Prince of Salvation

Azrael threw glances across the room, he was carefully vetting and forming opinions about the men and women sat ahead of him. It was something he did, hell it was something everyone did subconsciously ; all an act man put up for each other. Some men though, were lucky to be able to realise that the show was pointless and drop the theatrics but most never did; it was something they did till they drew their last - A sad life, and Azrael was one of the unfortunate putting on a show.

In contrast to the newly appointed apostles, the people sat in front of them had no veils covering their faces. Only one man, possibly in his twenties, had his eyes covered in a blindfold. 

' Very weird...reminds me of the young kids back home' 

Suddenly the old lady sprang up. Old was not an apt description, she gave off an ancient feeling but her head was still full of hair albeit quite a few gray ones. Her face remained pleasant to look at but it seemed her age had caught up with her, she had wrinkles at the corners of her mouth, gray eyes that seemed to see through all. Her hair was cut into a bob that just touched her shoulders, skin the texture of leather, worn from years of traveling, yet despite her tan one could tell she was initially pale in her younger years and exceptionally beautiful. 

"Hello my juniors. Welcome to the Sun! Praise the Sun! Now I am sure some of you already know what it means to be part of the school; members of the sun school of thought are differentiated from other paths by our a master - apprentice relationship take on teaching....Oh I failed to introduce myself, you can call me Dame Noor" The older lady said soothingly. Her voice was in contrast to her age, youthful , full of vigour and joy.

"So as opposed to the Void Sea school and the other schools, we will not be attending academies before being deployed to the frontlines. This may seem like good news to some but rest assured this is much harder. Although most schools have some form of regeneration, we the Sun excel in healing and will be used as mainly healers when situations call for it. Well enough of that talk...onto your masters, the men and women you see before you will be your masters. Feel free to choose between them and discuss it with them, the remnants will have themselves distributed to other masters. These masters were just unable to be in attendance. Do not despair if not chosen, we of the Sun believe in the workings of destiny. What was meant to be, surely shall! From now on visit the masters you'd love to learn under and all the best!"

Noor finished her short speech before sitting down. The apostles broke up into streams making beelines to their respective choices. Despite Noor being the leader of the lot, not that many faces or rather veils made their way towards her. She gave off an ancient vibe which many found a bit...off-putting. 

Azrael just like most of the men almost lost to his biological temptations to make way to the stunning lady but he refocused his attention and carefully considered his options. The lady's desk was already filled by the men either way so he already counted it out. He thought about the odds of getting a master as soon as possible and decided that going towards Dame Noor's desk yielded the biggest hope. Clearly he was not alone in this deduction as many started to make their way to her. Noor found it slightly amusing that she was the second best thing for these youngsters, her pride was just a bit wounded and so she decided to be petty. She of course had her own criteria for new students (she already had 1 to be fair) that was a flare so to speak. 

" You see I am looking for something in particular...and I'll let you guys in on a secret. As believers of predetermination, we have the ability or we believe we do, to seek out individuals that resonate with us. As members of the Sun we use flames to an extent and we can use this solar essence to gauge those in tune with ourselves, it is nothing like the divination of those Moon people but yet something similar at the same time. So let us not waste time on pleasantries. If I wave you away, please leave and note that there are no hard feelings"

"Dame Noor is being cheeky..." one of the older men declared.

"haha...yeah. She really isn't wasting time or thinking about their feelings. I don't agree with her way of doing things but it certainly is entertaining." His companion chimed in.

Azrael was unfazed, he did not feel like going on to another master. In fact his whole plan of showing off his talent and natural proficiency with his flames had gone to shit. He had no idea that the Sun school consisted of charlatans that believed in forms of divination and destiny. 

'As I recall that is the work of the Corvique Empire. Well whatever....'

Soon enough, the dazed Azrael lost in his thoughts, found himself just 2 people behind meeting the Dame. Ahead and next to her was a rather tall fellow adorned in the ceremonial regalia and face veil. His short straight auburn hair could be seen and his sharp contours seemingly outlined themselves through the thin lace. He had broad shoulders and a large chest. He stood still almost like a statue.

' Oh...she already selected someone. Don't tell me she is just looking for someone big and strong, might she be a cougar? I hope not. But that man is very intimidating. ' Azrael cheekily thought.

Noor waved her hand languidly twice to signal the 2 apostles away. Azrael was before her.

"Hoh....you're an interesting one...heh" she said the corners of her mouth twisting into a smile.

"You do not get to see many like you these days...but your natural prowess aside, we are connected my boy." 

" Thank you...so does that mean I have the honour of serving under you Dame Noor?" Azrael asked while bowing respectfully.

' You have to know when to kiss ass and when to not..' Azrael said inwardly.

Dame Noor laughed for seemingly no reason and when she noticed Azrael's stare she answered,

"Sorry about the laugh, you will come to understand it someday. But yes little one you are invited to join my merry crew...hahaha"

" It is my pleasure Dame" Azrael answered glad to be done with the work of looking for a teacher. Inwardly though he was a bit concerned about the eccentric behaviour of his newfound master.

" Oh yeah it is not Dame anymore, call me Master or Crowned Noor" Master Noor said.

Azrael nodded in agreement and moved round the table to stand behind her. He nodded to the burly man who seemed to smile underneath.

" I am Orion. It is a pleasure to meet you"

Azrael was taken aback by the giant's majestic voice but managed to sneak a courteous smile back.

Their Master's selection was fast and in no more than ten minutes, the 2 were 4. The new members of the cohort were both female. Not much could be discerned about their characteristics as they were hidden underneath their cloaks and laced veils.

" Well let's leave. There is a train we are supposed to catch. You will meet your senior when we reach there." Noor said curtly.

" Excuse me Dam...master, but where are we going?" the shorter of the ladies asked.

" To the battlefield my child. We are living for the Eastern city of Thuram."