Tales of the Archive
an excerpt

[A/N: Tales of the Abyss fanfiction. No spoilers.]

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Mt. Roneal was a treacherous place. Always coated in pearly snow, its hard- and fast-driven blizzards made for a hostile environment for both natives and visitors alike. Then again, hardly anyone went to Mt. Roneal—not even bold young lads seeking adventure far from the quiet town of Keterburg. Night drew close round the horizon, skirting the deep royal blue that was all ready speckled with tiny stars. The moon made itself visible, and it shed its full light onto the sterile wasteland that was so beautiful at the same time.

Nearing the peak of the mountain, three haggard figures pressed on stubbornly. Behind them, three platoons of Oracle Knights struggled to keep cadence in the deafening storm.

Cantabile's voice rang out clear against the cold air. “Come on, you little punks, step lively or you'll get left behind! And mind you, if you get left behind and aren't there for roll call when we set up camp, I'll send scouts back for your sorry corpses! we need to save as much of our rations as we can! Left, right, left!”

Snow smashed under the boots of the knights in perfect time. The guide's banner cracked wildly in the fierce wind. Legretta and Largo motioned for the other God-General to accompany them.

“We should set up camp here,” Legretta suggested. “They won't make it much farther if we don't let them rest for the night.”

Largo took up the cadence-calling to allow the women a word together. They had been taking turns all day, and no matter how many times Legretta had offered to call the troops to walk without cadence, Cantabile had always gotten her way.

“No!” We can make the peak in three hours if we go by a quick time march!”

“Admiral, I don't think they'll be of any use dead. We must rest now.”

Before the bossy God-General could reply, Largo took it upon himself to ease the pain of their subordinates. “Route step...march!”

A sigh fell from every soldier's lips as one, and Cantabile glared at her colleagues. “You've got to be kidding me!”

“Here,” Legretta raised her voice. “Atten—tion! Company, halt!”

The next two steps were executed in hearty appreciation as the three platoons finally, finally, stopped. They resisted another happy sigh, almost breaking ranks to simply throw themselves to the ground and sleep.

Cantabile stalked the ranks critically. Not a body present could stay still in their excitement and under her terrifying eye. She spun on her heel, dissatisfied. “Begin,” she commanded.

Armor clanked, and the entire company collapsed to the snow. Cantabile watched them, then after about ten push-ups, she allowed them to rise again. “That was pitiful! I won't cut you any slack tomorrow, vermin! Thank Captain Legretta here for your being spared my full wrath!” Her strong voice echoed over the mountaintops.

“Thank you, Captain Legretta!” they shouted in unison.

“No, no, NO!” Cantabile threw her hands into the air, frustrated and peeved to the brink of insanity. “You do not speak at attention! Give me thirty! Now!”

They fell again, wearily counting off their punishment. Legretta shook her head sadly.

“Get up this instant!” Cantabile continued. “I want to hear not a single complaint now or in the morning! There is no such word as 'tired' in the Oracle Knights! We are not trained for years upon years to complain on a mission! You will be up at the crack of dawn tomorrow, more alert than you've ever been in your life! If there is any protest, I will seen that the offender or offenders is promptly executed regardless of gender, or if you have a family, or anything! Anyone seen trying to get another out of his punishment will be added to the list of criminals! You have seen what I do to those who disobey me! Am I fully and completely understood?!”

“Yes, ma'am!”

“Then fall out and set up camp! Move!”

“Aye, aye, ma'am!”