Scene 9: Knight in Shining Armor
Cecil stood before a sign that read "Welcome to Mysidia". What a strange feeling to be here again. When last he stood before this city, he was a wretch of a man, wracked by guilt, broken in body and spirit. Now Cecil felt invigorated, powerful, a man of worth. What a change a couple of days made...
The trek down the mountain had been painfully easy. Whereas before Cecil functioned as a meatshield, now he slew such a path of death even some spells couldn't achieve. Additionally when one of the party sustained an injury with a touch of his hand it would be healed, saving the magical reserves of the mages and the sage for other spellcasting duties. Not that that became much of a problem...
Cecil was a one man walking army. Monsters climbed over the bodies of their companions to escape his blade. It gave the paladin great pleasure to finally deal fatal blows to the undead, particularly while wielding such a powerful sword. Whenever his eyes trailed to the hilt his gaze caught the sight of the scribed text Cecil barely understood. But his companions were in shock that he could even read that much; even the linguistics of Tellah couldn't manage that much.
When the four passed through the gates Palom and Porom hurried in, chatting with and hugging their many mage friends. They gleefully introduced Tellah which stunned the mages to meet him. But even the appearance of arguably the greatest sage on the planet couldn't top who the twins paraded around next.
Cecil, former dark knight, now paladin. He exuded light so bright he was a human sun, his sword a blade of starlight and the armor plates of burnished silver, all framed by a cape as fluid as water. Even his eyes seemed to glow, burning with wisdom borne not from age, for Cecil was still quite young, but from suffering and the courage that he had acquired from overcoming that pain.
"A paladin...I did not think it possible," uttered one black mage, hat flown off his head because he looked up and down Cecil so many times.
A white mage touched his cape as if savouring the fabric of a robe of a deity. "So this is the splender of a paladin...You look magnificent!"
When they visited Zozo with its decadent dancers and angry mages they were so shocked at his appearance that one mage even fell off her chair. The dancers surrounded the paladin. One stroked his back meaningfully while another whispered an offer so risque that it made Cecil blush, his thoughts flying to Rosa who would have crossed her arms and given him a glare had she heard it. Cecil removed himself from the situation as quickly as he was able.
Meanwhile a drunken mage stumbled over to the paladin and peered up at him most curiously. "I must be drunk," he slurred. "I thought I just saw a paladin."
After those awkward escapades the four left the establishment, heading for the House of Prayers. On their way others of the mage-city made comments, some astonished, some approving, and even one that claimed that he would still never forgive Cecil for his transgressions to which the paladin responded, "I do not expect forgiveness from others, for I have not yet earned it from myself."
One white mage frowned at the black mage that uttered that comment, and he made a grunting acknowledgement and left. Cecil recognized her as the one he'd accidently spooked while she came to serve him a meal all those days ago. His mouth opened to give appreciaton for her support, but she spoke first. "You were pained by what happened too, weren't you?"
The twins and Tellah both looked at Cecil, concerned because the paladin's eyes brimmed with tears. All Cecil did was nod.
"I will pray for you as well."
After that they entered the House of Prayer. All of the mages within seemed eager to engage him but remained at their posts, awaiting their leader. They were not long in waiting, as Lukhan descended the stairs, respoldent in his earth-toned robes. His eyes widened like the twins moons upon setting them on Cecil.
"You've returned," he gasped, bounding down the stairs two at a time in his pleasant shock. "And a dark knight no longer!"
Cecil gave him a faint smile, almost embarrassed at how the Elder stared at him so. Last he'd seen the elderly man he was almost fatherly to the former dark knight, but still very wary of him. Now Cecil's transformation seemed to transform Lukhan as well--into a believer. When the Elder had circled him last, it was somewhat intimidating. Now he almost felt like a worshipped hero.
"Just as you can see!" Porom clapped her hands together.
"I didn't think he'd be able to do it either!" her brother tugged on his cape.
That made Cecil start, remembering the little hints the twins dropped. While it annoyed him before, now the paladin took it stride, even more gracious now that he was vindicated. Still he titled his head and asked, "Either?"
Lukhan stopped circling him in mid-step and retreated, a bit embarrassed. "Forgive me. It pained me to do so, but I sent along these two to keep watch on you--to ensure your intentions were pure. It seems there was no need." His gaze shifted to the twins, his mouth wide with pride. "Palom, Porom...you've done a fine job."
Chagrined, Palom said, "Well now you know."
Porom added, "I'm terribly sorry I couldn't tell you."
With a wave his hand and Cecil cut them off. "No, you were well within your rights after all I'd done."
"But those deeds are behind you now," Lukhan went on. "You are a paladin...Where did you get that sword?" A finger of the Elder tapped the sword's hilt.
In one fluid movement and the paladin drew the blade. It gave a satisfying ring of steel and he held the hilt with one hand while bracing the tip with his other. "I received it on the mountaintop."
"The writing engraved on its blade...Those are the words of a Mysidian legend."
"A legend?" Cecil asked, but Lukhan had already rushed off to fetch another book. This too was a blue-bound tome, larger than the last and even more ancient if the yellowed, almost entirely decript pages were any indication. After flipping through a few pages and mumbling a few times to himself, Lukhan spoke, once again as if the vehichle of some greater power.
"Birthed from the womb of a dragon's maw and borne unto the stars by the light and darkness cast aloft are dreamtide oaths resworn."
Every goosebump on the paladin's body rose, his breath hitched. The whole journey felt a bit like destiny and bit of a dream, but those words themselves made Cecil realize that his greatest and most challenging moments had yet to be engaged. And while he felt empowered, ready to tackle the hardest hits fate would swing at him, one question remained.
"The light on the mountain called me his son," his voice hushed, wonderment bleeding into the tone. "Whose was the voice I heard?"
The Elder blinked, obviously caught off-guard, "I do not know what the light you saw was, nor do I know what the legend foretells. All I know is that we Mysidians have been told for generations to pray for its realization. To pray--and to trust in the one who bears the hallowed light." Now his gaze pierced the paladin, yet Cecil remained steady, his gaze unturned.
"I believe that one may be you."
Thankfully affording Cecil a moment to digest this newest piece of shock, Tellah made his presence known and it became apparent that the Elder and the sage knew each other. They discussed Meteor briefly, the conversation travelling the Tellah's murdered daughter and his intention on exacting revenge on her killer--Golbez, one that Cecil himself had much vested interest in confronting. The Elder warned his friend to not let vengeance guide his heart and hand, something the paladin himself was fast learning, but Tellah didn't heed him. Cecil hadn't anticipated him to anyways--it wasn't in the sage's nature.
"But young Cecil has become a paladin now. If the two of you work together you just might have a chance," Lukhan was saying, his attention returning to the paladin.
Sheathing the blade Cecil said, "But if we are to face Golbez, we'll need an airship. We must go to Baron." His heart constricted at the name of his hometown passing his lips, but he contained it. Now that he'd finally succeeded at conquering the mountain and achieved paladinhood not another moment could be lost.
His mind floated back to Rosa, his beloved, taken from him. His eyes closed, overcome by the feeling of desperate love and worry for her. After that night he'd thrown away the ring of his former lover and told the white wizardess how much he loved her, had loved her long ago, and how that love had returned with strength this time he couldn't ignore the dark knight was sick to his stomach that she would scorn him, slap him or laugh at him.
What he had not expected was her lips full upon his, leaving a lingering scent in the air. It was instantly addicting. She smiled and told him she felt exactly the same, what had taken him so long to realize it, say it, just allow himself to feel it. His answer was like hers, mouth on mouth, pulling her tight to him, the dark knight never wanting to let her go.
And that night the dark knight didn't.
The Elder drew him from the reverie as he spoke. "Very well. I will reopen the entrance to the Devil's Road. As a paladin you should be able to walk it safely. I will retire to the Tower of Prayer and pray for your success." His hand fell on Cecil's shoulder. "Go now. The fate of the world rests in your hands."
"Thank you," Cecil uttered, humbled.
As the paladin and the sage took steps towards the door, Palom and Porom hurried after them, but the Elder added, "You need to accompany Cecil no more. Your work is done."
Palom stomped his foot, indignant. "No, it isn't. You told us to help him, didn't you?"
His sister added, looking almost stunned that she was agreeing with her irrepressible brother once again, "Please, Elder, let us go, too!"
Though Cecil frowned at the thought of having the two in his care again, he had to acknowledge their amazing skills. Palom and Porom mistakingly took his objection for doubt of their abiliites and indeed he packaged the complaint as such, since he didn't want them to know he feared for their safety should he fail to protect them. Fortunately, Tellah seemed to understand and reassured him they'd be safe.
The mages made them feel at home in the House Prayer and Cecil found himself alone in the room he'd awoken in a few days ago. The carpet he'd ruined was cleaned; no trace of food could be found. Instead, a new tray lay on a table a few feet away, but the paladin just sat on the bed, his mind spinning with all of what the last few days revealed and changed in him.
Tomorrow the four would step onto the glowing pad known as the Devil's Road to travel back to Baron. To face his past, to find Rosa and to save the world--tasks benefitting his bright new future. His hands sought out the sword, blade as bright as starlight, knowing this reflected his soul now. His eyes shut, taking in all of this moment, summoning all the strength of his friends, his father and his beloved.
This time, he would not fear going into the light.
He was a paladin.