A Knight's Lilies

“He looked down at the blighted earth below his feet and despaired. It was once a land fair and wild, of untamed savagery and the beauty of civilization moving together in harmonious lockstep. A land of lush, verdant forests. Where an abundance of wildlife roamed free, filling the air with the comforting sounds of nature. Now, it was nothing more than a daemon touched land, the vessels of the damned and the corruption having torn it all asunder.

It was here that Gunmar made a vow. That wherever evil took root, whenever the daemons would come. He would be there, and he would smite them with the fury of the innocent lives they had taken. That much, he owed to the tribe gained and lost, the friends and family that had lived and now did not Buried beneath the shattered lands. Lost forever to the great beyond, left only as fragments in his memory. ”

- The Adventures of Gunmar and Aurelia: Song of the Forsaken - Chapter 2: Son of Vengeance

“Everyone, out.” Sophie growled, the half elf staring at the nearly bookshelf sized mana battery.

She avoided trading any glances, only staring down at her reflection that looked back with a scowl. For a moment she could feel it, a moment of resonation as her already gem-like eyes seemed to flare up in such close proximity to purified mana. She tried to camouflage the shine by avoiding eye contact.

“That wouldn’t be-” Someone spoke.

“Just do it.” Blademaster Taurox chimed in, the minotaur somewhere across the room from here.

“But we-” A templar tried to argue.

“It’s fine. If anything happens, I will take responsibility. Have faith.”

“As you say, blademaster. Blessed by the stars.” The templar muttered, his voice followed by a series of footsteps as four other guards left the room with him.

“What about you?” Sophie questioned, catching on that the blademaster had not shifted from his position at all, “I did mean everyone.”

“Impossible. While I trust you, someone must still monitor you while in an Astralian facility. Having them allow you access here already drew more than a few eyebrows from the bishop and cardinal, though they seem content enough for now.” Taurox snorted.

Sophie drummed her fingers against the battery, a slight tingle of excitement racing through her at the prospect of such untapped energy. She shuddered and snapped herself back into control of her body. Stars, that didn’t feel right.

“Fine.” She grumbled.

Closing her eyes, she turned around with renewed resolve and let out a quick breath. She then raised her arms and removed her tunic, much to the blademaster’s surprise.

“Eh? Hey, hey! What do you think you’re doing?” The minotaur turned away indignantly.

“Look.”

“What? No!”

“No, at my wound. The bandages.”

“Err… huh?” Taurox peaked over.

Sophie fought the urge to chuckle at how she had so thoroughly surprised the blademaster. But her joy was short-lived, knowing that her secret would now be outed to the church. Korvin was surprisingly tight-lipped, eh.

“What uhh… what do you want me to see?” The minotaur tried to regain his composure.

“Look at my wound.” Sophie repeated, and gingerly unwrapped the bandages around her stab wound.

Compared to a normal person healing from such injuries, she suspected that she had healed remarkably fast thanks to the church healers. Though she also could feel and just see that not all was well, at least if she didn’t fully patch this up.

“And?” The minotaur now looked up at her, his beady eyes now looking more confused than indignant.

“You ever wonder why I’m so ‘brave’ at running headfirst into thing? You might or might not have believed me fully before when I told you about my abilities. But now…” Sophie ignored his questioning gaze and closed her eyes.

She reached out to the mana battery, letting her hands rest upon it as she searched for a breach in the mana field. There was, at first, nothing. Only an emptiness as her mind still rattled with her own doubts and thoughts. But then, like a call from the depths of her soul, she could feel it. Within the warded and reinforced metal and enchanted glass container that made up the battery, she felt a singular spot where the damage to the exterior made the mana inside feel that much closer.

She could feel it, just as it sensed her. She was an empty vessel that drew unnaturally from the wellspring of the world. The mana, in turn, wanted to right this wrong, to patch this emptiness within the ecosystem.

Drawing upon their mutual need, she sent out a wave of desire, embracing her bodies call to be clad once more in mana. Within the battery, the mana sought a way to fill the void, getting ever more volatile in its attempt to break free. Thankfully, unlike the crystal in Saclia, these batteries came with a series of valves and features that allowed for the mana to be released, as well as managing the flow of it. With a soft grunt, she opened one of the valves, releasing a flood of now free flowing mana that was unrestrained no longer.

Her world was filled with blinding light and every pore cried out in ecstasy. Though she had thought herself prepared from past experiences, she wasn’t. Her body twisted in pleasurable agony as she was once more overwhelmed by mana. The deluge unleashed washed over her and wrapped her in its embrace. She spasmed as she desperately tried to maintain some control and reach for the valve, every muscle contracting even as she tried to will her way forward.

Her fingers eventually grazed something cold and she immediately wrapped her hand around it, praying that she was turning it in the right direction. Joy, sorrow, pain, desire, pleasure, hatred, anger, all assaulted her at once, but she pushed through. With a half moan half roar, she managed to turn the valve fully.

It was like the mana itself had gotten angry, for it was being denied the task of filling up this new empty vessel. A powerful blast of concentrated energy launched Sophie backwards, sending her crashing against a nearby table as it broke her flight and had her crumpling to the ground. She lay there, motionless, her head still spinning as the last throes of something unexplainable gnawed at the edge of her soul.

“Little elf!” The minotaur finally started to react, delayed perhaps by the blinding flash of her touching the mana or something else, Sophie did not know.

“Off, off.” She managed to gurgle out in her state of half tired euphoria.

The sound of heavy boots against the floors of the cathedral room echoed loudly in her ears as the minotaur went over to the battery.

“It’s off.” Came the reply.

Finally able to regain some control, Sophie let out a sigh and wearily opened her eyes. Still unable to move her legs or arms, she tried to look around.

“What the hells was… are you okay?” Taurox hesitantly asked.

She could feel the far more wary tone of the minotaur. Where before he had probably seen her as a headstrong, foolhardy warrior. Now, she knew that he knew there was definitely something else at play. What a pain.

Clenching her teeth, she willed herself back into a semi actionable state and instinctively groaned at the soreness and pain her whole body now felt. At the same time, she was left with a jitteriness that wanted her to move and never stop, yet she could not. With a heavy grunt, she managed to sit upright and gaze out into the room. The mana battery was down by a fourth, an insignificant amount in the grand scheme of things but this was a device meant to support the cathedral for a few days. Fuuuck, how much did I drain? I think I’m gonna be sick for a while.

She answered her own question she tried to stand up and only succeeded in wobbling back down.

“Lass?” Taurox tried to ask once more.

“Fine.” Sophie groaned, “Wound.” She stated, trying to focus him on the more important matter at hand.

She could practically see the skepticism in his body language, but also the shock as he gazed down at her exposed torso. Curious, she also took a peak at herself. Where there had once been a knife wound that cut her deeply. Now, not even the scar remained. Better yet, her wounded shoulder felt even stronger than before, though also unimaginably sore.

“It’s…”

“Gone. Yeah.” Sophie confirmed, her nerves and mind finally calming down.

“Like divine healing magic.” The minotaur whispered, “Fascinating.”

“Mmm.” Sophie grunted.

Already, the initial surprise had seemed to wear off, his expression turning from concern and shock into one very much reminiscent of a commander considering a stratagem. “So now you’re fully healed? Combat capable?” He asked.

“Yeah, a little… ugh, sore. Though maybe not combat capable right now, but that’s all.” Sophie pushed herself off the ground, able to stand up albeit unsteadily.

“To so freely absorb mana. In truth I did have some doubts back then, though I did believe you. After all, you healed well and good from your injuries back then. Also the Goddess works in mysterious ways and well... mad as you might've sounded, who am I to question her actions? Now? Well… hard to deny what I just witnessed was very much... human in action.” Taurox looked the battery up and down, “To think you could just use this like ‘that’.” He snapped his fingers.

“It’s not that convenient.” Sophie mumbled.

“Still, to think there is such a tool at your disposal. Hmpf.”

“It is useful, yes.” Sophie nodded, “But-”

“Don’t think this excuses your behavior.” Taurox snorted.

“I… eh?”

“Your fighting stances and forms. Healable wounds or not. You still need to work.” He mimed a warrior readying for battle, “Just because you might be able to shrug off such wounds, does not mean you’re allowed to neglect your techniques. Reckless endangerment of oneself helps no one but the enemy. In fact, with your abilities, even more so than any other warrior, you’ll have the chance to perfect it.” He chuckled.

“Ah… heh. Fair enough.” Sophie sighed, a tired smile on her face.

“Get yourself sorted then. I’ll deal with the battery and the church. We’ll head out when I return.” He stated, his voice taking on the more serious tone of when he gave orders. Not as stern as back in Melton, but he too, had switched to a different level of readiness.

Sophie only despaired a little when the minotaur left the room to converse with the templars. From what it sounds like, he’s already got a training regimen planned for me. She shuddered, I somehow don’t think he’s going to go easy on me.

Sophie’s hands shook as she fought the urge to move closer to the mana battery. Letting out a soft groan, she moved to get dressed and stretch her limbs a little. Every muscle still cried out with exhaustion, but she could finally move around. Her thoughts had also calmed down somewhat from the intensive outpouring of emotions, reducing them into little pockets of stray feelings that still lingered within her mind.

Her hands clenched into a trembling fist as the weight of things began settling upon her shoulder once more. Is it too late to say that I think we should take it a little slower? Gah, what am I saying, there are others who are suffering there, not just Sophia. Focus, Sophie.

By the time they left the city limits, the sun had already begun to set. As their carriage raced down the outskirts of Arteria, the moonless night camouflaging their movements as they headed to the edge of Arterian territory. The horses kicked up a cloud of dust and grass in their wake, their speed surprising the few stray merchants still traveling throughout the night. Ahead and behind them, several of the vaunted Clover Legionnaires travelled with them. Even with transport, they would not reach where they needed to be for another day. So it was that a small Arterian village just off the beaten path would be their final rallying point.

Sir Taurox had organized this impromptu expedition at record time. Utilizing the good will he had earned from clearing out a large scale goblin infestation in the months prior; he had requisitioned a disguised cadre of legionaries on the Arterian side, and Sturm Ritters from the Ascari side. While the Arterian cadre advanced with them, Sophie and Taurox could only hope that his message reached the appropriate counterparts in the Ascari League.

There were only two things Sophie was certain for this unsanctioned operation. First, what they were doing was highly illegal; and second, that travelers, villages, and a plethora of others had been reported missing, according to Taurox, and therefore likely been captured by the Braveskull company. While the League and Arteria were restrained by legalities of the situation and fierce debate, it was in the duo’s opinion that when the court finally acts against the Trading House. There was a high likelihood that many of the taken would lose their lives from company retaliation. A sentiment shared by the disaffected officers and warriors joining their little war.

Still, they were hamstrung by the potential ramifications of this little crusade should it go public, which Taurox was almost certain it would. The purpose of the soldiers was to help escort any rescued individuals back to their homes on either side of the border. The bulk of the infiltration, combat, and rescuing would be done solely by the duo. A fact Sophie had already accepted.

While she was certain that Sophia would probably have liked to release the resentful emotions within her in this manner. The truth was, that even if they shared memories, Sophia had never physically killed a person before. And while Sophie didn’t doubt her abilities, if she could spare her friends and siblings the stain of taking a life, then she would. No, she needs to heal in other ways. This, this was my idea and her suffering resulted from this. Her hand clenched around the hilt of her new blade, and I will remedy this.

A small knock on the front of the carriage signaled they were about to arrive at the small village of Carpenter’s Hollow. Sophie looked over at the minotaur and he nodded in response. This would be their final rest stop and the last day to prepare. The carriage shifted slightly and began to slow, the galloping horses gradually dropping to a gentle trot. Without their hooves rhythmically thumping against the ground, she could hear the other riders more clearly.

She tried to stretch a little only to feel the leather armor scratching her. Both she and Taurox were traveling incognito, which meant that they had to pose as traveling mercenaries alongside the legionnaires. It was uncomfortable, but it’d make do.

As they disembarked into the sleepy little village. Sophie found herself taking a small glance at her surroundings. Even here, Arteria’s wealth was on display. Where Carrador and Melton might have a mix of stone, wood, and even brick houses. Here, the village consisted of solidly decorated brick houses with tiled roofs.

With their rooms at the local hostel already arranged by a ‘mercenary’, the duo and the group retired to their quarters for the night, anticipating another hard day’s worth of riding ahead. Sophie managed to get herself situated atop a small cot, the slightly too firm mattress making her sore muscles even more tired. A little bit chilly, exhausted, and uncertain of what else there was to do. She rested against the pillow and stared up at the somewhat worn ceiling, unable to get comfortable. Left alone with her thoughts, many doubts surfaced inside of her once more, but none more so than wondering what Ary and the others thought about her.

By now, Ary would’ve told them about what’s happening. I imagine Sophia sulking, I don't know if she'd forgive me for this. I can imagine she has her own vengeance to enact. Elaria would be upset although she’ll try to play it off. Alodie would be sad. As for Ary, Sophie could feel her face drop a little at all the thoughts coalescing inside of her, she spoke in support of me with Taurox. But I can’t help feeling as if she’s even more disappointed than I could even imagine. I just hope she's okay with this. She clasped her hands together, Stellesia guide my way, and may Mighty Astralis forgive all our sins.