Kon, 1,000 years ago...

Kitaya was no stranger to humiliation. With all the stupid things she'd done in her life, it was a wonder she was still capable of feeling embarrassment at all. But as the last of the medics left and the door clicked shut. A hot wave of shame crashed over her.

Twelve times she'd challenged Mellidius, and twelve times she'd lost. In front of everyone. By the third challenge she thought for sure everyone would've grown sick of seeing her make a fool of herself. But it seemed the crowds got larger and more rambunctious every time.

Despite her many defeats, the people were still very much behind her. They shouted words of encouragement at her whenever she walked through the city. While she was happy for the encouragement, she couldn't help but feel she was becoming a caricature of herself.

You shouldn't rush to seek your path, Kitaya. You may end up running down one that's not meant for you.

Perhaps Kemah had been right. She scrubbed at her face, wincing when she rubbed a sore spot on her cheek.

Ade sat beside her, examining her spear, grumbling something about making repairs to the shaft. Through this all he'd been her most avid supporter. Even when she got knocked down she could hear him in the stands screaming at her to not give up.

"Do you think if I made the spear lighter, that would help?" he asked.

Kitaya only shrugged a shoulder. She knew good and well there was nothing wrong with the spear. The problem was her. Her weakness. She just couldn't beat Mellidius.

Ade opened his mouth to say something else, but a knock on the door cut him off. Kitaya expected to see Isolde on the other side, as she always checked on her after matches. So she was both surprised and disgusted when Mellidius walked in instead.

His head and dominant were wrapped fresh bandages. In his hand, he held a black case decorated with gold filigree and rubies. He made eye contact with Ade, and the air crackled between them, both their faces contorting into masks of disgust

"What do you want?" Kitaya asked, her voice cutting through the tension.

Mellidius moved his gaze to her, and held out the case and though it were a peace offering. "Just take it."

She leveled him with her gaze while slowly reaching for the case. The metal was cool against her palms and the gems winked under the light of the hanging orbs. She laid it on her lap and popped the latches. Nestled inside were the Behemoth and its gauntlet, laying side by side.

She ran her hands over the spear, up the braided shaft to the tip whose blade was the size of a dagger. The gauntlet looked much too big for her hands and was probably filled with sweat and grime from Mellidius. She'd have to scrub it clean once she beat him senseless. Soon

"There," Mellidius said. "Now we can stop this nonsense. Do with the Behemoth what you will. I don't care." There was an air of finality to his words that was punctuated when he turned and headed for the door.

Kitaya closed the lid of the case and secured its latches. Just as Mellidius cracked the door she launched it at him.

"Argh!" he yelled when it bounced off his head. "What in damnation is wrong with you?!" He whirled with murderous intent glinting in his eyes.

"Don't insult me Mellidius." Her voice, in contrast was calm and soft. "We will 'stop this nonsense' when I beat you and become the bearer of the Behemoth. I don't care if it takes a hundred years or even a hundred millennia."

Mellidius scoffed. "You could have what you want if you would stop behaving like a child all the time. You always think you know better than everyone else."

"I'm being a child? Because I want to earn the right to wield that weapon? Because I don't want it handed to me? Like Eriani handed it to you? If you're willing to give it up so easily means you weren't worthy to wield it in the first place."

He exhaled, his nostrils flaring with restrained rage. "Eriani was right. You will never see sense. When will you grow up and stop forcing everyone to indulge you in your childish foolery?"

Kitaya clasped her hands together to stop herself from throwing something else at him. "Get. Out."

He did so without a word, only stopping to scoop up the case before slamming the door hard enough to make the hanging orbs sway.

"What an unbelievable dastard." The words dripped from Ade's mouth like acid, and he went back fiddling with spear. But the curl of disgust remained on his lips.

Kitaya exhaled a hot breath. She didn't care what they thought of her. Childish. Senseless. Fool. The one thing they couldn't call her was weak. There was no doubt in her mind that Eriani was enjoying watching Mellidius beat her into a bloody mess. And Kemah had already given up on her, but she refused to give up on herself.

The Behemoth would be hers.

Another knock sounded on the door, but this time, welcomed faces accompanied it.

"Hi there!" Isolde walked in balancing a bottle of amber liquid and several glasses in a precarious tower in one hand. Behind her was her partner and cape, Chioma carrying a basket of buttery pastries and sweets. If Kitaya didn't know any better she would've asked what party they were headed to, but Isolde never needed such excuses to indulge in life's mind-numbing pleasantries.

"We come bearing gifts. And Kitaya, someone else is coming to see you." She dismantled her tower, placing the glasses on the bedside table.

"Someone else? Who?" Ade set the spear down and offered his chair to Chioma.

"I invited a guest who wanted to speak with Kitaya. She should be here within the hour." Isolde settled down in the chair on the other side of the bed and popped the cork with her teeth.

Kitaya arched a brow at. "Speak to me about what?"

"I want it to be a surprise. Trust me. But for now, let's drink." She passed out glasses to everyone except Chioma, who politely declined, and then poured Ade and Kitaya a swallow of the amber liquid. She kept the bottle for herself saluting them, before taking a long drought.

Kitaya down her own drink and it immediately regretted it. It burned all the way down and curled up into a ball of fire in her stomach. She coughed and was surprised her breath didn't combust in front of her face. "Dear gods what is this?" When Isolde only laughed, she turned to Chioma. "What is this?"

She shrugged. "It may as well be the stuff they used to clean out the back allies of the marketplace. That's why I didn't want any."

Kitaya tossed the glass out of her line of sight and grabbed two pastries. The buttery flakiness wasn't enough to scrub the taste from her mouth but it helped.

Another set of rapping knocks filled the room. This one was soft polite, like its owner wanted their presence known but didn't want to disturb those beyond the door.

Kitaya looked to Isolde, who nodded. "Come in."

The lady that walked in was regaled in yellow and white finery. Her wealth gleamed in the gold rings around her fingers and the bangles clinking together at her wrists. Kitaya was sure she knew her from somewhere, but her mind couldn't pin down the exact location.

The lady approached the foot of the bed, giving Kitaya a toothy smile and deep bow of her head. Her jeweled braids falling into her face. "Good evening, my lady. I'm happy to see you're well after your battle today. Forgive my rudeness. I'm Rehema, and I own the confectionary in the marketplace."

So that's was where Kitaya knew her from. She took care in keeping her tone less hostile and more wary. "You can drop the formalities. Why are you here?"

"Ah, straight to the point. The short of it is, I'm spearheading a group of citizens who wish to protest the invitation of Ravinians into Konian territory. We've learned through word of mouth that you have similar interests." She clasped her hands together and smiled, her demeanor that of a patient parent.

Kitaya exchanged gazes with Ade. A full-fledged protest against the crown? The Queen would probably fly into conniptions if she found out. "And you need me for some reason?"

"You could be our direct line to the Queen, the bearer of our grievances. We only want to stop this madness before it starts." Her words became fast and desperate, like the fate of the realm were riding on them. "If we allow those degenerates into our Nation our reputation will be ruined. Our allies will think us mad."

"I understand and wholeheartedly agree, but there's no stopping it now. Preparations are already being made, the cogs are in motion. The King of Ravinia and his charges are due in Kon two weeks hence."

Or at least, that's what she'd heard. Eriani was stashing away any information on the Ravinians visit like an animal hording food for the winter.

Rehema scowled. "There still has to be something we can do."

"Protest," Kitaya said simply. "If your numbers are great, the Ravinians will know they're not welcomed in this Nation. Let them know that they're kind are only good when they're dead."

She steepled her hands in front of her face, her eyes growing distant before she nodded slowly. "Yes, that's what will we do. If we can chase them from Kon, then there will be no need to convince the Queen. And you, my lady, will lead us as the bearer of the Behemoth."

"I hate to disappoint you, but I doubt I'm going to defeat Mellidius within the next two weeks. I'd be willing to protest with you all regardless. Having the Ravinians in Kon is worst than desecrating the grave site of all those we lost in the Millennia War."

"If I may be so bold as to give a bit of advice, my lady." Rehema waited for Kitaya's nod before continuing. "If you continue fighting Mellidius the way that you do, you will be hard pressed to defeat him."

Kitaya arched a brow at her. She didn't appreciate her prowess being put into question by a stranger, but she wasn't about to pass up any advice on how to beat Mellidius. "Elaborate."

"Mellidius trained with the Shujaa, and they have a very unique way of fighting. They love to wear down their opponents before finishing them off. They fight like cats, bat their food around until it gets too tired to fight back. But you've trained with Kemah haven't you?"

"That is correct."

"He's been teaching you to fight the way Andedarians do. They're like snakes, they strike fast and hard, taking out their prey before they even have a chance to think. They're not trained for long, intense fights. So if you want to beat Mellidius, you'll need to do it fast."

Kitaya nodded. That made a lot of sense. Too much sense. It was a shame she hadn't thought about it herself sooner. "Thank you Rehema, for your faith and your council."

"'Tis a pleasure, my lady. I look forward to your next fight, and I'll be sure to keep in touch." She gave a small bow of her head before taking her leave.

Silence followed the click of the door and Kitaya stared up at the glowing orbs hanging from the ceiling. To lead protest... Perhaps this was the breakthrough she needed, the motivational nudge that would set her on the right path. Allying herself with the people was likely the best way she could show everyone she was serious. That she wasn't a child indulging in foolery.

Amongst her family, she had no allies in her opposition against the Ravinian's visit. Nylarah chose not to concern herself with Konian politics, and stayed holed up in the Temple unless someone dragged her out. Kemah would remain firmly neutral. And Mellidius would jump headlong from the observatory tower if Eriani asked him too. It was never a secret who's side he would take.

"Ade," Kitaya said, turning to her friend. "Is there any way you can find out their numbers? I want to know what I'm getting myself into."

He pushed his dreadlocks out of his face. "Tafari is well acquainted with a lot of the vendors in the market. I could ask her."

She nodded. The market was the hub for the Nation's gossip, with the grapevine of vendors filling it whispers of scandalous rumours that were worth less the hot air used to speak them. Despite that, if there was anything happening in the Nation, the market always knew.

"Chioma, you were a part of the Shujaa for a while, weren't you?" Kitaya asked. "Do you know anyone amongst their rank who'd be willing to help me train before my next fight?"

"Sure." Chioma's lips tipped into a smile. "I'll ask a few of my old colleagues."

As Kitaya paused to collect her thoughts, another idea sprung to her mind, manifesting as a devious smile. "Ade, there's one more favour I'll need of you."

"Sure. What is it?" he asked.

"War armour."

[A/N]: We're at the halfway point, my friends.