Solomon

Trivial fighting, to say the least. Though I would have given Karl some leeway before during our spats, he had the nerve to attack Konella. Now he lay face down in the dirt where he belonged, for ever thinking he had the chance to touch her frivolously.

"S-Solomon, you traitor!" he spat, his voice laced with venom.

I couldn't help the smile that played at the corners of my lips. The mere thought was just entertaining. "Now Karl, have we learned nothing from your first encounter with Konella? Perhaps the second time wasn't enough for you either?" I yanked his hair to force his sight on me, and he could only snarl in defiance. "You stand no chance of defeating us."

I failed to see his hand swiftly move inside his vest pocket and take out a peculiar vial before he crushed it and dug his hand into my side. The burning sensation of the injury made me partially transform, only to see Karl laughing maniacally at his perceived victory.

"You cannot win! That there was Saya's blood that I have personally obtained to finish you off!"

I stumbled back, the sensation of the injury more apparent as I reached for the wound to see the crystallization begin—only to feel my wounds healing back up.

"No... no, why are you healing?!" he ranted, his face contorted as he watched me still live and breathe. He sliced off a finger from his mutilated arm and tested the blood himself, finding the finger to have crystallized immediately. "WHY?!" He faced me, demanding answers to what was happening and how I still lived and breathed.

The answer lay back in Tyumen. I drank Konella's blood that day and felt my body heat unbearably, thinking only it was my burning desire for her. Could it have been her blood overriding Diva's? I still lived and breathed with Saya's blood having come into contact with me, seeing Karl testing it on himself and knowing it was really the other Queen's blood in the vial.

"Well, would you look at that," I scoffed haughtily. The thought never occurred to me that I would become impervious to Saya's blood that could end me. "Seems choosing my wife has come with some special privileges." Taking this moment, I kicked his face in, sending him flying across the yard and into a broken pillar that collapsed further onto him. "How about you return to Diva's side and relay my own personal message to her." I grabbed him once more, feeling more powerful than before as I held him aloft in the air. "She has no power over me." My voice deepened as I released my chiropteran form, swinging him around and dealing a great amount of damage to him. "Foolish of you to think you could best me, Karl."

"D-dammit!" he managed to gripe out before he severed my grasp and stayed in the air, out of arm's reach. "I'll end you, Solomon. One way or another, we will come and end you!"

Returning to my normal form and fixing my coat, I looked up at him and taunted the act. "Let's just see about that."

I readied to do more before I felt something shift in the air and looked towards the direction Trae took Konella. Just like earlier, when our minds crossed and I could finally hear her words in my head, I reached out for her in the same way.

[Konella? Konella, did something happen?] I waited quietly, Karl still within my line of sight before he seemed distracted and started flying away.

[Solomon? Solomon, can you find me?] She sounded surprised by our newfound connection, and I left Karl to his own demise and ran towards where I could feel her presence. I found a strange area filled with small buildings and one tower that seemed to be where she was located. I burst through the building's weak door and used my speed to reach her faster.

I burst through the door of the tower, my eyes immediately locking onto the scene before me as it stunned me. The dim light from the single window cast long shadows across the room, creating an almost surreal atmosphere. Konella sat calmly, her arm extended as Riku drank from her. The sight was both startling and intriguing, a testament to the extraordinary circumstances they found themselves in.

Kai and Saya stood off to the far side, their expressions unreadable as they watched the scene unfold in silence. The air was thick with tension, the weight of the moment pressing down on everyone present.

I approached slowly, my curiosity piqued by the sight of Riku's transformation. Seeing the changes taking place in Riku's body, the subtle shifts in his muscles and the newfound strength coursing through him. The process was fascinating, a blend of science and unforeseen forces at work.

"Riku," I said softly, keeping my voice calm and steady. "How do you feel?"

Riku looked up, his eyes wide with a mix of fear and wonder. He released Konella's arm, the last drops of blood still glistening on his lips. "I... I don't know," he stammered, his voice trembling. "It's like nothing I've ever felt before. I feel stronger, but... different."

I couldn't help but nod, my mind racing with possibilities, but one thing was certain as I could sense it clear as day. "You've become a chevalier," I explained, making sure my tone was gentle. "Konella's blood has transformed you, given you newfound abilities and strength. But it will take time to understand and control these changes."

Riku's brow furrowed, his confusion evident. "What am I supposed to do now? How do I control this?"

Placing a reassuring hand on Riku's shoulder, the touch firm and comforting, I felt a deep desire to have him join us. To allow him to journey with Saya would be pointless, and I want to know what he's capable of being Konella's first chevalier since her awakening. "You are not alone in this, Riku. We will help you learn to harness your new powers. It will be a journey, but you have the strength and support of your family to guide you."

[Solomon, do you mean that?] Konella's voice echoed through our connection, and I couldn't help but smile endearingly at her. Riku gently tugged on my sleeve, drawing my attention.

"Yes, Riku?" I asked, my voice soft yet firm.

"Can't I stay with Kai and Saya?" He asked, his eyes wide with uncertainty. The question hung in the air, filled with the weight of his confusion and fear. It was an understandable question, one that stirred my curiosity about how Konella's chevalier felt connected to her. But the boy needed to decide for himself and understand the gravity of his situation. I approached him calmly, trying to provide the clarity he sought.

"Riku, my boy, what do you feel?" I asked gently. "Take note of Haji and Saya, and us with Konella. We are bound to a Queen. Do you feel the same?"

Riku hesitated, his eyes darting between Kai, Saya, and us. The conflict within him was palpable, his mind racing with indecision. "I... I don't know," he admitted, his voice trembling. "Everything is so different now. I'm scared."

I placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder, meeting his gaze with steady eyes. "I understand, Riku. This is all new and frightening. But being with us, with Konella, will be safer for you now. We can help you learn to control your new powers and keep you safe."

Kai stepped forward, his face etched with worry as he called out to Riku. Their conversation was filled with raw emotion, the bond between them evident. I watched in silence, giving them the space they needed, while Trae quietly moved to comfort Kai, placing a supportive hand on his shoulder. Then leaned down and placing a gentle hand on Riku.

"We're here for you, Riku," Trae added softly, his eyes filled with empathy. "But you need to make the decision that feels right for you."

Kai's voice cracked with emotion, his hands reached for his brother as he fell to his knees. "Please, Riku, stay with us. We can figure this out together."

Riku's eyes welled up with tears as he glanced back at us, torn between his loyalty to his family and the pull of his new reality. "Kai… I should go with them." He said hesitantly, his voice barely above a whisper.

"No!" Saya's voice rang out, filled with anger and desperation. She stepped forward, her eyes blazing with defiance as she took hold of Riku's arm. "He stays with us! Riku, you can't go with them!"

Haji moved quickly, placing a restraining hand on Saya's arm to hold her back from her outcry. "Saya, calm down. This isn't helping," he said, his voice firm but gentle. It was surprising for me to see Haji acting on his own without word of Saya's command. He's always been the quiet sort to obediently obey than act on his true feelings. Well, except for when I took Konella back that night. Quite a change indeed.

Konella stepped forward, her eyes fixed on Saya with a stern authority. I felt her energy shift and her eyes started to shimmer as she released her chiropteran power. "Saya, stand down," she commanded, her voice steady and unwavering. Saya looked up, her face contorted still with anger as her own eyes shimmered red to try and defy Konella. "It was under your care that Diva killed him. Riku is better off with me now."

Saya's eyes widened in shock and anger, but Konella's words struck a chord. The weight of responsibility and guilt settled over Saya, her defiance wavering. Eyes dimmed and returning back to normal as she realized her words rang true. Trae cleared his throat, knowing time was running out for us with the Red Shield agents drawing near.

"We're here for you, Riku," Trae reiterated, his voice filled with conviction. "But you need to make the decision that feels right for you."

Saya's grip on Riku loosened, tears streaming down her face as the reality of the situation sank in. Haji also loosened his hold on Saya and took a half step back while I stepped forward to be ready to take Konella away from here. "Please, Riku, promise me you'll be safe," she choked out, her voice thick with emotion.

"I promise," Riku replied, his voice filled with determination. "I have to know what to do from here on out, being a chevalier." He took Trae's outstretched hand, and while I gathered Konella into my arms the door swung wide open with the two Red Shield agents I loathe to see as the blonde one took aim.

With that, the decision was made. We left the tower, Riku in tow, and left Kai and Saya to explain what happened and why Riku was taken from them. Though this would be an arduous journey, for me I believed it to become quite eventful as we will now have something to do for a while.

1 year later

Standing at the edge of the large field, my eyes drifting to Riku and Trae sparring in the distance. The rhythmic clang of their claws and the occasional grunt of exertion filled the air, creating a steady backdrop to his thoughts. Riku moved with newfound grace and strength, his progress over the past year evident in every calculated strike and deft parry. Trae, ever the dutiful brother he's become, matched his pace, guiding him with patience and skill.

Konella stood nearby, her expression relaxed as she watched their practice. The sunlight filtered through the trees, casting a dappled pattern of light and shadow across her serene face. I couldn't help but feel a swell of pride and love for her, a constant anchor in the turbulent sea of their lives.

Riku was an extraordinary boy, untapped potential locked away inside a mortal boy's form. Having spent countless days examining his growth, testing his blood, and helping him transform, it had been a fascinating journey. Trae was also enthused by this matter, as we both had the mind of scientists, wondering how he came to be a chevalier with Konella's blood that was in no way from a real chiropteran Queen. But of course, mon amour is an amazing woman, and she has grown as well while we hid ourselves from the Red Shield, Diva, and Amshel.

As he observed the peaceful scene before him, his mind wandered back to the harrowing events of the past year. The memories played out like a grim theater in his mind, each scene vivid and haunting. It had been rather difficult to hide from Diva in the beginning. Her newfound persistence in having Riku was not something they were prepared to face. Diva's relentless pursuit had driven them to the edge, her twisted desire to use Riku to provoke Saya a constant threat hanging over their heads.

He recalled the nights spent on the run, the fear and uncertainty that had become their constant companions. Diva's terrorizing presence was like a dark shadow, always lurking, always waiting for the right moment to strike. Trae had been Riku's steadfast protector, defending him from her insidious plans with unwavering resolve.

The memory of that fateful confrontation flashed before his eyes. Diva, in her malevolent glory, had tried to ensnare Riku, her intentions as vile as they were clear. To force him to impregnate her so she can bring new life into the world she was creating. She had even turned her sights on Trae, attempting to coerce him into the same twisted scheme. But it was Konella who had stepped between them, her fierce determination and love shining brighter than the danger they faced.

The battle had been fierce and unforgiving. Solomon remembered the fury in Konella's eyes as she fought to protect their family. She had come terrifyingly close to ending Diva's reign of terror, only to be thwarted by Amshel and Karl's timely intervention. The clash of power and will had left its mark on all of them, a stark reminder of the stakes they were up against.

Now, standing amidst the tranquility of the wide expanse of an open field, the contrast between then and now was striking. The peace they had fought so hard to secure seemed almost fragile, a delicate balance that could be shattered at any moment. Yet, in this moment of calm, I'm finding solace in the progress we all had made. Riku's transformation, Konella's unwavering strength, and the bonds that had grown even stronger were testaments to their resilience.

"Solomon!" Riku's voice broke through his train of thought, waving his arm as he stopped his training momentarily with Trae. "I did it! I managed to beat Trae!" Excitement and fulfillment echoing in the wind as he cheered on.

Solomon took a deep breath, the crisp air filling his lungs, and allowed himself a rare moment of contentment. The journey ahead was still fraught with challenges, but for now, they had found a semblance of peace.