As graceful as the wind, Pope turned the last page of the report in his hand before closing it. No one could easily see the expression on his veiled face, he picked up his teacup and slowly sipped it.
"So there's no suspicious movement from the Monastery?" Pope asked solemnly.
"As far as I'm aware, no. They had just chosen their future Son of God of War, and currently focused in training him," The man sat before Pope has a delicate handsome face, he looked very dependable and naive when he smiles. "I think it's safe to assume that it was just a mere rumour."
"Are you sure, Hell?" Pope raised his brows and put down his teacup.
Hell Knight nodded seriously, "I'm very certain, Your Holiness. I already investigated them thoroughly in the last year, even get inside to the Moon Orchid Kingdom. Nothing found."
Pope nodded, he trusted the Hell Knight's power of investigation, "Then, is there anything more?"
Hell paused and looked down to the boy sat beside him, the boy is his one and only student. Originally he was to teach this student of his for a year and the Pope would send him to the palace to be a spy there, but unexpectedly, two years ago Pope revoked the plan and ordered Hell to teach the Young Hell more.
At first, Hell was confused at that and then he realized why exactly Pope didn't need his student as soon as possible to be a spy in the palace is because in the current generation, all the positions for the future are filled. Including the position of Future Pope. Because of the stable ground and the dazzling future 38th generation of Twelve Holy Knights, Pope is in no hurry nor had to be cautious to the Royal Family of the Kingdom of Forgotten Sounds.
Added to that, the wife of the Crown Prince was extremely affectionate to the future Sun Knight and future Pope, because they are so handsome and the Crown Princess always wanted to have a pair of twin, although they aren't her sons, her age was enough to be their young mother. Although that casanova Neo would retire one day, hence the Church wouldn't be able to use his questionable connection to the Princess (And till this day, no one really knows which princess he actually wooed, not even Hell. Though, it's not really for the lack of skill in Hell's part. He was just afraid about the truth. No matter if it's the young princess who is still fifteen or the King's younger sister who is nearing her fifties... He just afraid to know which!), the Church still has the future Sun Knight and future Pope which the future queen feels affectionate to.
At least their connection is much purer...
"Child, do you want to add something?" Hell asked to his student with a gentle voice.
Elijah Hell almost flinched from his teacher's gentle reminder, he quickly cleared his throat and looked at Pope nervously. It's a given for him to be nervous, it's genuinely his first time to be face to face with the Pope... "The future Son of God of War is a very talented child. His swordsmanship... Is very great, he can beat a grown man easily... He's also very ambitious," Elijah nervously reported. He had befriended this future Son of God of War briefly, and he knows about the other boy's strong point.
Pope nodded but then scoffed, "Our future Sun won't lose to the kid," He has a full confidence about Sun's student. That kid is very much like his teacher in the way of sword, they're simply born to swing sword! All in all, Pope believes the boy will grow to be like his teacher... minus the broken morals, hopefully.
Hell nodded and was about to add something more when the sealed door to Pope's study was slammed open, "Teacher!" A fearful voice exclaimed in terror.
Hell and his student jumped to their feet, hands hovering over the sword in their waist when a golden flash jumped to Pope. Pope hastily raised his hand to stop the two Holy Knights, "Stop. He's my student," Pope stated. That was terrifying, this two needed to loosen up their cautiousness, what if they actually attacked his precious student just now?! This is the only worthy student he ever found in several decades, what should he do if he got hurt?!
Hell and Elijah recoiled back, "Pope in-training?" Hell mumbled and finally recognized the eye-catching uniform that he once seen back then from afar.
Pope proceeded to ignore Hell and turned towards his student, "What is it, child?" he asked.
Grisia raised his head, distress is clear on his face, "Help me! Teacher Sun said he wanted me to train my swordsmanship, he wanted to drag me on a camp-trip! Had it not because of my quick thinking you won't be able to hear from your student for God of Light knows how long! Even though I'm the Pope in-training and wasn't supposedly to know swordsmanship, you're my teacher, aren't you?! Help me!" Grisia wailed his complaints to his teacher immediately after being asked.
Pope's face darkened, "That Sun! What in the name of God of Light is he planning to do again?! Isn't it enough for him to get his bonuses deducted after he caused my student's loss?!"
Grisia sunk at the remembrance, "Teacher, you don't have to say that out loud," Up till now, he still feels painful and regretful about the fact that his manliness area will stay smooth as a baby's. Wuu wuu, sniff, it was very painful too... He shouldn't have agreed when Neo ordered him to use a facial mask, Roland also forgot to say anything and it's not like he was ever as diligent as Grisia to apply the entire thing on his entire body. The future Sun Knight was as shocked as he was.
"Alright, alright, you don't need to be afraid. Teacher will protect you," Pope said haughtily.
Grisia looked at his teacher reluctantly, "Are you sure? I don't think you can do that," Grisia was unafraid to say his opinion.
Pope looked at his student disbelievingly, "Of course I can protect you, what do you think am I? And you asked for my help, no?"
"Well, I did ask for your help but not protection. I don't think you can protect me," Grisia stated.
A tick mark appeared on Pope's temple, "How low am I in your eyes huh?! And why did you run here if you don't think I could protect you?!"
"Judge's Complex was too far away..." Grisia answered honestly with a sincerely regretful expression.
"... Do you want me to help you or not?" Pope asked blankly.
Grisia nodded his head hastily, "Want! Help me!"
Pope snorted before glancing at Hell, "Hell, you go and stop Sun," Pope ordered.
Hell straightened in alarm, "Eh!? Why me?!" Hell cried out.
Pope ignored him in favor to look at his student, "You go through that window. Young Hell, accompany the Young Pope. We'll do something, Sun won't be able to follow you."
Grisia nodded and Elijah saluted. With practiced ease, Elijah offered his hand to the delicate Pope in-training and with equally practiced indifference, Grisia grabbed Elijah's hand, the two of them jumped through the window of Pope's office to the back garden of Sanctuary of Light. Not long after, their trace can't be seen anymore.
They ran and ran until Grisia couldn't keep up anymore and stopped, "Young... Hell Knight... Let's... Rest for... A while..." Grisia panted heavily. The delicate priest he is, how could he compete with Elijah who has been through a Holy Knight's training?
"Okay..." Elijah answered. An awkward silence occured after that and Grisia decided to collapse on a tree nearby, wanting to go back in his room, sleeping and pretending to be in deep prayer to God of Light so no one bother him... Or bother Ecilan to be spoiled by sweets.
After regaining his composure, Grisia looked up to the tense young Holy Knight standing beside him, "You don't need to be so serious, it's fine. Why don't you sit beside me?" Grisia couldn't help but to say.
Elijah jumped slightly but when hearing the suggestion, he hesitantly sat down beside Grisia, but his expression is still tense.
Grisia rolled his eyes, "No need to be so tense, I can tell you're a nice guy. We already have Roland to act all tense and proper," Grisia leaned his head to the tree's trunk.
"Ah, sorry..." Elijah scratched his head sheepishly. "It's just... I was instructed by the Pope, I saw this as my mission..."
Grisia fanned himself and looked at Elijah, "Soo, you're the Hell Knight in-training?" Grisia asked.
"Yes, I am," Elijah nodded.
"Where have you been all these years? I've never ever seen your shadow."
"That's... classified."
Grisia pouted, "I'm the future Pope, I have the right to know."
Elijah looked troubled, "I'm sorry, but I truly can't say it..."
Grisia sighed, disappointed, "Fine... Truly, can't you at least hint the place you spied on?" Grisia pressed.
Elijah shook his head, "Please ask your teacher about that, I'm not authorized to leak anything," although Elijah feels guilty when he saw the disappointment on Grisia's face, he still strengthened himself and resolves.
"Not even the personality of the future Son of God of War?" Grisia asked.
"No," Elijah shook his head expressionlessly, eyes staring at the distance and not acknowledging Grisia at all.
A moment of silence occured between the two boys, Elijah finally gained a chance to briefly enjoy the calm atmosphere of Sanctuary of Light, the calm breeze, colourful and fragrant flowers, lush trees and soft carpet of green grass...
"Ha ha..." Suddenly in the middle of serene atmosphere, Grisia burst out laughing. "Hahahaha"
Elijah looked at the Pope in-training with a bewildered and lost look.
"Ahahaha, I like you!" Grisia stated as he covered his lower part of face and chuckled humorously.
"What?"
"Pfft," Grisia raised his face and leaned back even more relaxedly, "If you answered my question, I honestly would be disappointed."
Elijah blinked and stared at the young Priest in astonishment, "You mean..."
"I mean, we just met. Regardless if I was to be the Pope or not in the future, it is still not certain, your current master is my teacher. And as I said, you just met me, you don't know me enough nor you understand my character to really trust me for your secrets. If you answered my probing questions earlier, I would be really disappointed," Grisia smiled sincerely, he raised his hand and pointed at the rose bush not far away.
Elijah looked at the bush when suddenly a burst of elemental wind swept and cleanly cut a stalk of rose which quickly transported to the blonde boy's hand. Elijah almost gasped, what a strong affinity to Wind! Wait- the future Pope knows magic!? Wasn't that not allowed? The Pope is only allowed to be pure and only know Holy Element, and maybe water and fire because those two were also close to the Holy Element and could destroy evil- Blaze Knight and Ice Knight are allowed to have them.
"Have you ever heard of Sub rosa?" Grisia smiled at Elijah.
Elijah shook his head, "No..."
Grisia smiled gently to Elijah, "Do you know one of the meanings of rose?"
Elijah once again shook his head, "I'm afraid I don't know what you're hinting at."
"Secrecy."
"Huh?"
"Secrecy. Rose is the flower of secrecy," Grisia raised the rose and let it floated over their heads, "In the olden times, there's a term 'Sub rosa' meaning, under the rose. Roses often hung on the ceilings of banquet halls, to tell others that anything said in there under the influence of liquor would stay a secret..."
Elijah looked at the stalk of rose above them and looked back at the brightly smiling future Pope, not a moment later, Elijah mirrored Grisia's smile and nodded, "I understand." Of course he did, he wouldn't be qualified to be the future Hell Knight if he didn't.
Grisia beamed, "Fun fact, do you know that the earlier generations of Hell Knight often used a small rose badge on their collar, as a symbol of their secrecy? The badge was then revoked since it become too famous and destroyed the purpose of secrecy of Hell Knights, but the Hell Knight's symbol remained a beautiful rose."
Elijah blinked, he never knew that. His teacher only taught him the necessary teaching to work efficiently, however, Elijah did notice Hell Knight's symbol... It was rather abstract but Elijah sworn he had seen it before... So it's actually a rose... "I see..." Elijah nodded delightfully.
"I'm Grisia, what's your name?" Grisia asked curiously.
"I'm Elijah Hell," Elijah answered dutifully.
Grisia beamed as the flower once again fell onto his delicate hand, "Here, for you. Treat it as my good will to forge a friendship between us, dear brother," Grisia stated.
Elijah carefully received the flower, minding the thorns, "Thank you, brother..." Elijah brought the flower close to his chest to signify that he's very sincere.
Grisia's beautiful blue eyes twinkled and he was about to say something when he suddenly paused, Elijah blinked in confusion before he also hears it...
"Look! Look! Pope in-training is sitting there with another handsome boy!"
"God of Light! I-is that a rose?!"
"Rose! Pope in-training just gifted a stalk of rose to that boy?!"
"Could it be... An affair?!"
Elijah's sweat dropped at the last exclamation, he secretly looked from the corner of his eyes, a group of young clerics was gushing while watching them, thinking they're being subtle.
"Oh dear, what about the Young Sun Knight?"
"Yeah, I really wanted them to be together."
"Please, Acolyte Grisia is obviously with the Storm Knight in-training."
"No way! What's the proof?"
"I saw Young Storm winked flirtatiously at him in the main hall yesterday. I swear, I thought my heart almost dropped, the Young Storm was so bold!"
"Really?! But what about the Young Ice Knight? I noticed the Young Ice always delivered some homemade sweets to our future Pope."
"My God of Light, really? A one-sided love?!"
"Huu... Sniff, I'm happy with my choice to be a Cleric here..."
"Shush, let's walk away quickly before they notice us..."
A few moments later the group of pretty clerics is gone and Grisia is facepalming so hard whereas Elijah is not sure on what kind of reaction he should show on his face.
*Thump!*
Elijah was instantly alarmed as he noticed that Grisia just punched the tree's trunk they're leaning on, what a loud thump that must be hurt for an average Cleric! But before Elijah could freak out, a soft orange glow enveloped Grisia's hand and Grisia suddenly slumped.
"Why?!" The blond wailed tragically, "We're brothers! Why do the sisters always like to gossip otherwise?!"
"There, there," Elijah hastily calmed the younger boy down.
"You don't understand! Tomorrow, no, even earlier than that, gossips will be spread. I can even see the headline of the gossip, [Pope in-training sighted sitting with a mysterious handsome boy, what happened to the others?]" Grisia agitatedly gestured.
Elijah felt pity for his new brother, "Calm down, don't be agitated. How about we go and search something for you to entertain yourself?"
"Judge's Complex..."
"No. Not a place filled with torture, please. I have a feeling your teacher wouldn't like it..." Elijah said decisively.
Grisia looked at Elijah in surprise, "Oh my God of Light, you're quick to mingle! We just know each other less than an hour and you already become a tapeworm in my stomach!" Grisia exclaimed.
Elijah blinked, "What?"
"Anyways, I'm hungry, I hadn't gotten any lunch before Teacher- err The Sun Knight wanted to drag me on one of his ridiculous camp-trip," Grisia said gracefully, ignoring Elijah's confusion. The beautiful blonde elegantly stood up, brushing the imaginary dust off his robe and Elijah followed the suit.
"Alright, I'll accompany you to the cafeteria."
"Are you kidding me? What if the Sun Knight saw us on our way there, we're dead that way. Let's eat outside," Grisia shook his head. And then he noticed Elijah is towering over him, even taller than Roland and Lesus... "How old are you, brother?" Grisia asked.
"Eh? I'm fifteen..." Elijah answered honestly.
"You're two years older than I am," Grisia pointed out before smiling dazzlingly, "Therefore, you're the older brother."
Elijah felt a bit overwhelmed by the favor and therefore nodded bashfully, "Alright."
Grisia kept his dazzling smile on his face, "Why don't you treat me something?"
"Eh, but why?"
"As an older brother you ought to spoil your younger brother," Grisia's eyelashes fluttered pitifully as he sadly looked at Elijah, "Or do you not want to be my older brother? I never have an older brother before, you know?" Grisia said sorrowfully.
Elijah hastily shook his head, "No, no! I want to be your older brother. Let's go," Elijah smiled widely to Grisia and Grisia beamed.
Elijah truly didn't know what he had just agreed on...
Editted, because I forgot to add some lines yesterday.
The Hell Knight's symbol is just my headcanon. Since 'Hell' is the most abstract name amongst the Twelve Holy Knights, along with Judgement but we can easily guess Judgement's symbol by the black moon tattoo on their forehead. Moon usually symbolized Serene, Isolation, Beauty, and the foremost... Justice. So I'm not surprised to know if Judgement's symbol is a moon.
On the other hand, obviously...
Sun Knight's symbol is a Sun.
Leaf Knight's symbol is Leaf or perhaps some other nature-y symbolism plus their choice of weapon, Bow and Arrow.
Blaze Knight's symbol quite obviously would be a blazing flame of purification.
Earth Knight's symbol is most probably their protective Earth Shield, or earth elemental symbol in general.
Cloud Knight's symbol would be a wisp of Cloud.
Judgement Knight's symbol is a black moon, sign of justice.
Moon Knight's symbol is a bit tricky since the moon is already taken, but perhaps, he'll be a lighter moon rather than a black one. Facing the other way too... And perhaps decorated with some noble flowers to fit their narcissistic image (Or it coud also be decorated with their Whip ;)).
Metal Knight's symbol is most probably two metal daggers crossing each other. Their weapons are daggers anyways.
Ice Knight's symbol is an Ice crystal symbol... or perhaps a crystal Snowflake, that would be really cute and rather handsome.
Stone Knight's symbol, (As boring as it may sounds), is most probably a big rock or even a mountain, befitting their charisma as the "Immovable Stone" or "The Stubborn Stone". In China those sayings often connected to mountains no?
Hell? We can't make Hell's symbol like literal hell. Let's be more poetic! And I found out Rose is the flower of Secrecy. Perfect isn't it? Just toss it there and bam! A beautiful and noble symbol for a Knight.