The bedroom of the young Meah isn't abnormally large, nor decorated. There is a bed at the center of the room against the left wall, a wardrobe to the right of her bed and a desk for reading and writing to the left of the door.

  Then, on the far wall, opposite from the entrance, is a second door that opens out onto a balcony, overlooking the edge of Mount Conquest and the city below--The room is clean and organized, and it is well obvious that Meah spends little time here.

  She was sprawled out over her bed, drooling when sunlight shone between her curtains from a window next to the balcony door, the light shone right onto her face as she covered her eyes with her arms and turned over.

  Moments later, her sleep interrupted by the sun, she sat up, rubbing her eyes with her hand, before wiping the drool off her face with the sleeve of her gown.

  Pulling her blankets off as she sat over the side of her bed, she stretched and yawned, her hair a disheveled mess as she began walking towards the balcony door, pushing it open, and she stepped out onto the cold stone with her bare feet.

  Reaching over the stone guardrails, while the cold morning air blew across the mountaintop, she was just tall enough to peek over the side, and look at Codeas below. The air was crisp, but the morning sun was warm, yet it only took a moment before a chill crept across her, and she tucked her hands under her arms.

  After a moment or so of embracing the cold, she was far more alert--Stepping back inside, closing the door behind her, pushing her hair out away from her eyes--As she twisted the doorknob to the hallway door, and pushed it open.

  The moment she stepped into the hall, all manners of noises flooded her ears that were muffled almost entirely by her door--There were maids cleaning the hallway, dusting, sweeping. Near them, were a few soldiers standing around in armor, discussing something. The clamor was unusual, and Meah immediately glanced around.

  A young woman with short brown hair stood nearby, awaiting the child to wake up. “Good morning Meah.” The young woman approached Meah, when the child yawned.

  “Good morning Penn.” She spoke with a tired voice, when the brown haired woman glanced down at the young Meah.

  “Let’s get you washed up, and dressed. There will be guests visiting today, you will greet them.

  Davak expects you and Vista for breakfast, as well--He’ll explain more details then.”

  She explained, Meah was very visibly groggy. “What about school?” She asked.

  “It'll be postponed for the day.” Penn responded, walking ahead down the hallway, while Meah followed behind.

  The hallway, like the rest of the castle, has a red carpet down its center over the marble floor, the walls are gold and white. It is wide and tall enough for a giant like Davak to walk through without trouble--There are dozens of doors along both walls down the length of the hallway.

  Hanging from the ceiling before each room are Golden Crystals that shine a soft sun-like glow below, Meah hardly paid any mind to her surroundings, walking past the soldiers and maids cleaning up every inch of the Palace.

  Finally arriving at the end of the hallway, it turned into another hall that goes to the right. This hallway has doors on the right wall, but large glass windows on the left wall--The windows do not face direct sunlight, but still allow enough light into the hallway that the Crystals are absent here.

  “So, who's visiting?”

  Meah inquired. “Queen Tista of House Rain and her daughter, Lissia.” Penn answered. “As well as a handful of Tista's soldiers.”

  “Is something happening?” Meah asked.

  “Lissia is coming to Codeas to once again attempt the Second Ordeal.

  Apparently, Tista has expressed interest in you after you completed the First Ordeal at such a young age, and has requested to meet with you, as well.”

  Penn explained, as Meah yawned. “But the Ordeal wasn't difficult, I just had to--”

  “Not difficult for you, there's a reason why you're the youngest to have completed it.” She responded. “So, no matter what you might say, Tista wishes to meet you specifically.”

  To that, Meah did not respond. She followed Penn to the washroom, standing in front of a mirror, there was a large bowl of water, first she washed her face, then was seated as Penn lowered the seat over the bowl, Meah's long hair was lowered into the water as she laid back and Penn combed her hair.

  Meah stared up at the ceiling, still and quiet. “You're being cooperative today.” Penn noted, rubbing the scalp of the young warrior. “And quiet.” She added.

  “Am I really?” The child asked, as Penn shrugged.

  “Normally you'd be complaining that the looks of a Warrior are unimportant.” Penn responded.

  “If I just cut my hair I wouldn't have to worry about combing it!” Meah explained.

  “So why don't you?”

  Meah thought for a moment. “Because Annaia said a girl should have long hair!”

  “I'm a woman, but a warrior first. Long hair doesn't do you any good on the battlefield, it only gets in your eyes.” Penn responded.

  “Really?” She closed her eyes.

  “We can cut it right now if you want.” Penn explained, as Meah quickly sat up, splashing water all over the floor.

  “Wait!” The child shouted.

  “You got water all over the floor!” Penn complained.

  “I don't wanna cut it yet!” Meah explained.

  “Then just say so.” Penn rolled her eyes. “I won't make you do anything you don't want to do.” She said as she grabbed a towel. “You got your gown all wet, now dry off and change into something nice.”

  Meah pressed the towel onto her face, shaking her head around, throwing the water around the room as Penn sighed. “Now I need to dry off.” She complained.

  Afterwards, Meah returned to her room, dressed for the day in a black shirt with long sleeves and a tall neck, as well as a pair of boots, and a black skirt all the way to her feet, her hair tied back behind her head with a piece of string.

  She exited her room once again and followed Penn to the Dining Hall, which is down two flights of stairs, through another hallway all the way at the other end of the castle.

  The Dining Hall is a long room, with a table that stretches across it below stained glass windows. There are chairs along the length of the table on both sides, and large chairs at both ends. Meah sat on the left most seat, next to the chair at the end.

  All the commotion was happening upstairs, and so it was relatively quiet here. Penn had left Meah's side for a moment, and so Meah just sat on the seat, kicking her feet back and forth.

  Suddenly, a door behind her was thrown open as Vista stepped inside, he was dressed in a far more ornate outfit from usual, in a long sleeved shirt with gold and red patterns down the front, he walked with his hands behind his back, stepping around the table to the other side, sitting directly opposite from Meah.

  He sat straight, eyes forward. “You're up early.” Was his morning greeting--Meah's posture was less precise, she was leaning over the table, chin resting on it as she glared at Vista.

  She didn't respond with words, just a: “Mmmhmm.” After which she just sat quietly as Vista shifted forward.

  “You're quiet today, you must be tired.” He asked--She nodded her head.

  “I was up all night thinking about what Armament I should pick.”

  She explained, when Vista cocked his head. “Just choose something simple.”

  Meah sighed, pressing her face against the table. “But I want something cool!” She complained.

  “You don't even know how to use most weapons.” He glared at her. “Just look for a sword you can swing around mindlessly, or practice with a type of weapon before choosing your Armament.” He suggested.

  “What good would practicing do?” She lifted her face from the table.

  “You can't just pick up a sword and expect to master it.”

  Lady Penn spoke from behind. “To use a sword proficiently, takes skilled footwork, posture and form, more than just the strength to swing it.” She added, sitting in the open chair to the right of Meah.

  “What does my feet have to do with a sword?”

  She was looking down at her boots. “And this is why you should practice.” Vista complained. “How such an undisciplined child such as yourself passed the--” Vista was grumbling when the large door was thrown open.

  Davak standing on the other side, towering over both the children and Penn. He was yawning as he stepped into the room, a yawn which quickly spread to Meah as well. “Good morning, Father.” Vista turned his sight to the table as Davak sat at the end, a smile on his face.

  “Good morning kids!”

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  He loudly spoke across the dining hall, as Meah sat up. “Good morning!” Meah shouted back, waking up a bit.

  Davak turned to Vista. “Did you sleep well?” He asked.

  “Just fine.” Vista answered.

  “How was the meeting?” Meah asked, shifting her father's sight towards her.

  “Long and boring.” Davak responded. “I am sure you've been informed, but we will be hosting Tista of House Rain, as well as her daughter for the next few days--The arrangements were made last night after the House Meeting.” Davak announced, turning to Meah.

  “For the most part, I don't expect her daughter to interact with us much. But, Lissia has failed the second Ordeal many times now.

  There are many that grow frustrated, or embarrassed after failing just once or twice, that the two of you passed the first Ordeal on your first attempt may cause her even greater shame.

  I will ask that the two of you are kind to Lissia, and refrain from speaking of her past failures in order not to damage her confidence.

  They are our guests, let us remain hospitable.”

  He explained, before sitting forward. “With that said, I want you both to be present while she's challenging her ordeal, so that you both understand what you will be up against when you do challenge it.”

  Vista sat forward. “And when will I be given the opportunity to challenge the second ordeal?" Vista asked, looking his father in the eyes.

  “I will allow you to take it when I see that you're ready.”

  Davak answered. “I believe that I am ready.” Vista responded.

  “You've only just obtained your Armament, should you take on the challenge now, you could be hurt, or killed.

  I will tell you when you're ready.”

  Vista sighed, taking a long breath. “I am trying to be patient, perhaps you could prepare me--”

  “You'll be ready when you're ready, there's no need to rush this!” Davak raised his voice just enough to speak over Vista.

  “And how will you know when I'm ready!?”

  Vista yelled, standing up. “Many warriors spend decades understanding their Armaments before--” Davak attempted to speak, when Vista spoke over him:

  “With all due respect, Father--I do not want to sit idly in Sol, while the Demon’s that killed my Mother, are able to continue living, and threatening our people.”

  Davak listened to his son, sighing, before closing his eyes. “By passing the first Ordeal, I have become a Warrior of Sol--You might be my Father, but I am allowed to challenge the second Ordeal whenever I see fit!” The boy added.

  “And what good will come from rushing to fight an Ordeal you know nothing about with an Armament you have never used, to fight a battle of which you have never experienced, against a threat you do not know?”

  He glared down at Vista. “And even if you passed the second Ordeal tomorrow, your mother was nearly as strong a warrior as I, so I ask Vista--If you cannot stand against me in battle, how can you hope to defeat a Demon, who had the strength to defeat your Mother?”

  “It is doubtful that they fought her fairly!”

  The boy yelled. “And would they fight you fairly?” Davak asked.

  Meah watched from her seat, slowly sinking below the table.

  “Yet here you are, doing nothing in spite of being the greatest Demon Slayer in history!

  Your wife was slain by them, and yet you do nothing to avenge her!”

  The boy's words were like a sharpened blade, cutting right into Davak's flesh. “We do not fight for revenge, Vista!

  We must only fight to protect the people on the surface!”

  “Even if you're too afraid to fight, I am more than ready!

  My Mother's killers must be brought to justice!”

  “And how do you plan to do so?

  We do not know where she was, or who killed her--Would you have me kill every person of the Bottom World, to ensure that one murderer is punished!?”

  “Person!?

  You would call the monsters that slaughtered your wife, my mother, anything other than a devil!?”

  “I will call them as they are--They are people.

  The fact you cannot imagine the face of those people as anything but a monster, shows your own immature and misguided hatred.

  Would you kill their children? Or their mothers who are just trying to protect their children?”

  “And what about Meah!?”

  Vista pointed at his sister who was almost entirely hidden behind the table. “What about her!?” Davak asked.

  “She will fight on the surface one day, would you still do nothing if she was killed too!?”

  Davak turned to his daughter, his expression shifting.

  “It is our duty to protect the people of the surface--But we must still protect our people.

  I, for one, cannot sit around letting Demon’s slaughter innocent people.

  Meah, you feel the same, do you not? Don't you wish to avenge Mother?”

  Vista asked, as his sister took a deep breath. “I don't know.” She sat up. “I don't remember her, but I am frustrated that she was killed.” She responded, though there was hesitation in her voice as she spoke.

  “See Father!? Do you understand why I--”

  “Both of you, listen to me.”

  Davak interrupted. “Vengeance will not give you anything, it will not reward you.

  Every time you say: They took one of ours, so we must take one of theirs--The scales may feel balanced to us after we have our vengeance, but then, they will seek vengeance against you, for killing their parents.

  They will see us as the killer, then they thirst for vengeance no different than you.

  Revenge does not give to the world, it only takes from it.”

  He explained, sitting back down. “Is it vengeance to demand justice!?” Vista asked.

  “And who gets to decide what is justice?”

  “It is obvious, Mother was murdered--”

  “So, is it your justice that decides that all must be slain for the death of one?”

  “They attacked us!”

  Vista responded. “Who are they?” Davak inquired.

  “The Demon’s!

  Those cowards who crawl out from under the earth in hoards and terrorize the mortals, while stabbing us in the back!”

  The boy spoke out, as Davak lowered his sight, scratching his bearded chin. “Someone has poisoned your mind--Who put these ideas in your head?” He asked, as the room responded with silence. “You speak no different from Vin in last night's meeting--Your words do not sound like your own.” He added, before raising his sight to his son again.

  “Let it be known, the House of Conquest, will never again represent the sin of petty vengeance.

  I cannot stop you from challenging the second ordeal, nor from fighting on the surface if you should pass it.

  But, I am the head of House Conquest, and so long as you live under my banner, you will fight only to protect.

  It is our duty to protect the Armory, it is our duty to protect the people of the surface.

  If you wish to die in a senseless battle against a faceless foe, to satiate your own desires, then you may only do so under another banner.”

  Davak spoke his words, as Vista took a long inward breath, his hands clasping into fists. “Did you truly love Mother?” He asked under his breath, as Meah hid behind the table, covering her ears.

  “She was the love of my life!”

  Davak yelled, slamming his fist against the table, as the massive wooden table that stretched across the room was shattered like glass, collapsing before Davak’s fist, Vista stood up, away from the table.

  “I don't understand father.”

  Vista started walking around to the back of his father. “When your first wife was killed by them, you had no problem killing them in scores.

  But you will not do so for my mother? For the woman who loved us, who adored the baby Meah?

  No matter what you say, your actions speak louder than your words.

  If you cannot bring her killers to justice, then I will, with, or without your support.”

  Davak remained still as his son walked around, and then through the dining room doors behind him.

  Meah pushed her chair back, quietly standing up as Davak turned to face her.

  “Wait.”

  Davak's tone held no anger nor contempt, but she still froze nevertheless, all while Penn sat still with her arms crossed. “Yes, Father?” She asked, slowly turning around.

  “Tell me Meah, what is it you seek to gain by passing the second ordeal?”

  She had no problem raising her sight to his face. “I want to protect Vista.” She said without hesitation.

  “Is that all?” He asked, as she thought for a moment.

  “I want a neat Armament!”

  She said with a smile. “Do you intend to avenge your mother, like Vista?” He asked, as she lowered her sight.

  “No.”

  She responded. “I can't remember her all that well, so I don't want revenge.” As she spoke, he let out a sigh of relief. “But, even so, I would like to fight beside Vista.

  I don't want to lose him, and so, if he fights, I want to make sure he isn't alone.

  So that's why I have to pass the Ordeals.”

  She explained, as Davak took a deep, somewhat shaky breath. “Come with me.” He stood up, and Penn did as well.

  “I should give you two privacy. I'll go…

  Find someone to replace the table!”

  Penn awkwardly stepped back, letting Meah follow her father.

  Davak walked through a few hallways, up a flight of stairs, and into a small, dark room with a roundtable and seven seats around it.

  As the two entered the room, and closed the door behind them, a glowing crystal lit up the room just enough to see, catching Meah's attention while Davak grabbed one seat, turning it so that Meah could sit down, then he sat on another, facing her.

  “Because you have passed the first Ordeal, I will speak to you candidly, not as a child, but as a warrior.”