Son of a prominent business man and female trade sailor, Lucius was born and lived at sea almost his entire life. Lucius's childhood was fascinating at best, and difficult at worst. By the age of 12 he became handy with a short sword, and his training was fueled by pirates raiding his mother's ship. by the age of 16, he got the bright idea of, "If I can swing one sword and defeat an enemy, two must be better!", and from then on he was known for his dual-wielding style of fighting and received his sailing name, "Cross", for how he wielded his blades.

At the age of 21 Lucius's father, seeing the potential in his son and being influential in politics, contacted the country across the ocean called Rotharin and set up a deal. If they would accept his son into their famous fighting academy he would trade with them for a reduced cost for the duration of his training. After a few months of debating, the deal was made and Lucius said a tearful, but thankful, good-bye to his father, and sailed with his mother on the first ship sent to trade with Rotharin. The passage was fine and peaceful, and when they landed in Rotharin Lucius's mother hugged him and told him to learn as much as he could, but stay safe, so she could see him again. Before they parted, Lucius's mother handed him a sealed letter. She stated that he was not to open it until he was advanced enough in the academy to accept what it stated. Confused, Lucius stuck the letter in his pocket and parted.

Rotharin was as large and wonderful as any land he had seen. The wagon ride to the academy was overly quite, which was fine for him, because his mind was filled with, "What could possibly be in that letter?"

Arriving at the school, Lucius was greeted by the head trainer Alsander. He was instructed as to where his room was, so he could put his belongings away, and was told to meet him in the great hall when he was ready.

His room was small but accommodating. A bed, nightstand, dresser, bookshelf, washstand, and a shelf in-front of a small window. Putting away his clothes, books, and a few personal items, he took out his letter again, looked at it briefly, then set it on the shelf in-front of the window. Tightening his black bandanna around his long dark brown hair, Lucius made his way downstairs.

Meeting Alsander in the great hall, Alsander went over the rules and regulations of the Rotharin Military Training Academy. Lucius understood most of this, and was eager to start, but noted a hint of contempt from Asandor. He figured it was due to the fact that he was only there to train, and was not loyal to the country of Rotharin. Why should he deserve the honor of attaining rank and privilege, if he was not going to stay and serve? At least, that is what Lucius thought Alsandor felt.

This was also shown through his training. Alsander and all of the other trainers pushed him hard, and did not give him a hair's breadth of wiggle room. Lucius, being a sly trickster and prankster at times, just laughed at it and made jokes.

He was quick to make friends in the academy. Z'Kell Taldor was one of his first and best. Lucius called him Bones due to his ability to roll dice and usually have them come up the way he wanted. Lucius lost more than he won when he gambled with Bones and Bones was not one to forget a debt either. No matter how hard Lucius tried to bend it, just a little, to get him clear. Another one of his friends was Marek. Marek was a decent swordsman, on par with Bones and Lucius, and the three of them were known to hold intense side training to better hone their skills. After a while Bone and Lucius became intense rivals, while still friends, on the battle field.

After almost a year of training, all of the student were called to the great hall for an announcement. There was to be a multi-national competition where schools from several different countries came and showed their skills. Out of all the students at the school only a handful were selected. Lucius, Bones, and Marek were among the selected, but unfortunately Marek came down with a illness that rendered him unable to fight for a short time.

At the gathering, Lucius fought alongside his commander Alsander, and several of his students. Though their school did not have the most participants, they showed great honor on the battlefield.

Lucius met a strangely exotic woman there who would only let herself be known by the name of Petal. They spent all of their spare time together. After some time, Lucius had learned that she was part of the dreaded Militia. Mixed feelings welled up inside. He had spent time with some of the militia there, and though he got along with some of them, he would not want to be a part of them. Deciding that it was not important, Lucius accepted her anyway, though pointed out everything that she did that went against his personal moral code.

On the last night, there was a grand party where no rivalries were allowed. Lucius, not paying attention to how much he partook in the festivities, humiliated himself in-front of all of the nations. The next day, Alsander reprimanded him. He told Lucius the only reason why he was still allowed to train with Rotharin was because he was not wearing her colors the previous night and was told to find his own way back to the academy. Upon returning to the academy, Lucius swore to himself that he would not shame this wonderful country again.

It was an odd feeling for him. He was a national of another country, but he never really cared for her because was always at sea. For the next while, Lucius pushed himself harder than ever before to prove that he was worthy of training there.

After a short period of time, he had attained the rank of First Star. He was very proud of himself, and wrote a letter home, telling his parents all about what had transpired over the past several months. They replied with love and care that only parents can give, and told him that they believed in him and that he would go far.

One of the main requirements of being a First Star is that you have to forge a weapon for the school so that new students without weapons have something to train with. Working the forge next to Alsander and an apprentice named Anvil, Lucius made his first sword, named "Nightmare" after his fathers sword. He decided to keep it and make another for the school.

Months had passed, and onward he trained. Against Bones, against Marek, Anvil, a recruit named Feanor, and several others. By this time the three; Lucius, Bones, and Marek, were all first stars, and ready to take the advancement tests to become the high rank of Second Star. Lucius had passed. More proud than he had ever been in his entire life, Lucius took this rank with great joy.

Upon going into his room after the tests, his eyes had settled on the letter propped up against the window that had a think layer of dust on it now.

Lucius stood there for a long time. Was this the time his parents spoke of? Was he now ready to open the letter?

Propping Nightmare up on it's stand Lucius walked over to the window took the letter and sat on his bed. Holding his breath he opened the letter.

"My dearest Lucius,
It has been a long time since I first handed you this letter, and longer still till you will be able to return it to me. I know you have been training hard, and have been making new friends. Your father and I think about you every day and miss you with all of our hearts.
These next words are the hardest a mother can ever say to her child, but please know that they are written for your protection as well as ours. And remember we love you very much.
You are forbidden to come back home.
We know that this may come as a shock, but the night before you and I set sail, a dark man came to your father. We do not know who, nor why, but he told your father that if he had ever found that you had returned home, he would destroy all we knew. Including you my son. So please, I beg of you, do not return to the distant shores you once called home. I do not want to chance that the man was bluffing and come after you.
I love you my son and I am so proud of you. You are, and always will be, in our hearts.
Signed,
Melana"

Lucius was awe-stuck. What man would threaten him? He had caused no harm except to pirates, and they would be more prone to kill his parents than him. Re-reading the letter, Lucius felt a great deal of sadness rise up inside and he wept.

Waking up the next morning, Lucius felt refreshed. He looked outside, and the snow on the ground was glistening brightly. He had decided to stay in Rotharin. Though he did miss the sea, he had new friends here, and would not give them up for the world. He would fight for Rotharin and carry her name with the honor that came with his position. This was his vow. And if the man ever showed up, he knew that his friends and allies would have his back.

Smiling, he walked downstairs to have breakfast.