Belgamine

June 27th, 2094 A.D.

Highland City Archon, Capital of the Witches of Archon

Belgamine Neun, all of sixteen years old, found herself feeling nervous as she waited to see her mother Ein in her office. Her mother was the head of state, the Archmage, of Archon. She was dreading the coming conversation that she knew she needed to have with her mother; for the past forty years, the Great Grimoire War had raged on globally around the world, and according to Archonian law any witch aged sixteen could enlist in the military. Belgamine had enlisted without consulting with her mother; it was that discussion she dreaded.

It was not that Belgamine did not want to join the military—she wanted to do whatever she could to help save the world from the war, but she didn't want to tell her mother about it. But, with Ein Neun being the Archmage there was no hiding her enlistment. It was only a matter of time before word got out that the daughter of the Archmage was in the military fighting in this dreadful war.

The wooden double doors swung open, and Commandant Sechs exited the sanctum within and into the waiting room where Belgamine sat waiting. "Ah...the young Belgamine. Your mother and I have just finished our meeting. She is waiting for you." Sechs was five-foot-four with crimson red hair, and a single orange eye on the left side; her right eye was covered by a black eyepatch. She wore a white dress shirt with a black necktie and a black long coat with her black witch's hat atop her head. She bowed respectfully to Belgamine, though her smirk was very telling; she knew that Belgamine had enlisted.

Belgamine swallowed hard as she watched Sechs leave before standing and entering her mother's office. Ein sat at her desk pouring over troop deployments and military reports when she looked up and saw Belgamine enter. A smile spread across her lips at the sight of her darling daughter. "My dear, welcome back." Ein stood and walked around her desk to embrace her daughter. "I am so happy you are home safe and sound. How was your school trip?"

"It was wonderful, Mother. But...I need to talk to you about something." Belgamine pulled away from her mother. "Mother, I enlisted in the military."

Ein blinked, and her smile faded. She wasn't angry. She was heart broken. Saddened. Devastated. "Belgamine...why?"

"I have been wanting to do this for a long time now. Ever since I was twelve, actually. But I did not want to tell you because...well, you are the Archmage of Archon, and I didn't want to disappoint you. But...mostly, I want to do my part to fight for our country. I always hear about how devastating the war is. I...I dunno, I think I can help."

Ein sighed. "Belgamine, I know you mean well, but you will be fighting. You will be putting your life on the line."

"Yes, I will, Mother, and I understand that."

"I don't think you do. Most of the world is wrapped up in this war. The NER have been advancing on our entrenched troops for years, the Korean government has been suspiciously silent, Japan is growing more ambitious, and the Americans have been dabbling in magical genetic experimentation to create super soldiers. This is the worst war to ever exist on this Earth. Fatality rates are high on all sides. You...I don't want to lose my only daughter to this war, Belgamine." Ein fought back tears as she embraced Belgamine.

"I'm sorry, Mother. I know you hate me joining the military, but I wanted to do this for you. I wanted to do this for the world. I want to save the world, and I thought that I could best do it by enlisting in the military." She pulled away and pulled out her enlistment papers. "I report for training in two weeks."

Ein stared at the papers in shock. She was not sure what to say. She couldn't stop her daughter from enlisting; that would be a violation of Archonian law. And, if Belgamine were killed in action, she would be devastated. "I could pull some strings..."

"Don't. Don't make this 'easier' for me, mother. I want to try my best."

"I know," Ein said with a nod. "I just meant...I could decide who your Commandant will be. Someone I trust. Someone who will do their best to keep you safe. To give you the best chance at coming home to me."

Belgamine shivered at the thought. "Sechs?" she asked.

"Sechs. She will be your Commandant. She is tough. She is hard. She is harsh. But she is fair, and she has my trust. If there is one person I know will look out for you, it's Sechs."

Belgamine nodded. "Thank you, Mother."