Chapter 8

Emotions On the Back Shelf

The battle was intense. Through the night, not only did people fight, certain people gained new found powers. Also, new allies came about. In the morning, the sun revealed a ruined landscape. Burned houses, rubble, and soot were laid out before the heroes. A heavy burnt smell floated through the air. Lavitz stood on the outside of HQ and took in the morphed scenery and then looked over at the new face to join them. She was a young woman who was clad in dark clothing and had long, raven black hair. Her name was Rose and she had a very mysterious air about her. Though, Lavitz couldn't help but to take up some sort of suspicion. Where was she from? What's her backstory? Earlier she had mentioned that she had met Dart some time in the past, does that mean that they have some sort of history? Who knows, but Lavitz knew fully that now was not the time nor the place to be wondering about newcomers. Lavitz began to take another look at the surrounding scenery, but his viewing was interrupted by Kaiser who appeared to be wounded.

"Dart, Lavitiz!" Kaiser yelled. "You did very well in last night's battle, though there is another task that I must request of you." Dart's eyes widened and he began to listen intently. He was ready for the chance to get a piece of action. Lavitz turned so that he could give his full attention to the knight. "The seventh knighthood in the marshlands is under attack. Unfortunately, Imperial Sandora decided to get the jump on them and at this current moment, they are being overwhelmed! They need all of the help that they can get. Please be cautious of the dragon." Rose began to move towards the entrance to the town. She gives a heavy sight as she slips out of the town. Dart looks over at Rose, but does not pay her much of any attention. He instead looks over at Shana and motions to her. Shana prances over and looks up at Dart with her large brown eyes. "Yes?" she chimes. Dart gives a warm smile as he then asks, "Are you ready?" She nods and Dart escorts her out of the town. Lavitz replies to Kaizer's request with, "Yes, sir. We will save the seventh knighthood and continue our way southbound." Kaiser gives a reassured smile and begins to teeter off into HQ. Lavitz looked over his shoulder at Dart, who was now outside of the town.

"I wonder..." Thought Lavitz. " Is he being troubled by that thought? Could this explain why the air about him seems off? I'm going to have to bring up the subject again when we're able to be in private." Lavitz's eyes begin to drift down to the ground. He zoned out but was then snapped out of it when he heard Dart's call. "Lavitz! Is everything okay?!" Lavitz gives a nod and runs back to the group.

Back at Indels Castle, Serafino was gazing outside of the window as time passed by. The sun warmed his face and the breeze calmed him. It was almost time for the King to make his debut and the young knight was awaiting that moment. Lucien exited the staircase and made his way toward his "partner in crime". "Hey, Sera!" Lucien called. The young knight whirled around to look at the man walking towards him. "Oh! Hey!" Serafino said with a cheerful look. "How are you doing?" Lucien ran his hands through his short black hair and sighed. "I just got finished with my rounds and now I am concerned...when it comes to you and His Majesty Albert." Serafino tilted his head to the side and looked at Lucien in confusion. "Why? Why are you confused?" Serafino asked. Lucien sighs and places his hands on his hips.

"Because you struck him." Lucien said, placing emphasis on the word 'struck'.

"Oh, yeah...that's right...I still don't see why you're so concerned, Lucien."

"You didn't tap him, Sera...you all out hit him. By the sound of it...that offensive move may have left a bruise on his face."

"I doubt that it left a bruise..."

"How much do you want to bet?"

"A thousand gold! No...No...Five hundered."

"Well, his majesty should be up by now...so at any moment-"

A loud, drawn out shout filled the castle floors. Serafino's eyes widened and something within his being told him to run like hell. He looked over at Lucien who had his hand out already. "I will give it to you as soon as the explosion is over!" Serafino stated before he darted down the hallway. Lucien watched his friend run out of the castle. He knew that he could not just let things hang as is, so he decided to move up to the throne room and confront the King. "Serafino...why do you insist on having me do the dirty work." Lucien muttered. He walked up the staircase and made his way into the throne room. In front of the throne was an enraged King Albert. Lucien scanned his face and there it was, a bruise that was the size of Serafino's hand.

"Well damn, Serafino really did a number on the king. Practically owned him to an extent. By the looks of it, King Albert wants his head. I seriously do not know what to do with this. Sera's flown the coop annnnnnnnnd...King Albert is pissed. Two things that should never exist in the same dimension...ugh." Lucien thought. He stood in front of his king in silence as he awaited Albert to open his mouth. The man in black, who stood in the back made his way out of the room. Lucien kept his eyes on him. He was one of the few who did not approve of the man's existence within the castle.

Once the man in black was gone. Lucien returned his attention to the young king before him, who was now red in the face. Now Albert's face was far more colorful than it was before. Lucien gives a deep sigh and before the King could part his lips to form a word, Lucien begins to state, "I have no idea where Serafino is at. If you so desire, I am more than willing to search the castle for him." He begins to make a slight turning motion, but Albert raises a single hand, signaling for Lucien to wait. The dark haired knight stopped turning and stood there, anxiously waiting for his king to talk.

"You don't need to do anything..." Albert said with a calm tone of voice. Lucien did a double take before asking, "Why?" The king begins to slowly move away from the throne and approach his loyal knight. With a gentle smile, the young king continues with. "Because he had a point...I understand his intentions and I know that he means well, but that gave him no right to hit someone such as myself. I need to focus on more things...There is a war on our hands and we cannot afford to lose. The well being of the country is at stake and I would hate to have to turn over everything that I cherish to my Uncle...Emperor Doel. I cannot discard the feelings that I have and I definitely cannot discard my thoughts and opinions on Lavitz and the person who is the apple of his eye. I just have to settle for now and focus on the war...It...is for the best."

Lucien looked into the King's eyes as he talked and gave a nod after he was finished. The young knight felt relieved that Albert had finally came to his senses, but something didn't exactly sit well with him. Was Albert being a hundred percent honest with Lucien or was he just saying that to reassure his knight. To make sure that Lucien didn't do anything afterwards for the sake of saving his partner from unavoidable punishment. Lucien didn't question it too much. Serafino DID act out of line when he decked the King of Serdio. "I am glad that you understand and see what you should do." Lucien said as he gave a salute. The young king gives a small smile, wincing a little due to the pain that surged thorugh his face. "Make sure that you tell no one of the origin of this atrocious bruise." Albert says. Lucien gives another smile and the King makes his way out of the throne room. Where could he be going?

Serafino was in town and running about. His plan was to hide in the city and give King Albert enough time to cool his head. The young red headed knight found himself in the middle of an alley. He looked around to see what was in this alley and there wasn't much. Just a library and cart filled with apples. The runaway knight groans a little bit and then asks himself, "So I have to sit in this ally until the King cools off?! Albert has been known to have days where he holds his anger for an extended amount of time." The young man scratches his head and then a voice begins to speak to him.

"You could always go home..."

Serafino jumps and begins to look around suspiciously. He paced back and forth in the alley and rests his hand on his head. "Where did that voice come from...Go home? I am already home...Heh, it must have been the wind."

"That was no wind...You know that I am here...Do NOT deny it. Why do you enjoy working for those who are known to be your enemy..."

The red headed knight stops moving and notices that the area began to change from it's usual colors to a hue of monochrome shades. The people who were moving froze and the birds that happened to be in the area were caught in midflight. Did time freeze? The young man then could sense someone behind him. Serafino whirled around and drew his weapon. "What do you want?!" Serafino shouted. A figure cloaked in all black stepped from the shadows and into the middle of the alley. The knight could instantly realize that this figure was the man who was King Albert's advisor, but why was he outside of the castle. Was he sent out to look for the runaway knight. Not possible...

"You need to stop being a traitor..."

Serafino instantly became offended. "Traitor?! How am I a traitor?! I am a loyal of knight of His Majesty Albert. I dare not betray this country and its people."

"You fail to realize...Isn't it clear? Is it that hard to see? You are stabbing more people in the back than you can think. I know about you..."

"I...I..I have no clue as to what you are talking about. First you're talking about going home and now you're talking about how I am stabbing people in the back? What makes you think-"

"You're pathetic...Soon, there'll be a time where you'll need to turn to the ones who you have betrayed and they'll cast a black shadow upon your head...You better start working on your apology speech. Heh, if not that...work on your death wish."

Before Serafino could inch another word in, the young cloaked man disappeared and everything returned to how they were previously. Serafino was confused and almost as white as a sheet. "Get real...This is the very last thing that I need. I think...I will do something other than just stand here." The young man then drags himself into the library.

Lavitz collasped beside a sticky white pile of what resembled cobwebs. He gives a massive sigh of relief. The group had just finished treking through the marshlands, fighting the Sandorans, did more venturing through the marshlands, and finally passing through Volcano Villude. Now, they were in the nest of the dragon.

Glowing green particles floated through the air, slowly and gracefully. When ever one of the particles landed on Lavitz's skin, well the little bit that was exposed, it stung unpleasantly. He scratched a little before saying, "This looks like poison...This forest is more than likely contaminated." The new venturer, Rose leaned against a tree and began taking in the landscape. It was apparent, judging from her expression, that she was nowhere near surprised that a forest such as this was riddled with poison. After awhile, Lavitz stood on his feet and stretched his arms. He looked over at Dart who was looking at the poison float through the air. Lavitz wanted to say something, but he couldn't, he just couldn't sum up the words at that time. Not only that, there were too many people around for Lavitz to get what he want off of his chest. The man in the red armor noticed Lavitz looking over at him and said, "Is something wrong? Is the poison getting to you?" The knight shook his head and then looked at the ground.

A slight wheezing sound began to originate from Shana. Dart turns his attention to Shana and rushes to her. "Shana, what's wrong?!" he questioned with great concern. The young woman straightens her posture and gives a crooked smile. She wanted everyone to think that she was alright and that she was strong and healthy, when in truth...she wasn't. "I...I'm fine." she said in a small voice. It wasn't hard to tell that she was out of breath and she was having difficulty getting the oxygen that she needed. The young brunette soon doubled over, desperately gasping for breath. Before Dart could hold out his hand to help her, Shana quickly stood up and rushed down the path that was located behind them. The young man in red, of course, rushed after her. Rose looked at the two run down the path out the corner of her eye. She didn't budge, instead she looked at Lavitz who simply stood there, lost in thought.

"What's with those two?" Rose spoke up. Lavitz snapped out of his train of thought and looked at Rose in confusion. It was apparent that he didn't catch her question so Rose repeated what she asked. Afterwards, Lavitz quickly responded with, "Dart sees Shana as his baby sister...Nothing more." Rose raised an eyebrow and said no more. Strangely enough, when Lavitz told Rose that tidbit of information. A huge wave of relief surged through his body. Why? Was it because of his feelings for Dart? That would be the more obvious reasoning, but one can not be too sure.

After awhile, the two rejoined the group. Shana looked much better and Dart appeared relieved. Dart placed his hands on his hips and gave a big smirk. "Alright, let's continue." The group then made their way through the dangerous forest. Dart and Rose stayed in the front while Shana and Lavitz walked in the back. The air had a slight tension to it, and everyone could sense it. Shana tried to clear a little bit of the tension by starting a small conversation. "So...Lavitz...How long have you been serving His Majesty Albert?" Lavitz's expression began to change and not for the better either. He gave a slight frown as he was reminded of how King Albert confessed to him and how he responded to it. Shana took note of Lavitz's response and bit her bottom lip as if she was trying to say, "I'm sorry...I shouldn't have said anything" through expression alone. The young brunette decided to try again, but before she could say anything, the group stopped. They came upon a large hole. Without saying a word, Dart jumped down into its dark, moist depths and the rest of the crew followed.

At the bottom of the hole, there were a variety of weird flora, strange surroundings and plenty of moist terrain. Once Shana stood to her feet, she turned her attention to the large pool behind her. "Hey, look! It's fresh water!" she chimed in joy before scurrying over to partake of the liquid. Dart moved over to the pool and looked into it. The water was very crystaline and had a nice fresh scent to it. Lavitz began moving down the path without saying a word. Rose simply watched and then looked back at the two who were admiring the water. "We might want to keep moving, we're about to be left by the knight." Rose said, pointing over her shoulder at Lavitz who was already far ahead. Dart and Shana looked at Lavitz and rushed after him. The group arrived in a open area that had nothing but the sticky, moist, cobwebs that seemed to be a common theme of the forest aside from the poison. Lavitz looked up at the cobwebs and approached the tall wall of sticky mess before having to jump back to safety because of an oncoming attack.

"Lavitz...Lavitz..Lavitz..." Said a familiar voice. "Oh how it has been such a long time." A man with light brown hair leaped down from a high place and landed on a rock that stood before the group. Lavitz quickly drew his weapon and through beared teeth said, "Greham!" The new face on the scene gave a devilish smile and waved his spear around. "The one and only!" he chimed. "So Lavitz..are you still a dog of the military? Saving the lives of the pathethic people of Serdio? Kissing King Albert's Ass and doing god knows what else for that man." Lavitz throws and arm out and shouts, "Shut up!"

"We all know how you knights are...especially His Majesty's best ones. They ALL end up falling for the King or he falls for them. You were the King's topic of conversation...Especially during Servi's time."

"Don't you dare mention my father's name, you backstabbing cur."

"Oh? Why not?" Greham gives a small chuckle.

"You betrayed my father and practically cost him his life. My father trusted you Greham! TRUSTED YOU! He saw you as his best friend and you went against him."

"Yes, I do admit that what I did was, how you say, underhanded. Haha, but I have no regrets. Your father died, I had to escape Indels, and today I gained a newfound power. So in the end, I was still dealt a good hand."

"Newfound power?!"

"That's right, son of Servi! Now come...face me. I will show you what power can do for a man who has mastered its art!"

A bright green light consumed the entire area. The group of four shielded their eyes from being blinded by the intense illumination. Once the light dimmed, Lavitz uncovered his eyes to reveal, not only Greham in emerald green armor, but a large dragon. The same dragon that had been roaming across the plains of Serdio for quite some time. Dart and the others looked at the two before them in surprise. "Feyrbrand?! So is he responsible for-" Dart began to question, but was then cut off by Greham who launched a blade of wind past the group.

"Now's not the time for senseless chatter! Raise you weapons and come for me. Show me what the son of Servi can do!" Greham shouts before lunging at the group of four. Thus, a fight ensues...who would've known that a face from the past would come back to haunt Lavitz and bring forth ill memories of his father's death?