Chapter Three: Holy Knight
Kali observed the stranger's confident stride as he disappeared through one of the archways surrounding the courtyard leading to different parts of the city. An urge to follow him and demand answers as to why he came to the island surged within her. However, he knew she couldn't afford to be distracted. There were pressing matters that required her immediate attention.
The sound of heavy boots on stone reached her ears, and she turned to see her comrade approaching. Standing beside her, he followed her gaze.
"Who was that?" he asked, his voice echoing her skepticism toward the stranger.
Kali paused, considering her response carefully. She understood that revealing the stranger's name at this stage could complicate matters. There was something peculiar about him, something she couldn't quite grasp, and she wanted to unravel it on her own.
"Nobody," she replied cryptically, her gaze shifting toward the archway where the stranger had vanished. "Just someone passing through, I suppose."
Her comrade's skeptical gaze lingered on her, unconvinced by her evasive response. However, he chose not to press the matter further. Instead, his concerned blue eyes met hers. Tenderly, he reached for her hand, clasping it gently and lifting it to examine her injured palm.
As Kali's gaze shifted to her hand, she couldn't help but notice the remnants of her burned glove and the painful blisters that marred her skin. The pain, momentarily overshadowed by her preoccupation with the stranger, now surged through her senses.
"You're hurt," he stated, his voice laced with concern.
A mix of frustration and resignation filled Kali as she examined her hand. "Just a malfunction," she admitted, her voice tinged with self-blame. "I can't seem to get the dosage right."
The knight's concern quickly shifted to anger as he realized the extent of her tinkering. "How many more Durandals are you going to destroy, Kali?" he exclaimed, frustration and genuine worry evident in his voice. "Agnus's patience has limits, and if you keep pushing him, you'll be left without a weapon, or worse, you might lose your hand."
Kali sighed deeply, wearied by the familiar lecture she often received from her fellow knight and friend, Laude. He was a few years older than her and often assumed the role of her protective older brother. With his strong and caring nature, he always strived to uphold the rules and expectations of a perfect knightâunlike her.
Unable to contain herself, Kali let a mischievous grin escape her lips in response to Laude's anger. "Well, I have two hands, don't I?" she retorted playfully. "That means if I lose one, I'll still have another." The grin widened as she saw the irritated look on Laude's face. "It would just make me more unique."
"Kali," Laude admonished a mix of exasperation and genuine concern in his voice. "This is a serious matter. You can't simply brush it off as a joke."
She gently pulled her hand from his grasp, the playful glint still evident in her eyes. "Come on, you know I like to play with fire," she teased.
Laude rolled his eyes, fully aware that reasoning with someone who had an inherent affinity for pushing boundaries was a challenging task. "Yes, sadly, I do," he replied, a touch of resignation in his voice.
She couldn't help but laugh. Her amusement was contagious as it spread to her friend's face. The tension dissipated, replaced by a shared moment of lightheartedness. Their banter momentarily lifted the weight of the situation, offering a brief respite from the seriousness of their roles.
However, the reality of their mission quickly resurfaced in Kali's mind.
With a more serious tone, Kali turned her attention back to the task at hand. "Is his Holiness safe and sound?" she inquired, her concern for their leader evident.
Laude nodded, his expression serious. "Yes, as is everyone else. We managed to swiftly disperse the demons. Let's return and ensure the safety of the people."
Kali followed him, the weight of responsibility settling upon her shoulders as they returned to the cathedral. Despite the occasional clashes and differences of opinion, Kali knew that she and Laude shared a deep bond forged through their dedication to the Order and their unwavering commitment to protecting their homeland.
Inside the grand cathedral, silence enveloped the space as Sanctus continued addressing the inhabitants, praising the knights of the Order in the highest regard. As soon as Kali and Laude entered the hall, the door closed behind them, shutting out the outside world's noise. Amidst the hushed atmosphere, a young boy maneuvered through the crowd, clutching a wooden sword tightly in his hands.
"Kali!" he called out, excitement evident in his voice as he stopped before her. His brown eyes sparkled with admiration. "Did you kill all the demons?"
She knelt down in front of the boy and ruffled his hair affectionately. "Ah, be careful how you speak, Credo. If your mother hears that, we'll both be in trouble," she grinned, then lowered her voice to a whisper and added, "I kicked those demons' asses."
The boy's face lit up with a mixture of awe and delight. "I can't wait to grow up and become a knight like you!" he exclaimed, waving his wooden sword through the air, vanquishing imaginary demons.
"The kid has taken a liking to you," Laude commented as Kali stood up again.
Kali shrugged and grinned at Laude. "Just like you," she retorted, earning another annoyed eye roll from her comrade.
"Credo!" thundered an angry male voice, causing the boy to flinch. A man stomped towards them and grabbed the boy's arm. "How many times have I told you to stay away from that witch?" The man, Credo's father, cast a disgusted look at Kali before dragging his son away and returning to their seats.
Kali took a deep breath. No matter how many times the people of Fortuna insulted her and recoiled in fear, there were still moments when it weighed heavily on her.
She felt Laude's hand on her back, a comforting gesture of empathy. In that touch, she found solace and the reassurance that she was not alone in this battle against prejudice and ignorance.
Together, they stepped back onto the podium, their presence a symbol of strength and resilience. Retaking their positions beside their leader, Kali and Laude seamlessly integrated themselves back into the formal proceedings, their faces composed and determined.
As Kali's gaze swept across the congregation, her eyes inadvertently landed on the vacant spot in the dark corner where the enigmatic white-haired stranger had stood earlier. Vergil. The memory of his smug grin flashed in her mind, igniting a spark of determination. She couldn't help but feel a surge of anticipation, a fierce desire to wipe that arrogant smile from his face, preferably with the swing of her sword.
He tore her eyes from that place and searched for her sister. Parvati sat alone in the first row. Kali discreetly concealed her injured hand behind her back, not wanting to worry her younger sibling. However, Parvati had noticed the movement and looked at her with concern in her eyes.
Kali nodded to her, silently assuring her that she was okay. Parvati responded with a gentle smile, but the worry had not completely vanished from her eyes.
Amidst the cathedral's grandeur, Kali couldn't help but feel a surge of gratitude for having Parvati by her side. They were each other's pillars of strength, a steady presence in the face of adversity. No matter how many demons invaded Fortuna or how repugnantly some of its inhabitants treated them, they found solace in the unwavering support they shared.
As the sermon droned on, Kali found her attention wavering, her eyes scanning the diverse crowd. She couldn't help but notice the lingering glances and subtle sneers directed her way. Prejudice was an ever-present sting, a constant reminder of their uphill battle. It wasn't just external forces they fought against but also the deeply rooted biases that infected the island.
Amid such hostility, however, there were sparks of compassion and acceptance. Kali couldn't help but cherish the genuine smiles exchanged with a few kind-hearted souls and the nods of understanding from fellow knights who bore the same burdens. These small gestures of solidarity offered a temporary respite, reminding her that they were not alone in this struggle.
Yet, despite these moments of solace, exhaustion gnawed at Kali's bones. The weight of the day, filled with challenges and hardships, pressed down on her shoulders. She had to stifle a yawn. All she yearned for was to go home, collapse onto her bed, and find solace in the comfort of her own sanctuary. It had been a long day, both physically and emotionally draining, and the thought of surrendering to the embrace of sleep brought a flicker of relief to her weary mind.
This chapter only served to give me the opportunity to experiment a bit with Kali's character.
I like the fact that she has a pretty loose mouth and a bad sense of humor.
All things our arrogant ice prince can't stand. So a perfect base ;)
As for Laude, I haven't quite decided what his character will be.
But I can imagine him as someone who attracts the attention of women, much to his chagrin.
Next time there will be more Vergil, promise. ;)
See ya,
-J.