“Wow.”

“That’s amazing!”

“I can’t believe it.”

Such things were muttered by the young knights as I had finished recalling my story.

I almost cried when I talked about my battles with the Pulae hordes and I actually cried when I talked about eating them.

One thing I omitted was the final resting place of the eminence.

I told them that I never actually found him and they believed me.

About five or so hours later, I felt a surge of magic at the centre of the dark chamber we were in.

I stood up and drew a fosblade.

The young knights did the same.

Except they couldn’t create fosblades, so they just drew their swords.

Then a red portal appeared from nowhere.

The knights all looked at each other in confusion.

“What’s happening?”

“I thought the portal was supposed to open in three days.”

I clicked my tongue as I walked towards the portal.

“You still haven’t come to terms with the truth. Time works differently in Nar' Agrun. Now come on, I want to smell some fresh air and maybe take a bath or something.” I said as I walked into the portal.

What greeted me on the other side was a dozen spears pointed at my neck.

I found myself in a familiar circular chamber, with several elevated platforms on top of which stood several men dressed in dark red cloaks.

“Who are you and what have you done to our knights?” One of the mysterious figures asked, but I didn’t pay him any mind.

The person I was looking for was standing behind me.

“Sir Zorvan, aren’t you going to greet me after all this time?” I asked as I turned around.

Above me, one of the hooded figures removed his hood, revealing an old man, with barely any hair on his head.

“Oh my goodness! What happened to you?” I exclaimed accidentally, prompting the knights to bring their spears closer to my neck.

“Silence!” One of the dozen spear-wielding knights yelled.

“Lower your arms!” Old man Zorvan said as he slowly descended to where I was.

“How!” He asked as his eyes trembled.

“How are you still so young?” He asked.

“What do you mean?” I asked while looking at myself. I then noticed that my beard was gone and my skin was back to its elastic self. Although it was still covered in layers of dirt and blood.

The young knights from before eventually walked out of the portal, except they were greeted with kindness, unlike me.

“The blessing from the goddess. It gave us great power, yes. But it would seem what giveth also taketh away.” Zorvan said with a dry cough.

“Except in your case, what was given, stayed.” He said as he got closer to me. I could see that he had indeed greatly aged in the last fourteen years, but his eyes did contain the power I felt all that time ago when we opened the black door.

Zorvan then dropped to his knees, but as he did several of the knights tried to stop him.

“Leave me be! Can’t you see it?” He yelled.

The other hooded figures from above also began descending to where I was.

They all removed their hoods, revealing that they were crying, but instead of watery tears, blood ran down their faces as they fell to their knees.

“The eminence has returned to us,” Zorvan said as blood fell from one of his eyes.

The knights around me all fell to their knees as well as the morning sunlight pierced into the dark chamber.

“Someone call the herald!” Zorvan yelled as I gave him a hand.

I escorted him out of the chamber, along with the other knights and we found a place to rest.

We were inside the temple in Eslaf Retnec and although it had been greatly redecorated, I was still familiar with its walls.

I sat next to Zorvan as he was treated.

“What do you mean by eminence? I’m a squire… I think.” I said.

I couldn’t deny that what I did in Nar' Agrun was… impressive. But it didn’t warrant the title of eminence.

“You see after I left the spire, I told the order of the blessings we’d received. Me and the few knights who escaped were blessed with light so bright that the herald deemed us as worthy servants to the goddess. But, as I honed in on my power, I realised that no matter how much of it I had, it could never be pure enough or potent enough. Then my body started failing me. It would seem that the goddesses blessing would not be mine for as long as I thought.” Zorvan said as the doctor placed a cool looking black eyepatch over his left eye.

“I looked for ways to stave off my impending demise, but anything I did only ever emphasized one thing. I was short on time. I continued my research and found out that a certain being could control and wield the power gifted to them by the goddess. The eminence of light.” Zorvan said.

“But wasn’t Eeol-"

“Eeol was what we thought an eminence should be, yes. You are what an eminence ultimately is. Powerful and beautiful.” Zorvan said.

I looked myself over, but couldn’t find anything special.

“Mmm…” I droned.

“What happened to the others?” I asked.

“They perished soon after we returned. I must say Romulus… you truly are amazing.” Zorvan said as a knight approached the two of us.

“Wait a minute! I talked to the young knights and they said that you didn’t mention me once. EVER!” I said with an eyebrow raised.

“Hehe, if I can be completely honest, I thought you died the moment we left,” Zorvan said while scratching his bald head.

“Your eminence, the herald is ready to meet you, but It would be best if the eminence would get cleaned first.” The knight from before said and I was led to a large bathing area.

I felt my skin dance with joy as I dipped my body into the cool water.

I then saw two semi-naked people approaching me. A man and a woman.

They each held serval items with them.

“Oh? Are you going to bath next?” I asked as I brushed aside my surprisingly long black hair to the side of my head.

“We are here to assist your eminence in whatever he wishes.” The man said.

I was flabbergasted.

Me, a simple country boy, was getting such high praise and good treatment.

I then raised my right brow sceptically.

My father taught me that if something was too good to be true, it probably was.

That, however, didn’t mean that I couldn’t take advantage of the treatment I was getting.

“Uh- yes. I’d like a towel and some soap.” I said hesitantly.

The two gave me a quick bow before entering the gigantic bath.

“May we?” The man asked.

I extended my right hand to accept the stuff I’d requested.

“Yes.”

The two bowed again before taking the towels and applying soap to them.

I narrowed my eyes suspiciously as they came closer to me.

Then, like it was their purpose in life, the two started washing my body vigorously.

I was several times bigger than them, so they used long strokes to-

Wait a minute!

“Whoa! I can bath myself, thank you.” I said while squirming like a fish.

“Please, allow us to serve you, your eminence.” The man said as he tried his best to keep me down.

The woman scrubbed my hair with all of her strength as I slipped and fell on the wet bathroom floor.

“Ha!” I laughed as I thought of a brilliant idea.

I grabbed the two tiny people and threw them into the bath one at a time.

Damn, I miss having two arms.

“You fools! I have fought against the scariest of beasts and witnessed the darkest of nights, bathing me will not be so easy. Haha!” I said with a haughty voice.

The two looked at each other, before breaking into shy giggles.

I walked back into the bath and sat down next to the two, who tried their best to look professional.

“Please be at ease. I am but a simple squire. There is no need for you to be stiff. Title or no, let’s try to get along.” I said with a smile.

The two looked at each other before looking back at me and nodding.

“Good. What are your names?” I asked as I rinsed off the soap the woman had put into my hair.

“Well? Your names.” I repeated.

“Qualrun Avenor.”

“Leeon Draeken.”

The two introduced themselves.

“Good. Now, I must get my revenge for you two having your way with me, so prepare yourselves!” I said and we spent the better part of an hour fooling about in the bath before I was taken away by another knight.

I was then dressed in some stuffy clothes and taken to the chamber where the herald of light was.

The herald was the highest-ranking person in the order, he was the epitome of what a follower of the goddess Eirini should be.

Well… that’s what I’d heard. The man in front of me barely had any magical energy to speak of and he was one foot into the grave. His grey eyes and grey hair made him look like a spectre, a ghost.

“Come, your eminence.” The old man said, even though his throat must have been extremely sore.

I walked towards him. His chamber was gloriously decorated and he sat on an elaborate throne.

The old man then stood up, even as his bones rattled and he bowed.

“I heard that a lone squire dared face the darkness of Nar' Agrun… that he returned, his light purer than any that had ever cast itself on creation. Please, your eminence. May I, a humble servant of the goddess, gaze upon your glory?” The herald asked.

I hesitated. If the old man were to try and look at my light, there was a chance that would be the last thing he ever saw.

“Umm… alright, but can I get the others first. There’s a chance seeing my light could inflict harm on you, so I think it would be best-"

“I do not mind. Even if it is to be my final act. Looking at you will be more than enough.” The old man said.

I wondered why everyone was so transfixed with my light, but if that’s what the man wanted, then what could I do.

“Then go ahead,” I said and the old man raised his head and slowly opened his eyes. He slowly fell backwards as blood began falling from both his eyes.

The old man eventually closed his eyes.

“Thank… you.” He said.

I didn’t know what he was so grateful for, but I left the room and told the knights what happened.

After that, the herald was announced dead and the search for the next herald began.

I on the other hand was announced as the next eminence.

I was eventually led to a gigantic room that was lavishly decorated.

The knight who accompanied me told me that it would be my bedroom from then on and to be honest, I didn’t mind.

Did I have any family to return to? Not really. I lived with my parents on a farm and they died shortly before I became a squire.

Actually, it was Eeol who found me and took me in.

Anyway, I jumped onto my new bed and rolled around in its softness before realizing that I was pretty much alone.

I had lost Eeol, without him, I had no one to serve. But Eeol wasn't just my master, he was my friend.

I let out a depressed sigh as the hours counted on.

Then I heard a knock on the door.

I checked and found a quivering knight on the other side.

“Hello?” I asked.

“Uh- your eminence has been summoned to the royal palace!” The knight said unreasonably loudly.

“Calm down. Why am I being summoned?” I asked.

“Your eminence has been granted an audience with emperor Pleetus Yel Run the second.” The knight said before bowing and walking away.

I was still dressed in the fancy clothes from when I spoke to the herald, so I followed the knight as we exited the temple.

There was a carriage waiting for us outside. I hopped in and the carriage rode off for the royal palace.

There, I was greeted by a row of fully armoured knights who stood at full attention.

One of them led me into the royal palace and towards the throne room.

I was told to bow as the king and his adviser entered the enormous hall.

“Presenting, the second eminence, Romulus Xormae."

The knight from before said as I kept my gaze to the floor while on my knees.

“You may rise, eminence Romulus.” The voice I assumed belonged to the emperor said.

I did as instructed and set my gaze on a tiny man sitting on a large throne wearing all sorts of fancy clothes and accessories.

“It is an honour, your highness,” I said, just as I had been taught by Eeol-

Mmm… I wonder if he knew I’d one day meet the emperor.

“No, the honour is all mine. From what I’ve heard, you are a true eminence of light. You shall be a beacon for knights for all time. I’ve heard that your light is so pure it cannot be seen, but I am curious. Could you demonstrate your divine power in some way?” The emperor asked. His small voice and strange haircut made it impossible for me to take him seriously, but I didn’t want to lose my head so I kept a straight face.

“As you wish,” I said with a bow.

I then created a fosblade in my right and pumped magical energy into it, enlarging it slightly.

Gasps could be heard throughout the throne room. I look to the far left and saw Zorvan and the other hoodee old men from the order.

I then wondered if the order would be making me do things for them since I was the eminence.

“Magnificent! Truly magnificent!” The emperor said excitedly.

“Serve the goddess well, eminence Romulus.” He said before leaving the throne room.

I was about to destroy my fosblade, but Zorvan approached me with wide eyes.

“What is that?” He asked.

“I call it a fosblade. It’s just light taking the shape of a blade.” I said as I offered the sword to him.

“May I?” He asked, even as his hands crept towards the sword.

“Of course and you don’t have to act this way with me sir Zorvan, I’m still that squire from back then,” I said with a smile, but Zorvan’s brows furrowed in response.

“But you are not. There was no way for me to see it back then, but you are the eminence of light. You always were. It would be disrespectful for me not to give you the respect you deserve and as penance for how I treated you, I offer my life.” He said as he lowered his head.

“Mmm… I don’t want your life, sir Zorvan, but if I ever get in trouble, I hope you’ll stand by me.” I said with a wink.

Zorvan nodded and my meeting with the emperor concluded.

I returned to the temple and I went to my room where I slept.

.

..

The next day came quickly.

I was greeted by the beautiful morning sun and the sound of knocking on my door.

I opened the door to find a certain someone.

“Hey, Leeon!” I yelled, this made Leeon’s face glow slightly red.

“Y- your eminence, the bath is ready for you.” He said with an adorable stutter.

“Good. Let’s go!” I said as I followed Leeon to the bathroom.

There, I did my best to avoid Leeon’s grabby, but efficient hands.

“Where’s Qualrun?” I asked.

“Oh- she’s serving another knight,” Leeon said.

“Oh?” I asked with a hint of jealousy.

“I assumed that you two would be my personal bath mates,” I said while fiddling with my fingers.

I then suspiciously gazed at Leeon who froze in place.

My face broke into a grin and I grabbed him and tossed in further into the bath.

With his hair wet and equipment scattered, he looked at me with lowered brows.

“Don’t look at me like that. I have to tease someone and the only other person in here… is you.”

I dashed towards the defenceless Leeon and splashed water all over him.

He crossed his arms and started pouting, but it was futile.

Leeon eventually grew tired of my teasing and there was also the possibility that his eyes stung due to how much water I’d probably splashed into them. So he picked up his things and left without saying a word.

The bath session and ended and a knight told me that I’d have to inspect the latest batch of knights, seeing as the group that descended into Nar' Agrun was… not very good.

I got dressed and walked out into the temple courtyard where over a hundred knights, clad in glorious silver armour awaited me.

I walked up to a podium and looked at them with narrowed eyes.

How strong were they?

Strong isn’t the word I’d use.

It was as though the order chose knights solely for their good looks and they looked pretty good, but from a magical standpoint, some of them were barely the level of traeltors.

I then noticed that Zorvan and the other priests were on their way, so I made it seem as though I was carefully analyzing the knights, even though their magical potential was pretty clearly visible.

Zorvan approached me.

“So? What do you think of this group? One hundred strong-"

“They are weak,” I said bluntly.

Zorvan’s face darkened.

“I see. Then, maybe we should retrain-"

“That won’t be necessary,” I said as I jumped down from the podium.

All of the knights stood at attention.

Ok, they were well trained and disciplined, but nothing could change their innate magical potential.

However-

“Listen up, I’m going to release a wave of my power. Those of you who withstand its effects will receive a passing grade. Those of you who do not will either have to retrain, or lay down your swords forever.” I said out loud so that all of them could hear.

I could feel them becoming anxious.

Some of them doubted me and were probably wondering if I was actually an eminence.

Who wouldn’t?

I just happened to pop up and to them, I was an outsider.

So, I started gathering particles of light around my body, then I stopped.

I remembered that it was the darkness of Nar' Agrun that awoke my powers.

This made me change tactics.

I started absorbing all of the light within the surrounding area.

Anyone who wasn’t strong enough would pass out as I stole their magical energy.

“What the-"

“what's happening?”

Such things were asked as I continuously absorbed the light around me.

Eventually, some knights did start fainting and the ones who didn’t were having a hard time standing.

I stopped absorbing the light, then in an instant, I released a good chunk of my power, causing even more knights to collapse.

“Marvellous!” I heard Zorvan exclaim. He wasn’t really affected, as both he and I had experienced something far worse than this.

After a minute or so, only six knights remained standing.

“Sir Zorvan. Only those one's can continue.” I said before placing my hands in my pockets and returning to my room.

I wondered what would happen if I tried channelling dark magic.

I shrugged those thoughts away as I awaited my next appointment.

.

..

My days went on as such and I provided various services to the order.

I taught Zorvan how to detect magical energy and the life forces of various creatures.

This in turn led to him trying to scan me, leading to the loss of his second eye.

The funny part is, Zorvan ended up getting praised for seeing my light with both of his eyes.

I requested that the two saepenar I’d captured be handed over to me.

I kept them in a secret place in the capital. There, I thought them how to speak. My goal was to learn how to manipulate dark magic.

One of the reasons I kept them was also because they were adorable and I didn’t want the order to kill them.

More time passed as I continued to serve the order.

Then came the time of Zorvan’s passing. He and I had grown rather close after I returned from Nar' Agrun.

Yes, he had a bad habit of worshipping me from time to time, but he and I discovered many things together.

One of the knights discovered a letter in his room in which he asked me if I wanted something from the order.

I sat down with the other priests and announced my request.

“I would like a house,” I said.

My hope was for the order to build me a house far to the south of Eslaf Retnec.

“As you wish.” One of the priests said.

“Oh and I’d like to take Qualrun and Leeon,” I said.

“Who?” The priest asked.

“You know, the two who attend me during my baths."

“You’d like to have them serve you at your new home?”

“Yes,” I said.

Although I’d have to ask if they wanted to come in the first place.

My meeting with the priests concluded and I headed straight for my room where I excitedly awaited the next day.

.

..

I got up as soon as the sun's first rays entered my room and walked straight towards the door which I quickly opened to find a confused Leeon.

“Go call Qualrun,” I instructed.

“But she’s currently attending another knight.”

“Is that knight the eminence?” I asked while raising my nose.

Leeon sighed in defeat before turning to leave.

I then returned to my bed and sat patiently.

About ten minutes later, a knock graced my door.

“Come in,” I said clearly and my two favourite people entered.

They bowed deeply before facing me as I smiled like an idiot.

“So, I’ve asked the order to build me a little house south of Eslaf,” I announced.

“Congratulations, your eminence,” Leeon said.

“That’s not all. I also asked that you two accompany me.” I said, but the two didn’t instantly react.

Leeon then processed what I said.

“Wait-"

“Yep, from now on, we’re family,” I said as I dramatically spread my arm.

Leeon’s face was frozen and Qualrun’s face twisted up.

“You don’t have to come if you don’t-"

Leeon interrupted me as he ran into my arms.

Qualrun slowly approached us as tears ran down her face.

A lot of the time we spent together was limited as they had other duties to perform, but now I had them all to myself.

Hey, what’s wrong with being a little selfish?

.

..

Our house was finished a couple of months later and that’s where we spent the rest of our days.

Yes, the order would occasionally summon me during their many trips to Nar' Agrun.

During “descents” as they were called, I watched as many knights exposed themselves to the darkness of Nar' Agrun.

Those knights would then undergo a transformation where the innate magical potential would reveal itself.

After many years, however, I learnt that going to Nar' Agrun wasn’t really that necessary. One simply had to be exposed to extreme amounts of light or dark energy.

This would trigger a defensive mechanism within the body where it would try to protect itself by allowing the body to freely manipulate magical energy.

The years passed and I found myself living a peaceful life with Qualrun and Leeon.

One day, Leeon suggested that I write down my experiences in Nar' Agrun for memories sake and I did just that.

However, that was many years ago.

You see, my dear sweat Qualrun and Leeon were only human and so, after many years, they were taken by the sands of time.

I found myself feeling a familiar coldness. An emptiness.

It was then, that I realised that my power was not infinite.

The more I found myself missing those who I loved, the weaker my light got.

Right now, I’m in a dark and secret place trying to nurse my heart's wounds. I shall leave this place once more and leave my things in a secret place.

I’ve heard of techniques that can help one find inner peace, but the more time I spend on this wretched plane, the more I yearn for the company of my loved ones and the longer I want to be with them, the longer I find myself sleeping.

One time, I slept for several months. The last time something like this happened I was alone, in Nar' Agrun.

Was this how it would always be?

Would I be forever cursed to be alone?

I don’t think so.

I still had those I loved, in my weak, but still-beating heart.