I breathed in deeply, filling my lungs with cold air as I began to pull on my uniform. Its white surface was pressed to perfection, not a single wrinkle daring to pop out of line. Gold skirted its edges, shimmering slightly in the light of the Holy Lamp. After buttoning, zipping and straightening the complicated thing I stepped back, looking at myself in the mirror critically. My uniform fit perfectly, earning a small, nervous smile from me.
My uniform now. How… terrifying.
"Hurry up in there, already!" Metal complained from the other side of the door, accompanied by a firm knock, "Church is going to start soon! Grisia said we had to do it at the very start of worship, or else people would already be asleep!"
"Alright, alright," I grumbled, slightly adjusting the frills at my neck before taking in another breath.
You can do this. You are Caelan Avick, Sun Knight.
Well, kinda.
I pushed open the door, almost wanting to sigh in happiness at how comfortable the boots were. In the North I had been pestered to wear more girly shoes, and even they couldn't compare to the quality of these. My salary was awful, but I had no doubt that the uniform was expensive. I took another comfortable step before spinning slightly, trying to banish my nervousness as I asked, "How does it fit?"
"Perfectly, of course. After all, I was the one who altered it," He replied proudly, a carefree grin in place. I rolled my eyes in reply before grabbing the Divine Sun Sword, adjusting it to sit comfortably at my hip.
"Are you sure this isn't a bit too… flashy?" I asked uncertainly, fidgeting with the corner of my jacket absently.
"What, the uniform?" He asked in confusion, "Of course it isn't. All the Sun Knights have worn it…"
"Not the uniform, dummy," I sighed again, "The entrance. Even for teacher, this is reckless."
He snorted, shaking his head and moving to the door, "You're one to talk. And yes, I think it's a bit much. But unless you want to oppose Grisia," He raised a skeptical eyebrow, "Then we'd better just listen quietly and do as we're told."
"Uh, actually I'll just stick with the flashy entrance," I mumbled.
"In which case," He opened the door and held it open for me, saluting and adopting a serious face, "Please lead the way, Knight-Captain Sun."
"Don't do that, it's creepy," I groaned as I walked out of the door, instantly beginning to smile brilliantly as I continued to talk, "Well then, Knight-Captain Metal. Shall we go spread the God of Light's blessings on these unsuspecting citizens?"
"Let's," He grinned. Together we walked to the Church's service room, remaining in silence the whole way. It was weird, not being able to talk casually with him. As a child our teachers had always frowned upon us talking to the opposite faction, but we hadn't paid their complaints much mind. Now we had to, though.
Pain in the ass.
What was more of a pain in the ass, however, was our trip to the service room. Dear reader, do you know how hard it is to maintain a brilliant smile when statues follow in your wake? If you do not, I can assure you that it is hard.
"Knight-Captain Metal, Knight-Captain…" The Holy Knight who had begun to greet us stopped talking, his mouth gaping wide as he stared at me. He wasn't a Holy Knight who I recognized, but he, along with everybody else within the city, must know that the Sun Knight was supposed to be dead. The previous Sun Knight had retired, and there had been no word of a new Sun Knight being trained.
I can understand their shock at seeing a stranger walk past in the Sun Knight uniform, and with the Divine Sun Sword, but this is… urgh. Don't laugh, don't laugh…
We rounded the corner, approaching the back doors of the Church. This was where the Clerics and performing Knights would enter, and outside the door stood the rest of the Twelve Holy Knights, all wearing their full uniform.
Their faces were all sober as they saw me, and they all stood back respectfully. In a smooth, hopefully elegant voice I declared, "Ah, Sun is sorry to have kept Sun's brothers waiting for so long. Shall we enter?"
"Ah-" Earth bit his lip, looking worried, "A-A-Are you sure t-this is okay? I-Isn't it a b-b-bit much?"
"It's okay, Earth," Leaf said in his sugar dipped, 'kind' voice, "This is what Grisia told us to do. And if Sun messes up, we can't get reprimanded for it!"
"B-But," He looked from Leaf's face to mine, his big eyes looking increasingly worried.
"Don't worry, Brother Earth," I said softly as I put a comforting hand on his shoulder, "It's as Brother Leaf said. I'll do my best."
"Show-time," Moon said loudly, interrupting our conversation. He pushed open the door, standing back as Seriph entered seriously. He then followed suit, and behind him trailed the rest of the Cruel and Cold-Hearted faction.
My faction turned to me, and I shook my head with a shaky smile, "I'm entering after Teacher announces the… situation. I'll see you up there."
"G-Good luck, S-S-Sun," Earth smiled before turning and leading the procession of the Good and Warm-Hearted faction into the Church. I watched Leaf's back as he disappeared from behind the door. I stood for a moment, breathing steadily and keeping a brilliant smile at the ready.
Argh! I can't take the anticipation, damn it!
I tiptoed forward quietly before inching the door open slowly, peeking from around it cautiously. The hall was packed with citizens, bits of the Royal family and… Shit!
Damn it, Teacher! That's not fair! I can understand citizens, or even the King. But why? Why did you have to bring in my whole platoon?! I was hoping I could avoid them, for awhile! What am I meant to do, show up and say 'I know I've been missing for ages, but I'm your new captain'?! I wish Roland was here, so I could ask how he did it… Urgh.
I stepped back from the door, straightening the stupid frills on my jacket for the umpteenth time.
Brother said he and Aunt would come and watch. And all of my Twelve Knight's will be there. I don't have anything to worry about… Probably.
The door in front of me opened, revealing Teacher with a large smile. He gestured to me quickly and I approached, pulling in a deep breath and smiling widely. He began to walk to the stairs and I followed, marveling at how long the journey to the front of the stage seemed to be. My heels clacked loudly on the wooden stage, reverberating in the silent hall. I kept my hands by my side obediently, but they shook slightly. My smile, thankfully, stayed put as I turned to face the abyss of citizens.
Wah. I never noticed how many people come to service. Is it usually this quiet? Urgh. Of course not. He just pulled out some random person and declared them as the Sun Knight. Of course they're quiet!
I glanced off to the corner, where my platoon stood in utter shock. They didn't look to each other, or ask questions. Instead they just watched me, dumbfounded. At the front was a person that was, most likely, my Vice-Captain. Which meant that, until now, he had practically been the Sun Knight.
He must hate me, right? After all, now he'll be stripped of all his rites as Sun Knight.
He stood frozen for a moment, before standing straighter. I tried to observe his posture, unable to distinguish between defiance and respect. Until he finally lifted a fist to his heart, bowing down respectfully. My knees went weak as the other members followed, not one of them showing any sign of resentment.
"Knight-Captain Sun!" My Vice-Captain said loudly, breaking the silence in the hall. The heads in the room swiveled to look at him as he continued in a respectful tone, "Welcome back!"
"Welcome back!" My Knight's chorused, still not raising their heads.
The audience turned to me once more, and I let out my most brilliant smile. In a confident, bright voice I replied loudly, "Under the God of Light's divine rays, Sun is honored to receive such a greeting."
My Knight's straightened once more, and on their faces I saw smiles. Then the audience broke out into action, exclaiming loudly and turning to each other. It began to escalate, people standing and almost shouting. I looked amongst them, feeling worry set it.
Damn it! I knew this was too flashy!
In the front row somebody stood steadily. With her brown hair curled artfully, and wearing a beautiful red dress, Anastasia looked every bit the Princess that she was. Around her a hush fell, and the audience looked towards her as she poised her slender hands in front of herself elegantly. She looked me in the eye with a smile, and she smoothly called out, "Long live the Sun Knight."
A small silence, and then the room echoed, "Long live the Sun Knight!"
It took three Clerics to get the situation under control, and they promptly (and pointedly) suggested that we take out leave. As I began to descend the steps I caught sight of my platoon, looking uncertain. Hoping I wasn't being rude I lifted a hand and suggested they follow out the back door.
"That went well!" Storm said happily as we exited.
"Do you think so?" I asked uncertainly, my smile dropping as the door closed behind us. I feel like I'm going to vomit…
"You did well," Cloud said quietly.
"S-Sun your p-p-platoon is c-coming," Earth said suddenly, sounding worried.
I turned around just as my platoon reached us, looking a little bit uncertain but otherwise very formal. I smiled brilliantly at them, before realizing…
What am I meant to say?!
"Sun is…" I thought hard, "Grateful that his brothers have come to see him."
I stopped at that, hoping that one of them would say something. I looked between them, realizing uneasily that I didn't know any of their names. On top of that, Teacher had already disappeared.
"I am Ellias, Vice-Captain of the Sun Knight platoon," The person I had identified as a vice-captain said formally. The others followed suit as naturally as breathing, introducing themselves with firm salutes. As they did so I tried to indicate some small flicker of resentment, or distrust.
John, Bodan, William, Ashe…. There are so many!
They finished their introductions, and stood watching me expectantly. Not one of them avoided eye contact, or mumbled, or looked disgruntled. They all looked… something that I couldn't quite place.
"Are you really okay with this?" I blurted out before I could stop myself. Behind me all conversation stopped, and my knights exchanged a confused glance.
"Okay with what, Sir?" Ellias asked uncertainly.
Oh well. In for a penny, in for a pound.
"I've been gone for so long. Up until now, you've been the Knight-Captain for the Sun platoon… Are you all really okay with me just… coming back like this?"
"Yes," They replied immediately. Upon seeing my incredulous face Ellias explained, "We all entered the Sun Knight Platoon because we wanted to serve under the Sun Knight. None of us ever wanted to be the Sun Knight. We respect you too much."
"Oh," I mumbled in a dazed manner while slowing nodded, "O-Okay then… Thank you for the hard work?"
They exchanged a bemused look, and Ellias promptly gestured for the platoon to leave. Before he followed them he paused for a moment before turning back to me and saying in a small voice, "We really mean it. All of us. Welcome back, Knight-Captain Sun."
I watched as he retreated, processing everything very slowly. It was all a bit… much.
"That… Uh…" I turned to an amused-looking Metal slowly, "D-Did that seem to go a little… too smoothly?!"
"Don't forget to smile," He reprimanded quietly, casting a cautious glance over the deserted area, "And yes, if it was any other squad it would be. But your squad has always been like this. Even your vice-captain always refused to be called 'Knight-Captain'. He would always scold people for saying it…"
"But I've been gone for so long…" I whispered, staring at my feet.
"And they've always waited patiently," He said simply, "It's not just luck, either. Grisia hand-picked all of them," I stayed quiet for a moment and he patted my back comfortingly, "Spend some time with them. I'm on duty to escort the royal's back to their carriage, so I'll be off. Try not to worry about it too much."
I nodded, running my hands through my hair. Then I cursed quietly, smoothing it down in an irritated manner. By the time I had finished bringing it back into order he had left, and I was alone again.
Well, almost alone.
"You did well," Seriph said from behind me.
I jumped in fright and exclaimed loudly, "You scared me! Geez. I'm going to start calling you Cloud, if you're not careful…"
"Not so loud," He said quickly, darting a glance around the area and reminding me of my current situation.
I can't talk casually to them anymore.
"Sorry," I mumbled quietly, sighing softly to myself, "I guess there's a lot I'll have to get use to."
"It's okay," He said, "Ignore Leaf. Nobody will get angry if you make mistakes. We all understand your situation."
"I kind of wish you all would get angry," I replied softly, "Everybody's been so… nice. Even Leaf isn't being as… Well he isn't like he was when we were children."
"So that's why you're feeling upset? Because nobody is angry?" He asked curiously. I nodded meekly in reply, feeling embarrassed about it. I could hear restrained laughter in his voice as he continued seriously, "Well then, if you ever want somebody to call you stupid, come to me. It's part of the job description."
"Well now you're just being silly," I said with a small smile.
"Am I?" He raised an eyebrow, "I seem to remember having a lot of things to be angry about. Do you know I found not only dirt, but fragments of chair in my hair this morning?"
"Urgh," I groaned softly, "Sorry about that… I'll make it up to you. Eventually."
"It's not your fault," He said with a shrug, "I have to go off to… business. But before I do," He smiled, a very miniscule smile, "Good luck on your first day."
I should get accustomed to this quickly. My face already hurts from all the smiling, but people seem genuinely happy to see me. I can't believe I left them for all these years without a Sun Knight. I'll definitely make up for it. As of today I'll work my hardest every day, and try to give my Vice-Captain a break from all the work.
But first…
I looked around, realizing I had no idea what I was meant to do today.
Where did teacher go?
Hi there! Sorry for the absence. Various things have been happening since my last update. Unfortunately we had a hail storm (several) and the internet got knocked out. So, for those of you who read my Waking series, I kind of… uploaded an incomplete chapter. Whoops. I finished at a convenient part though, and I'll try to get up a full chapter soon. *cough*
I'm at a crossroad for this series. I don't know whether I should continue on in this time line for awhile, or jump ahead? Ideas?
As always, thank you all for reading! I hope you enjoyed it, and thank you so much for all the lovely reviews.