Stolen Fate

The lights spun around as Jace peered out the drapes. The floating ball of light seemed to move across the ceiling, casting light around the room, while leaving other areas in shadows.

The sound of music floated towards him as the bright light shone in his direction, causing him to instinctively cover his eyes.

Jace opened them once more as he took in the sight of the celebration. In one corner of the room was a small band playing.

Guests stood beside the band, some listening, most talking. As Jace gazed at the scene in front of him he was suddenly hit with a feeling of insecurity.

All the other people beside him were in suits while Jace was still wearing a simple workout shirt and missing a shoe.

Jace could feel the disdainful gazes of a group of people from across the room. With a soft smile, Jace picked up a glass of champagne from the tray of a nearby waiter.

The waiter saw only the sleeves of Jace's hoodie and turned with anger etched on his features until he saw Jace's face.

Jace simply nodded towards the waiter as he raised the glass of champagne towards the group and nodded in greeting.

The group looked about, confused on whether it was a genuine gesture or an attempt at mockery.

Jace meanwhile, fought the urge to laugh as he moved past the room towards a table.

The table was the most decorated in the room yet contained the least number of people.

Jace confidently slipped into a chair as he moved towards the man he had been looking for.

With his red hair and casual attire, he was an oddity even at his table. Additionally his two legs lay on the table crossed together and his two eyes were closed.

For a second Jace was skeptical as his mind raced 'Is he sleeping?' The soft sound of snoring answered his question.

The others at the table just ignored him and for a good reason. Whether they liked it or not, he was the Leader of the Red Army–a faction on par with and maybe even greater than the Black Stars. He was also the leader of the largest faction at that table. That and the fact that the alliance with the Black Stars was at the moment the most profitable alliance for both parties.

Jace swept his legs off the table as the others stared at him in shock. At the same time the man's eyes jolted open.

He fixed a glare at the person responsible for waking him from his sleep. "Wakey, wakey" Jace said with a smile as the red leader grunted.

"You're too courageous for your own good. One would think you're confident in your own abilities"

Jace sighed as he emphasized "Abilities? I have none. Anyways"

Jace's expression turned serious "I need your help" At the same time he motioned to his attire.

The red leader took one look at it before sighing "In closet number 2 beside the stage. You'll find it there".

Jace smiled brightly as he lightly tapped the red leader's shirt and stood. The Red Leader watched Jace walk away before suddenly calling out "Wait".

Jace paused as the Red Leader continued "We're currently creating aiding suits for those without abilities. According to our estimates, it's combat power should be higher than that of a Grade 2 ability user"

He paused for a second as he watched Jace frown before continuing "You can come and be a part of the tests. With that you won't need to rely on the general military".

Jace smiled as he sat back down "Once upon a time I would've said yes. Not now. You once told me Strength comes in different ways: Abilities, Luck and Knowledge".

As he spoke he tapped his head "I have only one of those so I can't call myself strong. But that doesn't mean I'll accept free meals. Plus, the thing'll probably break".

At that Jace stood up and walked away. The Red Leader watched him leave solemnly as he sighed once more after which he went back to snoring away.

Jace meanwhile walked over to the edge of a wall and began searching for the closet the Red Leader had mentioned.

Finding it, he opened it up to reveal a wardrobe. Jace searched the outfits until he arrived at one with a note reading "For Jace Blank"

Smiling, Jace revealed the outfit to be a suit. Additionally, there was a pair of shoes beside the door.

Jace slipped into the suit and shoes easily as he looked at himself through a mirror. "Just a tad too big" He thought as he ran his hands through his jet-black hair.

Taking one last look Jace brushed his hair back and left the closet.

As he walked out he noticed almost half of the people in the banquet were watching him closely.

The leader of the people watching him who Jace instantly dubbed 'The Watchers Association' was a woman looking at him with cautious eyes.

The woman walked confidently to Jace as she stretched out her gloved hand. "Monsieur Jace. I heard so much about you that I had to check for myself if the rumors were true".

Jace instantly began searching through every file and archive in his mind to find the identity of this unknown lady. At the same time, he took the gloved hand and brought it up to his lips. "I hope you aren't disappointed"

The woman covered her lips as she chuckled and remarked in a strong accent "Quel charmant jeune homme. What an interesting person?"

With that accent and the language, Jace instantly clocked who or what she was.

As technology grew more advanced, the need to learn languages decreased with gadgets which could translate languages for the user.

Because of that most people didn't bother to learn it, mostly because to them it was useless.

Even then, some of the most wealthy in the old world still chose to learn those languages. Whether it was a tradition, custom or maybe even a remembrance to them that they were once some of the most powerful people. Jace considered it stupid.

The woman in front of him, though, by all means did not look stupid. In fact Jace could feel the familiar shiver down his spine as she examined him. Only one person had been able to give him that feeling, his father. Today, Jace had found the second.

The woman smiled as she offered Jace her arm "I'm surprised you're not already inviting me to dance"

Jace took the hint, slipping his arm into hers as he led her to the dance floor. Jace could feel the gazes of most people on him and as they danced, he noticed some of the people who had been looking disdainfully at Jace at the start watching him.

Turning in their direction he made sure to plaster a large bright smile on his face. This caught the attention of his dance partner as she put her hand to her lips once more and chuckled.

"Looks like the rumors didn't lie. Or should I say as expected of the son of your mother".

Jace turned sharply to her as he asked in a strained voice "You knew my mother?"

The woman simply smiled a knowing smile as she exclaimed "Oh, look at the time. I must leave immediately. Pass my greetings on to your father".

As she said that she turned to leave. Jace couldn't help but glare at her. Who was she fooling, they hadn't even spent a minute on the dance floor. The entire thing was probably to hook Jace's attention and even though Jace was interested, he wouldn't give her the benefit of appearing desperate.

As she walked, she called out "And do tell your father the answer to a possible alliance is a yes"

After which she turned and left. Jace stood there watching as a dozen other people, probably her entourage, filed out of the great hall.

As Jace watched them leave, a voice sounded from behind him "Welcome great heir of the Black Stars. You're late".

The words had a mocking edge to it and Jace could already tell who it was without turning back.

"Why don't you scurry off to your hiding place Jerry. Your friends are waiting, or at least the rat you call a roommate said it missed you"

If the previous comment had led to a few people smiling or chuckling, Jace's led to complete silence.

Finally there was a snapping sound and the clacking of shoes. At the same time a nasal voice cut the air "As expected of our Lord Heir. Cuts through the defenseless with his tongue. Unfortunately his blade isn't strong enough to cut Humanity's actual enemies"

At that there was raucous laughter throughout the hall as Jace gazed, fixated at the man who spoke.

With a dark coat, a top hat and using a golden scepter to walk, he appeared, exuding an unholy aura of arrogance.

Tapping Jerry lightly on the shoulder, Jace watched as Jerry scurried away, probably attending to his mice friends.

Jace examined the person in front of him as he bowed slowly "Greetings, Councilor Sorn"

Sorn smiled just as Jace continued "Having the person I idolize the most here makes me happy". Sorn frowned, sensing mockery.

Jace meanwhile continued with a smile "It's not every day I get to see someone granted the title 'Hero of the War' with not a kill to their name."

The hall went silent with shock and Sorn's face twisted as his brain slowly processed each word Jace had said.

It may have seemed nice at first but Jace was essentially mocking the fact that Sorn never partook in battles.

And so, Sorn snarled. Opening his mouth he was just about to speak when a clear voice rang out.

"Can you guys shut it? I'm literally trying to sleep". Everyone gazed at the red-haired man who had just spoken. His eyes were still closed yet there was already an expression of annoyance on his face.

Councilor Sorn opened his mouth to speak once more just as a clear voice cut through the air "I came here expecting to see a celebration of the Black Stars rich history. Who knew I would see one of our esteemed councilors battling against a teenage kid in a contest of words".

A clear tapping sound similar yet distinct from that of Councilor Sorn echoed around the hall. Unlike with Sorn's greeting, everyone in the hall stood up and instantly commenced the Black Stars Salute. This included the Red Leader who stood uncertainly and used the table beside him for stability.

Walking in was an elderly man decked in the familiar military gear walking with a wooden scepter. His white hair and beard contrasted with his twinkling eyes which exhibited a mix of playfulness and youthfulness.

He walked slowly, perhaps too slowly yet nobody felt the need to rush him.

Finally, stopping in front of Councilor Sorn he motioned to Sorn's scepter "I didn't think anyone would want to copy a poor old man"

Sorn bowed slowly as he replied "A figure as legendary and heroic as you is worth emulating"

The old man glanced at Sorn briefly and said shortly "Well, even as you're heroic it seems no one considers you worth emulating".

Sorn froze for a second and Jace could hear someone begin to laugh to the extent of almost choking.

A blonde-haired young man stepped in at that point and smiled at the elderly man. Wearing the familiar military attire with a suit on it, his eyes were golden slits.

"Esteemed Leader Edgis, it's an honor to have you here." Glancing at Councilor Sorn and then to the larger crowd he emphasized

"This is supposed to be a celebration of history, of culture. A celebration of how far we've come and instead it's been a contest of who can give the best insults"

The young man paused for effect as he started again "It's insulting and utterly humiliating. Where is the human pride that defied extinction From the Rache. Where are the great men who built the Black Stars from the ground up and where are fighters who won battle after battle."

Pausing again he continued the last part of his speech "Those people are here right now. Dining with you, drinking with us and fighting with us. Because we are those great men, those builders and those fighters. Even now, we finally have a champion representing the Black Stars faction in the military ".

Turning to Jace he smiled and affirmed "Isn't that right cousin?"

Jace could almost applaud as he listened to the speech. From the beginning of the banquet everything had already been planned. At the moment he could neither say or do anything that wouldn't affect the current state of the crowd so with a short smile he nodded.

At that moment, an applause was heard. Then it became two, then three, then over a dozen. Jace could do nothing but watch as his cousin effortlessly attracted the crowd to him.

Jace glanced towards the elderly man now known as Edgis. There was nothing he could do here, no amount of words or actions could change the fact that his cousin was now the most loved person in the Black Stars.

It wasn't that Jace wasn't averse to this outcome. It was the realization that his cousin had played him, knew exactly what he would say and had subtly guided the outcome to this destination.

Jace prided himself on being unpredictable but Jace's cousin had just shown him just how predictable he was. Apparently he wasn't as unpredictable as he thought.

And so with one last glance back, Jace left the great hall.

As he did, his cousin smiled as he watched him. The mysterious woman had not been a part of his plan but he had managed to use that.

As he watched Jace leave, Councilor Sorn walked up to him and whispered "Phase 1 complete".

The blonde-haired man could almost smile as he felt a pang of pity for Jace "Oh dear cousin"

He muttered as he took a sip of wine from the cup Sorn had just placed in his hand.

"All's fair in love and war"