save your ____s

Zane and Lucian spent about an hour poking through Lewis’s home before throwing on the knight armor and sneaking out.

“While everyone’s doing their part, we’ll do ours,” Zane said. “Call me—Keen. And you’ll be… Abel.”

“What?”

“Our knight names. We’re gonna go poke around and see who’s not happy being forced into seal-guarding duty. If we fuck up, we’ll knock some heads and make a break for it.”

“Hopefully we won’t need to,” Lucian said. “I really do want to talk to them.”

Zane brought Lucian in the church’s direction—he didn’t want to meander too deep in, but it served as a good starting point for what was ultimately going to become the most dangerous, desperate plan of their lives.

“By the way, um…”

Lucian cleared his throat. “Do… you believe me?”

“Huh?”

“About Vitam. Lewis, Annie and I—they approached me because they knew I’d listen without judgment. They were the first people I trusted to know about my communication with Vitam. But we never agreed on what the church truly kept within its gilded vaults. The voice, somewhere deep inside…

“I believe Vitam has begged for my help for years—but they wanted to keep an open mind. But if it isn’t, then…”

“Eh.” Zane shrugged. “It could go either way. Don’t think it matters that much. Whether They’re a god or not, we’re still freeing Them.”

“…”

“Lucian?”

“You don’t believe me?”

The helmet blocked Lucian’s expression, but he imagined Lucian’s teary eyes concealed beneath cold metal. “I—nevermind. I suppose it doesn’t.”

“Hey—” Zane slipped in front of Lucian. “We’ll see for ourselves, right?”

…And they’d live to tell the tale. Albeit Zane kept that wish to himself.

Lucian twirled his fingers together, the armored gloves clacking. “I’d like to see Him,” he said. “I have a lot to say to Vitam. Too many things.”

“And I’m sure He’ll listen. Not like He’s got anything better to do after being sealed for ages.”

When Lucian laughed, Zane knew he succeeded.

They proceeded to the entrance of the main church—under an arch of foliage and before a set of stairs. Zane slipped an excuse about being early for the shift switch and hung around with the knights who’d been stuck there, according to them, “way too long for this shitty pay.”

“Yeah, it sucks,” Zane said. “They’re forcing us to put our lives on the line for—what, again? They won’t even tell us. Not like there’s much opportunity in this town anyways, since everything’s made to cater to the church.”

“I know, right?” Another man chimed in. “But hey, keep your voice down. In case one of those damn Guardians passes by and bitches about the side chatter.”

“Yeah, I gotcha. Same as always.”

“You’re good at this,” Lucian whispered.

Zane laughed. “Maybe I’ve been practicing my whole life by complaining so much.”

Finding an excuse to subtly air out his piled grievances from being tortured for years in a hot ball of death called a core brought more satisfaction than Zane could’ve imagined. He got through a laundry list of them before one of the knights hushed him—and for good reason.

The gates of the church opened a crack. A finely dressed man holding a simple staff slipped out, knights shuttering the church doors as they positioned themselves like a living wall against the entrance. Leon continued down the stairs, until he stopped before the group of knights.

Two groups, one stationed at the arch, the other guarding the door. Interesting.

But what was more interesting was their surprise visitor.

“My men,” Leon said, hand to his heart. The other knights copied his gesture. “I’m sorry for all that you must sacrifice. But, don’t blame anyone but those who conspire to destroy the peaceful world we’ve built. When we’re able to finish what should’ve ended long ago, we’ll be sure to honor the dedication you’ve granted us.”

With a bow, he hurried on, staff clutched tight. Zane let out a sigh of relief—

“Wait.”

Leon stopped, and turned around. “…There are two more than usual.”

Shit.

“I, we—” Lucian began, but Zane elbowed him and cleared his throat.

Sorry, man, but after our escape, I don’t trust you to fool a couple knights, much less Vitam’s Happiness. “We arrived early. We’re part of the next swap. It’s as you said—this work’s for a good cause, and we want to honor that.”

Leon stared them down. As though peering under armor, under flesh, reading Zane’s heart.

“…Very well. Don’t overwork yourselves.”

He turned heel and walked away for good. Zane’s chest just about exploded, while the men stifled laughter. “C’mon, dude,” one of them said, “You’re acting like you killed someone… you didn’t, right? Right?”

A few excuses later, Zane stole the chance to leave during the chaos of the shift swap, and they headed back to their temporary home.

The house—

“What direction was it again?”

“Uh…”

They went in circles. Around the church, around landmarks, but the houses blended together, and Zane realized he might have made a terrible mistake. He should’ve drawn a line on the front door or something. “Seriously, I hate the layout of this city…”

“I’m sorry,” Lucian said.

“Quit apologizing—let’s just look around again. Or maybe we can track down Ef—”

“Ah. Are you two lost?”

Zane froze. A hand clamped on his shoulder, and Leon leaned over, drowning Zane in his warm, welcoming smile. “Forgive me for intruding. You two seem like you need help. Are you off shift?”

“Uh—yeah, yeah,” Zane said. “We’re just… we’re actually not from here. Just got wrapped up in everything, but we wanna do our part. We love this city.”

“We do!” Lucian said. If Zane could, he’d send a message to Lucian telling him to quiet and let him handle this. “Um, if you—I mean… I’d like to…”

“Any nice pubs around here?” Zane blurted out. “I mean. I know drinking’s not big here, but we like going for a couple drinks after work. What’s the best one you know about?”

Leon lit up. Zane didn’t actually know Leon’s favorite watering hole—he never talked much about anything other than work or justice or helping people or work. Eugh. “There’s somewhere I like going to—it’s owned by a Dwim who came from a city far away, bringing all his best recipes with him. Locals avoid it, but he’s a kind man. I wouldn’t give up my business for the world.”

Bingo. “Great. We’ll go check it out. Uh—Abel, let’s get going.”

“Yes, K—Kee!”

Keen. “All right. We’re itching for some drinks, so… see you around?”

Leon moved away, his smile never wavering. “Maybe I’ll see you after my shift. Then again, I might not be able to partake in drinks for a while. So keep my seat warm, will you?”

He left them be, and Zane stole the chance to scramble. After probing some locals, they hunted down the pub, finding Shay drunk at one of the tables mid-story.

“Oh, hey Zane,” he said. “Why’re you messing around in armor? We’re done with that.”

Zane took his helmet off. “We were messing with the patrols. How’re things going here?… And how the hell did you know it was me?”

Shay yawned, slapping the table. “Going great. Looks like we’ve got plenty of allies in this city. Second I told ‘em what Pearce did, that got them riled up and ready to go. And about the armor—” Shay leaned close, “—your helmet’s a little open. Get close enough and anyone can tell who you are if they know you.”

“…Ah.”

Leon won in the end. And so their timer shortened. Either they mobilized soon, or they’d lose the chance to free Vitam forever.