Breath

My sworn resolution burns hot in my chest. Each step I take has meaning and I follow way into the foyer. There I spot two familiar characters coming through the entryway to the manor.

The first is a bespectacled, icy haired woman. She strides in without a second thought while bearing an utterly emotionless face. Coming in close behind her is a lady with a head of golden blonde hair. She closes the umbrella she’d been holding aloft before stepping in. A weighty sigh of relief soon follows, the nervous appearance she’d had lightens into a simple smile.

“It’s good to be back indoors. You were a lifesaver helping me out of that hospital.” Hyla speaks her gratitude to her company who makes herself busy glancing about the foyer.

As her soft blue eyes find me, she adjusts her glasses and responds to Hyla.

“It’s of no issue. We’d both had the same destination so it was an easily convenient arrangement.” Then she speaks out to me. “Quite the impeccable timing to come out to visit. I’m here to speak with you.”

I go to the two and perceive a spark of light snap in Hyla’s eyes as she sees me.

“Hello again, Sir Khiron. I hope to hear that you haven’t had any trouble since we’d last met earlier today.”

“It’s been a little more than an hour since then.” I think to make comment on the immense deja vu I’d experienced earlier but withhold. “I’ve been feeling fine.”

“That’s the type of news I’d hoped to hear.”

A pair of men dressed to the nines in royal knight attire come into the manor. In their hands is an assortment of cases and luggage. They continue into the manor and towards one of its halls.

“As I’d mentioned, I’ll be living here for a time. Today will be my first official day staying with all of you. It has long been customary for a physician to either reside in this manor or be nearby for the sake of the Celestial Knight and the Maidens. It took a bit of time due to some unforeseen complications, but now I’ll be filling that role.”

When the two knights finish carrying her belongings, Hyla thanks them with a heartfelt smile and small gift boxes for each of them. Though remaining as stoic as they can, each betray their true feelings with the simple raising of their brows. Minute confusion aside, they both lower themselves into a dignified bow before heading out.

“They were simply doing as they were tasked.” Urania objects.

“I couldn’t let such kind men go without something more to thank them. Especially since it saved me from making anymore trips outside.”

“What did you give them?” I ask, curious.

“It was a medicinal tea that I often give to my patients while they meet with me. It’s wonderful for the skin and is filled with plenty that will do the body good. I make it myself from herbs that I often purchase. You’ll be able to try it for yourself shortly when we meet to discuss your health.”

Giving Urania a quick glance, Hyla dips into her own bow towards me.

“I will have much to do with arranging my workspace. Urania has come to discuss some very important matters with you so I’ll be on my way. Until tonight.”

Getting her step going, she moves towards her new living space situated directly beside the infirmary.

“Now then. She was correct that I’ll be requesting your attention. Let’s relocate to a location more suited for our meeting.”

✩ ✩ ✩

As if she’d had a sixth sense exclusive to the most dutiful of maids, Jupa had immediately followed both Urania and I with a pot of tea. While we’d both situated ourselves in a meeting room, she poured each of us a cup and then gracefully departed after an impeccable curtsy.

Urania takes a delicate sip from her cup before meeting me with her cool, analytical eyes.

“Much has transpired since you were rendered unconscious.” She gives as a cold opening to the conversation. “I’d been informed that you had been advised that Pride has opened and now stands as an active threat to the Celestia’s security. However, that is but the beginning to the issues that the kingdom is now facing in the wake of this incident.”

The knights which were posted in case of such emergencies had acted alongside local priests given duty over the territory. During the conflict risen in consequence of Pride’s unsealing, a number of L.E.S. knights were injured and exactly 3 were slain. More soldiers of the L.E.S. division were deployed afterwards to maintain watch over the area after the successful temporary sealing of the Dark Seed.”

“Knights had lost their lives?” Such news strikes me directly in the heart. “From which division were these casualties?”

“They were of the L.E.S.’s Delta team.”

“Were there any other deaths reported?”

“As of now there are no confirmed civilian casualties, however, there is one individual who is believed to have a high probability of being deceased at this moment.”

“Who are they?”

“They are the head priest of the local shrine. During the incident, he had volunteered to enter into the Dark Seed for the sake of its containment.” As her usual behavioral tick, she takes a pause to adjust her glasses. “Such priests from his order are trained in the art of sealing Dark Seeds though it may come difficult no matter. His sealing ritual was successful but it came at the cost of his own welfare.”

“But there is a chance that he’s still alive, isn’t there?”

“Though the reasoning of such outcomes may be slim, once more, there is no feasible way to confirm whether or not he is alive. Seeking his whereabouts will be an important objective the kingdom has given you with your exploration of Pride.”

“When is the earliest I’ll be able to investigate? When will I be sent to handle Pride?”

“Because of the variety of pressing circumstances it has been strongly requested that you would make your first deployment tomorrow.”

“It’s finally come to this.” I think to myself, a mixture of thoughts now lining up in my mind. “If I’m to go tomorrow, I’ll prepare myself. But there is an issue.”

“Is it about your equipment?”

“Plutia had informed me that my sword, my KNITE and my magic shield had survived my injury. I have a spare blade, but I hadn’t ever purchased a spare shield for myself. Both were mementos so it’s a bit disheartening that I’d lost them.”

“The kingdom has already prepared an inventory of tools and weapons for you. When you come to the mission control center tomorrow, we’ll give you everything you’ll need for your mission. Including a prepared replacement KNITE.”

She let’s a beat pass before glancing down to the tablet screen she has before her.

“Your objectives in this instance are as follows:

“First: exterminate as many Loveless present in Pride as possible.

“Second: seek after the head priest of the Bootes shrine. If in the case that he is living, protect his life and escort him out of the Dark Seed.

“Third: gather samples of Loveless blood for research purposes.

“And final: ascertain as to the proper and successful sealing of Pride upon exit.”

She replaces the tablet upon the table and retrains her attention on me.

“The seal that will be created will assure the safety of the kingdom. It will only be unbound given your entrance into the Dark Seed.”

“I understand. I’ll make for certain that each objective is accomplished. If it isn’t too late, I’ll see to it that the head priest makes a safe return.”

“Your efforts will be greatly appreciated.”

Though our talk had so far been as formal as ever, a new turnout comes. I watch as Urania becomes visibly introspective unlike I’d ever seen her. Thinking deeply to herself, we remain silent for a drawn out period. She removes her glasses and gives them a quick polishing before replacing them before her eyes.

“Pardon that I would divert conversation into such a topic, but I can’t stay my curiosity any longer.” Though she attempts to send me a smile, it betrays her true feelings which are rife with a palpable sense of discomfort.

“What’s on your mind?”

“To be frank; I was one of those who were involved with your operation. Hyla was the doctor in charge, but I was an assistant in the procedures.”

“You were?” I quickly bow my head to her and show to her my sincere gratitude. “I had no clue. I owe both of you my life.”

“It was good for the kingdom so I had done all that I could. But that is a needless detail and isn’t the cause for this curiosity that has been niggling me.”

“I should have expected that praise would be the last thing you’d come out seeking.” I attempt to lighten the mood as I notice it’s quickly becoming even more tense.

“It is in no way meant to make less of your gratitude nor to diminish what you’d experienced, but I… Well… how could I say it?” She strains for words, trapped in contemplation.

But as she shapes up, her eyes lock onto me, once more as unshakably confident as I’ve known her.

“The issue of the matter is you. It’s something that I can’t explain and it has been troubling me for all of this time. With you before me, I can’t help but tell you exactly what has been perturbing me.”

“I’m the issue?” A nervous tension begins to claw at my chest, making tears in it.

“Has she discovered the scar?”

“Is there something in particular about me?”

“I suppose it was rude to state that it was you in such a… forward manner. It’s more that it’s about you. But I digress.” She knits her fingers on the table but they begin to play about with each other while she carefully pieces her thoughts together.

“I was there when your life had ceased. I had worked with Hyla and all of our assistants to continue mending you despite that you were medically dead. Even if I had vowed to do all that I could to return you to life, I had my doubts that I won’t deny existed. You were deceased for a long time and…”

She drinks the remainder of her tea down and begins to organize her materials in preparation to depart. But she continues her thought once she makes them neat, her attention at last completely collected on me.

“You’re alive when the probabilities of anyone returning to life after what you’d suffered would be almost unquestionably zero.”

Though I’m subtly grateful that the scar hadn’t been discovered, a sinking feeling continues building in my heart nonetheless. Seeing her staring at me, so driven and unflinching sends a chill down my spine. From the light drizzling droplets of rain tapping the glass to fill the space of her words to her figure made to glow in the light, I’m caught in this dire discussion.

“Of all the chances and possibilities, you’re here sitting before me.” Her eyes grow in intensity as she now asks a piercing question aloud for her own sake and then mine. “What is it that brought you back to life when you were, without a doubt, deceased?”

And to that I haven’t a single answer. I can only stare towards her and remain at a loss. The piercing question surrounding all that I’d known since I’d returned from those other worlds.

✩ ✩ ✩

I hadn’t anything of value to add to the remainder of our time before Urania had left to go about the rest of her day’s work. I’d gone to the kitchen for a simple cup of water. Even if what she’d asked had been put so simply, it had sent me into a spiral. Brought before me, my thoughts manifested in such a way that I could no pretend that they didn’t exist.

Gripping onto the glass, I take another drink in between my bated breaths as a cold sweat continues to bead my skin. I look at the glass and see the water glistening in its body. And with that glistening, I see a memory playing.

★ ★ ★

During the high points of the summer heat. The July sun was baring down on us unlike any other we’d known. It was a summer of record highs, mine and Juna’s first summer as officially recognized freelancer knights.

The two of us had taken refuge beneath a kindly store owner’s canopy and they had even been so generous as to offer us a cold drink each to help keep us up and about our duties. There, taking our small break, we’d watched the civilians going about their daily lives. The onlookers we for whom we’d served as guardians.

I was too busy thinking to myself as I sat at that table to have noticed a surprise attack. A frosty feeling flashed against my neck and gained a reactionary jump from me. I’d faced towards my assailant quickly to see her grinning a smug grin to herself.

“You’re still all about vigilance even now. That’s why you really are the greatest knight Celestia has ever known.”

“That’s a bit of a stretch to say, don’t you think? And besides, it’s always nice to just watch and enjoy the peace we have.”

“It’s no stretch; you’re going to be the Celestial Knight. And that position belongs to the greatest knight in all of the kingdom. Which you are.”

“Sure, sure.” I sighed and turned back to watch as the people wandered about.

“You know, the last time it was even close to this hot was when we were kids.” She was quick to snag my attention back her way. “It feels like it’s been forever, doesn’t it?”

“That was only about 5 years ago but it feels like it was so long ago. What are you thinking about?”

“I was just thinking how amazing it is that we’re knights now. And it’s already been 2 months since we’d started. I wonder what’s going to come from here.” The look on her face was full of happiness, nostalgia and wonder for the future.

She glanced up to the sky and towards the few clouds that could give us mercy from the unusually unbearable sun. The way the summer light graced her made her beauty and charm come out brightly. Like the rose that she always was. At that moment I couldn’t help but stare to her and hear those frightening words return to my heart.

“I love you, Juna.” They spoke to me and caused the scar to begin its stinging.

“What’s with that look?” She asked me as she’d turned around and I’d been too caught up with my own thoughts to have turned away or played it off. Her expression was once more a touch smug and teasing.

“Just… thinking about being knights is all.”

“Me too. I’m so happy that we’d graduated together. I can’t wait to spend my life as a knight. Everyday. Always together.”

I reached out my hand and grabbed hold of hers that was laying rested beside her cup. She’d first glanced to our joined hands before looking up to me.

“It means the world to have you by my side, Juna.”

A snap strikes at my mind as I think of her. I begin to recall the moments before her betrayal at the hearing. That crooked verdict she’d been given. So coldly, so undeservedly.

I begin to see Chamelis standing before me. The culprit behind all of this. The reason why everything went wrong.

“It’s all your fault. I can’t forgive what you did to Juna. You… You were the real murderer. You’re the one who killed me.” I can feel my teeth begin to grate in my jaw as a burning heat grows within me. “A horrible fate is coming for you. It’s what you deserve, you wretch!”

“Master!” I hear a voice draped in shock and awe calling out to me. But it’s faint and all of my attention continues being trained on Chamelis.

I have my hand around her throat. Holding it tightly, crushing down harder and harder. The poisoned feelings inside of me finding its way to her in a way she couldn’t possibly mistake.

“Master, you’re bleeding!”

The green of the plains is before me, just outside of the window. Expanding onward, meeting with the blue of the heavens at the far off peaks. I glance away absentmindedly to see Jupa beside me. She’s been touched with panic and holds a white cloth to my hand. A cloth that is being colored red. I look into her eyes and hear her voice calling out.

I look back down to my hand and catch a small sight of bloodied skin as she moves the cloth to reaffirm her grip.

All of my mind is a blur of glass skies and endless mysteries. The greatest mystery that has captured me brings me to ask that question aloud but it’s question only for me.

“Why am I still alive?”