[Fiction][Gaius Fafnir Chronicles] The Hero from Izlude
Ohohoho...! At long last!
BTW, luckychan, please don't kill me... Kill kristiann! ... Just kidding.
Previous Chapters (because I'm not lazy! Just kidding again)
1: The Name with a Destiny
2: The First Step
3: Desert Blooms
4: The Lost Guide our Path
5: Clash with Genius
6: And in this Place, the World has Expanded
7: Conversations in Idleness
Wow, we're already at story 8, huh...?
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Story Title: The Gaius Fafnir Chronicles
Arc: Prequel
Chapter Title: The Hero from Izlude
Rating: PG
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One would think that heroes were made for glory and honor, fame and fortune. But what makes a true hero? Do they consider the fame, the glory or the honor? Or can a hero be made for doing the smallest of things, without a thought, not knowing how great this 'small thing' is, only it is for what they truly believe in?
There was a loud commotion everywhere. Someone was yelling. It seemed like he was giving out orders... or maybe even taking them back. The yells clouded her mind, seemed to make everything hurt even more. There were blurred faces; she assumed that they were watching her, or scuffling about to check on her. The noise made her head hurt. Thinking made her head hurt.
She shifted her eyes a little, and one of the hazy images cleared into a vaguely familiar face. It was the boy. There were tears on his face, and she did not know why. He was safe, and that made her glad. He should be glad as well.
He was so young. There was no reason for him to be here.
But maybe she was young as well...
There were more people, more voices. One of them spoke above the rest. He sounded important, but she did not recognize him.
"...shame... cease... life......"
That was all she understood. She did not even try to understand.
And then, there was another face among them. A beautiful woman with long blonde hair and brown eyes stood silently amongst the chaos, calm and serene, in contrast to the panic all around them. Her hair fluttered softly in the wind, and she was unperturbed by the soldiers rushing all around her.
"Mom..." she whispered.
She could see a smile on the woman's face... her mother's soft, reassuring smile. Her lips formed words and she could barely understand them, but she felt the words, as if they had entered her inner being and lingered about her, embracing her in their soft comfort.
You'll be fine, honey. Everything will be okay now.
A smile came upon her face, despite the harried expressions on everyone around her. She coughed a little, ignoring the metallic taste on her tongue as she spoke again softly.
"Mom... I... I told you..."
Her eyes closed. She was tired, and it was a task to keep them open.
"... I told you you would... be proud of me......"
There were so many people buzzing about Prontera that day. Most of the crowds lingered around the Castle, the Prontera Chivalry and the Sanctuary. Even the streets had cleared of the merchant's stalls, and people gathered, trying to make sense of the rumors that were spreading like wildfire. Yet, all the stories revolved around one main truth.
The war was over.
It was on this pleased note that Ekaterina sprinted down the main street, past the inn and the forger's, past the central fountain, and up toward the city clinic. She was determined to find her partner. Marisa had told her something exciting that could happen because of the war ending, particularly pertaining to Rune-Midgard's border city with Schwarzwald, Al De Baran. As soon as she had heard, she had run out of the house, ignoring Marisa's alarmed cry after her.
She couldn't wait to tell him. She knew he would be as excited as she was.
She ducked under arms and circled around conversing people, catching snippets of their chatter as she ran past. She ignored disgruntled sounds and protests that were made towards her running and shoving through. She was only set on her destination.
She could already see the clinic coming into view, and beside that was Cahyim's home.
She finally spotted him, seated on the steps into his home. That was how it was every time, when he knew she was coming over. When he wasn't the one who came for her, she would always come over to pick him up before they trekked to Mt. Mjolnir. He waited for her outside every time, wearing a snooty face at her running, even though his mouth usually threatened to twitch into a smile.
Today, though, he was leaned over, hugging his own legs. He seemed to be unaffected by the commotion.
"Cay!!"
Even as she called him, he still did not move. She paid it no mind though. She came over quickly, a bright smile on her face, a twinkle in her eyes, as she made her announcement.
"Cay, did you hear? Did you hear?" Eka cried. "The war's done! The battle at El Mes was the last one! And Marisa says that means that Al De Baran might finally be opened to us! I was getting tired of Mjolnir anyway, and I heard the Clock Tower there would be about right!"
The boy did not respond. She wondered if he had even heard her.
"There are a lot of things there, Cay," Eka went on. "I heard there are ghosts in there, that take over some of the clocks and books and stuff...! Even balls of dust, can you believe that?"
Cahyim still did not say anything.
Eka continued, thoughtfully, "But, I'm sure you probably already know more about it than me. What do you think we'll use in there, Cay? Fire? The clocks should be weak against Fire... Or do you think I should practice the Frost Dive more? I heard that if you froze something, wind spells would work even better against them, no matter what element they are."
There was still no reaction. Eka frowned, suddenly worried. Ever since that rainy afternoon, months before, when they had been stuck in her dad's office, Cay had been even more talkative... even if much of what he said were lectures about her spells and their opponents. Somehow, it was still fun, that way.
Seeing him like this was... unsettling to say the least.
"Cay...? Come on, aren't you happy?"
The form huddled even more, as if trying to shrink further into a small ball. He shook a little, but there was no more movement from him.
Eka didn't understand. Everyone was so happy about the war ending. There was not a single person who wasn't. At least, not until she ran into Cay. What could be wrong?
She stepped back a little, and her foot bumped lightly into something on the floor. She glanced down and discovered it was a crumpled piece of paper. Curious, she reached down to pick it up.
She attempted to straighten out the paper to see what it was. It was almost illegible, wet stains causing the ink to bleed through and run, forming dark splotches on the parchment. Still she did her best to read.
To Adrien and Maida Reignheart,
We deeply regret to inform you of the passing of Aeilind Reignheart. Not a week ago, she took a solid strike on the battlefield at El Mes Plateau. The resulting wound had been fatal.
Rejoice that her death was not in vain. She gave her life to protect the son of Marius Tibalt, a great commander who witnessed the deed.
Thanks to your daughter's actions, Commander Tibalt called a ceasefire. Seeing the example put forward by Lady Aeilind, both armies realized the horror of their doings and are finally settling together to speak in truce. Your daughter may well have offered us a chance for a new age of peace with the Schwarzwald Republic. Her name will be honored forever: Aeilind Reignheart, the Hero from Izlude.
Eka did not understand. She had heard the name Aeilind Reignheart mentioned in the street, but she had not known why. Now she understood, that the girl was a great hero now, and practically the one that they should thank for the war's end. But that did not explain the sight before her.
"Cay...? What's this...?"
Cahyim shook his head again.
Finally, she heard his soft voice, hoarse and weak.
"...-s my sister."
The small statement completely took Ekaterina by surprise. She nearly dropped the letter, staring at her partner in utter disbelief. "Eh? Sister? Your... your sister?"
But... that didn't make sense. The girl in the letter was named Aeilind Reignheart and her partner's name was Cahyim Aldridge. If they were brother and sister, why did they have different last names?
Even then, she remembered a fleeting conversation in Glastheim.
"Lind and An always brought me down here."
"Who's Lind?"
"My sister."
"Cahyim Aldridge...?"
Ekaterina turned around and found herself facing a knight, but unlike the knights that were stationed about Prontera. His armor appeared to be lighter to allow for easier travel. The crest on his armor was that of the Pronteran army and he held a broad sword that seemed to emanate a fierce heat.
Cahyim started, glancing up and forgetting to wipe his eyes. Eka held back a surprised sound. Somehow, the picture of Cahyim and tears didn't quite mesh in her mind. But that single irreconcilable image made her realize the true gravity of the situation.
The knight hesitated at first, as disturbed by the image as she was. But, he appeared to take a deep breath, as if to steel himself before he spoke again. "My name is Jedd Hanniah. May I have a word with your family?"
Cay rubbed at his face with his glove, obviously trying to compose himself. At last, he managed to say, "I can't say they are willing to see anyone right now."
"I... I see..." The knight, Sir Jedd, looked crestfallen as his gaze lowered.
However, Cay nodded at him, "... What is it that you wanted to speak of?"
There was a short pause, as the knight fumbled for the words to say. He looked up, at last, beating a fist on his chest. "I was told to come here by my officers. I... I suppose they felt that I needed to. I... I haven't been able to sleep ever since... I just... couldn't face myself after..." he trailed off after that, as if he had just realized that he had been rambling.
He turned back to Cahyim, who still sat, watching him and listening to him.
"I fought in the battle at El Mes... with your sister."
"...You know my sister...?" the acolyte asked quietly.
"She was a great person... Miss Aeilind. She was kind to everyone, and very practical. Everyone knew how much she wanted peace. She spoke of it very often. She was also quite skilled with the sword and could out-parry many of us... She was remarkable. In fact," he said with bitter regret. "I do not deserve to show myself to her family."
Ekaterina had a sudden foreboding of where the conversation was leading to. The idea was starting to make her feel uncomfortable, especially knowing that the news was not for her ears, but then... Eka glanced again at her partner. She just couldn't leave him. She didn't know what to do, or what to say, but part of her felt that she needed to be there for him anyway.
Cahyim wasn't looking at her, but somehow she knew he was quite aware of her presence. He addressed the knight again, in that same quiet, deceivingly calm murmur, "Why would you say something like that?"
Again, the knight had hesitated, for much longer this time. His face changed after that, and even Eka noticed the tears that were forming in his eyes. His shoulders sagged, and his stance became weak, almost as if they bore the weight of the words he spoke next.
"...It was my mistake that cost her her life."
Ekaterina took a sharp breath, her suspicion now confirmed. Her gaze turned quickly, with concern, to her partner. Cahyim had noticeably stiffened. It almost looked like there was contempt in his eyes. She felt that she couldn't blame him.
The knight had paused again, bringing a hand to his chest, trying to dull what ache he had. All the while, Cay said nothing. Though in a way, his eyes said everything.
It had taken a little more time before the knight continued. "I... I came... to explain myself... though I do not expect for Miss Aeilind's family to understand. I just... felt that it was right... for you to know how it had happened.
"I was after a high wizard, one of the more powerful ones. I thought... that if I could take him down, the battle would go in our favor. I moved to strike... Before I knew it, she had moved into the path of my Bowling Bash. She... took the full brunt of it.
"It was only then that I saw it. There was a soldier behind her, only a boy... He had been between me and the wizard. We learned later that he was the son of one of their commanders.
"But... Miss Aeilind... I bet... she didn't even think about who he was... or even about who I was. All she saw was... a boy who was about to die... a boy she needed to protect."
Eka realized that she had been holding her breath as the knight told his tale. She exhaled slowly as she recounted what he had just said to them. The girl that Cay said was his sister, the one who was now a great hero for Rune-Midgard, had been struck down by his own ally, trying to protect someone who was their enemy. She shot a glance to her partner. Cay remained still but it seemed that his eyes had lost a little of their ferocity for a moment, even though his gaze was still hard.
"I... I tried to call for a priest. I swear! But everyone was exhausted, everything was insane... She had already passed the veil before anyone could come to help. I had never... never meant to hurt her... to..." he closed his eyes, unable to finish his words. "But then... that is no excuse, is it? I am still the one who had taken her..."
Eka was not sure to think. She turned again to Cahyim, who somehow had still not moved. The silence felt like it was an eternity long.
But then... his expression melted and he appeared to let out a long breath. Seeing that, she felt her own chest release. They both returned their attention to the knight, Sir Jedd, who was now facing the floor, his stance defeated.
"I am... ashamed... to admit that I did not think at all about casualties. All I thought of was striking a hard blow to the enemy... didn't care of the consequences if I had also hit others. That... That was truly what made Miss Aeilind so different from the rest of us... That is what we all realized that day.
"If only I could take it back... I would give the world to be able to take back what I had done, my thoughts at that moment, the terrible thing that had come from those thoughts.
"Could Sir Adrien ever forgive me?" the knight glanced up at him, his eyes filled with self-loathing. "... Could you, acolyte Aldridge...?"
Cahyim was still watching him, until finally, he looked away. The knight seemed crestfallen, but then, the acolyte knocked on the door and he spoke softly.
"Mama... Mama, Sir Adrien... There is someone here to see us."
Cay turned back to the knight, still wiping at an eye as he nodded a little. "Would... you like to come in?"
The knight hesitated, and even attempted to refuse Cay's offers. But then Cahyim's parents came out... or rather, a woman, who must have been his mother, and a man that looked nothing like the high priest that Ekaterina had seen in Glastheim.
They exchanged gentle words, though the couple seemed to be as overcome with grief as the young acolyte. Finally, they brought the young man inside.
Eka remained outside the home, not sure what to do. She didn't feel right to go in with them; the entire situation was none of her business. And yet, she could not find it in herself to return home either. Just like she couldn't leave earlier.
She took Cay's place on the steps, leaning her chin into her hands. She had come all this way to see him, convinced that he would be just as happy as she was about the war. She berated herself for thinking like that. But then, she'd had no idea at all what had happened to him and his family.
Now that she thought about it, she came to Cay's home often, but would always meet with him outside. She had never met his parents before then. Aside from his father that is... and the man that had come out earlier was not the same one she had seen before.
Once again, since the first time several months before in Glast Heim, she was overcome with the realization that she knew so little about her partner.
He probably hardly knew anything about her as well.
It was a while later, while Eka was distracting herself by going over the steps to create a proper Frost Dive in her mind, when she heard a soft creak. Shortly after, Cahyim had sat down on the steps beside her. He took a deep breath before turning to her.
"... Hi."
"Hey..." Eka looked at her partner. His eyes were still red, and he looked tired, but at least he was no longer crying. The sight brought some relief for Eka.
"I bet you're wondering what's going on," he murmured.
"I... K-kinda... but..." Eka hesitated. "I probably shouldn't..."
"No. It's okay. You were going to find out about me anyway, right?"
"I... I guess so."
Cahyim managed the smallest of smiles. His look turned pensive as he tried to think of where to start.
"Sir Adrien is my stepfather. And his daughter - that's Aeilind - is my stepsister."
"What about that high priest? The one in GH?" Eka couldn't help asking.
"... That was my real father."
Cahyim then began his story. How his parents had split up when he was about seven years old (though he said he didn't remember too well exactly, anymore), and that he had been alone with his mother since. How he had lived with her all those years until his mother met the knight, Adrien Reignheart. How he himself had met the knight's daughter, Aeilind. How they'd gotten married and how Adrien became his stepfather, and Aeilind his stepsister.
He also told her how just the year before, Aeilind left home to fight in the war.
When he was finished, he wiped his eyes again. He indeed looked much calmer than when she first saw him.
Eka, on the other hand, fidgeted on her perch on the stairs. Cay's story cleared things up for her, but something still nagged at her mind.
"Um, Cay... I was... um..."
"It's okay," he reassured her. "You can ask."
"I get the whole family story... but... why are you still Aldridge then? Your new dad, your sister, and even your mom are all Reignheart. Doesn't it get confusing?"
Cahyim laughed a little, even if it was weak, "You're the first one to put it that way."
Eka managed a small smile, "People might not know you're related to them, later on. So, how come you're Aldridge?"
"I decided that for myself."
"Really? Why?"
"... Because... I didn't want to forget what I wanted to be... Like my real dad. I love Sir Adrien and Aeilind like family... They are my family. But this is what I want to be, and I wanted to be reminded of that."
"They don't mind, do they?"
Cay smiled again, "No. They thought it was a good idea, too."
Eka considered his words carefully. She asked him, "Were you and your dad close before... you know..." She made a huge gesture of separating her hands.
He seemed to give it quite a bit of thought. At last, he sighed. "You remember what he was like in GH, don't you?"
"... Y-yeah, but..."
"He's always been like that. Always busy. Always thinking about something else. He was... very..." he tried to search for the proper word to use. "... Critical," he finally said. "And when there was something he did not approve of..."
He did not finish the sentence, but he did not have to. Eka had already seen how he acted in that case. Still, she could not picture this icy image that her partner had painted for her. "Always...?" she asked him.
"I do remember he... was at least nice before. And I always heard how he was taking care of this one project, or helping these other people, or causing some other breakthrough. That's why I thought that I wanted to be like him, that I could do great things like he is now.
"But he was always away. Mama was always worried about him not being there. He's... stationed in Glastheim. He hardly came out to come see us... I don't know... exactly what happened... or whose idea it was... but eventually..." he trailed off after that.
"I'm sorry."
"No, I don't mind," he told her. "I think that Mama was sad at first, but not terribly. When she met Sir Adrien, she was so happy again... I guess... I was upset at first, but who wouldn't be? But, I think she's better now than she could have been."
Until now, Eka thought. She can't imagine how painful it must be for Cay and his family to lose a loved one. In fact, she didn't even want to try. Just thinking of losing her father made her head hurt. She would still like to offer her partner some semblance of comfort though, even if she couldn't fully understand how it felt. Everything seemed to be terribly grave and sad now, but maybe... she could help him figure it out. There was a pregnant pause as Ekaterina tried to sort out the ideas in her mind.
"... What now?" she finally dared to ask.
"I don't know," Cahyim admitted, softly. "I'm... sad... I'm upset... I'm angry... I... do want to hate him... for what he did.. for being so stupid... but... somehow I can't. I feel... like I shouldn't."
Eka thought that was a good start, even if it was a slightly confusing answer. But then again, the whole situation itself was like one of the melancholy stories she thought you could only read in books. On one hand, there was peace in the land, but it took a life to achieve it. It was all terribly... tragic, especially knowing that it was a comrade in arms that ultimately took that life.
One thing that stuck to her though, was what the knight said about Cay's sister.
"Didn't that knight say that she wanted peace?"
After a long thought, Cay nodded. "Yes... That's... that's all she wanted. She wanted the war to end... I bet... she never expected... how she would do that."
"Then... I'm sure she's very happy," Eka told him with an attempt at a bright smile. "And that she doesn't want you and your parents to be sad."
Cahyim did not answer her at first; his face appeared to be skeptic. But then, he stared forward, his eyes trained on the cobbled path in front of them.
"... That is... the terrifying thing about war," he whispered, his voice distant, as if it came from somewhere hidden away. "People are blind... their conscience dampened... Anyone can be brought to their deaths.
".. Aeilind told me that... last year before she left. I remembered it as the knight spoke to me... That was exactly why she wanted it to stop." Cahyim closed his eyes.
"I don't think I can hate him..." he finally stated. "And I don't think Lind would have wanted me to either..."
"Well, that's good," Eka's smile brightened by a little. "After all, this peace... this was what she wished for you to live in. It'll be a shame if you're going to start hating someone after all that she's worked for."
Cay gave her a sidelong glance. Finally, he made a soft chuckle, although Eka couldn't help noticing how this particular smile did not make it all the way to his eyes.
"Yeah."
It was some time later when the door opened again. Both Cay and Eka came to their feet. The knight was on his way out, his face streaming with tears. Cahyim's mother and Adrien were with him, and though their expressions were calmer than his, it was obvious that they had already spent many tears.
"Thank you for coming to see us," Sir Adrien was saying.
"I do not deserve this," Sir Jedd said again, bowing his head before Adrien and Maida.
The couple said nothing. Instead, it was Cahyim who spoke up.
"I'm sure that she forgives you," Cahyim told him.
The knight lifted his gaze toward the young acolyte. Cay only offered him a smile. Though it was weak and half-hearted, it was still a smile.
"So... I think it's okay for you to forgive yourself."
BTW, luckychan, please don't kill me... Kill kristiann! ... Just kidding.
Previous Chapters (because I'm not lazy! Just kidding again)
1: The Name with a Destiny
2: The First Step
3: Desert Blooms
4: The Lost Guide our Path
5: Clash with Genius
6: And in this Place, the World has Expanded
7: Conversations in Idleness
Wow, we're already at story 8, huh...?
============================================================================
Story Title: The Gaius Fafnir Chronicles
Arc: Prequel
Chapter Title: The Hero from Izlude
Rating: PG
============================================================================
One would think that heroes were made for glory and honor, fame and fortune. But what makes a true hero? Do they consider the fame, the glory or the honor? Or can a hero be made for doing the smallest of things, without a thought, not knowing how great this 'small thing' is, only it is for what they truly believe in?
There was a loud commotion everywhere. Someone was yelling. It seemed like he was giving out orders... or maybe even taking them back. The yells clouded her mind, seemed to make everything hurt even more. There were blurred faces; she assumed that they were watching her, or scuffling about to check on her. The noise made her head hurt. Thinking made her head hurt.
She shifted her eyes a little, and one of the hazy images cleared into a vaguely familiar face. It was the boy. There were tears on his face, and she did not know why. He was safe, and that made her glad. He should be glad as well.
He was so young. There was no reason for him to be here.
But maybe she was young as well...
There were more people, more voices. One of them spoke above the rest. He sounded important, but she did not recognize him.
"...shame... cease... life......"
That was all she understood. She did not even try to understand.
And then, there was another face among them. A beautiful woman with long blonde hair and brown eyes stood silently amongst the chaos, calm and serene, in contrast to the panic all around them. Her hair fluttered softly in the wind, and she was unperturbed by the soldiers rushing all around her.
"Mom..." she whispered.
She could see a smile on the woman's face... her mother's soft, reassuring smile. Her lips formed words and she could barely understand them, but she felt the words, as if they had entered her inner being and lingered about her, embracing her in their soft comfort.
You'll be fine, honey. Everything will be okay now.
A smile came upon her face, despite the harried expressions on everyone around her. She coughed a little, ignoring the metallic taste on her tongue as she spoke again softly.
"Mom... I... I told you..."
Her eyes closed. She was tired, and it was a task to keep them open.
"... I told you you would... be proud of me......"
There were so many people buzzing about Prontera that day. Most of the crowds lingered around the Castle, the Prontera Chivalry and the Sanctuary. Even the streets had cleared of the merchant's stalls, and people gathered, trying to make sense of the rumors that were spreading like wildfire. Yet, all the stories revolved around one main truth.
The war was over.
It was on this pleased note that Ekaterina sprinted down the main street, past the inn and the forger's, past the central fountain, and up toward the city clinic. She was determined to find her partner. Marisa had told her something exciting that could happen because of the war ending, particularly pertaining to Rune-Midgard's border city with Schwarzwald, Al De Baran. As soon as she had heard, she had run out of the house, ignoring Marisa's alarmed cry after her.
She couldn't wait to tell him. She knew he would be as excited as she was.
She ducked under arms and circled around conversing people, catching snippets of their chatter as she ran past. She ignored disgruntled sounds and protests that were made towards her running and shoving through. She was only set on her destination.
She could already see the clinic coming into view, and beside that was Cahyim's home.
She finally spotted him, seated on the steps into his home. That was how it was every time, when he knew she was coming over. When he wasn't the one who came for her, she would always come over to pick him up before they trekked to Mt. Mjolnir. He waited for her outside every time, wearing a snooty face at her running, even though his mouth usually threatened to twitch into a smile.
Today, though, he was leaned over, hugging his own legs. He seemed to be unaffected by the commotion.
"Cay!!"
Even as she called him, he still did not move. She paid it no mind though. She came over quickly, a bright smile on her face, a twinkle in her eyes, as she made her announcement.
"Cay, did you hear? Did you hear?" Eka cried. "The war's done! The battle at El Mes was the last one! And Marisa says that means that Al De Baran might finally be opened to us! I was getting tired of Mjolnir anyway, and I heard the Clock Tower there would be about right!"
The boy did not respond. She wondered if he had even heard her.
"There are a lot of things there, Cay," Eka went on. "I heard there are ghosts in there, that take over some of the clocks and books and stuff...! Even balls of dust, can you believe that?"
Cahyim still did not say anything.
Eka continued, thoughtfully, "But, I'm sure you probably already know more about it than me. What do you think we'll use in there, Cay? Fire? The clocks should be weak against Fire... Or do you think I should practice the Frost Dive more? I heard that if you froze something, wind spells would work even better against them, no matter what element they are."
There was still no reaction. Eka frowned, suddenly worried. Ever since that rainy afternoon, months before, when they had been stuck in her dad's office, Cay had been even more talkative... even if much of what he said were lectures about her spells and their opponents. Somehow, it was still fun, that way.
Seeing him like this was... unsettling to say the least.
"Cay...? Come on, aren't you happy?"
The form huddled even more, as if trying to shrink further into a small ball. He shook a little, but there was no more movement from him.
Eka didn't understand. Everyone was so happy about the war ending. There was not a single person who wasn't. At least, not until she ran into Cay. What could be wrong?
She stepped back a little, and her foot bumped lightly into something on the floor. She glanced down and discovered it was a crumpled piece of paper. Curious, she reached down to pick it up.
She attempted to straighten out the paper to see what it was. It was almost illegible, wet stains causing the ink to bleed through and run, forming dark splotches on the parchment. Still she did her best to read.
To Adrien and Maida Reignheart,
We deeply regret to inform you of the passing of Aeilind Reignheart. Not a week ago, she took a solid strike on the battlefield at El Mes Plateau. The resulting wound had been fatal.
Rejoice that her death was not in vain. She gave her life to protect the son of Marius Tibalt, a great commander who witnessed the deed.
Thanks to your daughter's actions, Commander Tibalt called a ceasefire. Seeing the example put forward by Lady Aeilind, both armies realized the horror of their doings and are finally settling together to speak in truce. Your daughter may well have offered us a chance for a new age of peace with the Schwarzwald Republic. Her name will be honored forever: Aeilind Reignheart, the Hero from Izlude.
Eka did not understand. She had heard the name Aeilind Reignheart mentioned in the street, but she had not known why. Now she understood, that the girl was a great hero now, and practically the one that they should thank for the war's end. But that did not explain the sight before her.
"Cay...? What's this...?"
Cahyim shook his head again.
Finally, she heard his soft voice, hoarse and weak.
"...-s my sister."
The small statement completely took Ekaterina by surprise. She nearly dropped the letter, staring at her partner in utter disbelief. "Eh? Sister? Your... your sister?"
But... that didn't make sense. The girl in the letter was named Aeilind Reignheart and her partner's name was Cahyim Aldridge. If they were brother and sister, why did they have different last names?
Even then, she remembered a fleeting conversation in Glastheim.
"Lind and An always brought me down here."
"Who's Lind?"
"My sister."
"Cahyim Aldridge...?"
Ekaterina turned around and found herself facing a knight, but unlike the knights that were stationed about Prontera. His armor appeared to be lighter to allow for easier travel. The crest on his armor was that of the Pronteran army and he held a broad sword that seemed to emanate a fierce heat.
Cahyim started, glancing up and forgetting to wipe his eyes. Eka held back a surprised sound. Somehow, the picture of Cahyim and tears didn't quite mesh in her mind. But that single irreconcilable image made her realize the true gravity of the situation.
The knight hesitated at first, as disturbed by the image as she was. But, he appeared to take a deep breath, as if to steel himself before he spoke again. "My name is Jedd Hanniah. May I have a word with your family?"
Cay rubbed at his face with his glove, obviously trying to compose himself. At last, he managed to say, "I can't say they are willing to see anyone right now."
"I... I see..." The knight, Sir Jedd, looked crestfallen as his gaze lowered.
However, Cay nodded at him, "... What is it that you wanted to speak of?"
There was a short pause, as the knight fumbled for the words to say. He looked up, at last, beating a fist on his chest. "I was told to come here by my officers. I... I suppose they felt that I needed to. I... I haven't been able to sleep ever since... I just... couldn't face myself after..." he trailed off after that, as if he had just realized that he had been rambling.
He turned back to Cahyim, who still sat, watching him and listening to him.
"I fought in the battle at El Mes... with your sister."
"...You know my sister...?" the acolyte asked quietly.
"She was a great person... Miss Aeilind. She was kind to everyone, and very practical. Everyone knew how much she wanted peace. She spoke of it very often. She was also quite skilled with the sword and could out-parry many of us... She was remarkable. In fact," he said with bitter regret. "I do not deserve to show myself to her family."
Ekaterina had a sudden foreboding of where the conversation was leading to. The idea was starting to make her feel uncomfortable, especially knowing that the news was not for her ears, but then... Eka glanced again at her partner. She just couldn't leave him. She didn't know what to do, or what to say, but part of her felt that she needed to be there for him anyway.
Cahyim wasn't looking at her, but somehow she knew he was quite aware of her presence. He addressed the knight again, in that same quiet, deceivingly calm murmur, "Why would you say something like that?"
Again, the knight had hesitated, for much longer this time. His face changed after that, and even Eka noticed the tears that were forming in his eyes. His shoulders sagged, and his stance became weak, almost as if they bore the weight of the words he spoke next.
"...It was my mistake that cost her her life."
Ekaterina took a sharp breath, her suspicion now confirmed. Her gaze turned quickly, with concern, to her partner. Cahyim had noticeably stiffened. It almost looked like there was contempt in his eyes. She felt that she couldn't blame him.
The knight had paused again, bringing a hand to his chest, trying to dull what ache he had. All the while, Cay said nothing. Though in a way, his eyes said everything.
It had taken a little more time before the knight continued. "I... I came... to explain myself... though I do not expect for Miss Aeilind's family to understand. I just... felt that it was right... for you to know how it had happened.
"I was after a high wizard, one of the more powerful ones. I thought... that if I could take him down, the battle would go in our favor. I moved to strike... Before I knew it, she had moved into the path of my Bowling Bash. She... took the full brunt of it.
"It was only then that I saw it. There was a soldier behind her, only a boy... He had been between me and the wizard. We learned later that he was the son of one of their commanders.
"But... Miss Aeilind... I bet... she didn't even think about who he was... or even about who I was. All she saw was... a boy who was about to die... a boy she needed to protect."
Eka realized that she had been holding her breath as the knight told his tale. She exhaled slowly as she recounted what he had just said to them. The girl that Cay said was his sister, the one who was now a great hero for Rune-Midgard, had been struck down by his own ally, trying to protect someone who was their enemy. She shot a glance to her partner. Cay remained still but it seemed that his eyes had lost a little of their ferocity for a moment, even though his gaze was still hard.
"I... I tried to call for a priest. I swear! But everyone was exhausted, everything was insane... She had already passed the veil before anyone could come to help. I had never... never meant to hurt her... to..." he closed his eyes, unable to finish his words. "But then... that is no excuse, is it? I am still the one who had taken her..."
Eka was not sure to think. She turned again to Cahyim, who somehow had still not moved. The silence felt like it was an eternity long.
But then... his expression melted and he appeared to let out a long breath. Seeing that, she felt her own chest release. They both returned their attention to the knight, Sir Jedd, who was now facing the floor, his stance defeated.
"I am... ashamed... to admit that I did not think at all about casualties. All I thought of was striking a hard blow to the enemy... didn't care of the consequences if I had also hit others. That... That was truly what made Miss Aeilind so different from the rest of us... That is what we all realized that day.
"If only I could take it back... I would give the world to be able to take back what I had done, my thoughts at that moment, the terrible thing that had come from those thoughts.
"Could Sir Adrien ever forgive me?" the knight glanced up at him, his eyes filled with self-loathing. "... Could you, acolyte Aldridge...?"
Cahyim was still watching him, until finally, he looked away. The knight seemed crestfallen, but then, the acolyte knocked on the door and he spoke softly.
"Mama... Mama, Sir Adrien... There is someone here to see us."
Cay turned back to the knight, still wiping at an eye as he nodded a little. "Would... you like to come in?"
The knight hesitated, and even attempted to refuse Cay's offers. But then Cahyim's parents came out... or rather, a woman, who must have been his mother, and a man that looked nothing like the high priest that Ekaterina had seen in Glastheim.
They exchanged gentle words, though the couple seemed to be as overcome with grief as the young acolyte. Finally, they brought the young man inside.
Eka remained outside the home, not sure what to do. She didn't feel right to go in with them; the entire situation was none of her business. And yet, she could not find it in herself to return home either. Just like she couldn't leave earlier.
She took Cay's place on the steps, leaning her chin into her hands. She had come all this way to see him, convinced that he would be just as happy as she was about the war. She berated herself for thinking like that. But then, she'd had no idea at all what had happened to him and his family.
Now that she thought about it, she came to Cay's home often, but would always meet with him outside. She had never met his parents before then. Aside from his father that is... and the man that had come out earlier was not the same one she had seen before.
Once again, since the first time several months before in Glast Heim, she was overcome with the realization that she knew so little about her partner.
He probably hardly knew anything about her as well.
It was a while later, while Eka was distracting herself by going over the steps to create a proper Frost Dive in her mind, when she heard a soft creak. Shortly after, Cahyim had sat down on the steps beside her. He took a deep breath before turning to her.
"... Hi."
"Hey..." Eka looked at her partner. His eyes were still red, and he looked tired, but at least he was no longer crying. The sight brought some relief for Eka.
"I bet you're wondering what's going on," he murmured.
"I... K-kinda... but..." Eka hesitated. "I probably shouldn't..."
"No. It's okay. You were going to find out about me anyway, right?"
"I... I guess so."
Cahyim managed the smallest of smiles. His look turned pensive as he tried to think of where to start.
"Sir Adrien is my stepfather. And his daughter - that's Aeilind - is my stepsister."
"What about that high priest? The one in GH?" Eka couldn't help asking.
"... That was my real father."
Cahyim then began his story. How his parents had split up when he was about seven years old (though he said he didn't remember too well exactly, anymore), and that he had been alone with his mother since. How he had lived with her all those years until his mother met the knight, Adrien Reignheart. How he himself had met the knight's daughter, Aeilind. How they'd gotten married and how Adrien became his stepfather, and Aeilind his stepsister.
He also told her how just the year before, Aeilind left home to fight in the war.
When he was finished, he wiped his eyes again. He indeed looked much calmer than when she first saw him.
Eka, on the other hand, fidgeted on her perch on the stairs. Cay's story cleared things up for her, but something still nagged at her mind.
"Um, Cay... I was... um..."
"It's okay," he reassured her. "You can ask."
"I get the whole family story... but... why are you still Aldridge then? Your new dad, your sister, and even your mom are all Reignheart. Doesn't it get confusing?"
Cahyim laughed a little, even if it was weak, "You're the first one to put it that way."
Eka managed a small smile, "People might not know you're related to them, later on. So, how come you're Aldridge?"
"I decided that for myself."
"Really? Why?"
"... Because... I didn't want to forget what I wanted to be... Like my real dad. I love Sir Adrien and Aeilind like family... They are my family. But this is what I want to be, and I wanted to be reminded of that."
"They don't mind, do they?"
Cay smiled again, "No. They thought it was a good idea, too."
Eka considered his words carefully. She asked him, "Were you and your dad close before... you know..." She made a huge gesture of separating her hands.
He seemed to give it quite a bit of thought. At last, he sighed. "You remember what he was like in GH, don't you?"
"... Y-yeah, but..."
"He's always been like that. Always busy. Always thinking about something else. He was... very..." he tried to search for the proper word to use. "... Critical," he finally said. "And when there was something he did not approve of..."
He did not finish the sentence, but he did not have to. Eka had already seen how he acted in that case. Still, she could not picture this icy image that her partner had painted for her. "Always...?" she asked him.
"I do remember he... was at least nice before. And I always heard how he was taking care of this one project, or helping these other people, or causing some other breakthrough. That's why I thought that I wanted to be like him, that I could do great things like he is now.
"But he was always away. Mama was always worried about him not being there. He's... stationed in Glastheim. He hardly came out to come see us... I don't know... exactly what happened... or whose idea it was... but eventually..." he trailed off after that.
"I'm sorry."
"No, I don't mind," he told her. "I think that Mama was sad at first, but not terribly. When she met Sir Adrien, she was so happy again... I guess... I was upset at first, but who wouldn't be? But, I think she's better now than she could have been."
Until now, Eka thought. She can't imagine how painful it must be for Cay and his family to lose a loved one. In fact, she didn't even want to try. Just thinking of losing her father made her head hurt. She would still like to offer her partner some semblance of comfort though, even if she couldn't fully understand how it felt. Everything seemed to be terribly grave and sad now, but maybe... she could help him figure it out. There was a pregnant pause as Ekaterina tried to sort out the ideas in her mind.
"... What now?" she finally dared to ask.
"I don't know," Cahyim admitted, softly. "I'm... sad... I'm upset... I'm angry... I... do want to hate him... for what he did.. for being so stupid... but... somehow I can't. I feel... like I shouldn't."
Eka thought that was a good start, even if it was a slightly confusing answer. But then again, the whole situation itself was like one of the melancholy stories she thought you could only read in books. On one hand, there was peace in the land, but it took a life to achieve it. It was all terribly... tragic, especially knowing that it was a comrade in arms that ultimately took that life.
One thing that stuck to her though, was what the knight said about Cay's sister.
"Didn't that knight say that she wanted peace?"
After a long thought, Cay nodded. "Yes... That's... that's all she wanted. She wanted the war to end... I bet... she never expected... how she would do that."
"Then... I'm sure she's very happy," Eka told him with an attempt at a bright smile. "And that she doesn't want you and your parents to be sad."
Cahyim did not answer her at first; his face appeared to be skeptic. But then, he stared forward, his eyes trained on the cobbled path in front of them.
"... That is... the terrifying thing about war," he whispered, his voice distant, as if it came from somewhere hidden away. "People are blind... their conscience dampened... Anyone can be brought to their deaths.
".. Aeilind told me that... last year before she left. I remembered it as the knight spoke to me... That was exactly why she wanted it to stop." Cahyim closed his eyes.
"I don't think I can hate him..." he finally stated. "And I don't think Lind would have wanted me to either..."
"Well, that's good," Eka's smile brightened by a little. "After all, this peace... this was what she wished for you to live in. It'll be a shame if you're going to start hating someone after all that she's worked for."
Cay gave her a sidelong glance. Finally, he made a soft chuckle, although Eka couldn't help noticing how this particular smile did not make it all the way to his eyes.
"Yeah."
It was some time later when the door opened again. Both Cay and Eka came to their feet. The knight was on his way out, his face streaming with tears. Cahyim's mother and Adrien were with him, and though their expressions were calmer than his, it was obvious that they had already spent many tears.
"Thank you for coming to see us," Sir Adrien was saying.
"I do not deserve this," Sir Jedd said again, bowing his head before Adrien and Maida.
The couple said nothing. Instead, it was Cahyim who spoke up.
"I'm sure that she forgives you," Cahyim told him.
The knight lifted his gaze toward the young acolyte. Cay only offered him a smile. Though it was weak and half-hearted, it was still a smile.
"So... I think it's okay for you to forgive yourself."