Isaac ducked, the incoming sword swishing above him, grazing his hair. Gathering himself he charged forward before his opponent could bring his sword back into stance. The difference in size was against Isaac, his nimble feet however allowed him to close the gap. Thrusting his entire body eight at the opponent’s abdomen, Isaac pushed him off balance.

Garett matched Isaac in skill, quickly recovering his balance he retreated to the side. Anticipating this move Isaac had already begun motioning a thrust in the same direction. Steel screeched against steel as Garrett parried the attack to the side responding to Isaac with a thrust of his own.

Caught off guard, Isaac was forced to retreat to the side. The two were out of range, back to square one.

A spar between Knights had a few simple rules. Duels without the use of the Knight’s gifted powers, the match would last until either one surrendered. Considering their pride on the line, it was a draw if either side retreated once, twice meant a loss for the cowardly Knight.

“Woah, guess it’s a draw then!” Shouted out an excited onlooker. “Damn Isaac, you’ve improved.”

Isaac grinned at Mia’s words. Genuine praise from a beautiful lady, what could be better than that?

“Don’t encourage him,” Garett grumbled as he walked up to Isaac, placing a hand on his shoulder. “We know quite well how he reacts to compliments, that damned ego of his.”

Isaac could not help but smile at Garett’s words. After failing to match up to Garett nine times out of ten, even a draw was a welcomed reprieve.

Mia let out a hearty laugh, “the very embodiment of pride himself. Truly a Knight of Superbia.”

They all laughed at that. The trio alone in the dueling grounds, all the staff had been called on to prepare for the Novus festival, the biggest event of the year. The Knights were given the week off, one of few times in the year. Isaac and Garett's rivalry ran deeper than that, they tested their skills every week whenever they found themselves at the Capital.

Isaac being one of the younger Knights, at the age of twenty-three, was easily eclipsed by the older Knights. Well versed in actual combat with genuine experience. Most of them were bigger than him too. Isaac’s dedication to the job had created tremendous growth. So much so that he held his ground against Garett, at least this time, a Knight three years his senior.

Superbia rewarded the dedicated. Boasting the most advanced kingdom in the world, both technologically and economically, it was not a force not to be trifled with. With a military might that was unparalleled except for the Kingdom of Iraenum in the continent to the far south, Superbia had managed to consolidate its place in the world. Its prosperity had attracted peoples hailing from all parts of the world. The Kingdom granting all that requested it, refuge – at a small price, fealty to the King.

The Capital, Fedia, housed the Knight’s barracks. The lavish quarters, well equipped training grounds, capable commanding officers and brutal regimen showcased the status of the Knights. They were after all, the Pride of Superbia. The Knight’s base was outshone by the rest of the City. High rise buildings did take up most of the skyline, the outer city itself however was punctuated by several smaller buildings. All manner of businesses, homes for the civilians and guard posts. The inner city housed more intricate buildings, homes for the nobles, larger businesses and of course, a real castle.

While Isaac and Garett peeled of the layers of armor in the Men’s room, Mia laid back fully enjoying the warm breeze and view overhead, an orangish hue rolling over the horizon. A Knight herself, she had cut her auburn hair short and wore tight fitting clothes, unbefitting of a lady but easier to fight in. She did not enjoy random bouts of physical exertion, so ignored her friends’ pleas for a fight – aware of the outcome of the duel if she were to partake.

At twenty-four Mia was the youngest captain, and one of the strongest Knights in the Kingdom. Her quick rise to success had drawn the scorn of other Knights, they were silenced as she offered to duel them – their envy was legitimate felt but unfounded, her qualifications were undisputable.

As Isaac and Garett came back, worn in similar loose-fitting garb Mia picked herself off the spectators’ seats and found her way to them. The two of them looked cheery the out come of their duel, forgotten.

“Dinner?” She asked, putting herself in between them. The three had grown close after a small skirmish outside of the kingdom. The three knights had proven adequate in quelling the insurgent threats, their quests knitting their friendships close.

“I’m up for it,” Isaac quickly responded.

“Too early dontcha think?”

Mia shrugged, “Never a wrong time to have food.”

Garett guffawed, “you’re right. Let’s go.”

Mia took charge of the group, leading them through the vibrant roads colored in dye. The festivities were just beginning, men busy at work putting up celebratory flags, the newest color switching bulbs and tents crowded the roads. These tents would serve alcohol and foods during the festival.

The Knights were often recognized by the people and waved at them in response. They stopped occasionally to greet parents with their wide-eyes children as well as thank the workers for their hard work. They came to a restaurant chosen by Mia, her favorite but not well liked by the other two because of small portion sizes and expensive alcohol.

“Could we not.” Isaac whined.

“I concur with Isaac, while he general does have bad taste with regards to cuisine, I too would prefer something simpler.” Garett added.

Both Mia and Isaac raised their eyes at that. Garett was not the best spokesperson; his sudden outburst of civil conversation was rather off-putting.

“What in God’s name are you on, Garett?” Isaac decided to voice the duo’s thoughts.

Garett shrugged and said nothing. Before Mia could interject, their attention was drawn by footsteps, rapidly approaching them. They looked up to see a young man, hastily making his way towards them.

Panting, clearly out of breath, the young man was in fact a squire. He respectfully bowed to both Isaac and Garett before turning his attention to Mia.

“Captain Mazda, I am Squire to General Gardener, I was sent to meet you at his request.” He paused to collect his breath.

Mia raised her eyebrows but said nothing, she was however extremely hesitant about the legitimacy of this messenger. While General Gardener did employ a number of Squires, her hesitation stemmed more so from the timing of this message. So close to Novus, especially when all the Knights were off duty, it seemed unthinkable that he would call for a Captain.

“What’s this with regards to.” She said hastily, annoyed at the Squires abysmal constitution.

*Huff* *Huff*

Issac was giggling at Mia for her stern demeanor while Garett looked confused as to why they were not eating yet.

“I’m sorry, I wasn’t given details. Just told to being you to him.”

What… All this waiting and for nothing.

“Well, looks like you boys get to have fun eating at one of those shitty diners.” Mia said her annoyance at being called in showing.

“Hey!” The two guys exclaimed in unison.

Mia smirked at them and nodded to the Squire to lead her. He seemed exhausted but he moved at a decent pace.

“Didn’t catch your name.” Mia said, trying to make conversation. They had moved away from the livelier side of the city.

“Carvel. Just, Carvel.” Was his solemn reply. He looked disappointed, as if his name did not meet some standard.

“What a wonderful name! Is Just short for Justin, maybe?” Mia replied frankly, the obviousness of his statement passing over her.

Carvel was perturbed at how a Knight, those individuals renowned for their perfection, could be so… lacking in common sense.

“Uh, what I meant was. I have no last name. “

“That’s dumb.” Mia glossed over her silly misunderstanding.

Carvel bit his lips but said no more. Mia realized something was going on but she did not insist on the matter. Instead she paid more attention to her surroundings. As they moved deeper into the city, the amount of people reduced. They were in the territory of the nobleman and these were people who preferred to spend their time indoors, in their own homes or in others for their parties, balls, and numerous other excuses to indulge.

The lonely roads were a welcome reprieve for Mia who was constantly bombarded by people praising her for her “Knighthood.” They reached General Gardener’s home not too later, it seemed empty saved for a few lights in his study. The house was truly a sight to see, the peak of architectural prowess, it befit a General of the Kingdom.

Carvel led her through the door, not bothering to knock. Onwards to the General’s study, the path were lightly illuminated. He knocked twice on the doors to the study and took a step back, as if the General was going to burst out.

“Come in.”

Mia took the lead and opened the door effortlessly. She stepped in and saluted her commanding officer, while she was jovial by nature, and she did not enjoy duty calls on her week off, Mia was still dedicated to a fault.

“Captain Mia Mazda, reporting in.”

Gardener looked up from his desk, his glasses hiding his weary eyes. At fifty-five he was rather old, but the only characteristic that betrayed his age was his greying hair. Separate head from body however and you would be presented with a different image. Muscular, but lean, strong, but careful, a face hardened by years of battle experience. And power bestowed upon him like no other.

A General was the highest rank a Knight could be. Superbia had no standing army, Gardener was a General of Knights, a man above men. If ten million people were to attempt to achieve Knighthood, maybe a hundred would be chosen as knights, just one as General. Currently, there were three Generals who were active in duty, each of them reporting directly to the King. Each held enough power to govern their own lands. And here Mia stood, in front of one.

He looked at her, his eyes betraying no hint of what he sought. She waited, as was expected of her, being the lower ranking officer. Carvel, probably under the immense pressure that now emanated from the two, scampered out of the room.

“I apologize for calling you in so late in the day, especially now on your week off.”

Mia remained expressionless. While it would be assumed of the Generals to be hot-tempered or irredeemably prideful of their own position, they were no such thing. The King’s pride was of his own, and even though this was the Kingdom of Pride, that did not mean everyone in it suffered from such issues.

“This matter is quite…. Urgent. Not in the sense that you will have to concede your week off. Rather it requires some preparation, the mission will officially begin after Novus. When you’ll be in active duty.”

Mia nodded, understanding. Her brain was shifting through whatever information she had heard over the days that might be relevant. It was not often a captain would be called in for a mission.

“For now, only the necessary information. Once Novus is over you will board a ship, one that will sail to Invidia. You will travel alone; the ship will be manned by personnel loyal to the King. Your task is simply, this is not a military mission, it is… more political. We have received information that Envy possesses something that rightfully belongs to his Majesty.”

Mia raised her eyes at this. It was not often knights were sent outside the Kingdom. Their strength was unrivaled, a situation could easily get blown out of proportions, and outside of the kingdom there would be numerous political implications.

“You will meet with King Vert as a direct representative of our King, and take what is rightfully ours. Using force is not recommended.”

Mia finished his thoughts for him, but is not entirely forbidden, is it?

“That will be all, your free to leave. We will meet officially after Novus ends. Consider this a… heads up.”

Mia nodded and left the room, making sure to close the doors behind her. Once outside the mansion she sighed, she was tired. A journey outside of the Kingdom, especially one to Invidia would take weeks of travel.

And then I’ll have to come back too.

Mia was not in a good mood, grumbling to herself, she realized she had lost her appetite. She would have gone back to meet Isaac and Garett but the confrontation would require her to divulge too much information, something she would normally do, but considering the length of this mission, she did not want to deal with them tonight.

Mia walked back home, ignoring the lack of dinner. In the brightly lit roads of Superbia, she looked far more sad, and alone than a Knight had any right to be.