C████'s already joined the ranks of the Holy Knights, and it feels like where he's always belonged. That crisp white uniform, lined with gold, emblazoned with the Order's sigil, suits him perfectly. Even among the other knights, K████'s brother stands out - his discipline, his loyalty and dedication to protecting the people of Fortuna. It's clear to everyone that he'll make commander one day.
Meanwhile, he's only 13 and still has a long way to catch up. Maybe he doesn't believe as deeply and devoutly, but the idea of having something to fight for feels like the best way to make something of himself. Or maybe the only way. It'd pay back this family that has given him more than God ever did. C████ trains him in the art of the sword his spare time, sparring with the Order's equipment. Never takes it easy on him, either - that four swing combination attack still trips him up, staggering as he fails to properly block that crushing downward cleave.
But today, the session is cut short. A member of the Order calls for C████, pulls him to the side. Too far away to hear, but to read that aggrieved expression, the shock in C████'s eyes, the way his fist clenches - it surely must be bad news. After the exchange, C████ - voice honed sharp with grief, only barely trembling as he steels himself as a knight should - tasks him with the worst job of all: delivering the news to his sister. Then, swiftly excuses himself to handle the ugly business of putting affairs in order.
He doesn't remember the walk back. The only city he's ever known no longer feels familiar.
K████ reads his mood immediately when he returns home early. The words are so much harder to say than he anticipated, they roll around inside him like a sickness. He can't meet her gaze he finally speaks: her parents are dead.
It's so sudden, out of the blue. An attack by demons, is what they were told. He has to catch K████, set her down in a seat, otherwise she would've fallen to her knees right then and there. Her cries of disbelief quickly become tears, and she weeps for all that they've lost.
He just feels angry. It's an anger that persists in the coming days - C████ has all but disappeared, abandoning him to be the one to comfort K████. The kind words from neighbours that all blur together, as does the funeral itself.
K████ and C████'s parents were beloved by everyone. Practically saints walking the Earth. They served the church with all their heart and generously cared for the least among them. They gave him a home, accepted him. And as the eulogies droned on, he couldn't help but think... if God let two of the kindest, most compassionate people in the world die? Then what good was God, anyway?
After that, he doesn't train with aspirations for justice anymore. He just wants to fight.
Funeral
Meanwhile, he's only 13 and still has a long way to catch up. Maybe he doesn't believe as deeply and devoutly, but the idea of having something to fight for feels like the best way to make something of himself. Or maybe the only way. It'd pay back this family that has given him more than God ever did. C████ trains him in the art of the sword his spare time, sparring with the Order's equipment. Never takes it easy on him, either - that four swing combination attack still trips him up, staggering as he fails to properly block that crushing downward cleave.
But today, the session is cut short. A member of the Order calls for C████, pulls him to the side. Too far away to hear, but to read that aggrieved expression, the shock in C████'s eyes, the way his fist clenches - it surely must be bad news. After the exchange, C████ - voice honed sharp with grief, only barely trembling as he steels himself as a knight should - tasks him with the worst job of all: delivering the news to his sister. Then, swiftly excuses himself to handle the ugly business of putting affairs in order.
He doesn't remember the walk back. The only city he's ever known no longer feels familiar.
K████ reads his mood immediately when he returns home early. The words are so much harder to say than he anticipated, they roll around inside him like a sickness. He can't meet her gaze he finally speaks: her parents are dead.
It's so sudden, out of the blue. An attack by demons, is what they were told. He has to catch K████, set her down in a seat, otherwise she would've fallen to her knees right then and there. Her cries of disbelief quickly become tears, and she weeps for all that they've lost.
He just feels angry. It's an anger that persists in the coming days - C████ has all but disappeared, abandoning him to be the one to comfort K████. The kind words from neighbours that all blur together, as does the funeral itself.
K████ and C████'s parents were beloved by everyone. Practically saints walking the Earth. They served the church with all their heart and generously cared for the least among them. They gave him a home, accepted him. And as the eulogies droned on, he couldn't help but think... if God let two of the kindest, most compassionate people in the world die? Then what good was God, anyway?
After that, he doesn't train with aspirations for justice anymore. He just wants to fight.