Loxi

Loxi's life was a simple life. He lived in the more industrial sections of the grand Xornarian Dynasty.

He had friends in his village and even if the workload was a bit much, his family managed.

That was until the draft, he was of age and fit, and suddenly he was in a new place training to serve for a kingdom he didn't really care about.

He fit right in with the dozens of young men and women unsure of how they got here, and soon he had a new circle of friends forged through the grueling, nearly traumatic shared experiences. Soon, he found himself an exceptional soldier.

Until Decision Day, Decision Day was the day everyone was being shipped off from basic to different parts of the kingdom to serve.

Loxi was sent to the castle grounds.

Loxi was praised for such a demanded position, but Loxi just saw it as a job. And really... He just wanted to go home.

At the castle he was usually pretty bored, nothing much to do but stop people from bickering and keep moving. That was until some random Tuesday the princess ran straight into him. The princess, Ruby was all over him from then on out. And Loxi hated her company. She was loud, she was obnoxious and nosey. She wanted to know everything he did and when he did it and even how. Loxi had to remind himself that Ruby was only a child, Ruby did not know. Ruby was trying to learn. But stars... she was so annoying.

So when his supervisors slapped a folder in his hands and told him that he was being shipped out in a month, he was ecstatic! He would finally be able to leave! He read those papers again and again that night and got giddy each time. She was being shipped out to the industrial part of the kingdom, not the work part, but the shady part. There'd been unusual activity from the two big bads that lurked down there.

The PON and the IDT.

Two cartel rings that controlled the people with drugs that melted minds and weapons that could smoke anyone without a sweat. The IDT, the more mysterious of the two, had been seen with unusually glowy substances recently. And the PON had been far more aggressive with their retaliations.

His excitement to get out of this awful castle grew by the day. His shipment was right around the corner when his life crumbled.

Ruby and Loxi were enjoying their final day together, but Loxi was happier about finally being able to leave. They were on the bridge. like always, admiring the river below. Ruby insisted on being fine when he suggested she sit a little further back, so without much concern he said okay. He should've told her to sit back...

It was his fault really. But when he gave her one last back pat she fell into that river below. Loxi was horrifed and when he heard the Queen's scream, he knew this innocent mistake would not be forgiven. When he whipped his head around, they locked eyes, stars... he must've looked wild. And she looked horrified. Loxi decided in that quick impulsive moment. He vaulted the bridge railing and fell in after Ruby.

His life was ruined the moment the frail, delicate princess was put in danger under his watch. He would've been executed no matter what he did now. Because causing ham to royalty was the highest offense there way, punishable by death.

But maybe if he saved her, maybe if she survived, he could live too. At least that was the plan.