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Black Knight
As respectfully as possible, I felt my mind blanking out while the rebel leader of the Flivians spoke to me.
And it had to be one of the only moments I decided to remove my spiny helmet. Keeping it to my side, as I stood with Headmaster Chronisius within the fancy fortress.
I'd hoped the Flivian didn't notice my distracted expression, despite me trying to maintain eye contact, and forcing the urge of remembering this place to go away.
". . . and my, never have I thought the son of a Dark Lord would ever have a turn-around such as this!" He, seeming to be only a few years younger than myself, continued. A glittering circlet was worn around his tied-up grey and white hair. Shining with pieces that appeared like diamonds.
". . . yes." I found myself responding in my best normal tone and demeanor. "Thank you."
But my head was racing with new memories.
I've been to this fortified island as well. To this fortress. But once more, for a completely different reason. I couldn't put my tongue on the details. I felt like I was doing something I wouldn't want to.
But clearly, those feelings were incorrect now, right?
More of Midkyron's leaders came to greet us, after all. Or just the headmaster and myself, rather.
Since Headmaster Chronisius said we'd have an hour or two before regrouping for the assembly. To await the remaining people of importance meant to arrive.
Some of our individuals like Vexx and Aziel were nowhere to be seen, as far as I could tell, along with Jade and Thorne.
So I was stuck speaking to a Marine with gills and a whispy beard, whom I assumed was another head rebel, while time passed by and the individuals wanting to meet me came and go.
It still felt wrong, somehow. Perhaps if I knew everything about myself and what I'm working for, I simply wouldn't feel this way. I needed to know even more.
As my conversations ended, I scanned around the meeting room of marble floors and stone statues of divine figures. Crowds of different species and ranks were still mingling around.
Then my head slowly began to ache.
My palm immediately clutched onto it. It wasn't as bad as before, but clearly, it hasn't gone completely away.
I tried to focus in on the moment, to suppress the pain so I could remain capable to the mission. Until eventually the thoughts overran the sensation.
I couldn't bear to fail the order, for the good of the world and finding myself.
"Black Knight, I can clearly see it's happening to you again."
Headmaster Chronisius said noticing me, as I looked at him while mentally subduing amnesia's adverse effect.
It worked though, since I was able to straighten my posture again, and appear back to normal.
"Whatever do you mean?" I questioned him.
"Your brain is hurting from the predicament that the Chronicle Order found you in." He said with hids hands behind back, staring at the organization's banner above the podium, as I was doing too. "Is the aching disappearing over time?"
"I believe so, headmaster, yes."
As I shot another stare at him from my eye's corner, he didn't look back.
"Then that means you should be remembering very soon." Headmaster Chronisius stated lowly.
His eyes remained blank, until he gave me a reassuring smile and met my confused gaze.
"And I'm sure that a hero such as yourself would continue to prevail as one, despite any sort of past."
I blinked.
How can he be so sure? What if I didn't? Would I still agree with who I was?
I controlled myself to not ask any of these questions. Not this time. Who I was remained to be who I was right now. I assured myself it was that simple, and there was no reason to think beyond what I knew.
"Ah. And that reminds me. . ." The headmaster added instead of us standing in silence. Narrowing his eyes in realization, then readjusting them to meet mine.
"Walk outside with me for a bit, will you, Black Knight?"
Before I could glance at my surroundings once more, to search for anyone else, I nodded. "For sure, headmaster."
So I followed the robed leader towards one of the fortress' exits, beyond the doorway where we were met with stone pavement along the grasses. As usual, armoured and golden-lined Chronicle Order soldiers accompanied us as well. Surrounding their figurehead and I on all fronts.
A little confused, but perhaps too trusting, I continued to walk behind the seasoned middle-aged man on the trail.
Why? Said the back of my judging mind. Is he seriously that worthy?
I didn't question it before, but I noticed how he hasn't really told me about himself aside from his name and position. I'd been focused so much about questioning myself and everyone else.
Perhaps it was because I've already been told he was trustworthy, as the leader of a highly regarded order. But now would be a perfect time to interrogate.
Unfortunately, a deep woman's voice called clear and loud.
"Headmaster Chronisius the 7th."
As we neared the docks where all the passenger ships were floating along the shores, the headmaster and I noticed Captain Aurel approaching from her vessel. Said ship now had a torn sail of the scripture logo, along with cracks in its rich wooden sides, and metal fencing falling apart. Dozens upon dozens of different people, mostly Flivians but some other kinds that worked for the order as well, levitated logs in lines towards the vessel, using cloud-like magic from their scepters and other spellcasting items.
The Goldwave Pirates were probably within their ship to help out too, while the crew's captain stopped to stand before us. She took her confident bow in the presence of the headmaster. Removing her tricorn hat temporarily, and placing the navy blue hat with a quill to her chest. Returning it to her tentacle-haired head while fixing her vest.
"Why, we've been searching for you, Captain Aurel." Headmaster Chronisius stated respectfully. "Black Knight and I were just about to check up on the ship's condition, to pass the time."
She tilted her head slightly to look at me, but this time, just gave me a nod and faced the headmaster once more.
"Your followers are savvy enough that reconstruction's going quite quick."
The captain then put her hands behind her back, oddly giving us a smile of anticipation.
"Although, I would wish to bring up a previously mentioned condition we had. . ."
I analyzed our surroundings as silence grew, and I waited for them to finish their conversation. In moments like these where I feel less obligated to add something. And instead I stared at the towering mountains from afar encompassing the entire isle, like a natural earthy border, peaking above clouds. With buildings appearing like dust hanging onto towers.
It would probably look quite appealing having a good view of the lands from that height. If it was actually preserved and developed, and not littered with destroyed black houses along with farms torn apart.
But anyway, my distracted self could already tell where the present discussion was going.
"Your pay, is that right?" Headmaster Chronisius said to the captain in a predicting tone.
As their long exchange, and eventually formal negotiation, continued, my eyes darted away once more from the headmaster.
Then I caught the figure of a certain somebody walking out of the fortress behind me. Hastily, too, and she was getting farther from us.
Her auburn hair was carefully braided again, flowing behind her as she sped. And she was wearing her leather armour despite the lack of danger, readjusting the rings on her fingers. Gentle, smiling hazel eyes, replaced with glossy ones of worry.
It was definitely Aziel, I could tell from even this distance, yet her demeanor seemed off.
Where was she going? Was something wrong?
Feeling a bit bored out of my mind than usual, I turned back to face the headmaster and the captain.
They were still negotiating payment methods, of course. So instead I turned to the nearest Chronicle Order soldier next to me and spoke while the discussion continued.
"Tell Headmaster Chronisius I'm with Aziel Korr."
I said while the diverse soldiers that were surrounding us gave me a few stares, and raised eyebrows, until eventually calming their faces after exchanging looks with each other. I suppose I was the next grand hero, after all. And up until now, most individuals had no reason to trust me, which made sense if the fact that all Drownei are evil is true. Which seemed correct.
"Uhh. . ." A pointy-eared young Dwellven troop that I was nearest to, the height of my elbow, glanced at the headmaster then gazed up at me. ". . .sure, Black Knight. Headmaster Chronisius is quite a bit occupied anyway."
So I walked away from the docks without anyone else calling my name. Following Aziel along the stone trail, who was already further away into the Flivian lands than before, enough to almost appear like a dot.
I was suddenly aware of the implications of a Drownei following a Human like this. Even if all I wished to do was talk. I kept my distance for now.
As we headed more into the mainland from the shores, I could see some brick and wooden buildings on the ground surface for non-winged people. Although most of them were either huts, medical tents where troops were treated, or vast barracks with soldiers of different nations running around.
And all these structures could barely hide the ruins of prior constructions. Wrecked houses stood symmetrical to one another to showcase a once stable past.
The destruction could be worth it, in the end. I was learning more about myself and the world as I promised.
What I've discovered so far is that we need to succeed to achieve peace. Fight harsher and with less mercy, as they do to us. Follow the larger side closely. There was no other way.
It was the right thing to do.
The crowds of people became less prominent, and the temporary military hideouts more dispersed as we walked.
Then I felt another presence and gazed upwards. Another tug in my gut.
We passed by the edge of a mountain, steeply shaped and disappearing its peak into the clouds, gigantic compared to the other ones. Smaller wooden constructions postioned on it, too far for me to make out the details.
So my brain took a note, and shrugged it off when I looked straight ahead.
Because Aziel was gone, and so were the population and buildings around me at this point. I was far away from the Chronicle Order base and the Flivians in general. What remained were more destroyed rubble, overgrowing with grasses, and forests with their dirt pathways beginning to obscure within nature.
A tall and broken wooden sign had collapsed in front a particular path. I stepped forwards to analyze it.
'Asher' was the word carved into its rectangular head, with an arrow pointing to its edge.
Right as I read, I heard the creaking of tree branches and loud emitting of flames muffled within the forestry.
I immediately unsheathed my double-edged blade of dark steel. Putting on my helmet of horns. Running towards the sounds by entering 'Asher's' deserted pathway.
Eventually, trees of green became more cluttered together. I managed to dodge through them until seeing a sort of wooden wall far off to my side. Or maybe a building, as it was almost camouflaged behind the forest.
Every time a whistling impact echoed through the air, the earthy ground shook below my metal boots, and I could see bursts of sparks and smoke coming from the small structure in the distance.
As I came closer, it was a tiny cabin.
And Aziel was there too. In a heated battle with three transparent figures.
With a focused expression like never before, she controlled balls of fire to shoot at one of them without affecting her surroundings, as water was summoned from her palms to kill the flames and the attacker vanished. Then piercing roots were sprouted from underground, trapping another humanoid shape as she impaled it with a flying severed branch.
I charged without hesitation towards the last aggressor. Raising my heavy blade as it dodged Aziel's bullets of fiery log shrapnels.
Suddenly she noticed me, her eyelids growing wide.
"Kon-?" She froze in place as I rushed ahead."Wait!"
Then she bolted out of the way as I swung at the blank, see-through figure from the top down.
For a second it disappeared. Then came into view with its own transparent blade, of the same windy material, forming out of its hand.
I intercepted the wide swing of the sword with my own. Locking ourselves both in position as our weapons were held against each other.
Then I striked their hilt upwards and kicked them in the torso.
"They're just practice dummies, Black Knight!" Aziel pointed out while I impaled the figure into the dirt ground on one knee."They don't hurt at all. Non-sentient. . ."
"Oh."
I stared at the dummy vanishing into thin air from head to foot, then back at her. She took out a tiny potion of a misty and grey substance, breaking it into the grasses beside us, as another figure was beginning to manifest from swirling wind particles.
But she quickly elongated a tree's branch next to it, impaling the subject before it could even live just to show me.
"Apologies." I stood back up, removing my helmet to let out my sooted dark hair. "You must have a lot of those training bottles, then."
"Yes, usually. . ."
Her freckled cheeks grew a hint of red, as she stepped towards me and readjusted her thick braids.
"You followed me here?" She questioned."I mean- am I being called, or-"
"I thought you might've not felt well." I defended instantly, to not seem like a crazed person. "I just trailed behind to see if you were in danger, or anything."
Then I stepped towards her too.
"Along with that, I am bored."
"Oh." She repeated.
Soon enough, Aziel delivered a confused but warm smile as we met under no pressure. "Well, I have just the cure for that condition. . . care to join me for a mountain's view?"
I, somehow, had no second thoughts.
"Sounds quite healing already, Hazel"
A tiny upwards curve grew on from my mouth as we stared, and she made gestures with her hands, as the golden rings on her fingers began to illuminate a blinding white.
"Do you enjoy flying for ten seconds, by the way?" She asked honestly.
"Not that I know of. Why-?"
But she had already opened her palms to cast the spell. And glittering pearly dust formed below our feet, launching us into the air.
Before I knew it, we were levitating above the forests. I tried to position myself upright while glancing at the village buildings and the fortress we've been to. They could be seen more littler as we continued ascending.
Aziel was well trained with the magic enough that she flew with ease. I had the same reaction, guessing I knew magic in my past.
Until I accidentally tiltled my entire body forwards while staring down, and grabbed Aziel's hand next to mine as I kept stable.
I didn't think too much of it at first. But then I noticed her face turning redder, while her smile stayed in comfort.
There was no need for us to exchange looks to understand.
She didn't let go this time. So I clutched my palm into hers tighter.
What was supposed to be ten seconds felt like eternity, in my mind, till we landed on the flat surface of a mountain colored with sepia and black rock.
We both landed on the plateau's edge, and her eyes lit up while loosening her hand and peeking over at the view of the island.
It really was a sight from this distance.
A lake, as clear as a crystal, reflected the sunlight like a blinding but beautiful mirror in the center. Remains of sky cities decorated the steep terrain around it, perfectly spaced apart and surrounding the waters. There was obviously nobody residing in these parts anymore. Red and yellow flowers were withering away around the lake's perimeter, only hints of it left.
The fortress and civilian territory, however, seemed as far away from this area as possible.
"What even is this place?"
I thought out loud, while taking a seat at the edge of the cliff beside Aziel.
A crack showed within the sparkle in her eyes. Staring further down, although picking her content expression back up. Perhaps it was just nostalgia.
"Asher Mount." She stated. "My very last quest took place here six years ago, before I retired."
"I see." I said with a slow and careful nod. "Did your last quest. . . cause you to retire?"
Aziel finally looked at me to notice my serious expression. And after a few seconds of mimicking that dramatic look, she burst into a laugh and said. "Gods, no, it was awesome! That abandoned cabin down there is where I used to stay several weeks to prepare and train."
"You stayed for that long? For what?"
"Slaying the Dragon of Ash that resided within this very mountain." She patted the hard surface of rock where we sat. "Used to be a volcano, actually, since fire-type dragons transform mountains into them for habitats."
Then she briefly pursed her lips and halted, before speaking again."Well, back when the creatures existed, anyway. We. . . had to kill all of them."
"The Chronicle Order had to, I suppose you mean." I added for clarity.
Aziel silently nodded back.
"It was seen as righteous and heroic to do so. Since dragons usually need to transform the environment around them to create homes, they unintentionally destroy."
"But they don't mean to destroy."
"Maybe."
"Does Kyronia mean to?"
Aziel's brows raised at the sudden question, and I assumed the obvious answer was yes as she gave me a vaguely concerned stare.
It was a question I only realized to ask recently, even when answered, and usually I wouldn't ask twice.
"Yes. Because The Dark Lord forced to keep all the Gemstones for himself," She explained. "After his impossible quest of retrieving them from the different parts of the world. Sure, we can still connect to some of the Gems' power through extensive training, regardless of them being fused into his Crown of Infinity, that everyone offered to him, but-"
"Wait." I interrupted for another strange clarification. "Apologies again. The power of the world Midyron was. . . offered to the Overlord?"
She simply shrugged, as if it was common knowledge, and the old quester was teaching a low level student. "Of course. Everyone back then needed the 'advanced' Drownei to lead them."
"That is not what the headmaster told me."
We both exchanged a look and stayed silent for a few seconds. Then I glanced away for one more. Was he wrong?
"Who is he?" I asked abruptly while meeting Aziel's eyes again.
"Who?"
"His name is Headmaster Chronisius the 7th." I factually pointed out. "7th of what?"
Aziel leaned her palms backwards to rest them. "He comes from a long line of people with the same last name. His father was the 6th. Their father was the 5th. Headmaster the 1st was the creator of the order, I'm sure you can tell."
And the order wants the all the Gemstones now, too.
"Alright, then." I admittedly wanted to know more, but the headmaster is apparently skillful at keeping personal life secret.
"What if we. . . destroy the Gemstones?"
Now she gave me a widened stare of collected shock. I was genuinely furrowing my brow in curiousity. Her actual reaction to my real question spurted out, and she shook it off while laughing lightly.
"Nobody knows. Sorry, but that's basically equivalent to saying 'what if the sky is blue'?"
"Well, is it?"
I chose to calmly play along for our sake.
We shared another laugh and grin, which I'd just completely noticed in myself for the first time.
The blood in my chest pulsated faster. I swear she's doing a magic spell on me.
She then covered her lips with a yawn, stretching an arm and rolling her shoulder backwards. Gazing intently at the natural view below one last time. "Anyway, if you want, you can help me train soon. . ."
Aziel attempted to stand up from the cliff surface, but only got as far as kneeling with her visible tiredness.
"As in, like earlier?" I asked in response while recognizing the slight struggle.
"Exactly. Maybe I should've brought a scepter or staff, in that case."
"I accept the offer." I stood up from the mountain's edge and stretched out my hand, in a casual manner with my thinly scaled face a bit too warm. "But first, is my final question; what is the difference?"
"Rings physically exhaust less, but are too limited with smaller spells unless you force yourself."
She casually clutched onto my hand like many times before, but with that slight facial red, and got up with full strength.
"A scepter would've been a good balance, with its middle size. . ."
"So yours are good for quick and painless attacks." I guessed in a matter-of-fact tone. Not sounding too different from my normal voice.
"See? Hey, you're getting the hang of things, aren't you, Kon'?" She joked while we stood face to face.
"You're going to train me at this point, Haze'." I stated as a joke while moving an inch closer.
Aziel giggled while I was forcing my blood-pumping to calm down.
I denied what was going on. It wasn't logical. It was too insane even for an amnesiac like me. I've only known the stranger for barely a week.
But I kept noticing her silky terracotta hair, beaming from the sun's rays like gold on her face. A smile from her lips that relentlessly stabbed through any doubt.
I found my the weight of my head drawing nearer to hers.
And she drew close, too, our faces a second away from meeting.
"I just. . ."
Aziel's cheeks reddened like before, swiftly turning her face to the cliffside view. I froze and promptly backed away, following my sensible side.
". . .I just wish I could see them right now." She told me.
I shook off the thoughtless feelings. Returning to mental stability, where I always had to be.
Though only most of me was relieved to finally snap out of it.
Yes. She was right. That's actually completely understandable.
Aziel should be more worried about her family, out of anything else.
"So why don't you?" I asked her while we both shifted out of our previous place."I'm sure you can visit, from what the order said."
"I need to train for the battle." Aziel finalized, staring into my eyes from time to time with more worry. "It's the only way to protect my family."
"The only right way?"
She nodded, lowering her gaze to look towards our feet and boots.
"You know. . . I told them a bit about you." The human veteran admitted."I guess, sometimes, Drownei aren't half-bad."
We shared one last smile as my face was beginning to hurt. Though it didn't feel too terrible.
That is, until I remembered what Headmaster Chronisius told me, and I pierced a stare into the ground.
"But the headmaster informed that I could be starting to remember my past life."
Her expression remained the same, because she already knew.
"Just promise me you'll stay yourself, then."
I don't know if I can.
Is what I wanted to say before we heard the familiar, yet sporadic, fluttering of wings from a familiar teenage hybrid boy. And some other flapping layered with that noise.
The Flivian-Marine lowered himself down to land beside us on the mountain's cliff, followed by two similiar-looking armoured and tall Flivians, with wider wings and no personality. I've seen them before, I thought.
Instead of speaking at the very first second, Vexx stood in silence while distracted to the distance, for a few more moments than typically. It was solemn for a split second. Emotional and distant.
Then he cleared his throat, letting that signature smirk beam through, and directed his line of sight at the two of us equally.
"How 'bout that assembly?"
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After Headmaster Chronisius' grand speech that rallied everyone behind him, the present questers of the main division were called onto the stage, to join their leader.
Aziel.
Vexx.
Jade, Thorne, and their two robed parents.
The Goldwave Pirates, strangely except for Lare.
And as I surely expected, the one and only Black Knight, myself.
The audience, representatives of the entire world Midkyron, were seated in a semi-circle of rows to witness the grand, glorifying display of prophesied heroes standing on a raised center platform.
Flags of all the people united under one idea of pure destiny.
Then the cannons of the hidden blew, and its structure collapsed as the people screamed.