My thoughts were sluggish, but I still managed to adopt a bright smile. That was just on the outside, though. On the inside I was blank, looking at the young man in front of me who was, undoubtedly, Elijah. The same person whom Chasel had introduced as the Sun Knight.
Elijah is the... Sun Knight?
My eyes darted to the mystery member of the group, the pieces finally clicking together. He was the Hell Knight. But that still means...
Elijah is the Sun Knight?!
"Pleasure to meet you," Elijah said in a friendly manner, holding his hand out for me to shake. I took it firmly, shaking and smiling in return. Chasel must have sensed something, because he quickly made an excuse for Elijah to leave.
"That's all," He said coldly.
Wahh.. Can you get any blunter?
Elijah left obediently, unfazed by Chasel's indifferent attitude. I watched him walk back to the group of people, seeing that oh-so-familiar back and feeling like Id just drunk a litre of sea water. It wasnt that it made me jealous. If anything, I was just happy it wasnt a stranger taking my place. But still... Elijah?!
I burst into laughter, unable to stop myself. It was just so odd. I had never pictured him as the Sun Knight. Ever. It hadnt even occured to me.
In my past life, I wondered if it wouldn't have been better if somebody else was Sun Knight. If Ice was Sun Knight, he could smile as freely as he wanted to. If Lesus was Sun Knight, he could be kind and loved by the people. If Roland was Sun Knight, he would have lived...
The thought had started off light hearted, but now it left me sobered. I watched them all, none having seemed to notice my sudden laughter, and was silent.
Lesus was sitting to the side, quietly reading away. His black hair hung infront of his face loosely, contrasting against his white uniform. He had always complained about wearing Black, but now he was permitted to wear white. The smallest smile tugged on his lips as he turned the page, his eyes dancing with amusement that I could only spot after a lifetime of friendship.
Blaze tugged on Roland's arm, exclaiming excitedly that they should spar. Roland looked happy, smiling one of those rare smiles from my past. It was light and full of happiness, unbridled by the lifetime of darkness he had left behind. He was no longer restricted to hiding in shadows, relying on necromancy to hide his true nature and wearing suspicious clothing to hide his identity. Instead he stood tall, even in rags, his bright eyes alight with the excitement of strong sparring partners.
I looked at them all mingling, opposite factions smiling and joking with each other. Storm laughed loudly, the kind of action that, in our past life, he had only reserved for public. After all, in his spare time he was bombarded by too much paperwork. He was always tired, and often couldnt even muster the effort to laugh. Under his eyes still seemed dark, but he was active in a way I only remember him being when we were children.
All of them were.
They didn't have bags under their eyes. They weren't surveying the area for fear of being seen outside of their personas. They didn't avoid their opposite knights. They weren't rushing around trying to keep peace, trying to rule a kingdom.
For the first time since we had all entered the Holy Temple, they were themselves.
Will it stay this way, though? They're the new generation of Holy Knights. Will they once again be forced into a life under a mask, isolated from the rest of the world? Or do these new, secret groups of Twelve Holy Knights portray themselves differently?
"Hey Chasel," I said softly, my eyes still roaming amongst them as they conversed, "If I'm going to join you all, I'll need to know what has changed. What are they all like now? Do they still stick to their expected personality's? What are their possitions? Their roles? What... What's changed in a thousand year absence?"
He was quiet for a moment, his face a mask. He didn't let any of his emotions slip, and even after knowing him so long I wasn't sure what emotion he was reigning in right now. He pursed his lips, brow drawn thoughtfully.
Is he not sure how to answer, or does he not want to answer?
I stayed patient, an amazing feat for me. Patiency was not something that I was fond of. I could probably go over there and coax the answers out of them. Or search myself. But if Earth found me he'd probably punch me. And while I wouldnt mind hitting his head around a bit, I didnt want to annoy the others.
They probably wont put up with my antics anymore, right?
I can't ask Storm to do my work for me anymore. I cant beg Lesus to go buy me blueberry pie. I cant get sweets off of Ice anymore...
I've lived seventeen years without them. Ive managed. Ive lived. So why? Why now, when they're right infront of me, do I feel more lonely than ever?
Why do I have to remember them?
Why can't they remember me?
Do they not... want to?
I tried to banish the thought but it lingered in the back of my head like poison. Chasel finally showed some sign of answering, obviously unaware of my current conundrum, but still looked reluctant. In a hesitant voice he said, "I can... arrange for you to view some paperwork?"
Urgh. Is the curse of paperwork going to follow me here, too? How I wish I could just ask Storm to summarise it so I could eat blueberry pie...
"Where is it?" I asked. As I thought more on the matter I couldn't help but find several very odd things. Firstly, why did the Twelve Holy Knights go underground? The comment about avoiding law made a bit of sense, if you were from this in my time, we had ruled. We enforced law. So what had changed? Another thing; How does an organization that big just... disappear?!
Dear Reader, trust me when I say I'm not just being conceited. The Twelve Holy Knights were so renowned that there, even in an age without them, still exists a class for them. They're still praised, left right and centre. Even in childhood, it was familiar. Women would scold their children, saying in low voices, 'If you're not good, the Judgment Knight will come and get you!'. Fathers boasted, saying loudly 'My son is handsome enough that he'd put the Sun Knight to shame!' (Pfft, like to see him try). So how does a group that famous just... evaporate? Without anybody questioning it? Without anybody trying to set up a new set of Twelve Holy Knights, claiming they were followers of the original?
"Dont go expecting to get the answers to everything at once," He sighed, taking his glasses out of his pocket and unfolding them carefully before placing them on his nose, "But I can give you some basic information to review in your spare time. I think you'll understand, we cant just go around giving every new recruit the whole-"
"Can't give every new recruit what exactly, Chasel?" Neo said coldly. I hadn't noticed him approach us, but he had obviously heard our conversation. Or snippets of it, at least. His voice was still icy as he continued, "What do you think you're talking about?"
Chasel sighed softly, closing his eyes for a moment before opening them and adressing Neo with a calm voice, "The process he'll go through to enter the organisation."
Then there was silence. A dense, dangerous silence. The two looked at each other, both legends in their own rit, and I found myself wondering if it was wise to get caught up in an argument between the two.
"No," Neo's voice had turned to steel, and his blue eyes flickered dangerously as he continued to glare at Chasel, "We've discussed this. No. He isn't entering the organisation."
"The hell I'm not!" I exclaimed angrily.
'We've discussed this'
Which could only mean that my entering the organization was considered once before. I don't know how long ago, but that means I could have met them sooner. Perhaps years sooner.
All I've ever wanted to be is a Shadow Hunter, so why would he deprive me of such an important opportunity?!
"Just listen to me for once," Neo growled, eyes tight.
"Be reasonable, Neo," Chasel said, "You said the same thing earlier, didn't you? 'Wouldn't you prefer him on our side'. Grisia is worth at least ten agents. Having him could-"
"Get him killed," Neo snapped, turning his glare to Chasel once again.
Chasel's eyes were hard and dispassionate as he said, "Save lives. Hundreds of them."
"He could do the same as a Healer!" Neo insisted, "Maybe even moreso! And without the danger!"
I'm not a Cleric, damn it!
"I don't want to be a healer," I said sternly, "And I won't be one. I'm going to become a Shadow Hunter."
"I won't let you," His voice was firm but his eyes were... desperate?
Oh. That's why he deprived me of such a perfect opportunity. He wants to keep me safe. Of course.
"I don't want to have to bury my son," He said quietly. It reminded me of old times. Of a time where he gave an arm, and would have willingly gave his life, to keep me safe. But at the same time...
"Aren't you being a bit too selfish?" My voice was harsh, even to my ears. Chasel looked shocked, and Neo pained. But I couldn't hold it back now; the anger I didn't even know was there, "All these years you've been running off on your own, no doubt fighting powerful undead, risking your life. Without even telling me. You've hidden the truth from me my whole life, and now you're going to try and tell me I'm wrong for wanting to protect people? No. At any time in your career you could have died, and then I'd be stuck burying my father without ever knowing why. Did you ever even think of that?!"
I hadn't shouted, but it left me out of breath all the same. He looked like he'd just been punched in the gut, his jaw tightly clenched as he refused to meet my glare.
A bell chimed through the air; a signal that the next class was starting. Slowly the knights around us began to disperse, several shooting the three of us looks. When they had all left Roland stood to the side, looking unsure of whether or not to approach. In the end, with an explosive sigh, Chasel gestured for him to join us. He did, looking uncomfortable at having interrupted our argument. I tried to ease his discomfort by smiling, relaxing my shoulders as much as I could. Neo made no such adjustment, his eyes still trained painfully on the ground.
"By paying for his accomodation, I assume you mean for him to live with you two?" Chasel asked calmly, seemingly unaffected.
Neo just nodded silently, not looking up.
Now I feel like an ass.
"Grisia will take the boy home, then. The rest of his classes for today will be cancelled," Neo looked up finally, no doubt about to protest, but Chasel continued in a wry voice, "The boy can't continue to walk around like that. He'd be more comfortable being accompanied by Grisia, and you have some work to attend to first. We both do. A couple of the training Knights will come too."
Neo still looked unsure, but he set his shoulders and nodded seriously. In a quiet voice, and without looking at me, he said, "I'll leave it to you, then."
I nodded and they turned, beginning to walk away in silence. As I watched Neo's reatreating back, I felt I should be saying something.
They're definitely going on a mission, right? I should say something...
Like 'Have a safe trip!'
'I'll see you when you get home!'
'Be safe!'
'Hide anything from me again and you're dead!'
... Okay maybe not that last one.
Three hours later found Roland and I at my house which was, as per usual, deserted. The old fart didn't come back until late most nights, but tonight I knew why.
Still, the mood was not dull. All the way here Roland had hesitated and stumbled over his words, constantly insisting he didn't want to be a burden. I had ignored all of it, of course, instead pushing him into the house and straight to the bathroom. Once he was appropriately clean I threw some clothing in after him, feeling a casual smile at having my lifelong friend so close. Afterward I heated up some takeaway (Neither Neo nor I are cooks) and insisted he eat till he burst. He didn't refuse the offer, and we sat on the couch eating and talking happily. He seemed more relaxed, for which I was extremely grateful. It was weird, having people you were familiar with treat you like a stranger.
We talked for some time. About small things, things we wouldn't have had the luxury of talking about in our past life. Instead of discussing the most pressing issue of a kingdom, we laughed about stupid things we did as children. About how he found himself caught in a tree for hours, the product of a game of hide and seek. About how I had, as a child with bad judgment, turned the floors of the halls and stairs icy. It had ended with an unsuspecting Neo coming out into the hall, tripping and flying down the stairs. Bad judgment indeed.
Eventually Roland excused himself to the bathroom, leaving me alone with my thoughts.
It was still cool inside, and I was huddled up in a blanket while half-lying on the couch. It was a familiar pose for me. When Neo would work until late I use to wait, often while watching Tv, for his return. And he would come in, complain that a kid shouldn't stay up so late, and ruffle my hair. He would usually bring food, as well as the sweets that I loved. But when I couldn't stay awake, I would fall asleep and find myself in my room the next day, my blankets tucked securely around me.
This world may not be as I remember, but seventeen years had made it home. Chasel is right. I should get use to that.
The front door creaked open, a familiar sound, and I stood with a smile.
Be normal. Greet him. Just-
I froze as Lesus walked through the door, looking cautious and a little... uneasy? I looked closer at him, seeing the familiar downturn of his lips and the slight crease between his brow. All signature marks of worry.
"Why are you here?" I asked slowly, feeling apprehension rise.
He surveyed the room, his dark eyes taking in everything carefully. When he found- or didn't find- whatever he was looking for he turned to me, looking serious. In his familiar voice he said quietly, "Teacher sent me here. He said that I would have to guard this house tonight."
"Why?" I asked in confusion, a million possibilities popping into my head.
The edge of Lesus' face turned tight and he looked away, not meeting my gaze as he said in a clear voice, "The... mission tonight didn't... go very well..."
Part of it was him reigning in information, no doubt because he was talking to somebody who was, currently, not of the organisation. But there was something else in his voice that made me chill.
"Are they alright?" I asked in worry, stepping forward.
His silence was as much as an answer as I needed.
"Take me to him," I said firmly, grabbing my jacket off of the hook and pulling it on quickly as I approached the door, "Quickly."
"I can't, Teacher said-"
"Lesus Judgment!" My voice was louder than I expected it to be and he jumped a little, looking shocked, "I don't give half a dam what he said, take me to them now."
He looked odd. Don't get me wrong, he still looked like himself, but there was a ghost of something there that I couldn't quite detect. A slight change to the way he held himself? His eyes seemed a bit more... mature. He nodded slowly, looking slightly confused.
I didn't ponder on his odd reaction. I didn't have the capacity to, at the moment.
Neo is injured. Judging by Lesus' face, it could be serious. What if he dies?
The thought made my stomach churn.
No. He can't die. I won't let him.
I should have said 'Have a safe trip!'
I should have told him that I'd be waiting at home.
I should have told him to do his best.
I should have told him all those things, but most of all... I should have told him I loved him.
Now I might not get the chance.
Dont die on me, you old geezer! I definitely wont forgive you, if you do!
Sorry I haven't been updating recently! I've just finished exam week (Hellish), so I spent time studying for that. Also I had Supernova (Aus version of Comicon) yesterday! I was sick the whole time, but it was so much fun! And tomorrow is my Formal (Australian version of Prom). Phew. It's been hectic...
Thankyou all so much for your reviews! I can't believe I have over a hundred... Thank you all so much~!
I hope you like this chapter! It's getting towards its proper storyline now (Cough, I've actually thought of one now) so things will start to have a bit more action and purpose to them! I'll try my hardest to get another chapter out soon, but this week I have graduation, beach day and CPR training, so there might be a bit of a delay.