It was the third morning since the group left the knight academy.

Walice was controlling the horses as Wilster took a break beside him after driving throughout the night.

Leon woke up from his sleep and sat upright in the carriage. He and the others would finally be arriving at the Nightwell Estate later today.

For the past few days, his family was on his mind. He thought he grew up to be a fine child under the care of his mother, Aria.

After her death, the family did their best to be happy like she wanted.

And they did.

Although Aria was gone, everyone in the family supported each other. There was grief in the beginning when she passed, but after some time, the family continued with their lives, keeping their memories of Aria in their heart.

House Nightwell was fine until just two years ago.

---

Rain and thunder poured around the Nightwell Household. The sky was covered in dark clouds with no trace of the sun.

Leon was in his fourth year at the knight academy and was currently on leave to go home to the Nightwell territory.

He stood outside his father’s door.

Inside, all his members of his family were there, with his father lying in bed.

He was dying.

Leokas’ raven black hair had turned gray over the years and his once handsome face had wrinkles and scars from the war that made him look more mature and hardened. A fierce beard grew from his chin added a sense of sophistication to him. He laid in bed with his arms out laying on his side over a blanket.

Leokas Nightwell, former Knight General who led many men into battle and brought numerous victories, approached the final hour of his death.

“How goes... The war?” Leokas asked with a weak but sturdy voice.

“The army dealt a great force. Victory from those demons will not be more than a year from now,” replied Jaina.

Jaina was an adult woman. She donned black armor with silver linings. On her waist, a one-handed sword. She was tall and had a slender body. She had warm auburn hair which she kept short since she was a knight but also resembled her mother. She took after Leokas in fighting ability. Her body was slender, but her strength was immense. However, due to that strength, a lot of men felt inferior to her which resulted in her being single her whole life.

“Be not troubled, Kandarynd’s army will come back victorious,” Magnus said.

Like Jaina, Magnus was also an adult. He looked similar to Leokas in his younger days. A tall, built body with short raven black hair. He had a bit of stubble to him which gave him a touch of ruggedness. He wore a dark navy robe with silver accents, it had a fur collar that went around his neck. He looked educated, which he was. He was one of Kandarynd’s diplomats and a close aide to Queen Elaine.

“The war will be over soon, Father,” continued Magnus.

“Good. Then the war will die with me.”

“Dad…” said a small female voice.

The voice belonged to Vivian, the youngest of the four siblings. She had long dark blonde hair tied in a ponytail with the sides tucked gently behind her ears. She was petite but had a healthy figure. White skin with an angelic expression on her face. She wore a simple dark navy dress. She had a green cloak tied around her neck. She was a year younger than Leon and was currently studying healing arts. She also took an interest in music and could be often found singing by herself.

Her gentle green eyes watered when she looked at the state of her father. She hung her head down so she couldn’t see him.

“Vivian... I wouldn’t want your last memory to be of your weeping, darling. You and Jaina are beginning to look just like your mothers.”

Vivian covered her face as she began to cry.

“Is Leon here yet!? He should be by your side!” exclaimed Jaina.

“Now, n-now Jaina. You are all dear to me, including Leon,” Leokas said before coughing.

“Though he and Vivian come not from the same womb as you,” he looked towards Jaina and Magnus, “the Nightwell blood flows through him. Look after your brother.”

The door opened and a young man rushed in.

“Father!” Leon shouted when he saw Leokas lying in bed.

He quickly moved to his father’s side.

“You’re late, Leon,” scolded Magnus in a gentle voice.

Leon lowered his head, apologizing.

“Hah! You’ve arrived, Leon. Perfect. Come… Let me see you once more,” requested Leokas

Magnus moved to the side as Leon took his place.

“Father…”

“It’s been too long, has it not? You’ve grown into a… a fine young man. Though you look like your mother, I know you take after most of my traits,” said Leokas as he looked towards the paintings that hung on the wall.

On the left was a beautiful noblewoman. She had short auburn hair that went just past her ears and warm hazel eyes. She had a slender body and a stern yet motherly presence. She wore a blue dress that went well with her body as she stood tall. She was Magnus and Jaina’s mother, Liera Canmore.

On the right of that painting was another of a woman. She too was beautiful. She had long dark blonde hair that went well with her gentle green eyes. Her buxom figure was contained in a simple green dress she wore along with a green mantle similar to Vivian’s. She was Leon and Vivian’s mother, Aria Ashford.

“How are your studies? This is your fourth year in the academy, is it?”

Leon didn’t answer.

Leokas looked softly at his son and reached out his hand.

Leon took his father’s hand and clasped it between both of his.

“Heed my words, Leon,” Leokas said, “I’ve served the crown for many years in the name of House Nightwell. It was not for gold or titles that I did so. It was because I believed in what I thought was right. Glory in the Night.”

Glory in the Night. House Nightwell’s motto. To Leon, it meant that no matter how dark the situation was, there was always a righteous light that will fight to the end.

“…” Leon kept silent, carefully listening to his father.

“Become a man worthy of your name. Stand up for your own beliefs. Believe in the path you’ve chosen, for only you know which one you must walk.”

Slowly, Leokas’ eyes began to close, and his breathing became faint.

“For a Nightwell walks… no other.”

“I will not stray, Father,” replied Leon.

“Mm, good,” nodded Leokas as he opened his eyes, “Royland, your friend. He is upright and just. He may be born of common blood, but he can serve you well. I remember the day I had you boys enrolled in the academy. Hah! You both were scolded in the headmaster’s room in no less than a day!”

Leon smiled at his father’s reminiscing.

“Down your path, you’ll need someone whom you can trust. Royland may aid you well,” Leokas’ voice was getting weaker.

“Y-yes, father.”

Leon clutched his father’s hand tighter and brought it closer to his chest.

“Protect Vivian and show your elder brother and sister what it is to be a knight of House Nightwell.”

Leon nodded as tears flowed down his face.

“Vivian. Be a dear. Before I leave… Once, just once more. I’d like to hear her song and rest,” Leokas asked his youngest daughter.

Vivian stopped crying and tried her best to give her father a reassuring smile. She took a breath in to calm down. In a soft falsetto voice, like her mother, she sang.

“Wind blows, leaves fly

Laying under moonlight.

Silence, eyes closed

Holding hands ‘till daylight.”

Leokas looked at his children one last time, proud of who they were and happy at what they’ll become. Leokas’ eyes begun to grow heavy, his breathing became slower.

“In your eyes, tears flowed

All this without any words.

Held you, in my arms

Waiting for an answer.”

He closed his eyes and listened. Shortly, he felt familiar touches on both sides of his face.

‘Liera, Aria,’ he thought, ‘you’ve come to get me… I’ve made you two wait for far too long.’

“When I take my last breath

Your eyes are all I see.

When I asked you

To live a life with me.”

‘But now that our children have grown up, we can finally be together again,’ he thought as his body grew colder, ‘that’s fine, isn’t it?’

“And when the daylight dies down

Leaving nothing in the sky.

But I don’t mind.

If I’m with you, then everything’s just fine.”

Vivian finished singing with red eyes and tears all over her.

Leon clutched his father’s cold hand, crying.

Magnus looked away in grief, unable to look at his father.

Jaina walked away and looked out the window, something catching her eye. A red and black butterfly flew by.

A crack of thunder came down from outside as rain continued to pour down.

On a dark rainy evening, Leokas Nightwell, Former Knight General, passed away with a warm smile on his face, surrounded by his most loved ones.

---

“There it is!” shouted Walice from the front of the carriage.

Leon, Royland, and Dedric got up and looked out the carriage. It was already midday as the sun was still up in the sky. In the distance, they saw a tall estate made of white bricks. Lush evergreen trees created a walkway to the entrance of the estate. It was certainly big with many windows and a heavy framed door. Above the door was a black banner with the silhouette of a raven outlined in white. The symbol of House Nightwell.

Leon’s heart started to beat faster. It’s been a long time since he was last home to see his family. Now, he’ll get to see them again and tell them about the upcoming tournament before his graduation into becoming a true knight of Kandarynd.