- Chapter 10: Sideshow -
It had been a few months since their training in combat began. Everyone was tired. Night after night with the four coming back to the Condor sluggish, and sore.
Ace and Dena were staying with the Storm Hawk company now. Garoth still working away at getting the ship up and running.
Lockett and Lightning practically begged Garoth to allow the two to stay. Due to Dena having a talk with her dad, he pulled his own funds away from her studies. Which meant that Dena could no longer stay in the Estate in the City. She would have to travel between Terras everyday if she went home to stay. Which, is what Ace was doing...and which is why he was now staying as well. The young boys family unable to keep up the costs.
The Condor had plenty of room for them. Garoth offered to make sure they were fed and taken care of. They had their own rooms, and most of their needs met, aside from clothes and luxuries such as candy or clothing items…
But what they lacked in luxury, they made up for in their friendships.
Garoth was hesitant, but slowly warmed up to the idea of allowing Ace and Dena to stay as well after a while. Garoth finally agreeing that the two could live on the Condor with them, so long as they trained and put in the effort they needed in order to become skilled Sky Knights. And help around the Condor if it was ever needed.
Lightning was proud of his new found friends. Happy to have others his own age to spend time with, and bond with. Lightning had been spending his time studying and training hard at the Academy.
Dena and Merrick even got along. Lightning and Lockett being shocked to found out the girl knew Galian. Merrick and Dena instantly began a friendship from there.
Lightning felt lucky.
It was a sunny later summer day. The night air was beginning to grow cooler.
Lightning and the others were finishing up their training for the day.
Dena looked exhausted, Lockett wiping sweat from his forehead. Ace was breathing heavily.
They were all tired, sore, and sweaty. But they knew that tomorrow would only bring them more training to complete.
"I'm heading back to the Condor. Y'all coming?" Lockett asked. Dena and Ace nodded.
"I'll catch up. i wanted to go relax in the library for a bit." Lightning answered.
"Alright man, meet us in the hanger in later." Lockett said.
Lightning nodded, grabbing his satchel and making his way to the Academy Library.
He grabbed a couple of books before heading to his usual spot in the corner near the back of the library. Near the entrance to the catacombs.
Lightning set his books down on the table and sat down at the old chair that sat across from an empty seat before letting out a deep sigh and started reading his books. He'd hope he'd see Aurora again, maybe sometime. He was curious about what else she knew of the underground artifact. He always got caught up on what she had said about it. It's powers, how it's used…
After about thirty minutes Lightning decided it was time to head back to the Condor. He
gathered his things, and began putting them back up on the shelf before noticing something off in the tombs.
Lightning turning around as he went up to the entrance. A frown appearing on his face while his curiosity got the best of him.
"Hello? Aurora?" Lightning called out in the darkness. The sounds of footsteps echoing down the stone stairway.
"Lightning?"
Lightning felt his chest tighten. The young guy swopping beneath the rope blockade as he went down into the tombs.
"Aurora?" He asked. The torch light dim, giving a soft orange glow to everything around him. The tomb walls were damp, a subtle scent of the earth was present in the air.
Lightning jumped feeling someone take his hand from behind him. lightning turning around to see her.
"I did not scare you, did I?" She asked.
"Oh, um, no." He said in a calm tone of voice to her as he looked down at her hands holding onto his for a moment before Lightning felt his cheeks flushing and becoming warm while Aurora looked at him curiously, "What are you doing here?"
"What I always do- Explore!" She said, turning away from him as she spun. "This place is beautiful...It's strange having someone to show it to now."
Lightning looking around while listening to Aurora's words as he could hear a hint of sadness in her voice. He felt bad for her. No one to show this place too...He couldn't imagine it.
'You don't have friends?"
"Well...I do, but none of them would dare be caught dead down here. They would say it is too dirty. Too dark and mysterious- Y'know?" She replied with a deep sigh leaving her lips as she glanced over at him while Lightning nodded his head in understanding with a thoughtful look on his face.
"I'm glad to see you once again. How have you been? I hope you did not get in trouble for me, and the door. That room is still flooded…"
"I didn't get in too much trouble…" Lightning rubbed his neck, not wanting to let her know he had told Lady Lavender about seeing her down here.
"I am glad." Aurora gave him a bright smile. Lightning felt a warmth across his face. The boy rubbing the back of his neck.
"I got some time. Is there anything else you seen down here?"
She smiled at him, grabbing his hand. Aurora taking him back towards the back of the tomb area before pausing in front of an archway. It lead off into another maze like area. "Well...there's quite a few intact plagues down through here. They're written in Old Atmosian, and they retell the story of the artist who helped build this place.
"That's nice~"
The two walked down the large hall that led into a wider corridor. Aurora smiling at him happily before stopping him in front of a set of paintings that hung up on the wall. The paintings were well preserved despite their age.
"This was my favorite discovery. These paintings were nailed into the walls. These are some of my ancestors. That there is my great, great grandfather, King Azzarion. He built the Academy. Then, is my great Grandfather, King Lancelot, and lastly, my Grandfather, King Armand." Aurora explained in an excited tone of voice as she pointed out her family members to Lightning who listened to her intently while eyeing the old pantings.
"That's actually really cool."
"It is something else when you see those you come from written in history..." She muttered.
Lightning only gave another shrug, "It's...not all it's cracked up to be."
"What do you mean?" Aurora asked curiously as she glanced over at Lightning with a confused look on her face.
"...I uh, ain't just some normal street kid apparently...It's a long story." Lightning told Aurora, as he wondered if he should tell her. "You have time? There's a lot to say."
Aurora nodded her head before smiling at Lightning brightly, "Of course I have time. Sit, please."
Lightning was nervous at first, but knew he could trust Aurora...So he began telling her everything about himself...about his parents, how his Father had left before he was born. Who his mother was, and then…
"...You...are the son of Thundryn?" She asked. Her eyes widened while her jaw was agape in shock from Lightning's words.
"Yeah...But I'd rather just be Lightning. Not some chosen Sky Knight." Lightning admitted as he felt a little guilty from telling Aurora all this information about himself.
"I wanted to be a Sky Knight because I wanted to, not because it was my destiny. I still...want it, but-" Lightning tailed off.
"Why can it not be both? Why must they be separate?" She asked in a sincere tone of voice to Lightning as she sat up and moved closer to him while sitting beside him in front of the Panting of her ancestor, King Azzarion.
"...How do you live up to expectations, when you didn't even know they were there in the first place. I feel like I'm not...I don't know. It was a lot to take in, and Lady Lavender only told me because she thought I already knew that. I didn't. I-I know nothing about my father..." Lightning said in a saddened tone of voice as he glanced away from Aurora while the girl frowned feeling bad for her new friend as she looked at him with an understanding gaze.
"...I know quite well about predestined expectations. But if our destiny is to achieve greatness in only being ourselves, then...I believe it is beautiful, in a way." Aurora told Lightning in an uplifting tone of voice. Lightning looked up, giving a faint smile.
"You're the first to really put it like that. You make it seem more...simple, than scary." Lightning sighed.
"Just because something is different does not mean it is bad..." Aurora reassured him. She meant every word. Lightning could see it in her eyes, feel it in her presence. It was all so relaxing to him...so, calming.
Lightning sat up straight as he looked down at his hands for a moment, before glancing back over at Aurora with a small smile on his face, "I like that..."
"You seem like the kind of person who would..." Aurora smirked at Lightning, nudging him playfully in the ribs with her elbow with a smile on her face, "So- I take it your friends know?"
"Yeah...except, my...Caregiver? and another friend...His name is Merrick." Lightning said in a calm tone of voice to Aurora.
"So...your mother?"
Lightning frowned. "...Passed, nearly two years now...couple of months to go. Heh-...it's funny. My birthday was two weeks after...You could say I'd never forget that present." He chuckled dryly. Lightning looking over to see Aurora not completely understand the morbid humor.
"Anyway, Garoth Fairfield has been with me for a good portion of my life...He took me in, and helped me train. And Merrick...well, Merrick is like a brother to me...So's Lockett. i mentioned him before though."
Aurora thought, "Ah-, Yes! The, uh...Look out. Your friend on the docks. Right?"
Lightning snapped, "Bingo."
"Lockett is...hes a smart guy. Hes my best friend." Lightning smiled softly at the thought of his practical blood brother.
"They are both like brothers to you then?" She asked as she gave him a reassuring smile.
"Yeah...Merrick is funny and knows his way around girls. Always getting Lockett and I into trouble...He's a year older than us. 14, he went out on a date the other day. Two girls." Lightning said, throwing up his hand to show the number.
"And Lockett? He's the quiet one?"
Lightning shook his head, "I've known him since I was 9-" Lightning gave a chuckle, "He is the strong and silent type, yes...But hes like, hella good with weapons, and engineering...he can fix anything that's broke...and he can fight like no body's business!" Lightning said in a proud tone of voice to Aurora with a small smile on his face.
"They seem like wonderful people." She smiled.
"What about your friends? What are they, other princesses? Nobles?"
She scoffed. "Ha! No. Most are of noble birth though, yes... But not quite." Aurora trailed off, "I have two dear friends- Lilith, and Taryn-"
"They sound like princesses too."
"Ah, well...Yes, Taryn is." She said bashfully, realizing she misspoke, "-Lilith's parents are just well off in their company though. They own a trade route for minerals and jewels..." She said while playing with her hair nervously, "Though, my best friend is this place...I know, it seems...hah, almost pathetic." Aurora glanced away from Lightning.
Lightning shook his head. "This place is awesome! I'm envious."
Aurora's eyes lit up as she looked at him, "It...it is. It does not matter how hard of a day, or how distressed my state may be...These old buried halls welcome me...give me the comfort of their earthy musk and ambience. The walls, they seem to embrace me...comfort me. The tombs speak to me in ways others would not understand-"
"Try me."
Aurora perked up at that. She too feeling her cheeks grow hot. Aurora sheepishly looking away.
"Um- well...for example. I love the way the light reflects off the metal works on some of the old statues. The way it seems to create almost a surreal effect through its slow, graceful dance of reds and golds..."
"You have an incredible attention to detail~." Lightning complimented. Aurora could tell Lightning was smiling by the way he had spoke. She could hear it in his voice.
"Thank you, Lightning..." She was at a loss for words after that. Aurora couldn't help but keep smiling at him. His smile made her heart feel like it was fluttering. "I uh-.." She bit her lip nervously while playing with her long brown hair while Lightning chuckled at her gently. Aurora noticing how his brown eyes glimmered while looking at her.
"Y-you have an incredible eye as well..." Aurora complimented Lightning back after a moment or two passed between them in silence before she noticed how close the two were sitting together and could feel the heat from his body near hers from how close they were.
Lightning and Aurora both looked away.
Lightning was nearly about to look back to her, before noticing a figure walking off through the tombs in the distance.
"Who is that?"
Aurora turned her head in the direction Lightning had been looking off towards before seeing the cloaked figure, "I- I do not know- What would they be doing down here?"
Lightning carefully stood, grabbing Aurora by the hand before sneaking out of their line of sight. Lightning looking over, whispering, "We need to go tell Lady Lavender."
"Do you think they were there the whole time?" She whispered.
"I don't know...But let's get back to the Academy." He replied in a calm tone of voice to Aurora who only nodded her head before quietly following Lightning back down the long halls of the Catacombs. Lightning and Aurora carefully walking.
The two stepping lightly as they gained some distance before booking it back to the library.
Lightning was breathing heavily. The young male taking a moment to breathe while Aurora caught up with him as she stumbled lightly and leaned up against the stone wall to try to catch her breath with a heavy sigh leaving her lips before the two jumped hearing someone calling out to them from nearby.
"What were you two doing in th-" The Archivist froze, "Princess?"
"I- we-...One of the tunnels." Lightning gestured.
"There was a man, dressed in black. Down in the catacombs. We don't know who he is."
"Wh-wh...Why were either of you down there?"
"Sir, please, I need to speak t-"
BOOM-!
Lightning dove forward, Lightning covering Aurora was the foundations felt as if they were shaking. Lightning holding onto Aurora tightly as he held her close while doing his best to protect her from the falling debris. The dust causing Aurora and Lightning to cough violently as the two held onto each other tightly while doing their best to catch their breaths and regain their bearings.
The Archivist had hidden under a table.
Aurora's eyes were wide, her heart sinking at the thought...That whoever that was had just-
Lightning stood up, grabbing Aurora's wrist as he ran towards the halls. Many of the Sky Knights doing their night duties at the Academy rushing into the hall.
"There was someone in the catacombs-! They set something off!" Lightning yelled out. Lady Lavender noticing the young two with worry before glancing over at Sterling who rushed over as well, "Are you both alright?"
"Yes, but- we don't know what happened!" Aurora stammered nervously as her hands were shaking, "Th-the Archivist came out and there there was this, this..."
There was a groan, a creaking ringing out through the halls. Everyone had gone silent before one of the knights noticed part of the roof caving in.
"Everyone run!" Lady Lavender yelled out as the knights all did as told before Sterling grabbed onto Lavender's arm as he pulled her with him. The ceiling beginning to collapse in on itself as everyone fled from the building as fast as possible. The Sky Knights rushing to evacuate the dorms on the far end. The Building was slowly beginning to crack, the ground beneath beginning to sink into the tunnels below.
Sterling lead Lady Lavender and a couple other students away from the building. Everyone turning around at the sounds of the school caving in on itself. Lady Lavender and the other Knights all looking at what remained of their School, and dorms while most of the students that lived within the academy had made it out safely as Lady Lavender looked over at Sterling in shock with a saddened look in her eyes.
Lady Lavender turned to Lightning, her face being stern. "What did you see?" She said, nearly demanding it.
Lightning sighed, "Aurora and I saw someone dressed in black, wearing a cloak." He told, "Aurora knows the catacombs better than anyone, and she didn't know who it was. I didn't know if he was dangerous, so I got the princess out of there..."
Lady Lavender looked at Sterling, sighing in frustration, "Have some of your men scout the tombs and catacombs...With care-"
"They'll do no such thing, the whole place was a disaster before this. It'll surely be far more unstable now. Especially with whatever Cyclonian device detonated. There's no telling what is structurally safe or unsafe." Sterling sighed deeply.
"Do you see why we need to talk to the council-" Lavender argued, frustrated with the Head Sky Knight of Mesa.
"Talk to them about what exactly? How one of the buildings in our Academy has been caved in? This place is a hovel compared to where the Council meets in Terra Atmosia, Lavender."
Aurora's face sank in horror. "If he is still down there, he could topple the Temple, the Council Building, and-"
The two Knights became stiff…
"The palace." They both said in unison while Aurora felt her heart racing at the thought of her father, or any of her family being hurt, or worse...Aurora felt her stomach churning at the idea as she took a step back, feeling faint.
"Sterling, take the interceptors and go evacuate all capitol buildings. Sir Falder, your squad and mine will invesigate the catacombs. Danger or not, whoever this is has already toppled one of our buildings. We must find him." Lady Lavender ordered. The knights all nodded their heads in agreement with her command, while Lightning gave her a concerned look.
"What about Aurora? Isn't she the crown princess? Shouldn't she-"
"She will stay here, under watch. As will you..." Sterling told Lightning in a stern tone of voice. "You too are witnesses in all of this."
"You can't be serious!" Lightning retorted angrily as he glared at Sterling while Lightning did not like that idea at all. The young male crossing his arms in front of his chest stubbornly, "I want to help!"
Sterling leaned down to meet the young man's gaze. "Then stay here, and Guard the princess. We will handle it for now, Lightning. This is a Knight matter, and a Terra matter-" He said in a calm tone of voice to him while patting Lightning on his shoulder firmly.
"Let's go-!"
The Knights ran off.
Lightning was still distraught. He could tell Aurora was scared.
"...Aurora?"
She didn't answer. She could only look at her feet. Lightning coming up to shake her shoulder. "Aurora?"
She looked up, her eyes glossy. "I'm worried-" She managed out, wiping her eyes. Lightning's face dropping some, before leading her closer to the square.
"Come on, we don't know how unstable the ground is." Lightning muttered before hearing Aurora began to cry.
"Whoever that was destroyed over 100 years of history. Why? I want to know who that was…"
Lightning and Aurora sat down on an old crate in the middle of the city square.
"I should have tried to stop them."
Lightning could feel his heart breaking while he looked down at his feet while listening to Aurora crying softly in front of him, "We don't know what they would've done. They could've hurt you."
He explained as Lightning reached over, placing a hand on her shoulder trying to comfort Aurora.
"I know, but still..my ancestors rest there now." Aurora uttered in a saddened tone of voice. She was so hurt that whatever part of that ancient web was blown to pieces...No longer for her to admire, or explore anymore.
"...It's going to be okay. Lady Lav and the rest of the Sky Knights will figure out who did this." Lightning said in a hopeful tone of voice to Aurora, as he looked over at her. Lightning seeing her wiping away her tears, and sniffling lightly while Lightning held onto her hand gently before smiling at her reassuringly.
"Everything is going to be fine. We'll find them, and make em pay." Lightning said reassuringly to Aurora who glanced up to see her friend smiling down at her gently. She nodding her head before watching Lightning sit up straight while slinging an arm around Aurora's shoulder.
"Everything will be okay..."
Lightning and Aurora had sat on the crate for hours. It was quiet, eerily quiet. many citizens fleeing from the area. The knights were all hands on deck, for whoever was present on the Terra at the time.
Most of the capitol buildings were already evacuated. With the assistance of Sterling, and Lavender, the crown family evacuated the Palace as well.
The crown, and any other public figures were gathering across the river in the old ruins of the old Magic Temple. It was on a small terra that sat next to Terra Atmosia. It was in the distance, but still viewable. Lightning and Aurora only needing to squint to see the capital building standing proudly.
For now.
Lighting knew that the tower could be toppled. Any of the old building built atop the old structure were at risk.
And for now, they didn't know if they had found the culprit…
Or who he, or she, even was.
Aurora groaned slightly in her sleep before snuggling more against Lightning's arm. Lightning stirring awake from having passed out from the late hour, as well. He yawning lightly before feeling Aurora lean on him a little more. Lightning noticing the princess was sleeping soundly beside him.
His only reaction was the faint trace of a smile forming on his lips. Lightning looking away. He felt creepy if he just watched her sleep.
Lightning looked out into the city, noticing some of the buildings he could see, in the distance, seemed empty. Lifeless.
Something was odd to him. The whole thing seemed shady to him.
Lightning groaned.
He looked toward the caved in rubble of the school. Eyeing the scene with a solemn sigh, before noticing movement in the distance. A shill shivered down his spine.
Lightning stood, carefully laying the princess down on the crate. He couldn't leave her...but that changed. It changed the moment Lightning seen the person get up finally from what seemed to be an old cellar door.
A black cloak.
Lightning took in a breath, the young man seeing the figure dust themselves off before beginning to look around. They could not see either Lightning or Aurora. Lightning gritting his teeth as he seen them begin to run once the coast was clear.
The Knights were all away clearing the catacombs or evacuating people from unstable zones.
He felt a pit in his stomach form. He had to think, he had to do something.
He had to act.
Lightning ran. He ran as fast as his legs could take him. Running as fast as he could to keep an eye on this hooded figure that was sneaking their way away from the destruction and carnage. He spotted them climb a wall.
Lightning couldn't let them get away. They would have hurt someone! They could've killed someone-
"Hey!" Lightning yelled out as he scaled the wall before attempting to throw himself at the cloaked figure who turned to him quickly. Lightning grabbing the figures legs as he pulled them down.
"Get off!" The figure exclaimed before punching at Lightning in the face while the young male was kicked away.
Lightning cringing while holding his nose, only for his eyes to widened. His heart pounding within his chest. Lightning was acting on pure emotion. His blood running hot as he didn't let up. the 13 year old kid fighting to restrain this guy. Lightning managing to grab his wrists.
Lightning could see the dagger at his hip. His body was screaming to run, but he couldn't. He couldn't let this guy go, he couldn't let up.
If he did,...Lightning might not make it tonight. He had no weapon on him, he had no clue who this figure was or what he had intended with placing whatever had been planted in the crypt. Lightning fought hard to remain calm. To not let his nerves win out. Lightning reaching for the dagger. Lightning without a second of thought, or hesitation...He grabbed it, holding it to the man's neck.
"Don't move." Lightning breathed in a low threatening tone. He could see the man's green eyes beneath the shadow of his hood. His gaze seemingly staring right into his soul while Lightning felt the energy crackling through him.
The man was staring intensely back at this boy. Looking him over as he watched the boy's hands slightly shake.
"Give me a reason not to...Or-or...Or i swear I'll kill you...I swear I will-!" Lightning said as he began to grow impatient by the minute while this hooded man laughed at him.
"You're no killer boy. You're no sky knight either~" The man began to sit up before Lightning pressed the blade against his skin.
"I might be tonight." Lightning said, strengthening his resolve. The hooded man could tell Lightning meant it, the boy putting up an intimidating stance while the hooded man paused.
"Heh...Fine then." He said holding up his arms with a sadistic smirk on his face.
Lightning kept him pin. He didn't know what else to do.
He couldn't. This guy could gain the upper hand. If he broke his focus, or made him stand. He doesn't know what he's capable of, the only thing he knew was he was capable enough to cave the Academy.
There was a moment, everything seemed still…
Gone dead silent, as Lightning found himself at a crossroads, for his next choice. Either question him, or strike now.
Lightning took in a breath, asking, "Who are you?"
Silence.
"...What are you doing here?"
Not even a look in his eyes. They were hollow, yet laced with cruelty. He was enjoying this.
Lightning narrowed his gaze, feeling his blood boiling. "Tell me who you are."
"I didn't know Sky Knight Squires tortured the informati-"
"Quiet- Answer my question."
"Make me, boy."
Lightning's brows knit in frustration. The young male finding no joy in this. There was a hint of fear that rang out loud and clear in his voice though.
"Lightning?"
Lightning's eyes widened. He held the knife closer. "Go get help!" lightning said, not taking his eye off him.
"Bu-"
"GO!" Lightning held tight, his grip not letting up a bit. The man groaning some as the knife grazed him. A small cut began to drip blood onto the stone pathway.
Footsteps grew close, and the man's smile slowly disappeared as he heard the sound of clicking boots, and metal clunking closer to them before Lightning glanced over to see Lady Lavender, and Sterling come up behind him.
"Help is already here." Lavender said in a smug tone of voice to Lightning while watching the other Sky Knights around the area arrest the cloaked man.
"Ma'am, our men found several explosive charges in the catacombs...We managed to disable them."
The culprit didn't seem to like that answer. The man growling under his mask before relaxing, and giving a chilling laugh. "No bother~ I toppled one of your precious symbols. To think you'd be here before the tower was leveled. Oh well. Better luck next time!"
Sterling gave a scowl. He shook his head at that.
"That, 'Symbol' was not just a symbol, it was much more. And you will feel the full weight of your crimes."
Lightning couldn't help but look back at Aurora. Aurora seeing the conflict in his eyes.
Aurora didn't know what to make of it all. This day was definitely going to stay with her for a long while...Aurora telling herself to find the positives of this situation...If there are any.
Lightning sighed, while watching most of the citizens that once fled were now returning. Rebuilding teams already coming in fast to make sure the city had good support.
Luckily the city was still safe...everyone was safe.
To his dismay...Lightning missed seeing him taken off to prison...but at the same time, he was thrilled and felt lucky to even survive going after a guy like that. For now at least-
"What in the Great Hells were you thinking?!" Lady Lavender had snapped, practically breaking Lightning's train of thought.
"What?" Lightning mumbled as he sat beside Aurora and leaned back with a small gasp. Lightning glanced over and up at the older woman before he stood up.
"You knew not of who he was, or what he could do! You could've been killed this night, and you left the Princess unguarded!"
Lightning scoffed, feeling a surge of both irritation, and a small trace of rage. It flowed through him like electricity, only to then try his best to brush off.
Lightning's brown eyes met Lavender's, "I got the guy who toppled the academy. He could've killed more than just me tonight. I only did what you taught me!"
"i did not teach you to throw caution to the wind! Which you seem to have a penchant for!" Lavender snapped angrily. She was being completely honest. Lavender exhaled deeply before slapping Lightning in the face.
The pain, as soon as she did that, was also like an electric pulse...the Sky Knight immediately regretting that action. She could see the anguish n Lightning's face. She could see the hurt that ran through the boy's whole body. Though, even after showing her such vulnerability, Lightning's determined, and aggravated gaze reflected back at her. The two locked eyes momentarily before she turned her head away.
"...I'm sorry, Lightning..." She whispered in apology. She averted her eyes from the young man's, lowering her head, and closing her eyes while sighing deeply.
"Next time, come get me, or another Knight for Atmos' sake, boy...Do not think you life has no worth...I do not know what-..." Her eyes opened as she trailed off her sentence. What started off as concern turned to frustration.
Lightning tried to not dwell on the words she didn't say. Instead, Lightning turned his eyes towards the rubble, his eyes narrowing into slits. "...I couldn't let him get away with it. I made of choice, and I'd do it again..."
With a heavy sigh, Lady Lavender took a step back. Lightning looking down at his shoes, fiddling with his fingers.
"...Go back to your place." Lady Lavender murmured to the thirteen year old, "Make sure the others, and your family is safe...We will discuss matters of your training soon, for now I must work with the other knights. He have to make sure no one was injured, and make sure the integrity of the Terra is still in tact. I will escort the princess back to her family..."
Lightning crossed his arms. Lady Lavender seeming shaken inside, her hand gently falling to Lightning's shoulder.
"...If your father could see you now, He'd be the proudest of all. You were brave, but know that I would never wish this fight on someone so young. You did not need to risk yourself tonight. you did not need to put your life on the line for the sake of others." She stated quietly to Lightning, not wanting anyone around to hear their conversation. She watched Lightning lower his gaze, his eyes closed, lips pressed in a thin, frown.
"Ma'am...I'm not going to change what I did. I want the the training to mean something. I want the school to survive because we wouldn't let them win."
Lady Lavender only sighed. The woman finally breaking some, a tear falling down as she patted her student's shoulder.
Lightning stepped closer to Lavender before pulling her into an awkward hug. Lightning's arms tightly around his teacher, trying his best to comfort the older woman who looked as if she was ready to collapse right then and there.
"I wish you all did not need to see these things. To know how terrifying life can truly be. It hurts me to see the students under my care hurt. Especially by Cyclonian filth such as that man, but...we all know he isn't the first, nor will he be the last..."
"...I'll be careful. I'll be fine. We'll all be fine." He promised Lavender as he felt Lavender pull away from the hug before Lightning gave the woman a soft smile. Lightning taking a few steps back before bowing to Lady Lavender politely.
"Come now, your highness. They're anxious to see you, and you have much to explain."
Aurora looked down, then over to Lightning before sighing. She knew this conversation wouldn't end well. "But of course..."
Lightning smiled gently at the girl. He didn't know what to make of Aurora...but, he knew she was a good person. Lightning reached out as he gave her a side hug. Aurora smiling at what other noblilty would see as a crude gesture. She was so glad that Lightning had followed her...if it was anyone else, or if he hadn't, who knows if the same could've been said for her fate, or her family, the Knights…
The whole Capital.
'Thank you, Lightning. I...hope to see you again." She said to the boy, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips before Lightning grinned back at Aurora in return. Lightning watched as Lady Lavender led the young princess down the path and towards the palace in the distance before he sighed, and ran his fingers through his dark red, disheveled hair.
The young man giving a frustrated groan.
"Damn." He muttered under his breath as Lightning could feel his head pounding. He felt sick. The whole idea setting in...he could've actually died. Lightning's knees felt weak. The boy huddling over as he placed his hands to his knees. Trying his best to not throw up from the fear he felt inside. The adrenaline rush of the past several hours wearing off as the weight of his actions settled.
The weight of all that occurred was starting to make his mind swim.
"hrrk-" Lightning's whole body shook, Lightning trying his best to swallow the vomit down before standing up straight once again while inhaling deeply before exhaling. Trying to get his heart to calm, and the nerves to go away.
"My, My...That was...something."
Lightning jumped, nearly punching the person behind him.
"Hold on! It's me, it's me!" Anduin pleaded. "Shit-...I'm sorry. Easy, now-" He murmured, his eyes falling onto the boy. The young man placing his hands on Lightning's shoulders firmly while looking down at him, and could tell the young man was trying to keep himself composed. Lightning was trembling, but doing his best to stay calm and not show his true emotions to the world.
"Are you-"
BLUGH-!
Lightning threw up. Anduin keeping a hand on his shoulder while he retched, Anduin's nose scrunching in disgust at the stench of puke before him, while the young man gently patted Lightning's back to try to help comfort Lightning a bit while he puked his guts up.
"Uughh..."
"Hang in there, Lightning...let it out..." Anduin sighed as Lightning finished. Lightning was shaky, and weak while Anduin looked at the boy with concern, his gaze meeting his.
"You're a...terrible watchdog-"
"I can't watch you all the time-!" He snapped at Lightning defensively while he leaned against the wall to steady himself. His mind feeling cloudy as the thoughts were overwhelming him. Lightning groaning from the throbbing headache, and his body feeling exhausted from the adrenaline rush wearing off, while Lightning looked down at his shoes, feeling completely ashamed.
"Be easy on yourself. You did good, Lightning...you did real good..."
Lightning shook his head, his eyes squeezed shut, "No...No...I nearly got killed tonight. I let them all down, Anduin- I could've...hphm-" Lightning choked down his spit. Anduin only looking on with concern, but a proudness also beaming through his expression.
"I should've gone to find help...instead, I tried to apprehend the bastard..."
"Well, didn't you?" He asked him. Lightning pausing to think for a moment. He then shrugged. "Well, sorta...but I should've been more cautious. I didn't need to get into it with that guy. He had a knife-!"
"But, didn't you grab it?" Anduin asked, looking to the young man as he blinked slowly. "Didn't you?" Anduin asked again while he seen Lightning pause, trying to recall his memories of what he did...the young man soon sighing before looking to Anduin while Lightning slowly nodded.
"Wait- I thought you said you didn't see!" He accused Anduin of spying on him, to which he just smiled in response, before chuckling, and waving off the idea, "Oh, I didn't~ But, I do see now...I have friends on this plane, and the other~ It's why I came."
"...you're not saying ghost are real-"
"Well, aren't I real? You saw your father in the Realm of the Dead! Might I say, not expected by the way! I had to bribe an old soul in a skeleton to cough up that information." He said in a gleeful tone of voice, his lips tugging into a smirk at the thought. Anduin gently patted Lightning on the back with a smile as Lightning looked back at the older man with confusion written in his eyes.
"You're...a lot."
"Ahh, hello Pot, I am kettle~!" he said in a light tone of voice while looking over at Lightning who rolled his eyes in response while shaking his head.
"...So what does this mean...Am I supposed to join the ranks of the dead? Destined to die because I just...can't leave well enough alone?"
'Is that not the tale? But, there's where choice comes into play~! You had choice. You were afraid. I bet you could've left, or stayed still. I don't see a "destined to die" here." He said as Lightning listened in close to Anduin, "I see 'Destined to be Brave'!"
Lightning raised a brow.
'Now, can those two come hand in hand? At times! yes, but- there's that pesky, beautiful 'but'! You can make that choice!"
"...So, you're saying I have freewill, or something? That this isn't in stone? I can choose to go left or right-"
"No, No! Destiny is set in stone, but Fate? Aahh, beautiful, dangerous fate...The same that transformed me into what I am today, and then, or to be. You have Fate! You can choose to follow this fate, and be safe, but will it really change your destiny? Maybe. Who can tell. Not me, or you! Only those in the next world, and those with more insight than even I can offer."
"Uughh, can you just...speak normally? This is too confusing-! What about my fate then, huh?"
"Aah, a fine question indeed! I think, I think-! Ohh, it's not important, but you could say a friend of yours. Maybe one you have now, perhaps one lost...Maybe one friendship yet to be made?" Anduin chuckled to himself with a soft smile. He leaned down as he looked down to Lightning who met his eyes in confusion while Anduin spoke.
"We will have to see what path you take, Lightning...But, I hope it's not to soon~ You've made some of your choices, but don't you think it's about time to get out of the cold?"
Lightning looked up to see the sun starting to rise...He looked back, only to see Anduin gone again.
He only felt his stomach sink, his body feeling like lead. His body still feeling the weight of everything from last night while his mind raced.
Lightning stood, standing shakily before heading back to the docks.
He walked up, only to hear a familiar voice yelling from down the pier.
"Where the HELL have you been-?"
Lightning glanced up to see Garoth storming towards him in the distance.
"Garoth-"
"I heard the Academy collasped! We didn't know if ya' were alri-"
Lightning fell forward. Garoth quickly catching the kid.
Lightning was shaking. His heart was pounding against his ribs. The poor kid losing consciousness from the stress. He was completely out of it. He had never experienced a fear like this before...not one of this magnitude.
Lightning could hear Garoth speaking to him in a gentle tone, but it felt distant and far off...Lightning feeling the old man carefully pick him up as he carried him to the Condor.
The feeling was warm. The smell was familiar…
The smell was that of grease, and old wood in the condor…
That distinct smell he grew up around…
It was familiar, but so was the feeling of the cold concrete, the wind against his skin, and the fear of that man, and that dagger…
It all felt so surreal, even as Garoth carefully picked Lightning up in his arms while the old man carried the boy towards Light's room.
He felt small again…
The feeling was almost child like.
He could feel Garoth set him down. Lightning fading in an out of being awake as his anxiety kept him awake.
"Take it easy, kid...Just, try to rest...We can talk later."
He could feel Garoth wrap him up in warm, plush covers as Lightning soon fell fast asleep.
Garoth looking on with worry. He hoped he'd be okay. Garoth didn't know quite what he seen, or even what exactly Lightning did.
He'd have to figure that all out tomorrow.