This is it… this is where she wants me to guide them all. I hear her voice whispering to me in the air. I can feel it in the gentle breeze touching my skin. I can smell it in the floral scent of the wind... all part of this new Paradis she’s created. I was chosen to bring an era of peace, and rule over all living things. She begs me to hurry, to release them from the pain and sorrow that plagues this old world, but too many obstacles stand in my way.
Her own champion now works against her wishes, and mine prowls with a blade behind his back, just waiting for the right moment to strike as he grows wary of me. What should I do, dear goddess? Where have you gone? And why did he resemble your purity?
That boy… a silver only you could manifest with your divine elegance, has now been tainted by such a monster. He has betrayed your trust… spit in your kindness… I cannot allow it. I hear your pleas clearly, dear goddess. Your statue, and the divine waters of Paradise will bring your army back to life… as many times a needed. This is our duty, and oath to you. The god must be shown your grace, and his time will soon arrive.
Floating City of Paradise, Knights District: 936, November 1st, Thursday, 9:00 AM.
In a fairly large field of dirt—soft and cold to the touch, King stood near Gladea’s statue at the center of the fountain. Having partially recovered his strength, and larger height thanks to the waters of the fountain. The goddess’ eyes were closed with serenity, and her hair dropped down to the waist—the fragile robs she wore demonstrating both her prominence and kindness to the knights.
The giant found himself attracted by the faint azure light at the center of her chest, as if calling to him with a soft voice only he could hear. His right hand reached out to her, as if moving on its own while being guided by the statue’s tempting call. The round eyes of the giant eagerly glowed with azure—his face illuminated by the bright sun above the white clouds.
“…!”
Blood suddenly spilled out from his forearm, bursting open at contact with a flaming blade of azure. His arm was abruptly twisted at an impossible angle, forcing him to kneel, and curve his body in a way that wouldn’t break the limb. A cry of pain escaped him before pressing his teeth together, grunting at the sharp sensation that ran through his body.
“Going senile already?” Loki mocked the giant with a smirk—pulling out his sword from the man’s arm before making it disappear into thin air. “You are not supposed to touch that, remember?”
“Grah…” King held his arm with the other hand, huffing through his mouth to sooth the burning pain. “Loki… where have you been?”
“Nothing to be concerned about,” replied the knight nonchalantly. “I’m more curious about what you were trying to do here. Mind filling me in?”
With one last grunt, as the powers of the fountain quickly sealed the open wound in his arm. King stood back on his feet before turning his head to look at the knight—the waters of the fountain spilling down from his drenched royal clothes. “Just paying a visit…”
“To your god?” Loki offered a condescending sneer.
Ignoring the words of the grinning knight, King rapidly strode away across the fountain before stomping out into the dirt—putting a sudden halt to his exit. “Will you ever tell me about the girl with the heart of Specter… champion?”
Cold to the giant’s words, Loki simply huffed a chuckle as he stood his ground in front of Gladea’s towering statue. “Why would I need tell you? It’s not like you couldn’t find out yourself.” He replied. “Is he telling you to stay away? Or to seek her out? Whichever it is I’m sure you’ll do the opposite.”
“…”
“So?”
“He wouldn’t leave such an important part of himself so defenseless… His old hideout is filled with a strange aura as well. Have your wounds been healed yet, champion?”
“Tsk! I just need a few more days. Still, you haven’t answered my question. What is he telling you?”
Loki would receive no reply to his question however, as King simply began to walk back towards the large castle—his heavy steps sinking in the soft dirt, leaving the mark of his enormous boots. The knight watched him leave with little care for an answer, clicking his tongue with a scoff as he began to stride away from the fountain.
“Loki…” the soft voice of a young woman suddenly called out to him from behind.
“…” the knight turned to look at the statue with a raised brow, watching the inviting azure glow at the center of the goddess’ chest—inviting him to move in closer.
“You are a hero…” she told him. “My hero… remember? I’m waiting for you here… but I grow tired…” the young woman’s voice sadly expressed. “King will never allow me to leave… you have to take his place. Your strength can bring prosperity to this world… but I can make you stronger. Let me shower you with praise and gifts. Like I used to when you came to earth... to me…”
“Hah,” chuckled Loki, offering his back to the statue instead—casually strolling away as her voice begged him to return. “As if I’d want to become one of those things for you,” he waved goodbye to the statue without looking back. “I’ll make you shut up one day.”
This novel's true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there.
Kingdom of Heildin, Remote Village: 936, November 1st, Thursday, 9:00 AM.
Coughing and groaning while lying twisted in the dirt, both Gal and Maulik had their soaked faces covered in mud—cut and bruised after a harsh session of training. Despite the tall trees of the forest protecting their training grounds from the loud and cold rain, such heavy storm still managed to drench the entire field as Atalanta finished her fight with the young hybrids.
“You two still have a long way to go,” proudly claimed the blonde knight. “But I am impressed by your improvement over these past few months. I can see why Ninigi takes his time to train you both.”
“T-thank you… miss Atalanta…” grunted Maulik.
“...” Gal in the other hand, gave in to the pain and fatigue as she fell into deep slumber under the rain.
“Damn… Gal?”
“Atalanta!” Called out Ninigi, emerging with furrowed brows from a vast wall of bushes and leaves. “They are only hybrids,” he reminded the blonde knight. “They might get sick under all this rain.”
“They asked me to test their abilities.”
Ninigi’s shoulders dropped as he exhaled loudly through his lips, frowning with disapproval at his former student. “Let’s head back in for now. You can do this another time.”
Without protest—as both hybrids remained laid out with their faces buried in the mud, Atalanta and Ninigi took the young students back to the village, and into the small log cabin they all call home. Gal was laid in her futon by the champion, while Maulik was lowered into his own by The Golden Lightning—allowing the pair a well-earned rest.
A brief and peaceful tea party between both gladean knights quickly followed, as Ninigi invited Atalanta to sit at the tiny table placed at the center of the house—which she gratefully accepted with a smile. The hot steam brewing from their small cups rose into the ceiling, keeping them warm from the noisy storm outdoors—which darkened the inside of the cabin, kept illuminated by a couple of oil lanterns.
“I may not be an expert, but you always seem to make it perfectly.” Commented the blonde knight after taking a quick sip of her tea.
“I’ve had practice,” said Ninigi—closing his eyes to take a sip from his own cup.
Atalanta looked at the man enjoying his drink, noticing a bliss that she’s never seen another knight express so freely. “Isn’t it bitter?” she asked him. “I know about your honed senses… something like this would be painful to you, right?”
A corner in the knight’s lips curved upwards as he gently placed his cup on top of the table, opening his eyes to respond with a friendly smile. “It’s just a little uncomfortable, but I don’t mind it as much as I used to.”
“Any reason why the goddess made you so sensitive to everything?”
“She didn’t,” the knight chuckled. “It’s part of strengthening your divine pathway, so I probably over did it a little.”
“Wh—” Atalanta leaned forward in surprise, sitting back straight with a sigh immediately after. “I see… guess I have a long way to go myself… can I ask you something?”
Taking another sip from his cup, Ninigi enjoyed his tea before continuing the conversation. “Go ahead.”
“Will you actually kill him?”
“…” the smile quickly faded from the champion’s face.
“If it comes to it, and you are the only one left… will you be able to kill Specter, Ninigi?”
Her words caused the knight to lower his gaze, his contemplative azure eyes fixed on the green tea wobbling inside the cup. “I would if there’s no other option,” he claimed.
“And the order?”
Silence filled the room for a few short seconds, only the storm outside emitting noise as rain drops hit the roof and windows. Atalanta waited patiently, but her eyebrows scrunched down at the knight’s lack of response, prompting her to push him for an answer.
“Ninigi, what about the order? They will come for you, and you know that.” she told him. “The only reason they haven’t is because they need you to fight Specter.”
A sigh escaped the man, resting his cup on the table once more. “I know… I know…” he finally spoke. “I had no intentions of ending King’s life before, but if what you said is true then killing him would be the only way.”
Atalanta leaned back with a smile, nodding at the champion before replying. “Don’t worry, I’ll be there to help.” She reassured him before stretching her back, resting both hands in her knees as she angrily frowned. “To use our fallen comrades like marionettes to his will is unacceptable… I only wish I could stop him and Specter myself.”
“…”
“Ninigi?”
“You saw his hair, did you? Specter’s.”
“Wh— yeah, I did… is it important?”
A quick chuckle escaped Ninigi, “That’s what Gladea looked like,” he said as a melancholic smile formed in his face. “I was still too injured to show myself nine hundred years ago, but that was the last time I felt her presence.” His voice became softer than usual, keeping a focused gaze on the green liquid inside the cup resting on the table. “He… he radiates that same presence she once did. I confirmed it once we fought… it almost felt like she was there with me again.”
“What?” the knight’s claim caused Atalanta to flinch slightly, balancing her tea in hand as to not spill a drop. “I… how?”
“He is alive because of her,” Ninigi continued. “Specter was born the same way a human would, and had a mother just like any other. I never knew her, but seeing him… there’s no doubt in my mind she was involved in it.” The words of Sovereign echoed in his ears, as memories of their battle in the Deadlands flashed through his mind. ‘I have to save him…’
“What happened to her?” Asked Atalanta. “The order taught us she was killed by Specter, but that’s all I know.”
“She was, but she isn’t someone you just forget… no matter how long it’s been.” Ninigi pressed his teeth while smiling, huffing through his nose before lifting his head once again. “She sacrificed herself to save my life, but I couldn’t keep my word and was defeated by Specter regardless. That was when it all fell apart… Sorry for all the trouble I’ve caused. This was supposed to be my responsibility… not yours, or Loki’s.”
“I… no, don’t apologize.” Atalanta offered an encouraging smile, waving both hands in front of her. “You said you felt her presence nine hundred years ago. How is that possible?”
“I don’t know myself…” the knight picked up his cup, gently swaying it in his hand. “All I know is that Gladea wanted to protect him... enough to bring him back to life.”
“Then… should we kill him?”
“King’s actions have provoked him, and the lack of specters in the Deadlands means that he’s building up his own strength.” Ninigi took one last sip from his cup, lifting his eyes to look at the attentive blonde knight matching his stare. “We may not a choice in the matter anymore.”
END OF CHAPTER