MM - Chapter 234 - A NEW FAMILY

The mountain air was still thick with the acrid tang of scorched earth and beast blood. Raine stood on terrain pocked with scars, the assembled battlemasters arrayed before him. Their bright gazes held a spark that outshone the exhaustion etched into each of their features. His blazing eyes lingered on each as he methodically appraised their attributes, also noting their unbending posture, and the fervent desire that he, Alaric, would continue leading them down the martial path denied them so long. 

At levels 10 and 11, they were only beginning their journey, but already showed promise in their desire to grow. There was no reason to call for silence; none dared speak.

His voice was as crisp and harsh as the mountain they stood atop. “Crimson Nebula and Mortemer chose each of you as a leader of Astra Infernum for multiple reasons. Whatever those were, they were not mine. Your positions, and the authority that comes with them, are not permanent. Astra is ruled by the competent. Display unworthiness, cowardice, or ill intent, and you will be cast aside, to be replaced by your betters.”

Raine let his threat linger before allowing a small smile to crack his facade. “However, if you continue to show competence like you did today, you will rise to ever greater heights, even if I have to drag you there myself.” His words had an instant effect—chests puffed and chins rose, jaws clamping tight with emotion. “Continue to strive down your own paths with every ounce of willpower you can muster, and I promise, you will never come to regret your decision to join Astra Infernum!”

His speech was met with a resounding, “Hu-rah!” 

He ran his eyes over them again, allowing them to see the pride he felt at their accomplishments. Raine spotted BearlyAlive among them and gave the man the slightest of nods. Not one of the other faces was familiar to him. It was time that changed. 

He started with a wiry woman. Her armor was patched with fresh scars from the recent monster rush. Raine extended a hand, and she took it in a calloused grip that was firm despite the subtle tremor of fatigue rippling through the rest of her. “MaryVoss, I watched your cohort hold the eastern flank without yielding a centimeter. Excellent work.” Raine raised his voice so all could hear, “Remember this well: Astra may fear, but we will never relent.”

“Thank you, leader.” She mumbled, eyes on the ground and cheeks blazing like the sun.

He pulled a level 10 shield, chestplate, and boots from his inventory, handing them to her. She accepted with gratitude, lips pressed so tightly it was clear she was holding her emotions in check by the thinnest thread. Murmured approval rippled outward like a wave. By this point, they knew how rare equipment drops were. Even they, the best equipped, were missing some slots, and on average, had less than one piece of gear that matched their level.

Raine moved to the next in line. “Tidus Hale, your casters softened every golem that threatened our lines. If not for your people’s flexibility and awareness in the face of exhaustion, countless levels would have been lost.”

Tidus’s thick beard—flecked with dried blood—wobbled as he bent in a subconscious bow. When he straightened, Raine shook his hand, offering a pleased smile. He then handed over a pair of supple gloves, a staff, and cloth leggings. The armor vanished instantly into Tidus’s inventory. He held the staff up to the light, turning it left and right, eyes gleaming with a feverish hunger. “Thank you!”

One by one, Raine distributed level 10 gear to fill the gaps in their equipment while calling out their deeds. In this way, he raised their morale while simultaneously giving them an opportunity to learn what actions carried value, all without having to point out a single shortcoming. His voice held just enough warmth to humanize the exchanges without softening his authority as he cemented each of their names and faces to memory.

When he was done, Raine clapped his hands to gather their attention once more. “Before we spread out for the next operation, organize the existing lances into ranks between one and five stars based on performance to date. Our people should know their contributions are being noticed. Over the next hour, I will personally hand out equipment to the five-star teams. Dismissed!”

“Sir!” They saluted and dispersed.

He watched them go with a wry smile. He specifically hadn’t told them how many lances he expected at each starred rank, and was curious to see how they would individually execute his orders. Being a good judge of character and how one showed favorability to their underlings were paramount attributes in a leader. It should be evident that the more five-star lances in a cohort, the more equipment that would be distributed. Which would, in turn, raise the overall power of the cohort, improving performance and leading to even more rewards the next time he was feeling generous. 

Raine chuckled, briefly wondering if any of the battlemasters would be audacious enough to give every lance under their command five stars.

Before his core team could leave, too, Raine motioned for them to stay. “You three should log and take a break. It’s going to be non-stop for a while after this. Once the lances are reorganized, send them outside as well, in order of their star status.”

Mel’s entire demeanor was alight with mischief as she pinned him with the most obvious bedroom eyes, “How long of a break?”

Raine opened his mouth to say fifteen minutes, then paused, thinking better of such a short amount of time. After all, they had been working so hard to keep his people alive. “An hour.”

With hands clasped behind her back, Mel turned side to side, pouting playfully. “Are you sure that’s going to be… long enough?” Raine shook his head in disbelief at her complete lack of subtlety, having no intention of answering.

Throwing his head back, Fizgore roared with amusement, “A moment of spring’s night is worth a thousand gold. Cherish your hour wisely, sister!”

Rhino’s arms were crossed, and he stared at the ground in consternation, cheeks blazing, “How in the hell does he do it?” The mumbled question was clearly not meant for them, as the boy blinked from existence before anyone could answer.

With an exaggerated wink to Raine, Fizgore vanished as well. Mel bit her lip, not saying anything more before leaving. Raine nodded to Varak. “When Crimson Nebula returns, she’ll relieve you, and the special task we talked about before will begin. Are your soldiers ready?”

The heavily-armored Vaaterran remained standing at attention. His approval of how Raine handled his people was reflected in his pleased expression. “Yes, my lord!”

“Good. It's about to get fun.”

Melani Feladay

- Belehorn Tower, Carter City -

Mel blinked awake and was greeted by the dim glow of the room she shared with Pamalaiha. The soft hum of Belehorn Tower's systems was a now-familiar backdrop. 

How is it only midnight? Feels like three days, not a few hours. So trippers.

She yawned, stretching languidly as the remnants of near-death adventure clung to her thoughts. She had escaped from an entire group of peak masters, soared through mountains with Raine, and then was doused in the adrenaline-soaked thrill of fighting through a horde of monsters. All the while, her flesh and blood had slumbered, leaving her completely refreshed despite the hour.

Good thing I know exactly what to do with all this energy. Hmm. He'll probably need a while to get away. I should have just enough time.

Eagerly anticipating Raine making good on his promise, Mel swung her legs over the bed's edge, toes brushing the cool floor. After a quick trip to relieve herself, she slipped into loose workout clothes—soft pants and a tank top that allowed free movement. The tower's gym was always bustling these days, no matter the hour, filled with guilders who shared her excitement of growth and discovery of ZionLine's endless mysteries.

On her way out, she paused by Pamalaiha's bed. The ninja lay still, breathing even. 

No messages from her in hours—whatever task Raine had assigned must be grueling. Mel felt a twinge of envy, but it passed quickly. Gazing at the woman's serene form, she licked suddenly dry lips, temptation flickering. She wouldn’t be mad if I gave them just one little squeeze, right?

The thought of Raine's warnings about sensing external stimuli in ZionLine crossed her mind, but curiosity tugged. No-no, she chided herself. I’m not a pervert. Not a pervert. Not a pervert! Repeating the mantra under her breath, Mel headed for the door.

It swung open to reveal Celeste, fist raised mid-knock. They stared in mutual surprise for a beat before Mel giggled and stepped out of the way so her friend could enter. Celeste's eyes darted to Pamalaiha, concern evident. 

“Don’t worry,” Mel assured, “she’s still inside.”

Celeste huffed, lifting her nose slightly. “Why would I care? I didn’t come to—” Her tone sharpened more than intended, and she winced, trying again. “Never mind. I'll come back later.” 

“I don't think so! Get in here!” Mel snatched her hand, tugging Celeste in against her will. She didn't fight hard. Sighing heavily, Celeste dropped heavily onto the edge of Mel’s bed. Sensing the weight in the air, Mel moved slowly to sit beside her, voice a gentle prompt. “So, what did you come to talk about?”

Celeste hesitated, fingers twisting in her lap. “I… don’t know. I just needed to talk to someone, and father is refusing to answer my calls… I didn’t know who else to… and if I don’t…” Realizing she was babbling and hating herself for it, Celeste tore off the bandage. “I’m sorry, Mel. I should have told him to fuck off, but I couldn’t say it. I don’t know what’s wrong with me.” She bit her lip hard, flesh whitening from the strength behind her teeth.

Mel reached out slowly, squeezing Celeste’s hand then releasing it quickly, not wanting to scare the girl off in this rare moment of vulnerability. “You have nothing to apologize for. I don’t control him—don’t want to. And you know he’s only doing… all of this because I encouraged him to. If anything, I should apologize for putting you in his crosshairs.” Internally, Mel was jumping for joy. Getting closer to Celeste had been a long series of baby steps, and this one felt bigger than all the rest combined. When her friend spoke again, Mel had her game face on.

Celeste wrung her hands tighter. “I know that. I just… I don’t know what to do. I’ve never… I’m so confused. And scared. Terrified, really.”

Mel smiled softly, tone warm. “I can understand being scared; I am too. Though probably not for the same reasons as you.” She chuckled lightly, easing the tension a fraction. With Celeste being so wound up, every bit helped. “Why are you afraid?” Mel whispered.

Celeste took a shaky breath, she held it, silent for so long that Mel was just growing worried when the words tumbled out like a breaking dam. “Since way before I needed my first bra, and every day after, it’s always the same lectures: enhance yourself relentlessly, or you'll be stuck with a useless husband incapable of anything. Study harder than anyone else, or no man of value will want you. Train harder than anyone else to improve your value. Retain your purity, or lose your value.” Celeste spat the word each time, lips curling ever-tighter.

“Ugh, uncle was even worse than father: No such thing as a high-value man who doesn't value purity,” she sneered, voice mocking as she mimicked words heard thousands of times.

“‘Do you want to end up on the streets, or as the queen of a territory?’ You have to be stronger, smarter, more knowledgeable, or the ones worth a damn won’t even look at you.’”

“It was always value this, value that. I hated them for it… even when I couldn’t help but listen.”

Mel didn’t dare interrupt, and Celeste’s rigid posture and drawn-back lips made it clear she wasn’t done just yet. “I did everything I was supposed to, turned down every boy—serious suitor or otherwise—because they were never good enough, never matched my supposed value. And now, I'm supposed to what, throw all of that away?! He… Raine doesn't even care about all the things I've worked so hard for!” She practically shouted the last, eyes wet with moisture, before her shoulders slumped in defeat.

Mel tilted her head closer, voice a steady boat amidst the raging rapids of intent radiating from the girl. “Yes, he does. He left you in charge of his entire guild, Celeste. Since I met him, his… he's been obsessed with starting Astra and making it prosperous. I’m pretty sure this guild is more important to him than I am! The… the things he's running from, that he's so desperate to stop, it all hinges on Astra's success. He left you in charge of that guild. Not me. Not Pamalaiha. Not even his own brother or best friend, who he knows can be trusted. You, Celeste. He chose you. The value you’re talking about, he sees it. He might not say it or… show it normally, but his actions tell the truth.”

Celeste stared at her, shocked to the point her jaw was hanging open. Realizing she might never have a better chance, Mel went all in, her voice soft yet piercing. “You're so much better than me that sometimes, I'm ashamed to stand next to you. Same for him. I don't deserve anything that I have. And that's why I'll do anything he tells me. I'll crawl through a mountain of bugs, or eat literal poop, or even… even dye my hair orange!” Mel gagged dramatically, eliciting an unwilling bark of laughter from Celeste.

She wiped at her eyes, shaking her head. “You're so dumb.”

“Look who's talking!” Mel swatted her elbow playfully and, now that her defenses were wide open, struck. “Seriously though, you know he can't do it alone. He’s more vulnerable than he realizes. He needs us. He needs you. And we need him. We were lucky enough to find the most gorgeous man in the world, the only man that we can trust one hundred percent. He's rich, powerful, and willing to make us just as rich and powerful. Not to mention he's gorgeous. Did I mention he's gorgeous? He wants you, values you… So, what in the fairyfarts are you still waiting for? Haven’t you been waiting your whole life? How long are you going to keep it up?”

Celeste's jaw clicked shut, whatever she was going to say already forgotten as dozens of memories of Raine swam through her thoughts. “What if I ruin it because I don’t know what I’m doing? I took leadership classes before, and still almost managed to destroy his precious guild. I don’t know anything about having a… a…” She trailed off, unable to say the word.

“Not his guild, our guild,” Mel corrected with a wicked grin. She rose, only to kneel before Celeste. She took both her hands, leaning forward until their foreheads touched, her voice brimmed with sincerity. “You can’t mess this up because I won’t let you. If there's anything in either world I’m actually good at, it's taking care of the people I care about. I don’t have a family… you know.”

Mel paused for long seconds, drawing out the pain and letting it infuse her every word. “They’re all gone. I used to have a little brother.” A fat tear rolled down her cheek, but she pressed on, refusing to let emotion choke her. “I miss having a family so much. That’s why I’m building a new one here, now, with Raine, you, the guild, Pam, everyone. And… I would be honored to have a sister like you. If you’ll have me.”

Celeste's breath hitched, her own tears mirroring Mel's. She squeezed back, the grip tentative at first, then firm. “I… I think I'd like that—a sister.”

They held the moment, foreheads pressed, tears shared in quiet solidarity. Outside, the tower hummed on, oblivious to the bonds being forged within its walls.