After the exhaustion of the day and getting settled at the inn, Caesar anxiously waited for a doctor to come and look at Katelyn. After he brought her into their room, he untied her mask from her face, but left her hair wrapped. He took a small bowl of water and rags and began to slowly cleanse away the filth of the day from her body, taking off her armor and extra layers. He untied her boots and placed them to the side and took off her socks. Then, feeling that she would be a little more comfortable in her sleep, he started to sit there, and for the first time in a long time prayed to a higher power that she would wake up and show him her beautiful eyes. "I know I haven't asked you for anything in a long time, but please, I beg of you, don't take away my one shot at happiness. I have fought tooth and nail to protect everyone around me, yet it always seems those closest to me are taken too soon. I didn't get to say goodbye to my father. Kara died in my arms as I held her. I can't lose Katelyn too." He held onto her hand as tears fell from his eyes. A few minutes later, a small knock on the door was heard. Caesar said, "Come in," knowing it was the doctor. A middle-aged woman walked in carrying a bag of medical supplies. "Hello, my lord. I heard you had an injured woman who seems to be comatose after healing, is that right?" "Yes ma'am. She hasn't woken up, and it's been hours. I really need to know why." She walked up and rubbed his shoulder reassuringly and said, "Let's take a look and see what I can find out." The woman approached Katelyn who was laid on the bed. She started to examine her, taking her temperature, checking her pulse, blood pressure, and respiration rate. "Her vitals appear stable, though her blood pressure is a little low. But that could be from blood loss," she noted. She then checked Katelyn's pupils with a light and said, "It seems that she may be comatose. Did she take a hit to the head?" "No, she fell sideways. She just collapsed." The woman made a sound under her breath and asked, "May I check her scalp just to be sure?" "You may," he said. The woman unwrapped the girl's hair and checked her scalp for abrasions and swelling but found nothing. "Okay, you said the slash was to her abdomen?" He nodded. The woman lifted Katelyn's shirt and pressed on different spots of her stomach. "There is no swelling, tenderness, firmness, or bruising. It seems that the wound may have left a small scar, but there is no damage. This case is really stumping me. I wonder, has she had any past traumatic experiences? Something that her mind may have a hard time processing. It could be the cause of her slumber." "So, you are saying that the need to process this information could have caused the comatose state." "Yes, my lord. If she does not wake within the next 24 hours, please send for me, okay? Just make sure that until she wakes, you turn her every few hours, so she doesn't get sores on her lovely skin, okay?" "Yes ma'am. Thank you for your help." "You're welcome, dear. Have a good evening." With that, the woman gathered her things and left the room. A knock was heard a few minutes later. Yulie peeked her head in and asked, "How is she?" "The coma may have been caused by a traumatic experience. I wonder if the knight caused this or what happened today." "Don't beat yourself up, Caesar. I'm sure you did everything you could. She will wake up. Just give her time. I'm going to get you some food. You've lost weight and it's starting to show." "Thanks Yulie. You always care for my wellbeing." "Well, someone has to," she said as she left the room. Caesar removed his shirt and sat next to Katelyn on the bed. He pulled her body against his, leaning her head against his chest. He then closed his eyes as his back laid against the headboard. He wished that he could see where her mind was, but it seemed that his dragonsight couldn't even tell him.
In her comatose state, Katelyn could not tell what parts were dreams and what parts were reality. It seemed that something inside the Black Knight's sword had awakened a memory bank from the Dogma Ages. Katelyn's mind hadn't been able to process all the information, so it put her into a slumber. But, through her slumber she still remembered the ever-present light in her life. In one dream, her and Caesar were happily married with two kids and had the perfect family life in Greede. In another, they were in the middle of their wedding with Eldore walking her down the aisle. They were in a place called Faria, which she guessed came from Kara's memories. In another, she was just finding out she was pregnant with Caesar's child. There were some dreams that were sad, with pictures of her, Caesar, and her family. There was even a dream where her and Caesar adopted Kara's little sister, Lena. Finally, the dreams stopped. She was in an empty void of darkness, standing on what seemed to be a stage of some sort. Then, a shadow-like creature appeared in front of her. "I am the Guardian of Dinivas, Deliverer of Dark and Dread, Ruler of the Ancient Shadows. To earn your right to hold my power, you must prove to me your worth." Katelyn then realized that she would have to fight this creature, similar to how they had fought the Dragon Matriarch with Caesar's father. But this time, she would have to fight alone. Her sword appeared on her hip, so she pulled it out and ran towards the Guardian who awaited her first attack. She ran up to it and swung her sword. Then, it started to attack back. She used the incantations she had been taught by Caesar to weaken its attacks and defenses, then made another swing for it. A magical bolt of darkness struck her, and a curse set in. She said an incantation to remove the curse and continued her attacks. It took what felt like hours of the back and forth, but was only minutes before the Guardian said, "You have proved your worth and have unlocked the deeper powers of the Black Knight. Use these powers wisely for the greater battle ahead. You will not see or hear from me again. I release you." The creature raised its hand towards the sky, its palm started to glow, then the Black Knight's Ark appeared in its hand. It held the Ark out for Katelyn to take, then raised one of its hands and snapped its fingers. Katelyn started to glow before leaving the dark void. Then, she opened her eyes.
When she opened her eyes, she felt an arm wrapped around her abdomen and the intense feeling of needing to use the bathroom. She slowly wiggled free and made her way to the bathroom, then came back and crawled into the bed again. She made her way under his arm and turned towards him. "Caesar," she whispered. "Caesar," she said again. He slowly opened his golden eyes and looked into her lilac-colored ones. "You're awake," he said with a grin. "My prayers worked. Are you okay?" "I am amazing," she whispered. "I earned the right to the knight's powers. And I had some of the best dreams about you." "Really, what were those dreams about?" "You, me, married, starting a family of our own. Which got me thinking, what if I get pregnant?" "Well, if you did, I would completely accept it and would be ecstatic that I get to be a father with the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in the world." "Do you want kids?" "Yes, I definitely want a bunch of kids to fill that empty mansion back home." "Do you need an heir or a successor to rule Greede?" "Yes, I will in the future need an heir." "Does the heir have to be a boy?" "No, of course not. Girl or boy, I will be the best father I can. I want to teach my oldest to be a fighter, yet peacefully lead my homeland. I want my younger children to be strong and to do whatever they want to do in life." "I'm glad to hear you say that. We didn't even talk about it, and I know it's been a couple of days now." Caesar silenced her with a kiss on her lips and said, "Well, back to our original topic. You worried me today. I thought I lost you. Seeing you collapse like that brought one of my worst fears to life." Katelyn kissed him and said, "Hey, it will take a lot worse than that to get rid of me." Katelyn rolled her body on top of Caesar's and started to kiss him as if her life depended on it. "Marry me," he said when she pulled away for air. "What," she said, looking at him with wide eyes. "I know its sudden and very fast, but I know that I want to wake up next to you every day for the rest of my life. I want to have kids with you, grow old together, rule Greede together. I want everything with you. So please, will you marry me," he asked her. She looked at him a bit stunned for a moment, never imagining in a million years she would fall in love with a person so kind-hearted. "Yes Caesar, I will marry you." "I actually have something for you if you don't mind me grabbing it very quickly," he said, rolling her to lay beside him for a moment. He stood and reached into his bag, pulling out his mother's engagement ring. Katelyn stood up behind him, not knowing what he was going to grab. He turned and kneeled in front of her, "I want to do this a little more properly, so ummmm... Katelyn, will you do the honor of becoming my wife, my lady, and the Countess of Greede? To be by my side from this day forward, forever and always." "Yes, Caesar. I will." He stood and pulled her in for a kiss, sliding the ring onto her finger. She looked down and said, "Caesar, it's beautiful." "It was my mother's. It's crafted with diamonds and firestones, her two favorites." "I love it, too," she said, pulling him in for a kiss.
He picked her up in his arms as she wrapped her legs around him. He sat down on the bed with her in his lap. As their kiss continued, she ran her hands through his hair and down the sides of his face. She then ran her hands down his neck, to his shoulders, and to his bare chest. She started to move her kisses down the side of his face and to his neck. She stopped her lips at different places, leaving small marks as her lips traveled down to his shoulder. Caesar then pulled her face back to his and said, "Take off your shirt." Katelyn obliged, pulling off her shirt. "Wait a minute, what happened to my corset," Katelyn asked. "I took it off so the doctor could examine you. She was a nice lady, by the way." "I'm glad to hear it. Maybe we should send her a thank you gift." She leaned down and continued leaving little bites all over him. "Are you trying to get revenge for me leaving a hickey on your neck the other day," he asked her as she continued to place marks. "It could be that," she said, as she continued to his chest with her kisses, "or it could be that I want to leave marks of my own for everyone to see." After deciding that her teasing was enough, Caesar rolled so that Katelyn was under him. He placed his lips on hers in a soft kiss, then trailed his lips to her neck. "Well, how do you feel about having marks all over for everyone to see," he teased. "As long as you have them too," she said. As Caesar sucked on a particularly sensitive spot on her neck, Katelyn scratched her fingers down his back. He continued to trail kisses down her neck and to her chest, leaving love bites in different places. The two took turns exploring each other's bodies as the night drew on. In the morning, they were both falling asleep as the sun was rising. About an hour later, there was a knock on the door and Yulie yelled, "Caesar, are you decent?" "No," he yelled back. "Well, hurry up and get dressed. I need to talk to you. Meet me at the bar across the street." Caesar got up and held his hand out to Katelyn who had just woke up with all the yelling. They both got up and started to pull on clean clothes after quickly washing themselves in the small shower in the bathroom. Katelyn opted to wear the red face veil that she had bought with a pink and red colored scarf wrapped around her hair. They both packed up and left the room. They walked downstairs and to the local bar across the street.
Upon seeing them both walking in, Yulie got up and ran towards Katelyn, pulling her in for a hug. "You're alright! You had us all worried." "I'm alright. Just needed some time to rest and recuperate," Katelyn said. "That's good. Do you want some food? I'm sure that you have to be starving at this point." "Yes. Food sounds great. By the way, me and Caesar have big news," she said while holding up her left hand and pointing to her ring. Yulie shrieked with glee and said, "He asked you to marry him. Oh my gosh. I'm so excited. I get to be the cool auntie to you guy's kids, right?" "Yes Yulie, but that is a long time from now, " she said. "It doesn't matter. Your children are so going to be spoiled by me." Just then, loud voices were heard from behind the curtain on the stage in the center of the bar as someone yelled out, "What are we supposed to do without a dancer? We won't make any money today! That's what!" A man stormed out and said to whoever was behind the curtain, "Find me another dancer." Music started to play on the stage, which Katelyn felt that she recognized. She stood up and said, "I know this song." She made her way up to the stage and felt nervous at first in front of so many people. But it was like her body knew exactly what to do as she started to dance, performing moves that she couldn't remember having ever learned. She wondered if this was the same stage that the picture of Kara had been taken. The crowd went wild as Katelyn danced, and Caesar was captivated by the beauty on stage. "I wonder who that is," one man in front of the stage said. "She reminds me of someone," another said. Everyone watched as Katelyn finished the dance and took a bow on the stage. She then walked off the stage to her friends.
A few minutes later, someone approached her from behind. "Kara, is that you," someone asked from behind her. Katelyn schooled her features and said, "Who's asking?" "An old friend. Surely you remember me." Katelyn turned to see a woman around her age behind her. The woman had a similar build as her, with long black hair and icy blue eyes. Katelyn searched her memory and came back blank. "I'm sorry, but I recently had a case of amnesia. I don't see to remember who you are. We know each other?" "Yes, I used to watch your sister, Lena, while you worked here. Surely you remember me. I'm Sapphire." "I feel like I recognize you, but I'm having a hard time remembering the details. Please, sit, eat with us. Let's catch up." Katelyn motioned to an empty chair across the table from her. The girl, Sapphire, took a seat across the table and said, "Kara, I thought both you and Lena were dead. What happened when you left?" "My sister was killed by the men who took her. She was killed right in front of me and I couldn't stop them. I left with this group here to avenge her. We are still fighting to take down that same enemy." "That's awful. I'm so sorry, Kara." "It's alright. I can't change the past, though I wish I could." "Do you guys need help," Sapphire asked, looking around the table. "Kara's not the only person in the parts that trained with a sword. I could join you, help you to take down this enemy." "We appreciate the offer, but you have no idea what you are asking for," Caesar said. "Kara doesn't have all her memories at this moment. We are just trying to defeat Grazel, who is currently ruling the Yshrenian Empire. He is trying to take over the world." "I won't get in your way. I want to avenge Lena by putting a sword through the person who caused Lena's death." Katelyn sat at the table in silence and said, "You can join us, but first I need to tell you a story. But first," she said, turning to Caesar. She took his hand and said, "Is she trustworthy?" "Yes, she is. My dragonsight sees a concerned friend." "Okay, so, would you like to hear that story?" "Alright, what's it about?" "You see, about a year ago now, Kara was tricked into joining Grazel's side. She didn't know what was right or wrong as she was being brainwashed day after day. She finally came to her senses and saw that her brother Grazel had gone too far. One of Grazel's henchmen got very upset when Kara decided to betray their leader and put a sword through her heart. She ended up dying in Caesar's arms. She was resurrected just a few days ago and switched places and bodies with me, knowing her days of battle would be shortly numbered." Sapphire looked into Katelyn's eyes and said, "So, you're not actually Kara." Eldore said, "That is correct. This is Katelyn who is from another world. Kara took her place and left her here to start a new life." "And this beautiful woman managed to steal my heart the first day that I met her," Caesar said, taking her hand with the engagement ring on it and placing a small kiss on the back of it. "So, do you still want to join our ragtag group here?" "Yes. Lena deserves to be avenged, and I will make sure it happens." "Don't worry, I plan to do the same. I'll hold Grazel down for you to kill. And he is not the only person on my list. The person who killed Kara, Shapur, deserves to die as well. As they say where I am from, an eye for an eye." "I like the way you think. I think we will be good friends," Sapphire told her, "I'll go get my things and meet you guys in a few."
With that, the group finished their food and grabbed their things. Caesar asked, "Is it okay if we visit the Don one more time before we leave?" "I guess that will be alright," Eldore said. "Yeah, but what do you need to see him about," Leonard asked as the group started to walk. "He wants to ask if the Don can officiate a small private wedding for us before we leave," Katelyn said. The group followed as Caesar and Katelyn walked in to talk to the Don. Upon hearing about the wedding, the Don readily agreed and called on his toadlings to fetch proper clothes for the bride and groom. Sapphire joined the group at the mansion and agreed to stand on Katelyn's side of the small alter that was set up. Katelyn approached Eldore who was standing against the wall on the other side of the room and asked him, "Will you please be the one to give me away?" "Of course, my dear," Eldore said, "Go ahead and get dressed. I'll be waiting outside the door for you." Katelyn left the room quickly to change into the white dress and heels the toadlings had brought in. The dress was short and simple with a body-hugging bodice and a skirt that flared out slightly. Then, she was handed some flowers by one of the toadlings. She removed her mask and scarf and let one of the toadlings fix her hair quickly before she was deemed ready. Eldore joined her at the entrance of the grand room. Katelyn in her nervousness practically begged him, "Please don't let me fall." "Don't worry, I've got you," he said, looping his arm through hers. Music began to play and the doors were opened. At the end of the aisle stood Caesar in a suit. He broke out into a deep smile when he saw her walking towards him. She felt a happy tear fall down her face, which she quickly wiped away. Then, Eldore and her started to walk. She saw Leonard on one side of the alter next to Caesar. Yulie and Sapphire stood on the other side of the alter where she would stand. When Eldore and her got to the end of the aisle, Eldore placed Katelyn's hand in Caesar's and said, "Take care of her, son." "I will," Caesar said. Katelyn stood across from Caesar in front of the Don. The Don had each of them repeat their vows to one another, but when they got to the ending, they both decided to change it. Instead of saying 'until death do us part,' they both agreed to, 'forever and always.' After the vows were said and rings were exchanged, Caesar dipped Katelyn and kissed her. A camera shutter went off and Yulie said, "This one's a keeper." After a quick wedding party, Caesar and Katelyn changed and thanked the Don for his hospitality. The group left with their new married couple and their newest member in tow. It seemed that their small group was slowly growing in numbers as time went on, which would help with the final battle that happened to be just around the corner.
