The Hero of Light and the Twelve Knights

“Galo, Ahi, Arley, Tora, Byzas, Kestrel, Rosalind, Uha, Maimun, and Ebedhard. Those twelve were passionate knights who devoted their swords to protecting Eleiweth. I knew them long ago during the war because they would visit this church and offer their prayers to God.”

“They came here?” I said aloud. “This dingy place?”

“The church was once beautiful and full of life back then. Those twelve were the ones who visited the most and they would constantly go to the master, asking for blessings. They yearned for the comfort of the Lord because they were going out to war…”

The no-eyed priest released a heavy sigh.

“You would think that knights would have the strongest mental fortitude but when you are placed in a war your will is challenged. And it was the worst war of them all that my friends had to fight. Their first official battle was on the bloody fields of Ein, where the demons pillaged the lands and trampled over the bodies of their victims. The Creatures of Hell released terrible magic that would make many lose hope of the world’s survival.

“Yet…despite the horrors they seem and the number of allies they lost, those twelve never retreated. They stood their ground and fought until the battle was done. What was driving them? What was giving them the will not to give up? Was it God? No…instead it was something else…”

Aeron smiled as he lifted his head to the ceiling. It seemed as if he was looking for something despite having no eyes.

“It was when they saw their savior…coated in armor made of the finest mithril and wielding the Holy Sword that purged all evil.”

“Philip the Hero of Light…”

I answered in a soft tone the name itself sounded like a calming song which made me feel better.

“That’s right. Seeing the strength that Philip displayed in front of the demons and seeing the very monsters cower in fear the twelve had found their resolve to fight alongside him.”

“The Hero of Light was cool with fighting alongside a bunch of Nulls?”

“Times were different back then Baxter…too different…”

“What does that mean?”

“…Whether they had magic or not mattered little to Philip. He admired anyone who fought for the peace of the world. And even against a Demon General, one of the loyal servants of the Demon King, the twelve did not run away.”

“The fact that they fought demons and lived to tell the tale is pretty impressive on its own…”

“Funny you say that…for the twelve had actually lost their lives on the Battlefield of Ein.”

“…HUH?!”

“Yes, despite the powers Philip had he could not save them from the wrath of the demons. But the death they experienced then was not their final…”

“What do you…OH! You mean that they—“

“Yes, Baxter. Just like you did a few hours back they returned from the brink. They met Death and harnessed the rare ability of karma.”

“Was karma able to do anything against the demons?”

Aeron chuckled.

“Anti-magic was far more than just inconvenient for the demon race it was a very poison to their being. Demons are creatures that are also constructed of mana and so the karma was able to not only render their spells ineffective but also break down their bodies like melted ice! And with those powers, they were able to fight side by side with Philip and purge any enemy them at crossed their path!”

“Anti-magic and holy magic…those two together…”

“Are the deadliest combination to the Creatures of Hell. If they did not fight alongside the Hero of Light who jumped into the sea of endless monsters not even he would have returned home. The brave knights who were called weak by their peers became teammates to the Hero of Light and aided him in battle!”

“Wow! So the Tortoise was actually vital to the Hero of Light! They fought alongside him and aided in balancing the scales of war to their favor!”

“And then Philip defeated the Demon King on his own the war finally ended. He then went to create the system of the Holy Knights and when forming the group he wanted the twelve to be a part of it.”

“Those twelve were going to Holy Knights!?”

“They were…and when they told me and master when they went to service on Sunday…the happiness on their faces…”

Seeing the somber look on Aeron’s face gave away what would happen later in the story. I let out a sigh and spoke up.

“But…that didn’t happen did it?”

“Philip’s petition for the twelves to be Holy Knights was denied.”

“Why?”

“The ones who turned it down was the Council of Chronos.”

“The Council…”

I started to seethe with anger. My teeth grinded together and I clenched my fists.

“For the last few days I have been hearing that name it has not been paired with good things! Why would the Council of Chronos deny the Tortoise the title of Holy Knight even though they fought for so long!? Just because they were Nulls!?”

The undead priest nodded slowly.

“Remember Baxter the world values Magic more than anything else, especially the elves. The Children of Mana can’t even function with Magic and in turn, they despise anything that may be against it. The High Elves were disgusted by karma and did everything in their authority to make the lives of the twelve miserable.”

“That’s awful…even after everything they’ve been through in the war…”

Aeron hummed in response.

“It truly was unfair and the twelve knew. That is why they left and became monks. They trained and mastered the power of karma which they had dubbed as zen. And after journeying around the world, they returned to Eleiweth after they had learned the news…”

I looked up at Aeron with tilted eyebrows.

“What news?”

“The news that Philip the Hero of Light…had died…”

I let out a soft gasp after hearing the name of the world’s hero being deceased. In truth I knew he was already gone it was quite obvious. It had been thousands of years since he lived and humans can’t even reach age one hundred. Yet if there is one thing history books didn’t talk about it was how the Hero of Light died.

“How did Philip die?”

The priest faced me with an unreadable expression written all over his face. He walked up to me and put his hands on my shoulders his fingers clutching in my skin. Just before I could complain about the pain he was putting me through Aeron put his dried lips to my ear and whispered.

“He was murdered.”

My heart nearly stopped and I stared at Aeron with widened eyes. A part of me didn’t believe while another could tell the undead priest was speaking the truth.

A truth that was far too dangerous to know.

“Tell no one of this Baxter,” Aeron ordered. “Not only will no one believe you but those with a thousand eyes and a million ears will bring all their attention…to you.”

“B-but…why are you telling me all this? I’m just an insignificant Null.”

As I was being shut down due to the overwhelming anxiety, Aeron gently put his hand on my shoulder and spoke to me in a soft voice.

“No one is insignificant. Even a small ant hiding in the dirt has a purpose. Do you know why? Because God made it. The Lord would not make Ocaleveth or anything if it did not serve a purpose. And my God had told me yours…”

“And what is mine?”

“You will see…”

The undead priest then took wrapped his blindfold back around his empty eye sockets.

“That is all for today.”

“H-huh? We’re done?”

“Of course! I held up my end of the bargain by explaining zen to you! Now go forth!”

“But I still don’t fully understand everything!”

“You understand enough to start preaching. The books that Ianbis gave you should have good knowledge to aid you.”

I stepped back in surprise and pointed at Aeron.

“Y-you know Ianbis!?”

“Indeed he is also a regular here.”

“Woah…this dingy church is more popular than I thought.”

I giggled aloud as I shook my head.

“All of this…it’s too much to be a mere coincidence…”

“That is true…for all things is under God’s control and walks the way of the—“

“Alright, there is no need to preach to me!”

I waved goodbye as I walked towards the door. As I put my hand on the doorknob I stopped and said my final words.

“Aeron…thank you…and fuck you.”

“Please stop cursing in the House of God and you are most welcome.”

“And Ojorr, Gnavu!

The two gargoyles raised their heads as I addressed them.

“Next time…Imma wipe the floor with the both of you!”

Gnavu shivered in fear while Ojorr screamed in delight.

“Yes! I will be waiting my friend Baxter!”

I waved one last time before opening the door and leaving the room.