“I have made many mistakes over the course of my reign, but the one I regret most is leaving Surasha behind when she needed me most. It was the most logical decision back then, at least, that’s what I thought. Lorelai took her in after all, and in my hubris I assumed that was enough. She didn’t need my company now, and I could focus on my royal responsibilities while she would live a life unburdened by my shackles. I thought I was setting her free, but in the process of becoming a King, I took away a brother.”

King Ascalon, Ruler of Polus

———

The Knight

The Knight and Surasha break away from The Virtues’s position in the march and head towards the back where a transport golem is seen trailing along behind the army.

“You were always obsessed with literature,” Surasha says while the guards open the entrance. “Books, scrolls, records, you name it. But you weren’t only interested in collecting, you also published a ton of manuals about your combat style and strategies developed from your time out on the front lines. We printed a few copies and had them placed in small studies' like this for the other knights to peruse while they’re on break.”

“I’m surprised that such knowledge is so readily available,” The Knight notes as the two enter the oak-lined halls of the golem. “What if the manuscripts are leaked to outside nations? Wouldn’t that reveal our military tactics?”

“It’s fine. Everything is protected by magi sorceries so nothing can be taken out of the libraries. That vile corvid Xeros has tried in the past, but if there’s one thing we’re proud of, it’s our security.”

The two traverse the winding corridors before eventually arriving at a large, hickory door. The Polus symbol is displayed proudly on top, and the words ‘United as One’ are embedded right above the handles.

“Even if another nation did somehow manage to get our texts, it wouldn’t really matter out on an actual battlefield. A true commander can adapt and maneuver on the spot, especially for instinctual types like you. They’re mostly meant to help train our knights.”

Surasha pulls the door open and reveals a quaint, little room filled to the brim with scrolls, books, and pamphlets written on golden brown parchment. A couple of tables and chairs are spread throughout the space, and occupying a spot in the middle is a familiar looking titan—his massive size ludicrously contrasting with the surrounding.”

“Huh? What’re you doing here Sarathiel? You’re not the type to read,” Surasha asks, surprised at his sudden appearance.

“Hm?” Sarathiel looks up from his book titled ‘Understanding Group Synergy’—coincidentally written by Lorelai—and jumps out of his seat, shaking the entire vessel. “Gah, Surasha? Oh, and Lorelai too? Um, well, I just wanted to brush up on my knowledge you know? Can’t let the old noggin go rusty.”

“Why do you of all people need to learn about strategy?”

“Is it…not a commander’s responsibility to know their tactics?” The Knight questions.

“Not for Sarathiel. We just throw him out there by himself and it usually works out in the end. He’s a massive muscle-head.”

“Wow, that hurts Surasha,” Sarathiel exclaims with a pained grip over his heart.

“But it’s true.”

“That doesn’t mean you should say it out loud! Come on, do you have to do this in front of Lorelai?”

Surasha hides a mischievous grin under her helm and begins to circle him like a wolf eyeing its prey.

“Oh yeah, I heard about that. Something about a certain irresponsible idiot getting his ass kicked and destroying a whole district.”

“Please, Surasha,” he groans.

“What did you say again? ‘I’ll make you regain your light Lorelai’ was it? Wow, how passionate of you!”

“I’m begging you! Please stop…”

“You even somehow managed to infuriate Ascalon of all people! You sure were funny lookin’ wrapped in all of those bandages.”

This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

Sarathiel looks like he’s on the verge of tears. He is completely powerless, and he can only curl himself up into a ball before her impish tirade.

“Alright, Surasha. I think you’ve had enough fun,” The Knight says, becoming a little impatient over the long exchange. Such a treasure trove of knowledge is an invaluable boon, and it wants nothing more than to bury itself in the endless amounts of scripture.

“Aw, I was just getting started.”

“Th-Thanks Lorelai,” Sarathiel grovels. “Oh, and um, I’m sorry about before. I didn’t mean to go so far. I was just…overwhelmed with emotion.”

“The big lug is your biggest fan, even back during our training days. He’d whine and complain over how I got to be your squire instead of him every time we got partnered up like a little baby.”

“I’m going to strangle you one of these days.”

“You know you can’t.”

“Damnit.”

“It’s ok Sarathiel,” The Knight comforts as it pulls the two apart. “Although you could have toned down your aggression a little bit, I appreciate your devotion. Without your savage assault, I wouldn’t have been able to invoke The Eclipse, and for that I thank you.”

“Ah, you don’t know how much those words mean to me,” Sarathiel thanks. “Although savage is a bit…”

“Yeah yeah, don’t get too sentimental now,” Surasha interrupts. “Anyway, since you’re here, why don’t you help me pick out some of Lorelai’s books? I’m trying to rekindle her commanding expertise so I’m gathering some of her old records.”

“Oh? I’d love to help out! You can count on me. I don’t mean to brag, but I’ve read every single book that Lorelai’s written.”

“Weirdo.”

“Shut up.”

Surasha giggles and begins to browse through the countless articles.

“Oh, feel free to look at anything that seems interesting to you Lorelai. It might take a while before we’re finished, and there’s a ton of other books the nation’s collected over the years.”

“I will. Thank you, the both of you.”

“Aw, it’s no problem! Anything for you, right Sarathiel?”

“For once, I agree.”

“See? You even managed to get this muscle-head to work together with me! If that’s not love, I don’t know what is.”

“Ha hah.”

The two set off and leave The Knight to its own devices. The records in this place are indeed impressive for such a makeshift collection, and The Knight finds itself absorbed in the countless scrolls depicting history’s unfoldment after its latest slumber. It has been around one-thousand years since the last Comet’s death, and many nations have risen and fallen over the millennia.

A peculiar volume catches its eyes. The leather-bound book appears to have aged quite a bit, and its pages have discolored from years of use. ‘Documenting The Constellation’ is the tome’s title, and it records The Knight’s history through eye-witness accounts of various figures from the distant past.

“Ooh, looking up The Constellation huh?” Surasha asks while carrying a large assortment of books. “It’s a shame that we weren’t able to find The Comet, but at least that atrocity didn’t make an appearance.”

“You believe that it is still alive?” The Knight questions with a cautious tone.

“Well, it has to be since the gateway in The Antiqua hasn’t opened yet. Supposedly, a large portal to The Stars will open up on the Apotheosis Mountain once it dies, and only The Comet is able to traverse the gateway and guide humanity to the realm above.”

Well, she isn’t entirely false. But even with The Knight’s death, humanity will never reach the Stars unless they sacrifice which they most cherish.

“I wonder what it’s like up there…” she ponders. “It would be nice if we could all simply live in harmony, but people like Xeros will always try to ruin the peace I suppose.”

“It may not be as magical of a realm that you believe it to be.”

“Maybe so, but we’ll never know if we don’t reach it, right?”

“I… suppose.”

It is a foolish wish, one guided by ignorance, but it cannot rebuke the starry-eyed girl. It has tried to warn humanity of the dangers in the past, but that deep-rooted desire which blossoms within them all can never be extinguished—no matter what it does.

It can only delay the inevitable.

The Knight continues to peruse the old tome, but its contents are vague in nature. Its ability has never been identified, and the paragraphs that attempt to decipher its origin and appearance are jumbled together into an incoherent mess, each witness account appearing to describe an entirely different person. Thankfully, none of the ancient records have resurfaced after The Knight’s disappearance. It made sure to burn all of them eons ago, but it still makes sure to check every time it awakens.

“Oh, Lorelai! We’ve finished gathering all of your books!” Surasha excitedly hollers, gesturing towards a gigantic pile on the table. “It’ll take a day or two before we reach the underground’s entrance, so feel free to stay here as long as you wish before then!”

“We’d love to stay with you and help out, but we have our duties,” Sarathiel says sadly. “Surasha has to go back and lead The Virtues, while I must reconvene with Ascalon and discuss our plan of attack against the fortress.”

“Ah, I’m sorry for holding you two up. I didn’t make to take up so much of your time like this.”

“Nah, it was great to spend time with you again! If I could, I would spend the entire day latched on to your side, but duty calls.”

“Like she said. I’m glad that I was able to reconnect with you, and if you need anything else, don’t be afraid to call us out.”

“Thanks you two. I appreciate your help, truly.”

“See you later!” the two say in unison before exiting the room.

The Knight turns back towards the massive collection and gently picks up a volume. There is much to read. Much to investigate.