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Chapter 3: The Return
"Life was bestowed upon us; it is not up to us to judge who deserves it and who doesn't."
Hiro's eyes widened in panic as he quickly removed his gauntlets and threw them to the grass. The red fluid slowly faded into the dull elunium along with the captain's fear.
"What's wrong Hiro? You look pale."
Haruko's voice tensed slightly. The battle was over but Hiro still looked shaken up.
"I-it's nothing, I just need some air."
'Get a grip, damn it.'
Letting out a sigh of relief, Hiro removed his suffocating armor. Shaking his head, he brushed off the hallucinations allowing them to fall into the past. From the forest, priests, wizards and other members of the Dragoon Knights began to emerge, spells and spears ready at hand.
"You're all late! Celes, Liu Qi heal these two. Jung Hwa, the Captain's got a large gash: he's already started to lose a lot of blood. The rest of you, pair up and start sweeping the forest."
Alphonse gestured towards Grace and Hikaru while directing orders towards the rest of the division. The three priests stepped up and began chanting their spells while the rest of the Knights swiftly patrolled the surrounding area. Hikaru stared at the mysterious knight and hunter who had just saved him while cutting his pride in half. He hated the fact that no matter how prepared he may have been, the gryphon would have killed him and worse – Grace. While her few cuts and scraps began to close, Grace relaxed. She felt a sense of - safety with these people.
"Sir, there's nothing but porings and fabres in this forest."
"Porings and fabres, huh? Alright, send message to Prontera. I want the gates open at once upon our arrival."
The hunter quickly set his falcon free in the direction of Prontera. From the shade, Alphonse glanced towards the sun as it neared the horizon.
'It's almost nightfall, we'd better get moving soon.'
Alphonse looked on curiously at Haruko.
'After she's satisfied of course.'
The monk dropped to his back, allowing the breeze to whisk him into a dream.
"Are you sure it's fully closed?"
The lieutenant's face showed a calm exterior similar to masked goblins of the woods but her eyes tightened with every wince of pain the knight before her showed, betraying her face.
"Like I said, he's fine, the wound is fully closed. Healing anymore would be pointless."
The priest Haruko inquired was the third one to examine Hiro. Although the wound had been quick to close, Haruko questioned whether more curative spells were needed.
"Enough Haruko, why are you so worried anyways? If we leave now we can make it to the capital before the darkness sets in."
The hunter sighed disappointingly.
"I wouldn't be much of a lieutenant if my captain fell from a gryphon."
Haruko moved forward pressing her hand against Hiro's now closed wound at the base of his abdomen. The sudden warmth of his hand as he grabbed hers brought a blush to her cheeks.
"See? All better."
She quickly lifted her hand and turned her attention towards the crusader. He had passed out from exhaustion in the middle of healing and now lay on the forest floor, though he was beginning to regain consciousness. His wizard friend was conversing cheerfully with a few of the Knights.
"What about those two?" She approached Hiro's peco, placing his armor under the birds' splendorous red wing. The knight quickly stood, his expression grew deathly serious.
"Here we go again." Haruko sighed loudly to herself. She had seen this look enough times to expect what was to coming.
With a few quick strides Hiro walked towards Grace, the entire forest seemed to grow quiet as the scraping of metal echoed throughout the air… Hikaru watched the knight draw closer and closer, with every step his body began to grow more and more anxious. As Hiro passed the crusader their eyes met briefly, the young man's were filled with a fierce determination and defiance he rarely saw these days. However, what Hikaru saw was completely different; he stared into the eyes of a knight looking down upon him with gaze of superiority.
'Those eyes…it's the same as before.'
Images of the gryphon's stare flashed through Hikaru's mind. The same stare of supremacy, that look of domination…
"Who the hell… are you?" Hikaru knew he couldn't trust this man. His words were barely audible but Hiro stopped his feet and looked back at the crusader with the same gaze.
"Just a simple knight making my way through the world helping those in need. Please, do be careful next time…I truly dislike submitting reports about finding dead crusaders in front of Prontera."
Hiro simply waved his hand as he walked away from the crusader.
Hikaru clenched his fists so tightly his palms would have bled if not for his steel gauntlets. The crusader's dark blue eyes flared as he dashed towards the knight, armed only with his fists. The dark haired wizard, Grace covered her eyes and looked away while Haruko raised an eyebrow at the crusader. To fight someone obviously his superior; he was either very brave or very stupid. Opening his eyes in annoyance, Alphonse sighed as his attention was drawn by the floating ball of light bouncing on his chest. Immediately, he grasped the situation and absorbed the light into his legs and within an instant he was in front of the crusader, clenching the tight fist in his hand.
"Attacking your rescuer? I don't know where you're from but around here, that's pretty rude."
The monk's robe was still swaying from the sudden burst of movement. Hikaru flinched from the pain Alphonse inflicted through his gauntlet and onto his hand, a sign of brute strength all monks possessed.
"Rescuer? I never asked for his help in the first place!"
Hikaru grit his teeth as he looked onward at the knight. Hiro stood with his back facing Hikaru, his head turned slightly to look at the crusader.
"Would you have rather I left you and your friend at the gryphon's mercy? That church saber you hold would never cleave through the flesh of a monster such as a gryphon."
Even Hikaru knew he was no match against the gryphon but he still fought with all he had. Odds didn't stop him then and the certainly wouldn't stop him now as he launched himself at the knight, pushing Alphonse out of his way.
"Hikaru, stop!"
Grace screamed, stopping the crusader in his tracks. The wizard ran towards Hiro and bowed deeply in front of him.
"F-forgive my partner's rudeness, w-we're very grateful to have your help."
Hiro turned to face the wizard. A smile crept across his lips as he lifted her head.
"It's fine and you're welcome. If you two are heading to Prontera, you're welcome to come with us." He placed his hand on Grace's shoulder. "No need to be so formal, miss. If you're tired you can ride on my peco."
The wizard was silent in awe; she had completely mistaken the knight. Turning towards him, her hair was suddenly blown up by a swift movement towards him as Alphonse rushed to Hiro's side and whispered to his captain.
"I think you went too far this time."
Hiro glanced back at Hikaru; a smirk appeared on his face. The crusader continued to stare back at Hiro.
"Not at all. These young guys need to go through some experiences after all."
Alphonse stopped, scratching his head in bewilderment. Even after five years Hiro was still a mystery to the monk.
"Five minutes Alphonse, we leave in five minutes." The Knights groaned at the captain's announcement.
Hiro walked quietly. He was leading his Knights back home to the Southern gates of Prontera. Although he had been living in the capital for the past five years, the city constantly treated him as a stranger. After passing in and out of the gates numerous times, it never truly felt like home. The citizens always hushed when the captain rode by on his daily patrols. Whispers of the knight commenced when he was out of ear's range, often pertaining that he was a spy for Payon, or rumors that the great fifth squad captain was really a demon from the Payon caves. Although he was content with helping the citizens despite their jesting, he despised that they would treat his knights the same; especially pertaining to his first lieutenant.
Before leaving the Payon Hunter Forces, Haruko had led the hunters into countless one-sided battles against the uprising forces of Eddga and Moonlight. Why she deserted her position was untold but King Tristan was quick to accept her as a Pronteran soldier; even though the division captains and citizens were against having someone with such history in Payon joining their ranks.
One would call the King a blind fool. Of course, not to his face.
As such when she joined the newly formed Dragoon Knights with Hiro and Alphonse many former Payonese soldiers flocked to the division; creating an interest in public and private discussions.
Further back, Grace and Haruko sat on the large peco that belonged to Hiro, conversing cheerfully as if they had known each other for their entire lives. Behind them, at the end of the marching line was Hikaru, muttering to himself about arrogant knights and traitorous wizards.
"We're almost there." Hiro squinted; he could see the faint light of torches of the gate guards. In a burst of excitement the Knights rushed towards the open gate, back to their warm homes. Hiro smiled to himself, he was happy to see his subordinates so ecstatic.
Through the overjoyed Knights, two men approached Hiro. The shorter man was dressed in a lengthy white coat contrasting his black shirt and pants. The man's dark chestnut hair was slung in a thin braid to the side of his neck while his perfectly tanned skin glowed eerily from the lit torches. In one hand he held a long katana, its sheath intricately decorated with the image of a pair of golden wings spiraling down the length of the scabbard. The taller man stood at least a foot over his companion; he was dressed in the same clothes as his partner although he wore a black coat against white underclothes. His long, untidy, charcoal hair fell freely to the sides of his face, covering few of the many scars adorning his rough face. With his mammoth sized arms crossed, a colossal axe sat latched to his back.
"Maleagant, Vaynard, why are you two here?" Hiro's eyes narrowed, it wasn't everyday he came home with the third and sixth division captains waiting to greet him. In fact he was never greeted at the gates by either of these two. They rarely spoke to Hiro without good reason…
"We've been waiting here all night for you, punk! I aught a-" the taller one, Maleagant spoke, his deep voice bellowed in the night. Before he could finish Vaynard raised his hand, silencing him.
"His Majesty King Tristan has called a meeting of the thirteen Pronteran Divisions. You are to get dressed and report to the Grand Meeting Hall." Vaynard quickly turned around and walked into the darkness of Prontera.
"Better not be late, punk." Maleagant followed, setting off into the shadows.
Hiro sighed. It was late and he wanted to follow his knights to the dream world. But as he quickly learned, sleeping was a rare and uncommon practice for a division captain. He gave a simple nod towards his lieutenants and followed his two peers.
Inside the Meeting Hall all thirteen captains gathered at one very long table – the surface was enchanted to reflect the immediate areas surrounding Prontera. The table acted almost as a constantly updating map – with each person identified with a red dot. This one of a kind table prevented any ambush on the great city. The room was equally grand in décor. All along the walls, a wind was enchanted to blow long flags carrying the Pronteran seal. The only light in the room came from five chandeliers dangling below the ceiling. The enchanted chandeliers adjusted themselves depending on the time of day and how much light was entering the room. The dark, polished marble floor reflected the illumination, making the ground seem as though it were made of light.
Swords, wands, spears and other weapons sat at the sides of the captains as if they were prepared to fight at any given second. Hiro shifted in his seat awkwardly, he never felt comfortable at these 'get-togethers.' It always felt as if someone would plunge a spear into another's chest for look at them wrong…
A sudden burst of the wooden doors shot everyone out their trance as King Tristan made his way to the head of the table. His long purple cape fell behind him; two guards struggled to keep pace while carrying the ends of the cape.
The King spoke loudly; his voice resonated throughout the room.
"As many of you know, we are here today to discuss the impending threat of the Payon Forces." His face contorted into a grimacing appearance.
"All peace talks have been rejected up until now. We may have a war on our hands."
Hiro could feel the air grow tenser. He could hear the familiar sound of metal scratching against metal. Likewise he gripped Masamune tighter; his knuckles turned a bright white.
"I say we slaughter the lot of them! Show them Prontera's power!" Maleagant slammed his fists on the table, nearly cracking the soft wood with his abrupt outburst. "They won't stand a chance against the thirteen divi-" beside him, Vaynard stretched his arm out, silencing the brute. As the third division captain lifted his hands off the table, it began to repair itself with haste. Vaynard's gaze, however was directed straight at Hiro…
"What are your opinions on this, Fifth division captain Hiro?" Hiro winced from the raw words. It was as if Vaynard was trying to imply something…
"We should have our archers take care. Thewind blows in favor for Payon." Vaynard spoke, before giving Hiro a chance to respond. The room suddenly became extremely silent. If it were not for exhaustion and being in the presence of the King, Hiro would have drawn his sword that moment.
"Enough of this! The meeting will commence again tomorrow. All of you are to prepare your divisions for the possibility for war. Vaynard, don't try and pull this again!"
"My sincerest apologies, Your Majesty." There was nothing sincere about his apology though. An icy chill spread throughout the room as it quickly emptied. Ahead, Maleagant complained about what a waste of time the meeting was. The last two to exit were Hiro and Vaynard, walking side by side.
"I'm watching you, captain." Vaynard spoke, before speeding ahead of Hiro and back into the darkness of the streets…
Hiro looked to the full moon above him. The wind began to pick up, the long sleeves of his kimono swayed to the north.
'You're wrong Vaynard. The wind blows for Prontera this day.'