Alya now fully clothed slots the last of her weapons into her left boot. It was a small slim blade that she had been given as a gift many years ago. It had a perfect balance to it and was part of a set of five specially crafted blades.
Along both sides of the blade was an emerald green insignia etched deep into the metal. It was the crest of a unique and secretive school where Alya had grown up and was taught the arts of the Trucidor. These blades were only given to the best students that the school had to offer.
According to the law which was set down many thousands of years ago after the 'Great War of the Houses', only five students were now allowed to graduate from the school and exist in the world at any one time; one for each of the five ruling nations that make up Aetasia today.
The Great War had seen the Trucidor almost bring an end to all life in Aetasia. Not wanting to see another war like that again, the surviving Houses had made a pact to exterminate the remaining Trucidor, as they knew they may not be so lucky the next time.
However each House had been scared that one of the others might try to take advantage of their weakened state. They had all suffered great losses during the war, but neither knew exactly how much the other Houses had lost.
So to make sure there would be balance between the houses, it was agreed each House would be allowed one Trucidor only; and any unsanctioned Trucidor (or anyone caught practicing in their arts) would be killed on sight.
