Due to an energetic (and somewhat frightening) review from XanXan01and Meota Tsukiko, I feel the need to update this story. So, please enjoy this chapter! P.S. I quickly discovered that did NOT do what I wished it to do for Sun's thoughts, so I'm going to underline her thoughts now. Oh, and it's not just Sun's thoughts anymore; it's also the real meaning to everyone's works. So remember underlining is NOT narration anymore, it's everyone's true thoughts. Oh, and when it comes to the actual like top knights (like our Grisia) their will be capitalized (Sun Knight); for their subordinates, they will be lower case (sun knights)
Chapter 2: The Sun Knight must always be elegant, graceful, and have perfectly fair skin
After Sun and Storm reported their success in convincing the King not to raise the taxes, the two were given a reprieve for a few days.
Though… It might also be because the Pope felt sorry when he saw Storm's horribly swollen eyes. Well, sorry for the intricately decorated (and thus expensive) pillars Storm kept bumping into since he could hardly even see.
Before either Knight could even think of their break, however, they needed to fulfill the Knights' Ritual. Every time a knight of the Temple of Light finishes a mission, they are to come to the Light Pool to receive the God of Light's blessings.
"Sun!" Storm called as he finished his prayer, "I have a date, so I'll be leaving first!" he declared as he left the pool. Both Storm and Sun knew that he was lying. Storm immediately left for the Holy Temple, the base of the Holy Knights.
Good luck with all your paperwork Storm! At least you won't have to wink at anyone!
There are two main places in the Temple of Light. The Hall of Light, which is where most of the priests and priestesses reside; and the Holy Temple which is barred of females excluding Sun due to her position. Sun sighs as she watches Storm scurry off.
Everyone calls you a 'carefree and stylish charmer', but we both know you're flirtatious ways are just as fake as your blue hair. I wonder if the original Storm Knight really was naturally blue haired, or if he simply died it to look cool. Either way, he made life hard for every Storm Knight after him. Many even died of cancer from all their hair dye! Sun sighed, Speaking of hair, while Storm needs blue hair, the Sun Knight must have blond hair and blue eyes. It was my blond hair… that got me chosen over him… Sun's eyes widened, "Oh! I almost forgot!" she exclaimed, "I need to visit Earth!" Sun slowly and gracefully walked to the Holy Temple where she knew Earth would most likely be.
Oh, how I wish I could rush off outside of battle like everyone else can… Why did the Sun Knight have to be known as an absolutely perfectly graceful being? Isn't perfection supposed to be impossible?
Being elegant was so important for the image of the Sun Knight that Neo Sun, the Sun Knight before Grisia, even had her train to trip gracefully.
Though, that training certainly came in handy when that foreign queen came to visit. Since I fell down all those stairs so gracefully in front of her she ended up donating 10,000 gold coins to the Church for medical bills… even though the Church didn't spend a single coin on that…
From that day forth, Sun never allowed herself to be near the treasurer of the Church for a hand always seemed to come behind her whenever she was near a staircase. As Sun slowly walked through the hallways, many men fawned over her. Sun always turned to greet anyone who called for her, but she usually completely ignored the fawning of men. Because of this, Sun never bothered to use the lesson her teacher taught her of 'recording'.
No dear reader. I am not kidding, I said recording.
"Child," Neo Sun began, "As you know, the Sun Knight pledged themselves to the God of Light."
"Yes Teacher." Young Grisia agreed, "And I will not spare a glance at a man." She easily declared
Neo Sun glanced at Grisia sadly, 'Poor child. She must have lost much to be willing to surrender love.' before he cleared his throat. "Child. Though you have no problem with surrendering yourself. You will most likely have to train the next Sun Knight and they will most likely be male. Thus you will have to teach them how to ogle women."
"Teacher, I am confused." Grisia interrupted, "Why would I teach the next Sun Knight to ogle women when the Sun Knight is not supposed to spare a single thought for women?"
"The Sun Knight is supposed to be horrible with drinks too but we both know how much of an alcoholic you have become." Neo Sun countered, "My child, everything that I am teaching you is to protect the heritage of the Sun Knight. Have faith in my teaching for they will come in handy. Besides, even if you do not use this skill to ogle others you can always use this skill to scope out your area and even do some recon completely inconspicuously." He amended
"In that case, please teach me Teacher." Grisia asked, "I wish to be of as much help as I can for my future brothers."
Finally, Sun sighed in relief as she entered the Holy Temple and was allowed to walk without others fawning over her 'gracefulness' and 'beauty'.
"Earth!" Sun calls as she knocks on Earth's door. Sun wished to see Earth before her vacation because it seemed as if he was avoiding her.
Inside Earth's room before Sun arrived, "I-I'm not used to t-talking to girls…" a decently muscled male with brown hair and eyes stuttered
"It's alright, Sir Earth!" the blond haired girl he had happily stated, "So what's this secret you were talking about before?" she inquired
"Earth!" Sun's voice echoed into the room as she knocked on the door
'Damn it!' Earth mentally cried, 'Not Sun!' It wasn't like Earth disliked Sun; if fact, Earth cared greatly for Sun and treasured the moments they had together. Problem was: Sun had a habit of stealing Earth's women without even trying. 'Everyone' knows that the Earth Knight is an 'honest, down-to-earth guy'. In reality, he's a total womanizer. "S-sun!" Earth called happily as he opened the door for Sun.
"Brother Earth!" Sun exclaim, on her face a smile that completely overpowered the smile she gave to the guard and King. Why? Simple, she was facing her fellow Holy Knight, a person she truly cared for.
"By the will of the God of Light I'm here to greet you, Brother Earth. The Pope feels that missions no longer grant me the God of Light's kindness, thus, Sun should listen to his teachings under the wide open sky." Sun 'explained'. The Pope gave me and Storm a vacation after we succeeded in our mission.
The girl with Earth had an utterly confused expression on her face as she tried to translate what Sun just said. Miss, you need to know me for at least three years to understand what I am saying. Though, it is strange… You are the 30th woman I've seen Earth with. He must be really popular! I wonder which one of you he actually likes…
"T-that's great!" Earth stuttered happily, "You can go on vacation!" he congratulated as he thought, 'Please leave quickly before my girl is lost completely…'
All the while, Sun would not stop smiling the smile she reserved for those she truly cared for. Aka. The Holy Knights and a select few others. The entire time, Earth's woman was being completely captured by Sun's smile and couldn't help but stare in awe. 'So beautiful…'
It became quite obvious to Earth that he already lost his current target, so he said to Sun. "Sun, weren't you going on vacation? If you don't make up your mind, it'll be over soon."
Sun smiled back to Earth as she agreed, "Ah, it must be the God of Light passing on His message through you to me, reminding me to spread his warmth and light to his people. Very well, I now say farewell to you, my brother." She bid farewell to her fellow Knight, with a slightly sorrowed smile.
Earth gave a genuine smile back, "Till me meet again, Sister Sun." Earth may have been bummed to lose yet another girl to Sun's smile, but it wasn't like she was trying to steal his women. She simply cared for Earth enough to give her real smile and that smile simply captivates any who are graced to gaze upon it.
Sun elegantly left her brother's room, and began to head towards her next destination. It was good to see Earth again. Now, I before I go on my vacation I must see him first. Judge Knight, leader of the Cruel – Heartless Faction.
Now, dear reader, it seems we are in need of explanation. Everyone knows that the Holy Knights are split into two factions: the Cruel Faction and the Gentle Faction. Though our Sun Knight is the leader of all the Holy Knight, she is also the leader of the Gentle Faction. The leader of the Cruel Faction is the Judge Knight. While Sun says 'The merciful God of Light will forgive your sins', Judge says 'The stern God of Light will punish your sins'. Normally, it is impossible for the two Factions to be in harmony. Well, at least that's the case if you're 'everyone'…
Now, to see Leithe Judge.
Everyone knows that among the Twelve Holy Knights, the cruelest and most frightening one is the Judge Knight who prosecutes criminals.
In the court house of Forgotten Echo, a decrepit, pitch black room that could only be described as ominous, a man with pale skin, long jet black hair and eyes, wearing an all back cloak with stiff metallic wings on the back sat at the highest position, the Judge Knight. "You have been suspected of murdering Zac," Judge began, "The God of Light will not forgive your sins!"
"I am innocent!" the accused man yelled within the holds of the judge knights
"Lies!" Judge yelled, "The testimonies and evidence lie before you, and you still dare to deny it?" The accused man started to get nervous at the sight of the witness. "Begin!" Judge ordered
A judge knight behind the prisoner took out his whip and began to mercilessly swing at the man's skin.
The man was in agony, after only a couple lashing, he began to gasp "I… I plead guilty!"
"Record the criminal's confession." Judge ordered. The witness made a short prayer to praise the God of Light. "The strict God of Light will punish you!" Judge declared as he ordered, "Continue!"
The witness watched in horror as the criminal was whipped ever harder than before. 'The Judge Knight is so scary!' she thought in terror
"Captain," the judge knight who was whipping the criminal called, "the criminal has fainted."
"Take him to his cell, we will continue his punishment when he wakes up tomorrow."
Not long after that procession, Sun was waiting in Judge's private washroom. She was on one of the two stools she had and next to her were a trough of warm water and a handkerchief inside. Sun heard steps approaching the washroom. He's here!
The Judge Knight entered his room and noticed Sun's presence. Sun gave Judge a similar smile to Judge as she did to Earth only slightly happier. Judge looked at Sun as if he was going to hurl and quickly placed a small pouch in her hand. "Ah! It's chocolate cake!" Sun exclaimed as Judge quickly went to his toilet to throw up his most recent meal.
Another thing to explain, dear reader; this strange meeting between the two supposed rivals began in this very room.
Ten years in the past, when Grisia was still learning to become the next Sun Knight, Neo Sun took Grisia to the Court of Judgment for her first practice at arguing with the next Judge Knight. As of yet, the two had yet to meet each other and Sun was excited to meet her future brother. It was also Leithe's first time in the court as well.
Inside, the previous Judge Knight has already passed his judgment on his most recent criminal. "A serial rapist like you, the God of Light will never forgive!" he declared as the man had his front horribly whipped.
'Rapist…' Grisia thought in fear, 'He said that that man might as well have been one…' Grisia was frozen in fear. Not of the torture the man was enduring, not even of the man; she was terrified of what the man reminded her of… of the time she never wanted to exist. Neo Sun nudged Grisia, breaking her from her sorrowful thought, "Oh! This is too sad, how could you treat the God of Light's children so? Even if they are criminals, they should be given a chance to repent! The kind God of Light would never wish for such violence!" Grisia glanced to her teacher and found Neo giving her a thumbs-up. 'Okay, that should be good.' She then turned to Leithe, 'I said my part, your turn.' But when she actually looked at the young boy, he was already beginning to tear up.
Leithe quickly left the courtroom covering his mouth; Grisia could only watch in shock. Neo Sun came up behind her and asked, "Child, are you not going to show him the God of Light's kindness?" he inquired with his ever misleading smile; Grisia simply gave Neo a confused look. "Remember to bring a handkerchief, a trough of water and two stools." The previous Judge Knight was silent throughout the entire situation.
'What am I supposed to do with these?' Grisia wondered as she found the Judge Knight's personal restroom. She found Leithe and he was still vomiting, 'The future Judge Knight is vomiting? Then again…he's only 13, and it's his first time in the court too. It's normal to be upset by bloody beatings.' She thought. Grisia waited a few minutes, but Leithe simply wouldn't stop gagging. 'My legs hurt…' she then thought of the stools Neo had her bring, 'Ah! The stools!'
Leithe finally finished throwing up and came out with his scarf covered in his saliva. Grisia took hold of her hanky and offered it to Leithe. "Here's water and a hanky, you can use it to wash up."
As Leithe was cleaning himself up, Grisia realized, 'Teacher must have seen the current Judge Knight vomit here too!'
When Leithe finally finished cleaning up, he handed the hanky back to Grisia. At that moment, the two children met eye-to-eye and a mutual, silent, bond formed between the two unfortunate children.
From then on, the two children would constantly meet within the Judge Knight's private restroom. Since Grisia was a girl, a secret passage way had to be formed so she could enter without arousing suspicion.
Leithe came out from the toilet and, as he finished cleaning himself, he searched through his clothing before he handed Grisia a small bag. Inside were a few chocolates and cookies. Grisia's eyes and smile sparkled to a whole knew level as she said, "Praise the God of Light for allowing his children to have a good life!" Thank you for the treat! Ever since Grisia's sweet tooth was discovered, Leithe would bring snacks that he hated, but Grisia loved; snacks so sweet that they're practically made out of sugar.
"You've got some on your mouth." Leithe stated as he picked a picked up the piece and ate it. He suddenly doubled over as he mumbled, "Too sweet…" Grisia could only sweat drop at the sight.
Judge came out of his toilet, now finished with throwing up his most recent meal. Sun was enjoying her current treat and handed Judge a hanky to wipe off any debris. "Sun," Judge began, "You haven't been paying attention to the trials, I thought you finally understood that crimes can only be stopped by the God of Light's strictness." Where have you been?
'He's angry!' Sun thought in panic, "The God of Light's kindness does not remain solely in the temple, the palace also has need of it! Even his Majesty yearned for the God of Light's teachings." She explained Please don't be mad! I was sent to 'educate' the King.
Judge sighs, at least relieved that Sun was not avoiding him. "His Majesty surely treats with scorn. Only the strict God of Light can make him aware of his perils." The fat pig must have been hard to deal with.
"Through Brother Storm's efforts, his Majesty understood the God of Light's mercy." Sun assured Judge. Thanks to Storm. If not, the King would have never lowered the taxes.
"The Storm Knight must have regretted not teaching the entire palace the strict disciplines of the God of Light. Does he not see the evil within the palace?" There are so many women in the palace. Are his eyes okay?
"He watched the evil within the palace, and even though his heart ached, he forgave them with the mercy of the God of Light." Sun sighed. His eyes are horribly swollen.
"May the God of Light forgive him for not punishing the evil he sees." Judge agreed. Poor guy… I hope his eyes get better soon.
"The Pope has relayed the God of Light's approval, by allowing the warmth of the sun shine on his forgiving eyes for three days." Sun assured, "Sun too, is fortunate to be able to bask in the God of Light's mercy with him." The Pope gave us three days off.
"May the harsh noon sun remind you of the God of Light's severity; wherever you venture, his strict discipline will always be there." Judge hoped. I hope you guys enjoy your holiday. Where do you plan to go?
With a perfectly serious and straight face, Sun replied, "The God of Light spreads his kindness to every corner of the continent, even to this Sun's humble room." I'll be in my room.
Judge could only stare blankly before he, with a slight chuckle and gentle smile, said to Sun, "May the day come when you accept the strictness of the God of Light."
"And may you receive the kindness of the God of Light." Sun said with her bright and true smile.
Sun walked towards the Holy Temple thinking of how relaxing. As she was walking Sun overheard girls fawning over her long blond hair. Blond hair… I was chosen for this hair… otherwise, the Sun Knight would've been him… Roland…
Grisia met Roland, a quiet child with light brown hair and caramel eyes, at the Temple during the tests to select the Twelve Holy Knights, when there were only ten children left.
"Roland!" Grisia cried, as she raced to Roland who was training at the time. Even as a child, Roland was a serious person. Like Leithe, he would spend his time training his sword skills.
"Grisia?" Roland called. Roland realized that Grisia was beginning to tear up and had scratches on her. "What happened?" he inquired in a worried tone.
"Roland, help me!" Grisia cried, "That dog bit me and won't leave me alone!"
"Grisia…" Roland began, "You can't win against a dog?" he inquired as he sweat dropped. Grisia could only pout to him and tear up even more.
At the time, everyone thought Roland would be the future Sun Knight and that Grisia was the least likely candidate since her sword skills were horrendous with a single sword. But, despite their stark personality differences, the two unexpectedly got along quite well. Roland would stand up for Grisia and listen to her willful requests. For example, he would scale the walls to buy her sweaty treats, defend her against dogs (for some reason they absolutely despised her), and help her train her single sword abilities so she could at least LOOK like she knew what she was doing. The two would sleep together, eat together, and do just about everything together. For Grisia, who never felt love and kindness, Roland was a gift from the God of Light. In fact, Grisia trusted Roland to the point where she revealed her greatest secret to him. And Roland cared for Grisia to the point where he accepted Grisia's secret with complete grace and even agreed to help her with it.
Grisia easily healed a big cut on Roland's arm, "All better!" she declared happily
"Your holy magic is extremely good." Roland praised, "Grisia, if you don't become the Sun Knight, becoming a priest is also a good choice. Then you can heal my wounds." He stated with a completely serious tone.
'Not get selected…' Grisia thought for a bit, "Okay! As long as we get to be together!" she couldn't be happier.
But the next day would end that happiness.
"As the God of Light wishes," Neo Sun began, "Today we shall choose from amongst you, the future Sun Knight."
All the children were horribly nervous. The only calm ones were Roland and Grisia. 'Roland's going to get chosen.' Grisia thought without a doubt in her mind
But Neo Sun had something else in mind, "Grisia." He called, "Under the guidance of the God of Light, you will become the future Sun Knight."
"HUH?" all the children exclaim
"Teacher, why me?" Grisia inquired, just as shocked as everyone else.
"Maybe… because your golden blond hair is beautiful." Neo joked
Grisia could only stare in disbelief at Neo, but she realized something else. 'Roland?' Grisia turned to look for him. He was gone. There was no good bye, no congratulations; he left as if he had no lingering feelings.
'Roland…' Sun thought with yearning as she looked towards they sky, 'I wonder where you have gone?'
"Sun!" a voice called to break Sun from her thoughts.
Sun was approached by a lean male with pale, even paler than her own, skin, icy blue hair and eyes wearing a white uniform tinted with pale blue and crystals. It was the Frost Knight of the Cruel Faction. "Brother Frost." Sun realized, "How can this Sun, and the God of Light's kindness, be of help to you?" she inquired. Is there anything you needed?
"Sun," Frost began, "You should learn to adopt the God of Light's severity rather than go easy on that incompetent King." He stated bluntly, I heard you went to persuade the King. I hope he wasn't too difficult.
"The God of Light's kindness allows me to understand that sinners can repent and start anew." Sun explained, Luckily, he gave in pretty easily.
Frost paused before he simply sighed and said, "It seems I still cannot bring you to understand the God of Light's strictness." He then handed Sun a small package with a bowl on top, "Then I shall make you feel it instead." At that moment, Frost used his ice magic to cause snow to fall upon Sun. He then swiftly left without looking back. That's good. I made you some snacks; I hope you enjoy your vacation!
'Thank you, Frost!' Sun thought happily as she overlooked everything Frost gave to her, 'Now I have jam, shaved ice, AND biscuits! You even left before I could say anything back to you!'
Sun finally was able to reach her room in peace. Neo Sun would always tell Grisia that a Sun Knight must smile for the rest of their life. So the only way a Sun Knight can actually have a vacation would be in their own room. Luckily, the previous Sun Knights' have already prepared for such things. Underneath Sun's bed is a trap door leading to the Sun Knights' secret cellar, which is almost completely filled, with wine. 'But before that…' Sun realized, 'I need to apply my body mask.'
Sun began putting together her best mixture and applying it onto her entire body. Everyone knows that the Sun Knight is handsome (or beautiful in Grisia's case) with golden hair, blue eyes, and fair skin. In order to maintain the image of fair skin, each generation of Sun Knights became experts at skin care. Grisia was blessed with skin that doesn't tan and naturally stays perfect on it's own most of the time. She only needs to apply a mask once a month at most. Ironically, Grisia also created the best body mask formula so she has to apply her mask even less often.
But there is another thing all Sun Knights have in common: every time they try to treat their skin, something comes up and interrupts the whole process. Sure enough, just as Sun was about to steam her mask someone began to knock on her door. 'And once again, the curse strikes…' Sun thought sadly. "May I know which brother has been guided to Sun in order to discuss the God of Light's kindness?" she called, Who is it? Please be important…
"Sun, it's Leaf." A male with somewhat tan skin, green hair, hazel eyes and a, truly, innocent face called.
'Brother Leaf?' Sun thought in surprise, 'I wonder what is wrong?' Leaf, like Sun, is one of the few Holy Knights who is naturally similar to what they are expected to be. Leaf is a genuinely good person.
"Sun, please hurry!" Leaf cried, "An undead has appeared within the city!"
"Brother Leaf, please wait. The God of Light's guidance makes Sun aware that she must face the world with a wholesome image." Sun called back with a strained expression. If I went out like this, they might attack me…
"Okay, take your time." Leaf called, "I'll hold it back. But don't worry, I'll let you finish it off!"
Everyone knows the Sun Knight hates the undead who deserve to be, but are not, dead. These creatures of darkness defy the God of Light's decree and are the exact opposite of the Sun Knight, thus the Sun Knight goes berserk whenever they see the undead.
And the real reason…
"Child, you must regularly seek out the undead…" Neo Sun began
"Because the Sun Knight vows to destroy all the undead?" Grisia inquired
"No, because you have to vent your frustrations." Neo Sun corrected bluntly, "Just think, you have to smile all day, forgive all kinds of fools, praise the God of Light that you probably will never meet in every sentence… If you can't vent your frustrations, you'll end up depressed. They you won't make a good Sun Knight and lose your job!" he explained, "You don't want such a tragic ending, now do you?"
"No!" Grisia exclaimed with panic clear in her eyes
"That's why you must vent your frustrations at least once a month, Child. Understood?" Neo explained
"What if I can't find any?" Sun asked with grief
"Now to worry, Child. Here," Neo held a nicely decorated card in his hand, "This is the business card of a necromancer who'll supply the undead… Not only can you specify the type of undead you want, you can even claim it's work related, and have the Temple reimburse you." He happily stated
'The Temple has business with a necromancer?' Grisia thought it complete shock
Thus why Leaf informed Sun of the undead. 'I must quickly steam myself,' Sun thought as she tried to quicken the speed of the steaming, 'It's much easier to remove the mask wet than dry.' As she was steaming her mask, Sun thought of when Neo first taught her the basics of whitening masks. It was a complete disaster; Neo had forgotten to tell Grisia one important detail.
Sun was already half way through removing her mask when Neo rushed in and yelled, "Child! I almost forgot! Never apply mask on 'your most precious part'!" But it was too late. Grisia had just finished removing the entire mask. "Kyaa!" she screamed
From then on, Grisia's most previous part has never been able to grow a single hair. Luckily, since Grisia is a female the discovery was not as disastrous as it could have been had she been male. Neo had never forgiven himself for this mistake and focused on his teaching, never daring to exclude anything.
Sun watched with sorrow as her mask fell through the drain. Rose and Lavender extract were expensive. 'No!' she scolded herself while shaking her head, 'The important thing is to get rid of the undead! The one thing the Sun Knight cannot forgive!' Sun quickly changed into her clothing and took hold of her regular sword. 'I'll take it out on the undead.' She decided with a blank expression. Outside of Sun's door was an innocent squire, Sun was surprised but she still managed to smile her 'Sun Knight' smile "Hello."
"Captain Sun, I have been tasked to guide you by Captain Leaf," The squire explained, "Please follow me."
'Thank goodness Brother Leaf thought ahead…' Sun sighed with relief; she had absolutely no idea where the undead was.