ago, Soxoine was known as a great hero and a noble leader--And so many were named after her, but the name became considered a curse, after her war with Sol.

  But, given that this blade has rested here for a thousand years, and the name being a vestigial name of Vincent and Soxoine--It is easy enough to assume, that this blade may have been one of the children of Vin and Soxoine.”

  He thought aloud, causing Vista’s expression to shift. “Vin and Soxoine?” He sounded shocked, when Platinum nodded.

  “The two were husband and wife, they had over a dozen children in their many thousands of years together.

  Their family was divided once Soxoine waged war with the rest of Sol, many of their children chose to fight alongside their father against Soxoine, the rest joined Soxoine--But the family was separated into two factions at that time.

  But not one of their children survived and so, if this blade is one of their children, only Vin remains to confirm as much.”

  He then turned his attention to Meah again. “So, I must ask again: What drew you to this sword?”

  “There’s others far off too, but this one was nearest.

  I just could feel that it was nearby.”

  He stared at her for a moment. “So, is there some connection between you and this blade?” He asked, before she turned to Vista.

  “It's like how I feel where Uncle Wayne, or Vista are.

  Even his spear, I can feel it too.”

  She thought aloud. “Can't everyone do that?” She asked, when Vista sighed.

  “We're getting sidetracked here.” The boy interrupted.

  “Meah, you came here to look at Armaments, correct? Are there any others you can sense?”

  He asked, when Platinum rolled his eyes. “We have looked at several already, but this is not a simple trip to a market, these are dangerous weapons that can cause great destruction, countless lives could be lost due to your carelessness--Should you take one of these Armaments, and lose control of yourself, then you will be executed.

  This is my final warning to you: Do not take an Armament from this Crypt.”

  Despite Platinum's warning, Meah approached another coffin, glancing at the weapon below the cloth while trying to peek over the side of the coffin. “What’s this one?” She asked, causing the man to sigh.

  “That would be Xerces, the Throat Carver.”

  Platinum lifted the cloth, a black metallic curved sword, with red triangular shapes ingrained into metal. “It has remained in this Tomb for nearly a thousand years, the previous owner was granted immense strength, but also an uncontrollable bloodlust.

  It forced the previous user to fight against the Demons for months on end, until they died of exhaustion and starvation.”

  His tone had shifted, no more was he attempting to talk the children out of taking the weapon, allowing the consequences to talk for themselves. “Should you have the strength of will, you might be able to fight the instincts of this blade, and only be granted the immense strength it would bring you.” He explained, as Vista approached.

  “With this one, I could easily avenge Mother.”

  He spoke just loud enough to be heard, barely catching Meah's ears. “Too bad it's so dangerous, right?” Meah asked, when Vista turned towards her.

  “Perhaps for most, but I have a strong will.” He responded.

  “But you already have an Armament, besides, I have a stronger will than you!” She responded, when Vista crossed his arms.

  “I will surely pass the second Ordeal, I will then be able to return here at any time and take this blade, among others.” He responded, when Meah winced.

  “Not if I take it first!” She shouted.

  Vista then watched as his sister jumped up onto the coffin, and as she reached for the sword--In an instant, he reacted by throwing a punch, right at her face, throwing her across the room and into a wall.

  He froze up, hands shaking. “Meah! What--”

  “You hit me!?”

  She stood up, her cheek slightly red from the impact. “You need to be more careful!” Vista yelled, when she came running across the room, attempting to punch him back, as he grabbed her fist.

  “Stop this, Meah!”

  He used his free hand to point at the blade. “Is that really the Armament you want!?” He asked.

  “No!” She shouted. “But that really hurt!” She yelled while trying to free her hand.

  Platinum stepped in. “I cannot directly interfere with mortal affairs, but I can recommend you cease this fight.” He looked down at the two children, when they moved across the tomb, back before at entrance.

  “From my perspective, you both are in the wrong, Vista--You hit her far harder than necessary.

  While you, Meah--Acted carelessly.”

  Vista released her fist, when she stepped back, rubbing her face with the back of her hand, glaring at Vista. “If that sword is here, you'll just take it, right!?” She asked.

  “I don't make decisions on a whim!” Vista responded. “If I did take it, I would only do so after giving it careful consideration!

  Besides, we just came here to look, right!?”

  He asked, when Meah took a step back towards the entrance. “Let’s just go.” She pushed the left door open, when Vista glanced down.

  “I didn't intend to hurt you, I--” He attempted to speak, when he bumped into Meah who suddenly stopped walking.

  “What are you--”

  He glanced up, and saw the long haired Vin standing before the entrance. “So, the prince and princess of House Conquest really were sneaking around with the Forbidden Armaments?” Vin spoke, eying the children.

  “You didn't take an Armament from the Crypt, did you?”

  He asked, when Vista shook his head. Meah refused to talk, simply glaring at the floor. “We only came here to look, Meah would like to exhaust all her options before choosing her first." Vista immediately composed himself as the blond haired man got down on his knee, looking the boy in the eyes.

  His eyes were like crystals, colored in hues of red and blue.

  “You came here without informing your father, didn't you?”

  He asked, turning his eyes towards Meah. “You are Warrior's, fully fledged.

  You may choose whichever Armament you desire; it is no concern of mine.”

  He stood up, when Vista took a deep breath. “Then why are you here?” The boy asked.

  “Because there is always a risk in letting someone take a Forbidden Armament, and leave without confirming they still retain their sanity.

  If you have not taken one, then there is no concern to be had.”

  He stepped aside, as Vista grabbed Meah by the hand, only to have her pull herself free. “Though, I am curious as to why the little Meah has a black eye?”

  Meah stopped in place, turning up to Vin. “Who are you calling little?” She asked, glaring up at Vin.

  “I mean no offense, this is a mere description of your stature.

  You cannot help but be a child, though the time spent as one is but a blink.”

  She was clearly holding back her frustrations, when Vista stepped in front of her. “Come on Meah, we need to--” He attempted to speak, only for Meah to shout:

  “Who was Vioine!?”

  Vin's expression never slipped nor shifted, he remained completely still and calm--Not a breath out of beat. “What are you asking me?” He asked.

  “There’s a sword named Vioine in there, Platinum said he could've been your child!”

  Vin turned towards the Crypt, rubbing his chin. “I am certain that the name is common--” Vista attempted to speak, when Vin nodded.

  “I did have a son who shared that name, he was a great warrior, who died a heroic death.

  You need not concern yourself with his death; however, I came to terms with it long ago.”

  He explained, when Meah gestured to herself. “Then why did that blade call to me--” She attempted to speak when Vista pushed her aside, speaking over her:

  “We must get home, could you give us the directions to the Gateway?”

  Vista asked, when Vin closed his eyes, taking a long breath. “Meah, what do you mean this blade called to you?” He asked, stepping in front of the two children's path.

  “It's not important, I need to make sure she gets to sleep--” Vista attempted to speak, when Vin interrupted:

  “Why don't the three of us have a conversation, perhaps I could ease your concerns.”

  Vista shook his head. “Our Father might become concerned if we're gone too long--”

  “Perhaps Davak should hear why his daughter has a black eye, or that his son was taking his little sister to see the Forbidden Armaments.”

  Vin began to walk forward, and Vista let out a long sigh. “Why'd you open your mouth?” He asked, when she stuck her tongue out at him and ran ahead as she began following Vin.