...

The yellow giant had suddenly gained an insane amount of speed, having recovered from his attack to catch the blade mid-swing, barehanded nonetheless. He was barely even able to track the movement as it happened. Once again, Rajaka was an anomaly of unknown power. He couldn't detect weakness upon this seemingly god-like opponent. As soon as his plan failed, Michael's eyes were filled solemn acceptance, prepared to take a hit that would quickly completely remove his chest from his body. But this expression was washed out by a bright flash of light and a look of realization. Instead of finishing him right there, the savage brute went for the sword.

Is he toying with me?

The thin blade seemed to absorb the impact of the retaliatory fist at first. But it withheld for only the briefest of moments, glowing brightly before the enchantment on the weapon shattered and the metal was cracked in two. The end of the blade was shot into the air and was tossed and landed into the ground dozens of meters away from the pair. Without the extended range of the weapon, his face grew tense. The spell was broken too. It was the equivalent of bearing a butter knife against a titan.

Tossing it aside, he faced his opponent squarely now.

"You've bested me. What do you want now? My life?" Michael called out, his tone ice cold, but an inferno burned in his crimson eyes.

He was clearly trying to suppress his slipping emotions. It looked like he was being physically strained, as though he was slowly being roasted over a fire-pit. Thoughts leaped wildly around in his head, but he found one that was more prevalent than all of them.

Disappointment.

Feeling it so clearly, he knew now why he walked out first against the intruder. It was because he wanted to prove himself to everyone once and for all. That he was worthy of being the chosen for the person he cared so deeply for. He only wanted to see that soft look in the Queen's eyes once again. He tried to reason this and that, but at the back of his mind, he secretly wanted to return back as the victorious hero that saved Kale. But as it turns out, a heartless monster like him didn't deserve such a grace. He didn't actually care for any of the other squires and knights. He felt so free when they left because now they wouldn't be able to steal any of his glory. He still wholly despised those who bullied and ostracized him. It was only for his own selfish need to feel wanted and important. Now he was just glad they couldn't see him at his most vulnerable state.

The anger over all of this was reaching a boiling point inside of him. The young teen could practically feel the burning energy trying to pour out his pores alongside the beads of sweat. But even at this end, he refused to use let his arcana take control.

"Then hurry and take it!" he roared, "Spare me this last moment of humanity. While I am still Mikhael. I don't want to..." suddenly dropping onto one knee, each of his hands clutching both his chest and head.

The crimson eyes began to glow a faint glimmering gold, Mikhael letting forth a guttural scream to dissipate the building force. But they would not go away this time. It felt like his mind was being burst open as the arcana battered him over and over, punishing him for daring to refuse them, his truest of emotions. The memories were painful to relive. Dim images of fire and blood cascaded into his waning mind and terrifying shrieks thundered into his ears. The slums were being consumed, the ghetto and wooden shacks eaten whole by this wave of flame. And at the center of all the carnage was a young boy, a maddened child who sobbed as he left a twisted trail of murder. It was like watching a monster being born.

"I can't go back to being that... freak..."

...

Rajaka grinned beneath his mask as Mikhael's word snapped in two. The giant grunted happily, but before he moved to strike the young boy once more, his target tossed the broken blade aside and asked a question that tore deeper than any blade ever could. Something in the towering man cracked, an invisible nerve within him that fancied little more than excitement, adrenaline, and battle that could push him to his limits.

'What do you want?' As if he didn't know! Rajaka grit his teeth angrily and tightened his posture, reeling both armed closer to his waist and bending both knees. Mikhael kept blabbering on, but Rajaka wasn't having any of it. He glared at him, containing a rage that built like relentless magma. When the boy dropped to one knee, the cap was full to bursting within his would-be executioner.

"That's it?!" Rajaka blurted, stomping his foot against the ground hard enough to shake the entire field, "That's really it, huh!? You're just another sniveling kid! Another fucking disappointment! I don't care about your humanity, but if you're so goddamn eager to die," The giant stepped forwards and pulled his right leg back, "I'll be happy to oblige!"



Maya's voice cracked the tension within Rajaka's stance, and froze him in place just moments before the edge of his boot struck Mikhael's face. A blow that would have ended the boy was stopped by no more than a word. Dust and air pelted Mikhael in placed of the giant's mighty foot, no less frightening than a raging storm. Rajaka turned his head towards the village, catching Maya's slender figure, draped in white, only a few yards away, and closing fast. He pulled his foot back and glanced at her, wide-eyed with shock and disbelief. But his brow lowered again, and his smile returned once he recognized her lovely face.

"Maya, Babe! You haven't aged a fucking day!" Rajaka shouted crudely, slowly walking towards her with his hands extended out to his sides, "Gimme a hug!"

"Silence, demon!" She shrieked, raising her palm to face him, "Begone from this place, or face-"

"Seriously hun, stick to your benevolent shtick," Rajaka interrupted, "You're threatening the wrong fuckin' guy." The Queen wavered in his stance for a split second, but reaffirmed herself and began gathering power within her gut.

"I will not-"

"I'm here to kill you," Rajaka blurted, not allowing Maya to speak any further, "How's that for news? Haha!"

Michael didn't care if he looked pathetic or humiliated to Rajaka. Because this was what he was. A foolish monster trying to pretend to be a person. But was this all that he amounted to in the end? To refuse his sacred power. Countless other are born without such a gift, yet he let it to waste. For what? Some silly affection for this vague 'humanity'? Did it really mean that much to him? More so than his own life? Not that any of that would matter in a few seconds anyway. He wouldn't need to worry any more and that somehow lifted an immense weight from his shoulders. As Rajaka prepared the final blow, rearing his foot, he closed his eyes with a faint smile. At least he was able to save one thing today. With this finishing thought, the flames and the screams started fading from his mind. He had nothing left to fear.



But his peace was broken when a familiar voice resonated in the distance.

"No..." he muttered in realization, immediately turning towards the source, hoping it was just a hallucination. But what he saw was very real. "What are you doing...? You were supposed to run away from here...!"

Mikhael's expression became taut with horror as the last person he wanted to see made her appearance. Of all people to see how pathetic he was, it was the one he hoped was already gone. His face further contorted in confusion and pain as he didn't understand why Jaraka talked to her so casually. It was like they knew each other before. But how? It did not matter. When he heard the last sentence, the threat, the trembling figure immediately stirred. He tried to recover and stand back up in the Queen's presence, but his mind was beginning to blacken and he only sunk further into the ground. His body was caving in upon itself from all the internal stress.

A weak scream escaped his mouth as small tears began to open across his skin. Flares of golden flames leaking from these wounds, bursting out with a vicious vibrance, as though it was a caged creature trying to escape from a shell. Though all the pain, a sudden whispering poked at the back his head. It was difficult to hear, but he knew what it was. He had spend countless hours in the library studying this topic hoping to learn a way to avoid it. This condition born so long ago. His inner darkness. Demonization. All power came with a price. It is believed Arcana and emotion are highly connected, both essences a product of the Soul. Those who abuse these dark emotions are given immediate and immense power, but left with scars upon their soul. Knights were taught to use this darkness, for the sake of others. They say this twisted transformation starts first with the mind.

The voice grew louder until it was a faint tone.

You can't run...

Michael sneered at this, "Over my dead body...!"

A weak, fluttering hand grabbed ahold of the giant's leg, the crimson eyes glaring up defiantly. Even if he was a failure, at least he would live up to his promises.

Rajaka chuckled as he stepped forward, nonchalant in his approach, until something gripped his leg with a burning desire. He felt the clutch of Mikhael, albeit weak, he felt it. Maya looked upon her adopted squire in discontent. Demonization. Maya lowered her hand and stepped away from Rajaka, gripped by something nostalgic. Rajaka looked back at Mikhael briefly. The corner of his mouth curved down behind his mask and he rose an eyebrow, confused and alarmed by the boy's sudden transformation. But a moment passed and he smiled once more, completely disregarding the possible danger that desperately reached out to him.

"You've got yourself a winner here, Maya!" Rajaka mocked, turning back to here, and loosely dragging Mikhael across the ground with his titanic steps. Maya stepped back again, and again, but with his next step, Rajaka stomped hard against the ground. A yellow spire of energy rose and engulfed Maya's being for a split second before fading away. The woman fell to the ground in utter paralysis, victim to a power that the giant had kept hidden until now. "Cataclysm, babe," Rajaka spat, stepping closer and closer to the disabled Queen. "You'd think after 300 years you'd make some goddamn progress. But no! Yzeira sure was hoping though, man was he hoping. Never seen that kind of passion in his eyes since that shadow dog made her way into the tower. You remember her, yeah? Good times." As he grew nearer, the queen did not move. She couldn't. Rajaka's overbearing magic had taken vice over her soul. "You were so close, too! Right on that line, that sweet spot! If only you were a little less prideful... Ah, look at me talkin' about pride!"

Rajaka stood over the queen, Mikhael still latched to his leg defiantly. He turned back to the boy and knelt down to give him a closer look. The golden giant met Mikhael's crimson gaze with his own sun-filled eyes.

"Hey kiddo, I'm gunna squish your mommy now," Rajaka mocked in an infantile tone, "It'll be qwick, so don't cwy too much!"

...

I have to save her... at all cost. Even if it means...

Michael suddenly lurched forward, his other hand now gripped on the strange mask.

An odd look came about him, the crimson orbs gleaming with life once more. A wicked smile spread across his dark lips and a thin laugh came choking out of his throat.

"Didn't I say..." he uttered, "Over my dead body...?"

As he said this, a golden flame erupted forth from his palm directly into the snide face. Very quickly, the fire built up into a raging inferno. All of the pent up frustration and anger and disappoint and fear he had been bottling until now, trying so hard to hold and contain, all of it began to be discharged violently. As he anticipated, it was growing out of control as the flames found no end, rushing forward like a ceaseless torrent. It was like that day long ago. Only this time, he didn't fight against it. He allowed it to flow free and unhindered. He wanted it to destroy everything in his path and consume him whole. Michael needed to become the monster once more. He didn't care what anyone thought anymore. It didn't matter if he belonged. None of it mattered if he had lost his only purpose in the entire world. His mind began to lapse as it was overloaded by all of these things at once, but he didn't want to stop until this threat to the Queen was no more. Michael pushed on and on until the essence tore away at him. Soon enough he made a grim howl as the pain dug deeper than it had ever before, like a hot brand pressed into his chest.

It might have been because the he tried resisting it for so long. His body was already pushed to its limit at this point, so an act like this only shoved him well over the edge. The released emotions manifested into an arcane fire so forceful that his limb began to give away to the brilliant blaze. Tip by tip, his hand turned into glimmering as he until his entire right arm was consumed by the fiery storm building up above him into Rajaka.

...

"Shit!" Rajaka mumbled from beneath Mikhael's hand, reaching up quickly to grab the boy's appendage and snap it like a twig. Before he could take any significant action though, the uproarious flames consume his head and burned away his glorious golden locks. The torrent widened and widened until the highest visible portions of his upper body were his shoulders flexing beneath the flames. Rajaka's movements slowed to a crawl, but he managed to place both of his bear-like hands on Mikhael's arm, despite the flames already surrounding its entire length. The flames pelted against the underside of Rajaka's fist, but didn't completely dissuade him. The giant stood up on both legs, pulling Mikhael with him, and tossed the boy overhead, towards the village. "Son of a bitch!"

As the smoke and fire cleared, Rajaka was left with no hair, visible burn wounds along his neck, chest, eyelids, and the majority of his head, but his mask was still perfectly in tact. Whatever it was made of could withstand the full brunt of Mikhael outstanding hidden ability. Within moments though, Rajaka was able to open his eyes once again. The glow in his iris' was slightly brighter now, but the giant fell back to one knee and clutched his head frantically.

The queen still lay paralyzed, but her eyes managed to follow Mikhael's form as it flew over her for the briefest of moments. Rajaka shook his neck back and fourth, grunting like an animal. His flesh did not immediately heal like it had done earlier. Something about the properties of Mikhael's magic left a scar on his person. Whether or not it would heal over time was impossible to say, but the giant was hurt, and by extension, vividly angry.

Mikhael sprawled painfully against the stoney street as he landed in the village, coughing in the wave of smoke and ash. He moved his arms forward to try and get up to return to his Queen's aid. He didn't know why such a feat felt so insurmountable until he realized one of his arms wasn't doing anything at all. In fact, it was gone now.

He laughed forcibly, flame spurting from his lips as the surge of wild emotions exploded from his battered chest. He couldn't even describe the pain that leaked from the burning wound, only able to bear it with how numb he felt after the surge that overloaded his nervous system. The crippled warrior was surprised he was able to retain his sanity through out it all, even after unleashing his greatest fear. He thought he would be lost once again. Was it because he did so selflessly? But perhaps this was his inner darkness punishing him after all. He could feel something deep inside stirring excitedly while it weighed him down, waiting to feed on his pain. Mikhael was left only now to watch whatever happened next, the only power left inside fleeting as a smoldering flame. Like the last coal of a fire. He wanted to keep pushing forward, but his body would no longer respond. His only hand grasped the earth pitifully, the golden fire once ripping his body now dwindling as its source was eaten way. His life was fading before his eyes. The piercing gaze looked weak once more and his struggle was quickly wavering as his breath slowed. Whatever he unleashed could only happen that once. That was it. He took the risk and now the glimmering flames spitefully consumed was was left of the defiant soul.

Though it didn't kill the man, he could see it left an effect. He only hoped it was enough. But he knew better now. Hope only existed in dreams and delusions.

He smiled grimly.
If only I was stronger... a monster eaten by their own flames. How stupid... I'm sorry... I deserve this pathetic death...

As Mikhael succumbed to the fatal wounds, watching the immortal Rajaka painfully, the only thought he could retain was the smile Queen Maya gave to him when they first met. It felt so warm and pure. At that moment, he felt something he never once felt before in his entire life. Just that one simple act filled him with a purpose. Maybe it had been fake all along, or not even really that special, but he believed in it so much. More than anything. He couldn't bear to see it taken away forever. He wanted to black out already, but the evil force inside did not allow him the comfort of this last wish.

Please... I can't... He wanted to cry, but he felt only hollow inside.

Rajaka slowly made his way past the queen, but fell to one knee before getting anywhere near Mikhael. "Cheap shot, kid," He rasped through his burnt throat, "That's what I'm talkin' about, Maya." Rajaka coughed several times in succession, clutching his chest irritably. "Fucking kid disrupted my Ki. My Ki! Who would of guessed it."

"Still your... Tongue," Maya grunted, finally rising to her feet at a slow pace.

"Yea," Rajaka grunted, "Yea..." The massive man rose to his feet and stomped towards Mikhael with determination. "Yea, kid, you'll do." The golden giant bent over and, as gently as he could manage, peeled the torn boy off of the ground. "Yeah-ha!"

"What are you doing?!" Maya cried out in a panic. But as she was about to cast another spell, Rajaka turned to her and slowly made his way back with the boy cradled carefully in his hands. "What..."

"You're gunna heal him," Rajaka ordered, while aiming a cough away from the boy's face, "You're gonna heal him, and then, I'm gunna tell Yzeira that you're dead. Got it?" Maya glared at the giant, watching as he bald head slowly began to fuzz over with a light blond layer of hair. The burns in his flesh slowly began to heal as well. Why was he doing this? Did he have a sudden change of heart?

"Why-"

"This kid's gonna be a lot stronger than you, babe. A lot stronger. I know for a fact that blood-eyed asshole 'aint gonna acknowledge him, though. If I brought him back to the tower like this, he'd be nothin' short of a sacrifice. So I'm gonna leave him here, and you're gonna keep him alive, understand me, princess?" The queen looked Rajaka over once in disbelief. But as he lowered Mikhael's body to the ground before her, he smiled and passed her by. "You've got maybe a year before he figures out that you aren't dead. I'll be back before then." Maya looked back at the towering giant for only a split second before she dropped to begin working on Mikhael, using arcane magics not often seen by her knights, or the villagers that lived in Kale.

"Mikhael!" Maya hissed into the boy's ear, "Mikhael, can you hear me?"

The pale figure seized up, gasping for air.

Wide bloodshot eyes darted around as he tried forcing himself up, but was forced down with a grisly cough. His body seized as he was abruptly yanked back to life from a deep eternal sleep. He seemed to be intent on seeking after Rajaka, but upon seeing the Queen's living face, Mikhael was so washed up in relief that he immediately forgot about his vengeance. His chest crumbled as he felt his broken body forcibly being mended together by her pale magic, like a pieces of cloth seemed by an invisible needle and string. The sore scorched feeling, like he had just been cooked alive at the stake, was gradually cleaned away as a soothing wave spread all throughout him. But the missing weight from one side did not show any signs of being filled. It seemed whatever arcana took ate away his arm made it so it couldn't be returned so easily.

But he didn't care about the cost. Somehow Maya was still alive.

"How are you..." he breathed slowly, "I thought he was going to kill you...? Where did he...?" suddenly turning his head in shame, "My deepest apologies, dear Queen Maya... as your sworn servant, I couldn't protect you from that... monster... I cannot curse myself enough. I don't deserve the honor of your grace."

"Still your tongue, Mikhael. These are all questions for another time," Maya urged, pulling the boy closer as her magics acted of their own accord, "Your bravery is comparable to the most honorable knights in the history of-" Maya paused and loosened her grasp. The woman looked up at the village on the horizon, scanning Kale and the silhouettes of its people, frozen for a moment with regret. "No. No more lies," Maya whispered, pulling Mikhael close again. "Perhaps now, the lies must stop. For the good of us all."

---

Later in the day, Mikhael found himself tucked comfortably underneath a neatly woven blanket. As comfortably as a recent amputee could rest, anyways. Maya had brought him to her home, where her Royal guard stood over him, keeping a watchful eye on the boy, making sure he didn't try to leave, and didn't go through another bout of demonic resurgence. The Queen explained the situation to her guard in great detail three hours earlier, before leaving them with her would-be son. Hadn't she promised him answers, though? Where had she run off to? Kale was not that large. Something was amiss, or perhaps the Queen was making appropriate preparations of some sort.

"A drink, Mikhael?" Joseph muttered, His resolve shaken by the Queen's recent news. "You've not had anything for hours, now." Ezekiel didn't turn when Joseph spoke from the opposite side of the bed. He kept his eyes pointed towards the entrance of Maya's home, desperately hoping that she would burst through a second later. He'd been like that for an hour, his faith dwindling with each passing second. Joseph glanced at him and sighed irritably. "Ezekiel, would you please calm yourself? The last thing anyone needs-"

"I've little patience for your tone tonight, Joseph!" Ezekiel snapped. "Tend to the boy. Do your duty, and do not speak to me without purpose." Joseph felt a lump slowly rising his his throat. It was rare to see his partner so easily stirred. But the events the preceded gave more than enough reason for unrest.

He didn't mind waiting for the Queen. He trusted her more than anyone, even himself, despite the fact that she had apparently kept everyone in a hoax. She must have good reason for it, right?

Mikhael lay in the cot with a blank expression, his eyes pointed to the ceiling the passing hours, watching the shadows and lit fight over the dim room. It was a mesmerizing affair, the tug and pull of the two intangible forces restlessly at war for control. He felt exhausted and taxed both within and out, but was unable to find any sleep. He had been through more than he had in a long time in this one afternoon, his mind swirling with thoughts he was without the talent to acquaint words with. He was not used to caring about something or the bitterness of failure. It stung him, like an irritating itch underneath his skin where he couldn't ever reach. He tried lifting his arm once or twice in idleness, as though unable to accept the missing limb or to remind himself. Hearing the two men placed watch over him arguing suddenly, he turned his dull red eyes at them.

"So the Queen has kept you in the dark too...?" he muttered, "Or is there something you actually know? For some reason, I feel as though I'm being held captive rather than as a recuperating guest."

...

"Any secrets the Queen keeps are for the good of her people," Ezekiel insisted, tapping the floor with his foot, resilient in his stance, "All we have been told is that you are in no condition to move, let alone stress your body. The Queen is worried you may do something rash, and so we've been posted here to keep you still."

"What of her words, Ezekiel? Surely you cannot stand firmly resolute when there is even a hint of discrepancy between our history and the knightly order," Joshua prodded, "Mikhael survived the dastardly pull of his emotions, evaded demonization, and you truly have faith in Maya, even now?" Ezekiel frowned and looked down to Mikhael for some reassurance. The boy held great respect for the Queen which rivaled his own maddening desire to serve Maya. If anyone could keep his beliefs from falling to shambles, it was him. Joshua shook his head. "Demonization is a death sentence. Maya's lessons depicted it as such, but she was able to save this boy without struggle! I know our queen commands a higher power than all other knights, but that gives us no reason to incredulous. She had admitted to secrets, and lies, but you deny even her own faults?"

"I deny nothing. I maintain my trust, regardless of any error our Queen has made in the past. You falter now, so easily, and that is what frightens me, Joshua," Ezekiel asserted, giving Joshua a concerned glance. The doubtful knight sighed and looked away.

"Ezekiel, do not let your emotions cloud what may be lurking behind superficial beauty." Ezkiel's faced tensed up. He took immediate offense to his partner's comment, although it was true that he couldn't deny the implications behind Joshua's words. "Mikhael, the history of Kale is a lie."

Mikhael sighed at the back-and-forth between the two men, "Well, I figured as much... And regarding how much of it is false; does it really matter that much? Times are changing." his brow twitching at the notion, "Perhaps there is a new purpose for us and the order. Be patient and we will find out." his eyes glanced sternly between the two before reaching out for the water on the desk, staring blankly at the mug before quickly realizing he only had one arm and was grasping with a phantom limb. He scowled grimly, leaning further forward off the side to grab the container. He never felt more vulnerable and useless, the cold liquid tasting foul. Wasn't it better to die in his prime than left to whittle away in shameful decrepitude?

"I survived the terrible fate because I defied it. Because of my faith for our Queen and our people." he muttered, looking at Joshua, "Though for how long... I don't know, but I will not give up now. We are the stalwart against the darkness, the hunters of the monsters of this frigid world. To have such a frail resolve for our cause, you of all should know better, you are part of her Royal Guard, a knight among knights, are you not?"

Mikhael still felt the faint presence now residing deep within him. Each breath he took disturbed a mysterious weight gnawing somewhere in his heart, waiting for its chance to break out of it's prison yet again. But now he was in control, and that was all that mattered at this point.

"The Queen may keep secrets, but I'm sure for good reason, as Ezekiel had stated. Even if she had committed atrocities in the past, she is not that type anymore. We all make mistakes. And all should be able to repent."

He laid back with a frown at his recent words, feeling as though he sounded like one of those pretentious elders who spoke in proverbs and metaphors instead of using direct language. But it was true, there was no better way to put it. Should they reject a person because of what they did so long ago? Sometimes there isn't really a choice on their side. Making speculations is useless.

...

Joshua's eyes narrowed as Mikhael spoke to him with mettle, as if he were of knightly rank. Though, if recent information held true, there may have been no credibility to the ranks of Maya's men and women at all. Joshua shook his caste aside and nodded begrudgingly. Ezekial's muscles loosened, and he turned his attention back towards the front entrance to Maya's home.

"Time will decide all," Joshua mumbled, shifting uncomfortably in his light, padded armor. The man's short blonde hair was frayed and sprawled out in a mess, much unlike Joshua's usual demeanor. He kept short wavy locks groomed perfectly on most days. His doubt in the Queen was not the only indicator of anxiety in the man. In fact, the way he held himself was on its own, out of character for the Queen's left hand man. "Perhaps you are right, but I hold no hope that our Queen is pure of heart. I will let her speak for herself. She should be arriving any minute, now."

"Keep your manners about you, Joshua. Unless you decide to abandon your rank, you are bound to Maya's rules, regardless of where they draw origin from," Ezekial cut in, "I am happy that you still retain faith in our lady Maya, Mikhael. To lose your loyalty would strike her like a dagger, I'm sure of it."

A moment later, the door rattled open, and Maya's tired frame traipsed across the creaky floorboards. Joshua walked over to assist the hunched-over Queen, but she waved him aside and made her way to Mikhael as quickly as she could manage. "I've consulted with several knights, holding the highest prestige," Maya started, seeming perpetually lost in her own words, "And... And the townsfolk. The people are now at ease. All is calm, and I am ready to speak with my Royal guard." Maya glanced at Mikhael for a moment and smiled weakly. Joshua had followed her to the side of the bed once more, but was visibly off-put by the implication that Mikhael was a royal guard.

"You majesty, the boy-" Joshua started, cut off by a Maya's powerful glare. "I see... Very well."

"You should have expected this," Ezekial taunted Joshua, crossing his plated arms.

"I expected this in the years to come, not today."

"Before I begin," Maya interjected, "Do you three have any questions for me? I've spoken very little truth in these past years, and much of it has likely played a part in... Much despair. I feel the need to clear whatever doubts you may have, or fill any gaps that I can." Joshua looked at the Queen, lost in thought. Surely he had questions upon question for her majesty, but with so much on his mind, the knight couldn't manage a peep.

"I will ask nothing, my Queen. I trust you will guide us righteously," Ezekial insisted, looking to Mikhael for his response to the Queen's generous offer.

Mikhael sighed when he was given the option of asking for answers. The notion of being a Royal Guard now made him feel strange. He couldn't place happiness or fulfillment in that title, as he normally would have. Perhaps because he felt he didn't deserve it. He could see Joshua's clear protest at this sudden decision. Perhaps he is right. Mikhael's confidence has been tested today and he felt his alleged success was nothing but pure luck rather than skill or talent. A thought pursed his mind. Of the others, Lilith, Luke, and Henry, what they thought of this inane situation. But why? Could they really be friends? They tried to be friendly to him, mostly at least, but all he has done was reject them. He couldn't really see himself being a good friend, nor know what it means to be friends at all. Such an idea was foreign to a loner like him. What he could say with certainty was he sort of missed the feeling of arguing with the hot-headed girl and watching them practice underneath the pale light of the braziers. Many may not have liked the castle, but he very much found a peacefulness about the empty and aged hallways.

He looked to the ceiling once more, dull red eyes glimmering as he tried to gather the strands of his weary thoughts. It has been a very long day. There were so many things left unanswered currently, but one bothered him more than all the others.

He leaned up on the bed, "I am honored, dear Queen..." his eyes pointed down to the sheets, "I apologize I cannot find more enthusiasm... but staying in bed all day makes me restless. So I only have one question. Why did you do this? All of it? Create this false history and raise these people under your wing?"

...

The Queen stood silent for several seconds, looking over her guards cautiously. She was about to trust them with a secret that far surpassed the origin of Kale's historic myths, but to whom was she leaving this closely guided secret with? Only time would tell if there were a snake within her ranks, but there weren't many options with Rajaka fumbling his way across the countryside.

"This isn't the first time that I've done this. You heard it yourself, Mikhael. I am well over 300 years old, and as you could probably infer, immortal by nature," Maya said, rather casually, "Kale is home to the third grouping of knights that I've crafted. I've been fabricating the same history, the same customs, and the same magical teachings for many years now, worming my way into civilizations that desperately needed a leader. It had always been easy..." Maya paused and looked to Ezekial with despair slowly seeping through her otherwise resolute composure. Her eyes grew weaker, but she managed to keep herself from losing her strength. "Ever since the great tear, the lands have been flooded with a dastardly sort of magic that has been worming its way into the hearts of our people. The initial shock wave killed millions, I would assume. The years that followed brought nearly all of my friends to an early grave. Those who survived were either fortunate enough to find that their bodies were more in tune with magical energies, or doomed to fall prey to the Tear's corruption. Demonization, as I've titled it, is what occurs when these magic abilities are prodded too violently. As you already know, this corruption can turn a mage to madness, or kill them outright, if not twisting their very being in the most chaotic ways possible..." Maya stopped again and pulled herself away from the topic of magic. The knights had already known much about demonization and the magical nature of Kale's knights. "Anyways, the chaos that the tear spread made it easy for me to draw together scattered nomads and victims of the chaotic magic. The history that I fabricated was always a convincing tool. I took it from an old novel, and combined it with..."

"With..?" Joshua pushed, having no patience for the pause.

"My immortality, and the knowledge I gained through its origin, from the man responsible for the Tear. Ah.. I don't suppose any of that answers your question, Mikhael," said admitted, embarrassed. "The first time, I'd rallied the knights of Molsi village, because I was told to. The second time, I'd felt the need to redeem my horrible nature from the years prior. With Kale, though... I've just- I've Fallen into routine, I suppose. Bringing together the weak to give them strength, building bonds, I suppose it makes me feel more... Human."

Mikhael took a moment to register these words and the strange truth, looking at the waning Queen for a moment before turning his gaze down, out of pure habit for his matron. If she was truly immortal, what made Rajaka, who had threatened her life only hours ago? Was he something of a God then?
No, the yellow giant mentioned someone even stronger and more terrifying. In fact, both of them mentioned a being who opened the mysterious tear into the sky, flooding the planet with the warped essence. Was that really even possible? To bring about such devastation to the world. Despite hearing this from one of these ancient immortals themselves, he still found the notion to be hard to believe. It was hinted that this catastrophe had been caused by the hands of those before them, a punishment for their pride and arrogance, by the many hands of self-proclaimed 'Gods', but by only by one set was simply unfathomable. And what did all of this do with him? Wasn't he always just a normal human merely lucky enough to be gifted with magic?

"Rally them... for what?" he muttered, his eyes narrowing suddenly. "What happened the last two times? If we really are the third order of knights..."

...

Maya glanced at Ezekial for a split second, prompting the large knight to avert his gaze. "Disaster," She said softly, "The first order fell prey to my teachings of magic. I didn't understand the full extent of what the tear could do to the unprepared. I underestimated it, and every last knight became a creature of sheer horror. Ultimately, I had to abandon them." Maya paused and grasped the bridge of her nose, trying to push back memories of terror. "I began to recruit superior officers when the second order rose, much like Joshua and Ezekial. Additionally, I was careful to teach the dangers of Demonization to aspiring knights. Incidents were unavoidable, but the order stood strong despite this. It came to an end when a creature of unknown origin struck us without pause. It thirsted for the blood of my people, and fed upon my knights in the shadows for months. Eventually, I was the only one left."

"Failure is not weakness, my Queen," Ezekial interjected.

"That does not lighten the blow at all. Regardless, I'd hoped to find a strength in the knights of Kale that could dwarf my own, and hopefully that of beings like Rajaka. To be honest, Mikhael, although I find respite in the community of many, I was truly building an army to fight against those who created me, and brought chaos to this world. But.." Maya stopped and shook her head. "There's nothing to be found in numbers, I'm afraid."

The boy leaned up at the pained expression of the delicate Queen, at the horror she must have relived and the ghosts that plague her mind. He has only heard stories of knights falling to the madness of their emotions, feeling pure dread from mere words, so witnessing the tragic transformation was probably a different level of experience altogether. Mikhael supposed he had a front-row seating to Demonization, feeling the cold lump residing deep inside. But it didn't feel hopeless yet.

"I will not fail you." his crimson eyes wandering around, head bowing in humility, "That Rajaka... he said that there is something I must do... become stronger for when he returns. I feel there is a more daunting task even after that. I always knew there was something wrong with me, ever since I had been kindled to arcana those years ago. Perhaps I have already been demonizing since then? I had been running away all this time, afraid of stirring awake that thing..." his lips frowning at the thought, "But I care not what happens to me anymore. Even if I succumb to the same fate as those before, turn into a unsightly beast, I will do anything. So long as everyone--" hand clenching, "So long as you can live on safely."

Mikhael moved as to get out of bed, but his fatigued body dragged upon him, wavering as his mind blanked momentarily. It was like his muscles had become jelly all of a sudden. He slumped back, cursing under his breath at the weakness.

"Damn, when I have I become so pathetic...?"