“What will you do when you finally confront Sir Wirth?” Hilda asked me as we led our horses, and her Pegasus, away from the stables and towards the convoy. Her Pegasus proved skittish at my approach, but her calming presence kept her calm despite my attendance. I turned a questioning gaze towards her, and she cleared her throat. “Your anger is understandable.” She offered me a reluctant smile, her lips curling upwards. “I just…I wouldn’t want you to lose yourself to it.”

I didn’t answer immediately, feeling a bubble of anger coil deep within my stomach. “I thought I knew him. Luke. We’d grown up together on that island, as friends and classmates.” I pursed my lips, looking to stare into the faintly cloudy sky. “He was my brother, or so I thought, and he got along with my sister, too. I figured we’d be friends for life.” I paused and turned to face Hilda, coming to a stop. She stopped as well, meeting my gaze with a concerned frown. “I didn’t know what to think when I pulled myself out of that grave, to the point where I’d just not let him come to mind…” I closed my eyes, furrowing my brow. “Did you…have anyone you’d consider family?”

Hilda met my gaze with concern, but not pity. She exhaled and nodded. “Rota.” She said. “Those of us raised in the monastery are related by blood, but for some, it’s so distant that it doesn’t make a difference. There are some half-siblings, but mostly cousins.” She smiled, gaze downturned and shaky. “Rota’s a distant cousin, but she was my closest friend and partner in the Northern Monastery. We trained together, learned together and did so many things as a pair that leaving her proved to be the hardest decision I ever made.” She studied me, her eyes rolling to the side to stare into the distance. “I could never imagine her betraying me, though.”

“I hope that never comes to pass.” I murmured as I faced forward. “If he’s willing to talk, then I’ll talk. As angry as it makes me, I don’t relish the thought of hurting someone I once thought of as family.”

“But if he doesn’t?” Hilda’s gentle prod caused me to clench my empty hand into a fist.

“I’ll have to be more direct in explaining how I feel then.” With that, we resumed our walk towards the caravan. As we walked, though, I asked her one last thing. “Your sister, Rota, what is she like?”

“Huh?” Hilda gave me a surprised look, brows rising as her eyes widened.

“You spoke like you were close. I figured you’d want someone to reminisce with.” I did want to let this go, to not burn with this anger that remembering Luke filled me. But having so many memories ruined by his pointless betrayal made me question so much about our history.

Hilda’s eyes widened as her lips parted, a smile growing on her face. “Okay. The first thing that comes to mind, I suppose, is the time we managed to ‘misplace’ our Archbishop’s whetstone…” From there, I listened to her reminisce about her fondest memories with her closest friend. I asked questions, laughed, and grinned when she did and lost myself in her nostalgia.

Lost amidst Hilda’s stories, we reached the caravan in record time, catching sight of the rest of our party discussing something with Abigail and Kacee. Sora spoke fervently with the pair while Arce stood at attention at her flank, her expression placid and patient. As we approached, though, one of Arce’s ears twitched. She turned her head to see us in her periphery, then faced Sora and spoke up to catch her attention. The Witch broke away from her conversation with the pair and turned to face the Valkyrie and me.

“Joey, Hilda, it’s good to see you’ve returned so quickly,” She walked away from the pair without hesitation, much to Kacee’s visible exasperation if her eye roll and a sigh told me anything. Her gaze rolled over us, then to the horses and Pegasus, before ending on me. “Arce and I have managed to procure a carriage for just our group.”

“More like you forced the issue.” Arce demurred as she rolled her eyes, lips quirked into a small smile.

Sora waved her hand to the side, reaching forward to touch her horse along the neck with her other hand. “Semantics. Regardless, we can freely discuss whatever’s necessary without fear of being overheard.” She afforded her horse some attention before she focused on me once more. “Luke has not yet heard of your intentions. When are you planning on challenging him?”

“When I can make the biggest impact, of course,” I said with a shrug, getting a trio of disbelieving stares before a playful grin spread on my face. It helped to alleviate some of the tension in my stomach.

Arce huffed through her nose, lips twitching upwards before she turned and started back towards Kacee and Abigail. “C’mon, let’s the horses attached to the convoy. We’re heading out as soon as everything is put together. I’ll take the horses while you and the others speak with the princess.” With that, Arce took the reins and gently coaxed the horses to follow her, managing to do so with more ease than Hilda and I did on the way here.

I reached Kacee and Abigail with Sora and Hilda breaking away to claim a carriage for themselves. As I approached them, my friend crossed her arms and sighed gustily. “I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I’m glad to have someone reasonable here.” She shook her head, placing a hand on her forehead, fingers entwining through her bangs. “Soralynn is stubborn to a fault and just as annoying when given an opportunity.” She turned a dark glare in my direction.

Abigail chuckled nervously. “Miss Soralynn is dedicated to her team. Were it not for my diplomacy training, I would’ve been overrun by her exuberance.”

I snorted and crossed my arms. “I’m just glad that Sora’s on my side.” Kacee scoffed and shook her head. “Where are Colette and Luke?” I asked the pair in front of me.

“Both are helping with tasks around the immediate area,” Abigail explained, her shoulders hunching as she rubbed her hands together. “Sir Luke hasn’t discovered your intentions, visibly at least, but he’s clearly losing himself to mindless tasks. Something seems to plague his thoughts.”

“Guilt, maybe?” I couldn’t help the snide remark as I glared to the side. I huffed through my nose and rubbed the bridge of my nose. “Sorry. Still a bit raw.” I shook my head and asked, “Is Sora right? Do we have our own carriage?” I gave her an apologetic smile, even as I noticed the princess’s shaky nod. I exhaled again and crossed my arms. “How long will it take for us to return?”

“A few hours, not counting any potential stops,” Abigail said, looking over to the trio of carriages that people were preparing. “Father and Mother know of my return, so they’ll have an entourage waiting for us as we get closer to Veracity.” She offered me a wide smile. “We’re all glad to hear of your survival, Joey. Learning of your valiant entrance to protect Xadria cemented your role as Hero to us.” She clapped her hands together, even as I shifted uncomfortably. “He’s already recalled the aristocracy to Veracity to celebrate.”

Kacee grimaced, facing to the side as her lips twisted and brows furrowed.

I grunted as I rubbed my arm with my free hand. “Alright. I can handle that, I suppose…” Abigail cocked her head to the side at my statement, but I waved her questioning glance aside. “Who was Amber’s mentor again? The blacksmith that your family supports?”

“Iva? She still lives within the Keep. What about her?”

“I need a new sword.” I paused, grimaced, and laughed self-deprecatingly. “Again.”

Kacee scoffed, “I haven’t needed to replace my standard ever since I received it. Repair? Yes. But replace?” She rolled her eyes with a smile.

“Enhanced strength and a regular sword don’t exactly fit well together, you know.” I lifted a hand and willed a vibrant glow to encompass it, twisting it around. “I’m surprised I didn’t break it sooner, considering how hard I fight normally.”

Abigail chuckled, lips parting as she allowed her amusement to show. “I’m sure Iva would take it as a challenge, especially if you allow her to enchant it with the magic in the sword you stole from that monster.” She leaned forward, her hair flowing around her head in the gentle breeze. “You still have it, right?”

“Yeah. Sora’s carrying it.” I met her gaze with an arched brow, amused at her playful grin.

“Highness! We’re ready to go.” One of the knights called out, causing the three of us to face one of the Knights that escorted her here. He motioned to the trio of carriages. “At your leave, we’ll depart for Veracity.”

Abigail smiled widely at the Knight. “Thank you. Go to your assigned are and rest your feet. I’ll be sure Knight-Captain Valeri and Sir Reinhardt learn of your and your squad's exceptional work ethic.” The Knight lifted his left hand and held before his chest, the cloak over his left shoulder flapping in the movement. He bowed to her and promptly turned, walking away with pep in his step. Abigail turned towards me and said, “Call your team. Your carriage is the center one.” She then faced Kacee. “You’ll ride with me, yes, Kacee?”

“Of course, Gail. I look forward to hearing how things have changed with you.” She nodded towards me and followed Abigail as they approached the leading carriage.

A brush against my leg pulled my attention down to see Marishka stop next to me. “We’re moving on, girl. You ready?” She huffed and bared her teeth at me in a grin. I laughed and leaned down, ruffling her head. “Glad to hear it. Let’s wait for the others. They’ll know where to find us.” She chuffed and fell in step with me as I approached the carriage.

Colored pale red and silver, it reminded me of a military-style hummer but forged from wood and steel. A two-door entrance on the side with a cushioned seat up front, covered by a sturdy cloth canopy, to shield from rain and sunlight. Large, wagon wheels, framed by studded iron. Three edged windows sat atop the top half of the side, framed by decorated wooden edges. I couldn’t see through them because of the drawn curtains, but until I could get inside, I wouldn’t know any more about it.

“Are you ready to go?” Sora appeared at my side, opposite from Marishka. A bag hung from her shoulder, another one held out to me. I took it and lowered my arm. “All we have to do get through this, and we’ll end up further from the capital than now.”

Arce hummed, “I’ve never been to Veracity. I haven’t heard many good things about Beastkin-Human relations there…” She frowned as she walked over to the entrance, hefting her bag with one hand, and opened it. Arce climbed inside and walked along the smooth, wooden floors.

Hilda frowned as she adjusted her glasses. “Now that you mention it, I didn’t see many Beastkin while I was in Veracity. I never considered the implications.” She climbed in after Arce.

“Most never do.” Arce’s whispered answer carried as I watched Marishka hop inside.

Sora snorted as she climbed in next.

Looking around one last time, I took in the remnants of Xadria around me. The destruction, the remnants of what was once beautiful and bustling, sent a rumble of discontent through me. I didn’t sit right with me; this happening to innocent people. Closing my eyes, I exhaled through my nose and rolled my shoulders. I never wanted this to happen again, the pain and chaos of innocence dragged into a pointless conflict. With one last look, I averted my gaze and climbed into the carriage, shutting the door behind me.

Surprise filled me as I took in the magically expanded area, reminding me of a bloated RV. A single, spacious room with a pair of padded benches and collapsible trays sticking out from beneath them. The floors appeared as crisp ebony lined with flawless seams of boards connected together. Lights illuminated the atmosphere of the veritable cabin, making it easy to see everyone clearly as they put down their bags and sat. A rack above and behind the bench on my right held a variety of drinks and snacks within transparent boxes.

“No expense is too much when it comes to the Royal Family of Veritas.” Sora mused with a sneer, eyes rolling over the cabin. “I wonder what other sorts of extravagance they’ve wasted resources on elsewhere.” She leaned back in her seat and crossed her arms, shrugging as she closed her eyes.

Hilda fidgeted as she sat down across from her, her expression twisting as she grimaced. “It does…seem too much. I only hope their people haven’t suffered because of it.” Sora simply grinned, remaining silent as she relaxed. The Valkyrie merely sighed at the Witch’s response, placing her sheathed lance against the wall at her side. She put her bag on the ground at her feet and popped it open, reaching inside.

Arce walked around the cabin, her brow furrowed as she studied the walls and benches. Her ears twitched as her fingers slid along the surfaces within reach. Eyes narrowed and nose twitching every so often, the Fox Beastkin studied our surroundings with deep regard. “I’m not sure I trust this generosity.” Lips curled down, she looked around one last time before taking the spot next to Sora.

Marishka roamed around the center of the cabin, poking her muzzle beneath the benches, before pacing to the other door. She grumbled and huffed as she lifted a paw, glared at it, then the floor. She growled under her breath, licked her paw and placed it back onto the floor.

I gave another look around the cabin before walking further inside and dropping down next to Hilda. As I sat, I felt the cabin jerk forward before it seeing the sights outside begin move by us. Facing the rest of my party, I noticed Marishka hop onto the seat next to me and sit on her haunches. “We’re on our way back. Have we figured out our goals in Veracity?”

“I’ll study the library’s contents,” Sora said as she half-opened her amber eyes with a sleepy smile. “A chance to peek into the works kept by the scholars employed by the Royal Family? I’d be a fool to miss that.”

“There should be some secrets hidden in the Keep. I’ll try to find a few things to liberate for our journey. Potions, artifacts, maybe some weapons.” Arce placed a hand on her chin, eyes narrowed in thought. Upon noticing my surprised blink and stare, her cheeks gained a healthy red hue. “What?” She said meekly.

“Never thought I’d hear you support the adventurer’s pastime,” I said with a snort, grinning despite myself. “I’m learning so many great things about my party.” Arce blushed even more, unable to meet my gaze anymore as she looked away from me.

Hilda laughed at the byplay, resting her hands on her lap as she sat primly. “While I’m not sure about thievery in the DeVere Royal palace, it’s always good to see others connecting over shared interests.” She slowly calmed and offered a smile. “I shall act as Joey’s escort during our stay. We’ll be the focus of everyone’s attention, so it’s best if we act together.”

I inclined my head in gratitude towards her. “Thanks. In the meantime, I need to visit the blacksmith and have a new sword forged. Preferably one that won’t break.” That caused Sora’s smile to widen but say nothing.

Hilda hummed, narrowing her eyes. “From my memory of the fight, the strength you exhibit would indeed put undue force on the average weapon.” She paused and focused on me. “Where is the sword you took from Variak? Perhaps the enchantment in it could be recycled into your new weapon. What was the enchantment? Something explosive?”

“Inertia Denial,” I said, even as Hilda’s nonplussed stare told me that she didn’t understand. “It’s like this. Motion and stillness. Everything is either one or the other. The enchantment forces one to change, but refuses to acknowledge that.” I shrugged as she and Arce stared at me with deadpan gazes. “My Affinity told how it worked in a way I’d understand.”

“The blacksmith will likely know,” Arce said with finality. “It’s a long ride, so we should rest until we return.” She focused on me. “You do have your duel, don’t you?”

I exhaled and reached to the side, wrapping an arm around Marishka. She leaned against me, resting her head on my shoulder. “Yeah, I do.” I reveled in the warmth of her soft fur. “Wake me when we get there.”

“Rest, milord,” Hilda said as I closed my eyes. “I’ll keep watch over as you rest.” Her gentle voice soothed the simmering anger from remembering what was next.

“Rise, Joseph Blaine and Kacee Fitzgerald. It is heartening to have you both return here.” Frederick DeVere declared as Kacee, and I rose from a kneel. We stood within the main chamber where our class had first met the King and Queen. The illuminated hall was filled with Knights on either side of us, standing at the ready. Kacee and I were flanked by the escort that had returned with Abigail. Valeri and Luke were at attention at our sides respectively, with Abigail standing behind Hilda and us next to her in a protective formation.

He hadn’t changed in appearance from when I last saw him. The King still appeared healthy and unmoved by age. He stared down at us with a stern visage, faded silver eyes focused intently upon us, before softening as they reached Abigail. “I did not expect such misfortune to occur in Xadria. Had I an inkling, I would’ve had more Knights stationed there.” He sighed heavily, his age becoming more apparent as he closed his eyes. “We were dealt a heavy blow with Xadria’s destruction.”

“With all due respect, Majesty, it would’ve changed nothing.” I declared confidently and crossed my arms, leaning on a single foot. Intense silver eyes honed in on me, demanding an explanation. I shrugged, ignoring the squeeze in my chest from the weight of his stare. “A force of four assaulted my party as we left Xadria for a job. We defeated them and from an impromptu interrogation that this was an attack several months in the making.” I cocked my head to the side, keeping my expression blank as I spun my half-story. “We were ignorant of it because that was their intent. Had you more Knights in Xadria, it would’ve just increased the number of deaths.” I decided to not mention that I had seen more Knights fleeing than Adventurers and mercenaries. That wouldn’t have made many friends here.

Frederick didn’t reply, studying me closer than he did when I first appeared before him. His regard weighed on my shoulders like an invisible pressure, pushing me to kneel once more, in supplication. My heart pounded as I weathered the gaze of not only the King of Veritas but also a mighty warrior if the sword that rested at his hand meant anything. He shifted in his seat, narrowing his eyes in thought. “You have grown, Joseph Blaine.” I arched a brow at his remark, getting a quirk of his lips. “The fragility I saw within you a year ago has disappeared. Gone. But I cannot yet see what has taken its place.” He narrowed his eyes.

“Death has a habit has a habit of weaning out weakness, Majesty.” I allowed myself a smirk, shrugging. An unsettling atmosphere settled within the throne room, the clinking of metal and shuffling of chainmail from our silent observers dancing in my ears. Lady Regina frowned noticeably in her throne next to Frederick. Even the King himself stiffened as he stared down at me, the intensity of his stare increasing the pressure upon my shoulders.

I did not buckle.

“You admit that you died in Nyrill,” Regina said, her voice soft and mournful as she stared towards with motherly concern. Her lips curled downwards and hand resting on her cheek.

“Yes,” I answered succinctly, nodding respectfully towards the Queen of Veritas. “I faced the seemingly unending horde of mad beasts, monsters with no rationality, and struck them down without mercy.” I placed a hand on my chest and squeezed the lapel of my jacket. “My body nearly gave out on me, but I knew what would happen if I stopped. The lives that would be lost if I fell.” My lips spread as I bared my teeth in a confident grin. “So, I didn’t.”

Frederick huffed, smiling despite the amusement in his gaze, even as I noticed the somber joy in Regina’s light brown eyes. “A Hero’s resolve, I’ve heard, is a potent trait. One that all of you carry.” He shook his head as he huffed. “Though, I am curious. If the beasts were not what took your life, what did?”

In my periphery, I noticed Kacee, Abigail, and Colette stiffen. I kept my smile, my confident demeanor as I raised my shoulders. “As I’m sure every Knight here has experienced, including yourself, Majesty, but the battle felt like it had taken hours, days, with the exhaustion that damn near crippled me afterward.” I huffed through my nose and shook my head, eyes closed. “When it finally ended, I couldn’t help but wonder if that was it. If I was missing something. That couldn’t have been it; what Rudy told us and what Valeri and Kara showed us on the map, the numbers I faced could not have been the end.”

I lowered my hand from my chest, lifting my head to meet Frederick’s gaze directly. “In your opinion, what’s the best way to hide the dagger in your hand, Your Majesty?” I asked the King.

He narrowed his eyes. I could see the thoughts racing through his silver gaze. After a few short moments, his eyes widened. “Show the sword in your other hand.” Frederick grit his teeth, squeezing the arm of his throat.

“Yes, Your Majesty. That was the conclusion I reached when my last foe fell.” Not really. Penemue’s attempt to kill me to end that burning agony made me hysterical. I fled from her to survive. Thing is, no one else knew that, except maybe Luke, and if he wanted to dispute me, he’d have to out himself as my killer. “I wondered why. Why did it end? I understood that I was skilled back then. But with my inexperience and physical weakness, I had no illusions that it would’ve ended that easily.”

“The evacuation.” Regina gasped, realization filling her.

“Yeah,” I said breathlessly, exhaling through my nose. My heart pounded. Would everyone believe me? Or would my next set of lies to bridge the gap between the end of my fight to Luke’s betrayal end up disproven? Go big or go home. “We had scattered to the outskirts of Nyrill. Far enough to spare it from the damage of our battles, but close enough in case we needed support.” I shook my head, rubbing the side of my face as I stared at the floor. “I could barely stand, barely breathe, at the end of it. I didn’t know if anyone else had reached the same conclusion as me, or even if they had time to think. What else should I have done?”

“You tried to return to Nyrill?” Abigail said, her voice carrying from behind me. She knew where I was going, but didn’t see the path that led to it.

“What else was there to do?” I asked her, turning to look towards her while still facing Frederick. “The majority of our forces were at the chokepoints, fighting. Amber and a handful of Knights were all that stayed behind. Each of us had only a few short months of combat experience and Affinities that could close the gap. Amber? No offense to her, but her Affinity is more for utility than outright battle.” I felt my shoulders fall as I stared at the ground. “Even knowing that she had Knights to help her, could I do anything but go and support her? Even with my asthma, I couldn’t sit back and do nothing.” I waved a hand to the side, grunting in frustration. “Sure, if I stayed, I could’ve stopped anyone else who entered the clearing, but I have been separated from my escorts. I probably would’ve collapsed among the bodies. At least, if I had returned to the village, I would’ve fought until my body gave out and I’d have allies nearby to cover me.”

“Amber did say that someone attacked her group.” Kacee unknowingly corroborated my deception, frowning as she stared at the alabaster floor. “A cloaked scimitar wielder and a group of shadow monsters.” She raised her head, eyes intently focusing on me. “What stopped you from reaching them?”

It took all of my self-control to grin at her leading question. She knew exactly where I was going with this, but the intensity of her unblinking stare told me that she was taking this seriously.

“I ran into someone.” I fully turned around to face Luke. He stared down at me with a stoic mien. “I suppose I was arrogant, thinking that despite my clear weakness, I could make a difference. Luke stopped me on the way back. Why he was there, I don’t know, but he stood in my path.” I looked into his eyes, feeling the ember of my anger tickled deep in my gut. “He caught me as I collapsed. Then he said something, words that escape me even now.”

“Joey…” Luke’s voice echoed in the throne room, gentle but warning.

“Don’t you call me by that name,” I said to him, unable to hold back the growl that came forward. Red flickered in my periphery, the ember in my gut flaring at the sound of his voice. “Of all the people here, you have the least right to speak to me so casually!” I walked towards him; my steps strangely light. I came to a stop in front of him, realizing that he still stood taller than me. That fact did nothing to stop me from grabbing him by the collar of his breastplate, yanking him down so we stood eye to eye with one another. “The reason I died that night was not because of the monsters I fought, but because I showed my back to the one person I thought I could trust the most.”

Murmurs broke out among the Knights on either side of the throne room, the lights illuminating the room almost blinding as I felt my vision sharpen amidst my glare. The weight from Frederick’s stare became almost crushing as I felt his gaze bore into my back. I ignored all of it, focusing on the one I once considered a brother.

With a shove, backed by augmented strength, I forced Luke to stagger backward. “Luke Wirth stabbed me in the back and I died choking on my own blood.”

A deafening silence settled in the throne room. Breathless. Unmoved. All eyes fell on Luke and me, an intense study that we both disregarded, staring at one another in mutual fury. My fury at the betrayal and his, likely at being outed.

“Is this true, Sir Wirth?” Frederick’s voice boomed, echoing in the cavernous throne room.

“Joey is delusional, your Majesty,” Luke said evenly as his eyes never left me. “Losing oxygen to the brain has probably twisted his memories.”

“My memories haven’t been clearer, you traitorous bastard.” I snarled, stepping forward to hear a crack beneath my feet. “I remember it clearly. The broken sword that stuck out from my chest. That empty stare you gave me. The hand on my shoulder, holding me still.” I strode forward, my hand pulled back, but a hand on my shoulder stopped me. In my periphery, I noticed Valeri holding me back. “I remember it all and I have since the moment I climbed out of that grave.”

“I don’t know what to tell you, Joey. That’s not what happened.” He didn’t continue, still staring at me and giving nothing away. I knew him, though. I knew when he lied when we hid things. He had tells.

I ignored his lies. “Was that all our brotherhood was worth? You throw away a decade of friendship for what? A chance to get ahead and rise in the ranks of Knighthood? Everyone mentioned me, but not you. You noticed that; you recognized that. Was satisfying your jealousy worth it?”

Luke narrowed his eyes. “I don’t kno-”

“People still talk about me, you know. ‘The Fallen Hero.’ ‘The Leader of the 13’. Does that frustrate you, Luke? That you just martyred me.” For every statement I made, his expression twitched. First his brow, then the corner of his mouth, his eyes narrowing. “Well? Were you always this jealous, or did you finally snap when people began ignoring you for me? The cripple.”

“Shut up,” Luke said, growling as he clenched his fists. He furrowed his brow as his eyes narrowed and flicked with anger. “Shut your damn mouth.”

I grinned despite myself, feeling a vindictive pleasure in getting a reaction from him. “Fitting. You never could beat me, even with my asthma holding me back. What about now? You saw the fight with Variak. You felt how he tossed you aside like garbage; where were you, Luke? Did you give up, or were you too terrified to keep fighting?”

“Shut. Up.” His voice came out as a rasp.

“A coward and a traitor. What a combination.” Valeri’s hand slipped from my shoulder as she stepped back. Luke threw a straight punch, but I lifted a hand and parried it with my bracer. I followed up with a punch of my own. I slipped into his guard, aiming at his throa-

“Enough!” Frederick’s voice caused us both to freeze, only the sounds of our ragged breathing echoing in the chamber. Valeri once again grabbed my shoulder but pulled me away this time. Colette did the same for Luke, pulling at his arm. The two of us never broke our stare down. “I’ve heard enough. Aside from your words, we have no way to discern the truth. I cannot have our Heroes bickering amongst each other, thus-.”

“Father. I propose a way to satisfy both parties.” Abigail interrupted her father, confidently striding forward. Frederick must’ve agreed, as Abigail continued. “As you’ve said, all we have are the words of our Heroes. Their personal testimonies and neither have shown themselves untrustworthy. Thus, per Veritas’ old laws, I propose a test of might to prove innocence.”

“Such a thing is partial to the strong, Abigail,” Regina said to her daughter, her voice soft.

“Then it is good that both of the Heroes before us are renowned warriors already.” Frederick gently disagreed with his wife. He grunted audibly. “Fine. I’ll accept this test of might. What do the Heroes think of this?”

“I challenge you, Luke, to a duel.” I declared as I squared my shoulders, grinning despite the anger that roared within me. “Let’s prove, once and for all, who between us is better.”

Luke’s lip rose as he glared at me, the beginnings of a reluctant sneer. “There was never any question of that.” He waved a hand at me. “You don’t even have a weapon.”

“I can beat you to death with my bare hands.” I clenched my fists tight enough to crack my knuckles. A flicker of motion in my periphery caused me to lift my right hand. A weight landed in my open palm, sleek, slender steel thick enough for my hand to not fully wrap around it. I looked at it. Kacee’s collapsible standard. I faced her, seeing her extended hand.

“Don’t break it. Just finish this farce quickly.” Kacee’s slumped shoulders and exhausted expression dulled the flames in my chest, enough for my grin to fall.

With a flick of my wrist, I flipped the standard around my arm. It fully extended in the movement as I snatched it out of the air. Turning towards Luke, I spun the standard around my arm and rested it on my shoulder. “Still want to slink out of this, coward?”

Luke narrowed his eyes at me, drawing his sword from the sheath behind his shoulder.

As we stood across from each other, everyone around us walked away to put distance between us. A thud behind me caused my gaze to flicker to the side, but I refused to face away from Luke. “I will officiate.” Frederick’s booming voice echoed in the throne room. “Who shall be their Seconds?”

“I stand with Sir Joseph,” Hilda replied as she walked past my periphery and stopped a few feet behind me.

“And I for Luke,” Colette spoke barely above a whisper and I watched she stood behind Luke on the outer edge of the ring of Knights.

Luke and I faced each other in silence, staring at each other in anticipation. Before we could act, the King said, “The duel shall start when I call it. It will only end when one cannot continue fighting, and I declare it so. Any attempts to continue after I end it will result in immediate censure from myself. Am I clear?”

“Yes.” We said in unison, our voices matching in stereo.

“Good.” He lifted his sheathed sword and planted the tip onto the marble floor. Frederick lifted it a few inches off the ground…then he suddenly struck the ground with the tip. “Begin!”

I leaped forward, clearing the distance between us and swung towards the top of Luke’s skull. He lifted his sword and blocked, pushing my attack back. I planted my feet and twisted around, striking at his leg with a follow-up attack. He skipped to the side, dodging my counter. He followed up with a thrust, the point of his broad sword spearing towards my throat. I smacked it aside with a flip of the standard, not giving ground as I slipped forward.

In an instant, I flashed back to the battle in Xadria, recalling Kacee and Hilda, their movements, and physical demonstration of using a polearm. The motions, the steps, the breaths they took. Every little movement became crystal clear as I felt something slot into place in the back of my mind once more. My posture shifted and my stance lowered.

What happened next could only be described as a violent flurry of blows. Steel sand and clashed, sparks shooting outwards. Luke’s accelerated perception matched my superior skill and augmented strength, but with each moment that passed, Luke continued to give ground. He grunted, his eyes flickering from side to side to track my movements, but he failed to follow all of them. Every time I struck from one side, my attacks with the standard lashed out at his blind spot.

Blood painted the marble floor as one of the standard’s ends smacked Luke across the jaw. He staggered back and grunted from the blow. He lifted a hand from his sword and touched his bloody cheek. Seeing his shock, I continued my assault and aimed for the base of his skull. Luke’s eyes widened and mustered his defenses, lifting his sword to guard. At the last possible moment, I twisted around and pulled the standard back, flipping it around my shoulder. It spun around my arm, and I caught it on the last parts of the rotation, swinging up to his bent knee.

Luke grunted and slid his leg backward, evading my counter and retaliating with an overhead slash. I lifted the standard and held it at an angle, bleeding off the force of the slash. I turned to attack again, but Luke seemed to be waiting for another opening in my guard. I stepped back and deflected his strike, but his superior reflexes allowed to attack again and again. Forced on the defensive, I had to give ground when forced to weather his counterattack. I twisted and jerked from side to side, pushing away the sword. I grimaced as he managed to force me into a kneel.

“I don’t know what you’re planning, but it won’t work,” Luke said through gritted teeth, pushing down on me.

I didn’t reply, allowing my lips to part as I bared my teeth. “You don’t get it.” He furrowed his brow at my reaction. “You’re not relevant anymore. After this? I’m putting you out my mind.” My Affinity has shown me many things that would escape me in the heat of the moment. Many simple ideas that are easy to forget when lost amid a battle. Like, say, using a collapsible standard.

With a flick of my wrist, I watched as the seam of the polearm pulled back and folded under Luke’s weight. I slid to the side as Luke stumbled forward, his weapon falling from the lack of resistance. My former friend managed to catch himself in a crouch, with his leading foot forward and his other leg bent. Before he could recover, I reared back the standard and flicked my wrist, stepping to the side and swinging at the back of his head. The standard snapped back into place just as the metal pole viscerally crashed into the back of Luke’s skull.

Luke grunted and gasped from the impact, staggering forward as his sword clattered to the ground. A shaky gurgle escaped him as he shook his head; as his hand shakily reached for his sword, I grabbed the back collar of his armor and willed a surge of ki through my body. With a grunt, I bodily lifted him off the ground and smashed his front onto the marble floor. Cracks echoed in the spacious chamber as the floor splintered beneath him. Releasing his collar, I stood and walked over to his sword. With a kick, I sent it spiraling away.

Turning my attention to Luke as he put his arms beneath him, I hooked a foot beneath his body and flipped him over. His bloodied nose and busted lip greeted me as his bleary-eyes gaze blinked. I dropped a knee on his chest, the steel of his armor bending beneath my strength and weight. “Yield.”

He hacked and coughed, blood painting his chin. “Go…to hell…” He blinked and grunted, lifting his hand.

I smashed the end of the standard into his wrist hard enough to feel steel and bone give. Luke cried out in pain, clarity returning to his blurry gaze as he glared at me. Breaths came out quickly for me, my heart pounding in my chest as I stared down at him. Anticipation filled me as I opened and closed my left hand, knuckles cracking as I clenched my fist. “Yield,” I repeated, my voice coming out in a growl.

Luke did not reply, only glaring up at me with a sharp gaze.

With a clang, I released the standard and reared back my fist. Knee on his chest, I threw a punch forward. Bone creaked beneath my fist as Luke’s face jerked from the impact. He grimaced and spat to the side, blood painting the ground. He met my narrow-eyed gaze with a bloody grin. “Gonna have to hit har-”

I hit him again, feeling flesh bruise and bone break. Not giving him a moment breathe, I punched him again. And again. And again. I reared back my fist and struck. No beauty, no skill, just everyday brutality and catharsis. I let it out, the resentment, the anger that built when I remembered the betrayal. My jaw gave a twinge as I clenched my teeth; my knuckles bled as they scraped teeth and struck bone. No words escaped me, save for primal growls that escaped me with every impact. Every bit of anger that plagued me since climbing out of the grave in Nyrill flowed freely; the catharsis that I needed, that I wanted, finally came within reach.

My body twisted, and shoulders rolled with every punch. The robotic motion of every punch flowed from one to the next, a never-ending sequence of inflicting as much pain as possible. The world around me vanished from my perception, no longer relevant to me as I finally released my fury.

As I pulled my fist back for another punch, a hand caught me by my arm, stopping me. I jerked forward in the grip, growling as I stared down at Luke. “It’s done.” Hilda's soothing voice was like ice-cold water pouring down my back, shocking me back into the moment. As I stared down at Luke’s bruised, bloody and broken face, I felt her arm wrap around my chest and pull me back. “The duel is over. You’ve won.” She said, whispering to me as she pulled me to my feet. Breathless, I watched Luke’s raspy breaths, his shattered nose reminding me…of me.

“Breathe, Joey.” Hilda’s voice pulled my gaze from Luke’s bloody visage, turning towards her. Her concerned mien lessened the crushing guilt that wrapped around my heart like a squeezing hand. “It’s over. Catch your breath.” Her hand, her warm, soft hand, brushed against my cheek. I looked into her gentle pale grey eyes, seeing nothing but patience and understanding. I quickly turned away and pulled myself free, closing my eyes and exhaling through my nose.

Clanging steps echoed in front of me as the King spoke into the silence. “Call for the healers. Sir Wirth requires assistance.” I distantly heard assent as a smattering of footsteps echoed around me. “You’ve proven your truth, Joseph Blaine. I will ensure that justice will be swift.”

I got what I wanted. I made everyone hear and listen to the truth, my truth. All it took…was beating my old friend’s face into a bloody mess. I fought back the bile that rose in my throat, grimacing as I turned to the side.

I wanted this…so why does it feel like I still lost?

“Your Majesty. Am I free to leave?” I said, my voice rough as I tried not to vomit.

“Yes. Take the rest of the day, Sir Blaine. It has been trying for all of you.” With his dismissal, I left. I ignored the world around me as I stared forward. I didn’t choose a destination, only allowing my feet to carry me wherever. I walked through the crown of Knights, through the open doors into the antechamber; into the low light courtyard, where lit lanterns slowly flicked to life. Beneath the cloudy, late afternoon sky, I walked without a destination in mind, wanting to get away. To get away from the duel, from Luke, the King, from everyone.

What the hell is wrong with me? Angry, furious, lost in the red mist that once clouded my vision. I wanted justice; I wanted others to learn that I’d been killed, that I’d been betrayed by someone I once trusted. But is this the end that I wanted? Is this where I wanted my journey to go? Standing over the beaten and bloody body of someone I once thought a brother? Am I any better than him? Or does that not mean anything?

I don’t know.

I don’t know.

I don’t know.

I don’t know!

“Joseph?” Hilda’s voice pulled me from my mental spiral, a ragged breath escaping me as I turned towards her. She furrowed her brow and stepped up to me, taking me by my arm. “Come. We need to sit. Getting you off your feet can only help.” She then led me down a pathway, framed on either side by immaculately cut shrubbery. We walked for a bit longer until we reached a stone bench near a gated garden. “Sit.” I followed her gentle command, dropping down on the seat with an exhale. She sat next to me, taking my hand with one of hers. She entwined our fingers and clasped her other hand around it. “Breathe. Don’t think. Don’t worry. Just breathe.”

I did as she asked, breathing in as deeply as I could while emptying my thoughts. I closed my eyes and focused on breathing, exhaling, and inhaling in turn. The only thing in mind was the warmth that held my hand. The tenseness in my shoulders lessened as they dropped; the tightness in my chest became bearable.

“Still want to follow me?” I asked her as my racing heart slowed. “After I nearly beat a man to death?”

Hilda didn’t answer immediately, just squeezing the hand she held. “No one is perfect. No one is a paragon of sound judgment and belief.” She said her voice barely above a whisper. “We are all flawed, each with our vice and sins. Some carry excessive pride and self-belief. Others hold back anger, caused by witnessing, experiencing, injustice before them.” She moved her hand from mine before I felt her warm fingers rest on my cheek. Gently, but firmly, she lifted my head and turned it towards her. I opened my eyes to meet hers, seeing a hint of my misty blue eyes reflected in her glasses, but still meeting her pale grey. “A Valkyrie does not follow a perfect lord, but one who does their best despite their imperfections.” Her lips quirked up, eyes narrowing faintly. “You’ve done nothing to shake my faith; all you’ve shown me is what makes you human, not a monster.”

Her words felt like a balm to my soul, a soothing aura that chilled the uncomfortable swell in my stomach. I exhaled shakily, blinking back the tears that threatened to pour freely. “How…” Words escaped me, trapped in the ball that settled in the back of my throat. “What can…”

Hilda shook her head, pulling her hand from mine and wrapping her arms around my head. She pulled me against her, resting my head against her chest. The sound of her heartbeat lulling me. “Don’t speak. Rest. I’ll watch over you, Joey. None will wake you while I am here.” As she spoke, I felt my eyelids become heavy, my breaths deepen. The tiredness I had no idea I had came to the fore. “You’ll know what to do when you wake. Just rest. Let us take care of you for once.”

With a relief that I never felt since coming here, I fell asleep in Hilda’s arms, content to let this day finally end.

Ignis Aurum - Fin