"Never thought I would face someone like you ever. Thanks for making this much more enjoyable than I realized." Valum spoke briefly but firmly. With his sword raised with one hand, he took a defensive stance, pointing the tip directly at me.

"It's time to end this." Exhausted past my limits, I force my body to move forward. I knew I was pushing into dangerous territory with any further strain, but I was committed to at least standing my ground.

Ducking forward, I twirl the blades in my hands and strike with a snake's lunge. Quick and precise, each thrust, every slash, gets closer to reaching Valum and pouring full-on aggression into each strike. I take a deep breath every time I slow down to release as much energy into each strike. Valum sidesteps, defending perfectly, his focus still centered on my blades. Deflecting my blades, he puts up a formidable defense against my onslaught. I knew I couldn't last much longer without trying one last move.

"Twin Blade Vortex!" A gust of wind surrounded my arms, making them lighter but putting pressure on the blood vessels in them. It was a tight feeling that increased in pressure with each passing second. Valum raised his sword to attack but with the velocity of my Sword Art, I counter with one stroke. Spinning to his left, I swipe at his throat. Just barely dodging the strike, he slips and falls to his back.

Giving him no time to recover, I leap onto him and slam my swords down to end him. The stubborn bastard kicked my back from the ground to offset my balance, leading to him throwing me over him. Hitting the floor, I lost my concentration on the Sword Art. I cough a bit from the impact of the ground. Pulling myself from the ground, I charge at Valum with every ounce of strength left. Slowed by fatigue, Valum merely had the sense to dodge out of the way. I didn't relent and tried to gain a surprise with each strike. Being Unpredictable was the main strength of this stance; using one weapon and not the other, interchanging each strike to cause panic and confusion with your opponent, was the last-ditch effort within me.

With one strike being deflected, the sparks etch off the blades; I assume another strike and feint it for a low to slash his leg. Valum turns his leg to take a slash on the thigh before shoving the pommel into my chest. I slip back and swing overhead with my right arm, then combo into a long, low uppercut strike with my left. Unorthodox couldn't describe it. It was awkward and lazy, with nothing behind it other than desperation and hope. Valum saw the strikes and defended against the strike above. He struggled to push me back, giving me the chance to finish him once and for all. That is until he had the bright idea to jump from his spot and kick me square in the chest. The plate took the blow, but it was enough force to break a couple of ribs. I fell to the ground in a heap of pain and gasping for air. The pain radiated throughout my body, leaving me barely mobile.

I missed my final chance; I was utterly burned out, and nothing but the pain kept me conscious at that moment. Valum got to his feet first and stared at me as I removed the armor attached to my chest. I held to my chest as I sat up on my knees. Coughing, I somehow had the freakish ability to stand on my two feet. I swayed, but I kept to my feet.

"You can't be able to move... I ugh..." Valum, who was actually feeling the strain on his body, fell to his knee. The wounds he sustained had worsened, and the use of Sword Arts drained his stamina. Leaving him open for a final blow. So, I took a step, a sword in each hand, ready to cut him down.

"I'll admit, you may have won in stamina, but I still have enough to use a Sword Art to finish you off before I collapse from exhaustion. Thank you for this fight. It showed me a lot about you." Slowly rising to his feet, Valum took his sword and held it before him. I didn't know if he was bluffing, but I didn't want to stop.

"My Lord! I won't let you raise your sword any further!" One of his personal guards spoke up, but Valum raised his wounded hand to order them to stop. He didn't want anyone to interfere.

"Don't mind them. They don't see that I have won and would make a fool of me."

"I'll... Win no matter what.."

"Eckhart, you really trained as hard as you could for this, didn't you? It mattered that much?"

"Yeah? What is it to you... I am not your pal or buddy... I'll make you regret what you said about my father!"

"Your father... Right. I am sorry about that."

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"Huh?"

"I wanted to know if Sir Flynn's son had his heart and pride."

"What do you mean?"

"The things I said about your father, I wasn't lying. However, the whole truth is that even if he deserted the Order, my grandfather didn't label him as a traitor or deserter. I actually looked up to your father. He was a courageous knight who found purpose more in life than duty."

"My father... You respected him?"

"Of course. He was close to my grandfather as a trusted friend and ally. He left the Order to be with the woman who was having his child. He didn't have any family other than the Order and my grandfather. No more than brothers, the relationship they had. It was unfortunate and saddening when I heard Uncle Flynn had died along with his wife. He died to protect her and his child, you. She was wounded and had given you to the Empire for safekeeping. She died to her wounds. I am sure you were very young when that happened, but I can't imagine if you had any idea about it."

"I knew they died... Some assassins or a group of bandits... He gave his life to protect me and mother..."

"I'm glad he stuck to his honor as a true knight. He may not have been related by blood, but he was a part of my family along with my grandfather. I wanted to see if you had the same honor and love he held. You are just like him. Maybe you have a bit of a temper, but that is fine. Sorry I deceived you, but I wanted to know how far you would go to protect your father's name, and you did more than that. You honored him, Eckhart. Be proud of yourself with that."

I didn't know how to respond to the wave of emotions pouring through me. I had Valum all wrong, more so I had myself wrong. I was wrong about him and wrong about his intentions. Testing my resolve to honor my code and father. Valum...wasn't such a bad guy after all.

"Valum... I..-"

"My Lord! Don't waste your breath on this low-dog vermin! We shall dispose of him!" Charging past Valum unsuspectedly, his two guards disobeyed his orders and intervened.

"Stop-!" Valum was too late to stop them as they raised their swords against me. Instinctively, I used both blades to deflect the first attack. I was unable to respond to the other in time as his blade cleaved through the side of my temple. The sharp, clean blade ripped through my flesh and down the side of my head. It tore past and split my lip and chin, and a deep and heavy gash of blood splatters down my face. Heavy pools of the crimson liquid splash onto the ground to be soaked into the dirt. Leading me to drop my weapons and hit the ground, bleeding profusely and exposed.

"That will teach you not to mess with our Lord-"

"I TOLD YOU TO STAY OUT OF THIS!" Without hesitation, Valum strikes both men with his pommel. The unrelenting strength shatters the first one's nose, and the other one is knocked out cold with a couple of his teeth shattering from the strike. Valum rushes to my side with a look of concern. "Eckhart! Are you alright?"

With one eye open to see the look of a man who had gained my respect. A nobleman who was more than just duty but of honor and integrity. It was a man who I could follow without question and have my unyielding loyalty for as long as I live. I reached out, grasped his hand, and kneeled with my head down. Blood pouring from my wound, I spoke with full conviction.

"Lord Aris... You have my utmost respect and privilege to honor you. I will devote my life to you..."

"Eckhart... It will be my honor. I want you to be my retainer, my shield, and my one true friend."

"You didn't need to ask...u..ugh..."

"E-Eckhart!"

Blacking out from blood loss, I fell into his arms and was quickly rushed to the medical ward, where I was quickly treated. I woke up days later in bed, covered in bandages and completely in pain. The first person waiting for me was the Instructor. Watching over me as I rested, he smiled softly and stood closer to speak.

"You're awake. Good."

"Instructor?"

"Take it easy. You've been in bed for days; your wounds aren't fully healed."

"I see... How is Valum?"

"He's doing fine. His wounds weren't as severe as yours, of course."

"That's good. Say, were you watching our fight?"

"Of course I was. I was the one who carried you to the medical ward."

"I see..."

"I should grab Valum and let him know you are awake."

"Wait a moment..."

"Yes?"

"Who are you.."

"I told you-"

"No. Who are you? Before my fight with Valum... Arlo did some research and found no one fitting your description as a teacher in the Order... So, who are you?"

"That was good form and footwork using the twin-blade stance. I was almost like looking in a mirror when I saw you. I am sure your father would be proud of you for using it."

"My father? What are you... What do you mean by that..."

"Well, he did teach me the twin-blade stance before I left. I figure I could teach it to his son since I couldn't teach my own."

"Wait... you mean your-"

"This will be the last time you see me, Eckhart. But I know your honor as a Knight is absolute; let this be with us only. I am Rinar Aris, father to Valum." A soft but sad smile was all he could muster. "Your father was my teacher until Valum was born. So, this is just my payment for everything he has done for me."

"I... Rinar..."

"It's okay, Eckhart. Rest well; Valum will be with you shortly. Take good care of my son; that is all I ask." And with those final words, that was the last time I saw him. I kept my word as he said I would and didn't mention it to Valum. If his father wanted to be known, he would have done it already...

*

I held my face, softly feeling the large scar across my face. Remembering the past was an odd feeling for me. But just like how Rinar and my father made sacrifices for me, I will do the same for Valum and Caleb. That is my duty as a Knight and my sworn duty to house Aris...