Chapter 7- IV Prologue
Draw your blade!
((((()))))
Rosa was just where I expected to find her. Outside on the balcony, looking across her kingdom, the one she could not govern alone.
But that was just how fate was.
It is something you cannot fight against, no matter what steps you take and how strong you become. I, of all people, should know this. Your destiny is laid before you the moment you are born. Hurting others, and, sometimes, in hurting yourself, you are nothing but a puppet of fate, unable to change what must happen.
Rosa looked back at me. "Kain," she sighed.
I walked out and leaned over the balcony, looking across the landscape. You could no longer see the moon hanging in the atmosphere, waiting to crash to the surface if given the chance, and for that I was glad. I already had enough mess to clean up and worry of without having to deal with the moon.
My lance seemed heavier than usual on my back, strapped to my rusted, dented armor. It still had blood stains, I was sure, of one too many foolish battles fought before.
I never understood why fate willed me to destroy myself so. Rosa hated me. Even though she hid it well, I knew she would never forgive me for Cecil's disappearance, even if it was not my fault.
I won't argue, though. Hate me all she wants, but it will never bring back that which we have lost.
Fate was my worst enemy, one that I could not fight against. In that sense, perhaps it was more of a master than an enemy. A master I was forced to obey, forced to serve.
There were many things I could blame on having my mind ridden, but would it truly make a difference to this woman? Never. So it is best to simply stay silent.
For some unknown reason, I unlatched my lance and held it out in front of me. It didn't shine like it used to in the morning sun.
"If that drops," Rosa started evenly, "you'll likely impale someone."
"Then that shall be their loss, won't it?" I countered softly.
She gave me a weak glare. With a sigh I put my weapon away. "I should say sorry, but I do not know if the word would suffice for my sins."
Rosa's eyes grew sad. "No… it would not."
"Then allow me to search," I said, straightening with a salute.
She let out a dry laugh. "Why search for that which is forever lost to us?"
I shrugged. "Why does the blind man wish to see? The dumb to speak?"
"Because they have never known how," she replied wistfully.
I nodded. "That is why I must go. Rosa, I swear to you… I will find a way to repent. With or without Cecil, I will no longer let my past plague my mind so. And thus I leave, even if you forbid it."
She didn't move to stop me as I turned to leave. She only looked back to the sun, letting its rays wash over her ashen, weary face. "I should give you my blessing, but to you it would be naught but a curse."
A wicked grin came to my face. "That you are correct, my friend. Farewell, Rosa."
And so I left the only haven I had left to go to.