“Surasha pissed me off again today during training. I don’t know why she’s always taunting me. Sure, I might have said some mean things to her when she first became Lorelai’s squire, but come on! I’ve apologized already! What more does she want? I swear, it seems like I somehow bump into her everywhere I go. I just…I just want to be left alone, but she’s still so damned insistent with sticking by my side. Like an annoying leech. Ok, leech might be a bit rude, but you get the idea. Although, I guess it’s not that bad. It’s better than being stared at like some sort of crazed beast with a screw loose; better than being treated as an uncontrollable freak. It feels nice. Damn…maybe I should be a bit nicer to her.”
A Page from Sarathiel’s Diary before he became the Throne of Steel
———
The Knight
”Loooooorelai!” a faint voice calls out from behind the closed doors. “We’ve almost made it to the underground! Ascalon wants you to come out and calm the others before we head in.”
Surasha thrusts the entrance open to find The Knight buried within a mountain of books. The stacks reach all the way to the ceiling, but everything is meticulously organized by author, time period, subject manner, and other group-able tags.
“Wow, you’ve been in here this whole time?” she asks, squeezing in-between the worn-out volumes.
“Well, there was much to catch-up on,” The Knight replies, subtly beckoning for Aegis to return from his exploration of the vehicle by flaring its aura. “I do believe that I’ve caught up with everything. My ideologies, my strategies, I’ve made sure to leave no tome unread.”
Aegis flies into the room, his face stuffed with food, and lands on top of The Knight’s with his chubby body. His physique has grown over the few months since The Knight has found him, and he’ll soon be too big to continue hiding himself on the helmet. It doesn’t mind, however, as it’s much easier to protect him if he’s by its side.
“That’s great! I’m sure Ascalon will really appreciate the extra help, especially since it looks like you’re not scared of the underground.”
“Is it truly natural for all Seraph to feel such a terror?”
“Not just The Seraph, but the winged-less knights too. Heck, I think all Polus citizens are afraid of it to an extent. You were pretty disgusted by it as well, so I guess amnesia does have its benefits. We really need someone to keep our spirits up throughout the trip, so Ascalon wants you to lead the way. It’ll help soothe the others if they know you’re at the front.”
“I see. Go ahead and let Ascalon know I’ll be on my way, I just need to reorganize the bookshelves before I depart.”
“Gotcha. Good luck!”
Surasha leaves the room and The Knight quickly puts the books back in their proper spot. Aegis helps as well, reversing gravity on some of the tomes and floating them towards the areas that The Knight directs him too.
“You must not develop any fears, Aegis,” The Knight states as it rhythmically sorts the books. “The fear of being underground is a crippling weakness, as are other phobias. They are baseless, born of an irrational terror, and it will only serve to endanger you in times of vulnerability.”
“Un?” Aegis asks as he floats around the room.
“Fears are developed through conditioning and memories. It is made, not innate. You must grow up to be a being that does not hesitate to strike, no matter what blocks your path. It only takes a split-second of terror for your enemies to lay claim to your life.”
“Ooah!”
“You are brave, indeed. Now come, I shall show you that there is nothing to fear below the earth.”
Aegis and The Knight finish up their tasks and make their way out of the moving construct, the radiating light of the mid-day sun welcoming them as they step out. Ascalon appears before The Knight, having been waiting by the entrance, and excitedly wraps it in a warm embrace.
“How was everything?’ he asks, a deep kindness softening his words. “Surasha told me that you pored over the entire archive.”
“Haha, indeed. It was a really insightful experience,” The Knight replies as the two make their way to the front of the advance. “I was quite the wise leader it seems. The stratagems I wrote emphasize survival above all else; I could feel the compassion emanating from the words.”
“I have no doubt within my mind that you still are a wise leader, Lorelai. Memory can never take away experience. It can never take away the blood, sweat, and tears that have been engraved upon the body. Don’t worry, you’ll be just fine in the upcoming campaign.”
“Thank you, Ascalon. Polus truly is lucky to have a Ruler such as you.”
“Well, if not me, then someone else would have naturally taken my place. I’m just fulfilling my duty, as a King should.”
“Why do you put yourself down so often? Surasha…she told me a little about your history, but I still don't understand.”
The Knight’s words are genuine for it has never before witnessed a nation filled with such harmonious community. Ascalon is a truly magnificent King, a Ruler with both compassion and stalwart will. And yet, there is a darkness within his heart. One of self-loathing, of anxiousness. It cannot understand. He has achieved what The Knight never could, yet still he doubts.
“Ah, she did? It’s…a bit embarrassing to talk about my origin. I did what I had to do, and I will never regret that, but never in my wildest dreams did I ever imagine myself being thrust with so much responsibility. Heh, it feels like old times, back when I would lay my deepest secrets before you.”
Ascalon stops for a moment and buries his head on The Knight’s shoulder, his vulnerability on full display.
“I made a promise to myself when I became King. A promise to never be conceited, to never be complacent. To never forget my background and the gnawing hunger that defined it. I suffered, others suffered, and it’s that suffering that drives me forward. That motivates me to strive towards improvement. I must keep going. I have to be strong, even if I need to tear away at my soul to do so.”
Burden. Responsibility. It is a feeling that The Knight knows more than anyone else in the world, and it feels a kindred connection with the tender-hearted man. Above all else, he is still human despite the title he must bear. The Knight must shoulder its burden alone, but the same need not be for Ascalon.
“Oh, Ascalon,” The Knight comforts. “A nation is called such because the people strive together towards its prosperity. Alone, we struggle. But together, we persevere, reaching greater heights. Being proud of your accomplishments is not conceit, it is proof of your efforts. You are a great ruler. Both the King who stoically serves his nation, and the man underneath the title who yearns for warmth like any other.”
The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.
Ascalon’s body trembles at the words, his tears only loud enough for The Knight to hear. The two stay silent as they’re locked in an intimate moment, both reevaluating the nature of their duties.
“Hah, I-I don’t know what I’d do without you, Lorelai.”
“You’re strong Ascalon. You would have been fine even without me.”
“…Maybe, but a world without you is something I can’t even imagine. It scares me, and I never want to experience the same guilt I felt when you disappeared. Never again."
Ascalon looks over at the widening horizon before them. The reddish hue of the setting sun bathes the world in its tender embrace, lighting the way forward to a new dawn.
He turns his head and looks at The Knight with newfound confidence, his voice invigorated and filled with conviction.
“I like you,” he confesses. “Not as a King to his confidant, but more, um, deeply. I was too much of a coward, too consumed by fear, to tell you, but I wouldn't be able to bear it if I lost you again without ever having revealed my true feelings.”
Ascalon’s heart is ever so light, but the grip on The Knight’s only tightens. There’s only one person that it will ever truly love, but they’re gone. Forever erased from existence. But he…he shares so many qualities with them. His kindness, his devotion, it’s as if The Knight is looking at a mirror image of its beloved. Is it because of the Ruler’s essence within him? No, it’s simply because he’s a true champion of humanity.
“…I like you too, Ascalon. A lot,” The Knight says, hiding a trembling hand behind it.
Ascalon wraps it in a tight hug. Its words resonate deeply within him, and all the anger, hate, and sorrow that lurked in the crevices of his mind dissipate into nothingness. True happiness envelopes him for once in a long, long time.
“We…We should probably keep moving,” Ascalon murmurs as he releases his grip. “We’ll reach the underground’s entrance any second now. I can’t keep you to myself; the others need to hear your words as well.”
“Go on ahead. I’ll catch up with you in a moment, I just…need some time to prepare. I’m not sure what I should say.”
“Of course, take your time. I wouldn’t think about it too deeply. I’m sure your words will inspire them, no matter what you say.”
Ascalon sets off towards the front and The Knight is left alone with Aegis. The baby softly pats the top of the helm, worried over its condition after sensing the turbulent flood of emotions within.
“…Love is both a blessing and a curse, Aegis,” The Knight whispers. “Without love, humanity would have never been created. But because of it, they’re trapped within this tortuous cycle. It fuels our hearts, but also erodes our minds. You must have a heart full of love, but never allow its honeyed grasp to chain your being. Or else you will end up like me.”
“Oooh…” Aegis gurgles sadly.
“I’m fine. Let us be on our way.”
The two make their way through the legion of soldiers, moving by multiple knight orders along the way. Surasha’s division of knights gleefully salutes it as it passes through, their bubbly energy matching that of their captain. The Order of the Virtues are dressed quite uniquely compared to the other knights. Instead of having a large cuirass cover their body, they don chain-mail covered with red and white fabric over the top. An emblem of two snakes coiled around a golden rod is fixed upon the middle, surrounded by lustrous white wings.
Finally, The Knight arrives at the front of the advance. The march has come to a full stop, and an ominously-large cave entrance juts out from beneath the earth, its gaping maw welcoming all within the endless darkness inside. Surasha excitedly waves towards it from a small, makeshift war tent near the cave’s entrance. A slender man covered in a vivid, cerulean robe stands near her. Patterns of swirling cosmic clusters line the exterior of the robe, and instead of a helmet, a pearl-white mask embedded with two swords adorns his face. A small orb floats above his head, its interior filled with a smoky-purple wisp.
“Hey, Lorelai! You’re finally here!” Surasha hollers. “Oh yeah, the fancy magus over here is Simon. He’s in charge of The Order of the Sovereignties and is the one responsible for the giant barrier hiding us.”
“It is a pleasure to gaze upon your visage once more.” Simon bows. “Although our encounters were sparse due to our differing departments, words cannot express my reassurance when your discovery was announced.”
“He’s the scholarly type so he talks a bit weirdly, but he’s a good guy at heart.”
“Is that...an insult?”
“Don’t mind him. Anyways, Ascalon’s in the tent. We’re going to wait a little bit so that the rest of the army can catch up. In the meantime, Ascalon wants to discuss the route through the underground with you and Simon before we march on.”
“I’ll be right there,” The Knight replies. “Would you like to join me Simon?”
“It would be an honor. I am also quite fascinated by the blade sheathed to your side. The Eclipse has ever only been described in scripture; to lay mine eyes upon such a treasure would bring forth even The Arch Magus’s envy.”
“I’d be happy to show you once we’re finished with Ascalon’s meeting.”
“Then our oath is sealed.”
Simon and The Knight enter the war tent. A large map of the underground lays in front of them on top of a wooden table filled with various marks and annotations scrawled on the parchment, denoting safe passages and dead ends throughout the sprawling subterranean. Ascalon looks up from the messy station and quickly rushes over to embrace The Knight.
“Ah, Lorelai. I’m glad you’ve come,” he mumbles, still slightly flustered from his confession.
“Fascinating,” Simon remarks. “Finally revealed thine adoration have you?”
“Oh! I apologize Simon, I didn’t intend to ignore you.”
“No need, no need, I am elated to see the two of you in mutual matrimony. Your incessant hesitation has irritated me for countless moons, but I’m joyous at the thought of that troubled era coming to an end.”
“Thanks…I suppose?”
Ascalon coughs and directs the two towards the table.
“Simon, your magi will be essential down in the caves. Although Captain Dismas and The Dominions have already scouted a majority of the tunnels, we must be careful of the unknown. Who knows what lurks within the darkness, so we need constant illumination and protection throughout our march. Have your troops be spread throughout the entire army and maintain the barrier like we’ve done thus far.”
“Of course, I shall abide by your command.”
“Lorelai, you have the most important role of this entire excursion, and that is maintaining morale of the troops while leading from the front. You’re the only one out of us all that is not bothered by being underground, and the knights will rely on your courage in order to maintain their morale. You will be our shining beacon amongst the darkness.”
“That's a stern task, but I shall do my best to fulfill my role.” The Knight bows.
“Thank you. I know this is a heavy burden, to have the entire army be reliant on you, but if there’s anyone that can rouse the bravery within them, it’s you. I’ll be alongside you in the front, so just be yourself and leave everything else to me.”
“Knowing you’ll be with me is already a great comfort.”
Surasha suddenly bursts into the tent, much to Ascalon’s dismay, and stops sheepishly after noticing the charged tension in the air.
“Um, hope I didn’t interrupt anything. The entire army has been gathered at the entrance, so we’re ready whenever you’re…ready. Everyone’s excited to hear Lorelai’s speech.”
“Well, looks like it’s finally time,” Ascalon says with a slight twinge of sadness in his voice.
Ascalon gently grabs The Knight’s hand and leads it towards the exit of the tent. They share a silent moment together, just standing idly in place, before Ascalon turns towards it and removes his helm.
White, snowy hair flows out, gently touching the tips of his shoulders, and his skin shines just like the lustrous marble that makes up the castle. His face is a gentle one, blurring the lines between male and female. Smooth, yet hardened from years upon the throne, and flecks of shining crystal reflect itself across his blue eyes, the same color as the midday sky. He gives The Knight a smile filled with boundless love and gingerly leans on it, his fair lips right next to its ears.
“You’ll be fine Lorelai,” he whispers. “Just speak your heart.”
“…Ok. Thank you Ascalon. For everything.”
He grins and puts his helmet back on, moving out of the way for The Knight to make its grand appearance. With a single step, The Knight exits the tent and comes face to face with tens of thousands of squirming eyes. A slight uncertainty lies hidden within them all, but the sight of The Knight’s appearance brings out the hope within.
“Aegis,” The Knight mutters. “Lend me your wings.”
The Knight has always been a symbol of despair. But now, now it must speak as a bringer of hope.
Cosmic wings sprout out from its back. A wondrous nebula of astral color covers the surface of every part of the wing, shimmering and shining amidst the now-darkened night sky. The light dazzles all in attendance, entrancing everyone with its celestial wonder. The Knight soars above them and envelopes itself in an aura of authority as it speaks out to the knights below.
“O’ courageous knights of Polus!” The Knight roars. “We have heard the stories. Of the perils that lie beneath the earth. Of the tragic death of the first Seraph Valkyrie. We have been told ever since the beginning to avoid the underground, that its dark maw consumes all that enters its domain, but I ask all of you. Why are we gathered here? Despite the warnings, despite our fears, why are we now traversing the dark underbelly?
“Hope. It’s because we can see hope in the horizon. We can see a world where we will no longer live in terror under Nox Caelum’s invasion. A world where our children will never again be left alone with the corpses of their parents. A world where we all can live in harmony. Together, united as one. Hope is within our grasp, but we must reach out to it. We must be brave and march on through the darkness if we are to ever reach the light! Follow me now, sons and daughters of Polus. Follow me towards a brighter future!”
The entire legion thunders with emboldened cheers. The sky echoes with their fervent applause, and Simon struggles with all his being to contain the sound within the barrier. The knights raise their weapons up towards the heavens above and let out a rallying battle-cry full of passionate ardor.
“Together!” they all chant, the deafening yells shaking even the earth itself. “United as one!”