It was a beautiful night—a night where the stars shined with an exceptional brilliance amidst a glimmering meteor shower.
For many an hour, a thick silence reigned over the castle. Then, at last, the rich wail of newborn cut through, and the silence haunted it no more.
“Thank goodness!”
Shortly after this first cry, this newborn, passed to their father first, was adorned in a fine silk cloth and readied to be carried through the halls.
“See here! This child shall one day lead this house and land to greater prosperity. He is my son: Kael!”
The count approached the balcony, lifting his newborn high above his head as he declared his name; and to this, the crowd gathered below, who awaited this moment so, erupted into cheers.
“Many blessings to you, my lord!”
“He is the picture of an angel.”
“Long live our noble young lord, Kael!”
A newborn would know not why they were surrounded by such a cacophony.Yet Kael took no offense to the disturbance—to the echoing, to the stares, to the overjoyed clamor and applause. He heard it all and still stayed quiet. Calm.
“I've not seen a braver baby in my life, my lord. The people weep more than he!”
Upon hearing this from the aide at his side, not even the solemn count could suppress a smile.
“Indeed. He is already proving to have born for greatness.”
The count lowered Kael to cradle him close. With foreheads nearly touching, the father whispered a message meant only for one:
“Are you listening, my son? Do hear the clapping, like that of roaring thunder, as they speak your name? I long for you to embrace your birthright as a noble; I long for the day when the future of our kingdom rests with you.”
As though he understood, the baby seemed to blink in acknowledgment.The stars soared through the night sky, but the count, whelmed with the joy of young fathership, only noticed their sparkle through Kael's wide, clear eyes.
-----
Galon was a kingdom that flourished through myriad victorious wars. And House Elnova was a high-ranking family that stood right to its king. The newborn was the sole heir to this great house. The number of stars that glittered with exceptional brilliance upon his birth could well have signified the number of people, noble and commoner alike, who had wished upon his future set in stone. For he was named: “Kael, the ruling heir to Galon's greatest house.
“Kael, the inheritor of Count Elnova's divine legacy.”
“Kael, the one who shall lead us to victory and prosperity.”From his first breath, he was never simply Kael, but always so much more. His noble blood gifted him love from all without exception. It was a miracle, too, that he was gifted with more than nobility, for those around him quickly saw his talents were varied and numerous. He was beautiful from his youth, with alabaster skin and flaxen hair that captured the eyes of all. But it wasn't his face alone that drew others to him, as his scholarship and mastery of the prized martial arts had no peers. Days where he participated in friendly skirmishes between fellow nobles drew quite the common crow. None could resist erupting into cheers with how expertly he wielded his spear. All this—beauty, wit, and mastery in the arts—rested within one who was also a generous, kind soul. He could have easily become arrogant. Turned selfish. Grew idle. Yet never once did his brilliance fade; he was refreshingly humble, courteous, and no matter the task, he realized it with his full attention. Truly, the more time that passed, the more he was seen as the finest jewel in the kingdom's crown.
With no heirs to speak of, the king came to shower the bright-eyed Kael with love and adoration, much as those around him did. Kael deeply admired Galon's king, a great war hero and protector of the people. Both the king and his father, even with their great power, stood at the forefront of battle to guide their soldiers to victory. Even in this time of peace, they exemplified strength and leadership. The boy saw their fighting spirit and willingness to protect the weak as something to aspire to. To stand shoulder-to-shoulder with them and prove himself a hero on the field of battle: this was his only dream.
“Kael, a true hero must pursue justice and lift his blade to defend the people. He must not grow complacent, and must always work towards a better future; that is why we risk our lives on the battlefield. We nobles are powerful, but we carry a great burden. We exist so that the less fortunate may live in peace and prosperity.” “My son, grow this talent that you were born with, and use it to usher in an even greater future. Become a beacon to guide all who follow behind you.”
These teachings, handed down from the two heroes at the head of his nation, became engraved in the boy's heart. To become a hero, he would never lose himself to the luxuries of his station, instead focusing on pushing himself harder and harder.
Castle Elnova was a grand estate, protected by a sturdy wall and encircled by an enormous garden. The halls themselves were decorated in a mindful manner, elaborate and yet frugal for the home of a count. One busy night, after a dinner feast... He had just bid his father a good night when young Kael heard a sudden commotion down the hall.
“You impudent girl! You dare talk back to me with such fire in your eyes?!”
The sound of a slap echoed through the castle, and the boy hastened towards its source. He soon arrived in the kitchen. In the midst of the hustle and bustle of servants stood a chamberlain and a filthy, brown-haired girl about the boy's age. They were locked in a heated argument. The girl's cheek bore a bright red mark, but her attitude was not tempered by the chamberlain's strike. She glared at him with piercing eyes and spoke.
“You've put me to work since dawn, and this is all I get paid? How is this fair? I can't afford to eat on this, let alone pay for my father's medicine.” “I've paid you what you're worth, you impudent girl. How much work could a waif like you possibly do? I've been more than generous. Now stop causing trouble and go away!” “I'm not budging until I am given proper compensation.” “Why, you...!”
Even as the chamberlain's face turned bright red, the girl didn't so much as blink. He raised his hand to strike her again.
“Enough!”
The entire kitchen fell silent at the boy's sudden command.
“What is the meaning of this?” “M-master Kael! I was... was not aware of your presence, and...” “I've heard everything. You've failed to give this girl adequate wages.” “Well... This is what we typically pay children who work in the castle, milord... Rather, it is this girl who is being unreasonable, you see...” “...”
He spared another moment to watch the chamberlain, now damp with sweat, before walking past him to speak with the girl. She wore ragged clothes that didn't even fit her anymore, but she met him with the same angry glare that she'd given the chamberlain. The boy noticed how red and swollen her cheek had become, and his heart grew heavy.
“You have my sincerest apology for what you've gone through.” “...” “Pray, let me make it up to you. This ought to cover the cost of your father's medicine. Please—I insist.” “...!”
The boy tore the gem brooch and golden buttons from his own clothes and held them out towards the girl. A murmur rippled through the kitchen staff, from those who thought it was too much for an urchin girl and those who were taken aback by the young lord's generosity and those who thought the brooch would fit better in their own pockets. The girl stood there, silent, staring straight into the boy's gentle face. And then she shoved the boy's hand away.
“Why...?” “Do you honestly think I'll take such a thing?”
As the gems clattered to the ground, the chamberlain snapped at the girl.
“Of all the impudent...! Quickly. Apprehend her at once!” “Calm yourselves. Please. I'm fine.”
Kael gathered up the cattered gems and approached her again.
“I sympathize with your plight. I truly do. But you must take this payment. If not for yourself, then for your family.” “You sympathize with my plight, do you?”
Her tone was flat.
“Spare me your hollow gestures. You understand nothing, little lord.” “...”
With that, she turned and left the kitchen. The boy, dumbfounded, could only stare as her small silhouette vanished down the hall. Her words, powerful and sharp, stuck in his mind. After smoothing things over with the riled kitchen staff, he returned to his chambers. That night, the boy lay silently in his bed, gazing out the window next to him. The stars seemed colder, somehow. They reminded him of her piercing eyes.He didn't understand. What could he have said that would have convinced her to accept his gift? What had he said that made her so infuriated? He agonized over it until sunrise, but he could find no answers.A new day dawned, the same as any other, and the previous night's events were soon forgotten. However, in one small corner of the boy's heart, the girl's rebuke lingered on.
“Kael of Elnova, come and kneel before me.”
In response to the solemn voice, Kael strode forward between the two rows of knights. Adorned in armor bearing the pegasus of House Elnova, his cape sweeping behind him, with each step he embodied his spirit, his confidence, and his ambitions for the future. When he reached the king, he slowly bent his body and kneeled before his liege.
“From the moment this sword touches you, you forfeit all selfish concerns and devote yourself to the good of the crown. Are you prepared to take the mantle of royal knight and to raise your blade against the enemies of the king?” “Yes, your majesty. I, Kael of Elnova, hereby swear by the honor of my house to execute my duties as a royal knight.”
His voice was soft. Clear. Resolute. The king's jeweled sword tapped Kael lightly on one shoulder, then the other, and the king's words echoed through the great hall.
“By the power invested in me by divine mandate, I pronounce you, Kael of Elnova, a knight of the royal guard. I invite you to serve always by my side.” “It would be my honor. I will give my life to protect Your Majesty and the royal family.”
With the ceremony complete, the king put on a proud smile and patted Kael on the shoulder.
And so began Kael's adulthood. Like a flower in spring, both his noble bearing and martial skills blossomed like never before. The fact that he was the youngest knight to ever join the royal guard—and that he had the king's favor—only caused his star to rise higher. The royal knights were an elite group that only the most distinguished warriors of the kingdom could aspire to. Kael's unprecedented appointment marked him as a talent without peer in his generation.
“I'm so proud, so proud, my son. Your appointment as a knight has truly cemented our house's position in the kingdom.”
The count hugged his son in his arms, reveling in his son's accomplishment. But Kael was only half-listening. In his mind, he replayed the knighting ceremony again and again. The tension of walking through that solemn silence. The rhythmic clank of his metal greaves. The king's gentle voice and beaming smile. It all seemed like a dream. Although his humble temperament wouldn't allow him to admit it, he was as delighted as his father was. Becoming a knight took him one step closer to his childhood dream of being a hero. A true hero who pursues justice and lifts his blade to defend the people. A true hero who grows not complacent and always works towards a better future. His dream to become a true hero was still alive and well even as a man grown.
“I shall give my all, for I have been given so much.”
As a royal knight of Galon, Kael left his hometown to live in the capital, where he could always be by the king's side. From his position at the king's right hand, he had an intimate view of the elaborate daily life of the royals. The king and his council would conduct the affairs of the nation and make their decrees on everything from trivialities to matters of life and death. One topic that came up again and again was war: not as a problem to be solved, but as a solution. In fact, the kingdom had been waging minor wars with its neighbors for years. In truth, the kingdom had entered a slow decline, and the king chose war as a way to revitalize the country. Kael had joined his father on several of these military campaigns as a youth, and he fondly recalled the days of returning home to celebrate victory after victory. It felt like the whole kingdom joined in the festivities in those days.
“A true hero must pursue justice and lift his blade to defend the people. He must not grow complacent, and must always work towards a better future; that is why we risk our lives on the battlefield. We nobles are powerful, but we carry a great burden. We exist so that the less fortunate may live in peace and prosperity.”
Kael had never forgotten the king's words. And, just as the king said, these wars fulfilled a greater cause, and every decision the king made was for the safe of the prosperity of his people. Certainly, there was a small, nameless doubt taking root in Kael's mind, but he recognized that he simply lacked the king's vision. His duty was to protect his liege, not question his liege's decisions.
“We've received word from Elnova's county, Your Majesty. They say that there's civil unrest in the region.”
This was news that Kael never expected to hear in the course of his duties. The people of his hometown had always been peaceful. What cause could they have for unrest? Although it was only a minor disturbance, the king's court couldn't afford to ignore the possibility of rebellion. As Kael was the heir to the county, he was sent to investigate. The whole way there, Kael carried a heavy heart. What could drive those people—HIS people—to act in such a way? Has his father made some misstep in ruling the region? Surely there must be some other reason. Kael hastened his steed.
Kael arrived in the city shortly before sundown. Without even stopping at his family's castle, Kael rode directly to the city square. As his horse trotted down the cobblestone path, the clamor of a crowd grew louder. It seemed that whatever disturbance had drawn him there was still happening, even after all these hours. Kael dismounted and shoved his way through the crowd, finding a suitable vantage point.
“We work and toil until our bodies are broken, and for what? So that the king and his nobles can take the fruits of our labor, leaving us with hardly enough to feed our families?”
“Yes! That's right!”
“Does this satisfy the king? No! Our sweat and tears aren't enough to satisfy him. He wants our blood, too! Is this justice?!”
“No!”
“It's not fair!!”
The woman stood atop the fountain at the center of the square, and the crowd listened rapturously to her speech. With every new proclamation, the crowd shouted and cheered their agreement.
“The king says these endless wars are for our sake. He says that the nobility sacrifice themselves for a grand cause. But where does he get soldiers for his army? Who is the first to charge, the first to feel the bite of the enemy's blade? It's the common person who bleeds in the name of the crown's glory!”
She raised her clenched fist high as she spoke. At that moment, Kael realized that she'd seen this woman before. Her brown hair glowed crimson in the sunset, her eyes were sharp as ever, and her willpower was unmistakable. She was taller now, but there was no mistaking her: she was the girl from the kitchen all those years ago. Kael found himself completely thrown off guard.
“Why is she here...?”
As he stared, someone suddenly cried out.
“The soldiers are coming! Everybody, run!”
The square was thrown into chaos. The crowd poured out into the alleys and side streets, everyone desperate to escape before the soldiers arrived. Kael took quick inventory of the chaos around him. If the soldiers really were on their way, then she would be the first to get arrested. As a member of the king's personal guard, it would be his duty to arrest the instigator of the unrest, as well. But somehow his heart didn't want to see her arrested. He had to find out why she was saying and doing these things... and convince her to leave this path of rebellion. He caught sight of her brown-haired head in the crowd and started pushing through in her direction.
After a short chase, he arrived at a dark, deserted alley. Not a single ray of sunlight touched this place. The ground was littered with dirty rags and the air was heavy with a musty smell. A sick person shivered in a corner. Men and women with missing limbs sat here and there, staring ahead vacantly. One man murmured to himself, eyes wide with terror. A woman clutched at her stomach, distended from malnourishment. He had never seen a place such as this. He'd never even imagined such a place could exist in his darkest nightmares. He used to go on regular inspections of his father's lands. He thought he'd known the realm like the back of his hand, and here before him was proof of how wrong he'd been. He stood there, dumbstruck, numb to the world beyond the alley around him. The brilliant armor he wore only deepened the contrast between the world he knew and the illness and poverty around him.
-----
“You've come a long way to reach this gutter, little lord.”
“...!”
At the sound of the voice, Kael snapped back to his senses.The woman emerged slowly from the alley shadows, standing tall and meeting him with a fierce gaze.
“So... You remember me, too...”
“Yes, little lord. I spotted you as soon as you entered the square. That naive expression of yours was unmistakable. Just like when you were a kid.”
“What is this place?”
“You noble types would call this a slum. A place in some hidden nook where society's undesirables are cast away like so much flotsam. Even your father turns a blind eye to the suffering here. The kingdom needs a place to stow its failures, you see.”
Her voice was composed, even. Kael couldn't help but see why the crowds stopped to listen whenever she spoke.
“What were you doing in the square?”
“I was doing the right thing. I'm trying to save my people from getting sacrificed by all these senseless wars.”
“Senseless wars...?”
“It's become a national pastime. Any time there's a hint of a crisis, the king drums up another meaningless war to rally the nation, and it's us commoners who pay the price. Someone has to break this cycle.”
“But...”
“Come with me, little lord. There is something I want to show you.”
“...”
She motioned for him to follow and started deeper into the dark alleyway.Kael followed in silence.The alley winded this way and that, and the people who inhabited it grew more impoverished as they went.
Soon, they stood before the door of a dilapidated old building.
“What's this...?”
“Say nothing. Just watch.”
She quietly opened the door.What he saw next left Kael utterly shocked.
“Therese! You're back!”
“Therese! Therese!”
“Did you miss me?”
On the other side of the door was a mass of huddled children, looking up at her with innocent faces. And not one among them was without some grievous injury or scar. One child, both legs missing, leaned against a wall. A blind child lingered near the back. Another limped towards her, clutching perilously to a rotten old crutch.In spite of all this, they welcomed the woman with bright smiles.
“I've brought you something to eat.”
“Hooray!”
She loosened the sack tied at her waist, and the children picked at the bread and fruit within.It was hardly enough food to go around, but these children had such bright, happy expressions as they ate.“East slowly. You don't want to upset your stomachs.”
Gently stroking the children's hair, she turned to look at Kael. There was no blame or resentment in her eyes. Somehow, that only made her gaze all the more hurtful.
“These children are war orphans. They have no one to care for them besides me. I know better than most how hard it is to live by oneself in wartime.”
“I... I didn't know... I truly didn't know...”
“Don't look away. This is what the world you live in is like.”
“...”
Kael fell to his knees and let out a cry. Tears of grief covered his face. This gallant knight, this bastion of nobility, had never lost his cool under the most dire of circumstances. But at this moment, he was crushed under an indescribable wave of grief. He had a responsibility to protect these people. But what had he done to truly help them? While he was off chasing some fantastical cause, they had to suffer countless miseries at such a tender age. The image of the girl from the kitchen came to life in his memory.
“You sympathize with my plight, do you?”
“Spare me your hollow gestures. You understand nothing, little lord.”
He hated himself for taking so long to fully comprehend her rebuke. He was ignorant. His comfort was built on the broken backs of the destitute. Just who was he to claim to be their protector? The very foundation of his identity was a lie.
“There still is a chance yet.”
The woman approached Kael, who was weeping in silence.
“Join our resistance, and help us change this world together.”
“What...?”
“We stand on the side of the people and fight injustice. We have a cause that matters. No more orphans. no more wars. There aren't many of us, but we're active.”
“Resistance...”
“Do nothing, and nothing changes. Take the sainted hand of justice to fight for a tomorrow only seen in our dreams.”
With a determined look, she held her hand out towards Kael.
“Will you join our cause?”
“...”
Kael stared at her callused hand with tear-blurred eyes. He was a nobleman and the son of a count. He was a royal knight, commanded by the king himself to suppress any rebellion. They could never be on the same side. But such things no longer concerned Kael. At that moment, only one thing mattered to him. He wanted to put an end to this injustice.
'Grow this talent that you were born with, and use it to usher in an even greater future.'
“Yes. This is my chance... to rid myself of my ignorance.”
He grasped her hand firmly.
“If I can right my wrongs, then I will do anything. Please... lead me to the path of righteousness.”
“...Excellent choice.”
She pulled him up to his feet. Putting an encouraging hand on his shoulder, she spoke.
“I am Therese, the leader of the resistance. Welcome to the right side, comrade.”
When the sun rose the next day, Kael returned to the palace and gave his report, taking care to cover up the incident at the square. The events of that day were brushed aside and soon faded from public memory.”
-----
Kael led two lives. Come sunrise, he played the knight of the royal guards charged with protecting his king—but come sunset, a traitor stirred.At Therese's advice, he decided not to reveal his identity to his comrades in the resistance. If word got out that the heir to Count Elnova was involved, the dangers to the resistance would be heightened tenfold.Kael always wore a mask in his life as a resistance fighter. To his comrades, he said that he was horribly disfigured. They came to assume that he was a disgruntled aristocrat seeking revenge against high society.The group, called Voice, made its first mission the resistance of the king's cruel rule. It was slowly growing with Therese at its center. Aside from Kael, however, most members were commoners with no military training.With Kael on their side, they became more active. They led protests, they exposed the false pretense behind the king's many wars, and they stood up against exploitation and the draft.They criticized the pain caused by the king's policies and resisted the inequality of the class system. They dedicated themselves to fighting until the voice of every commoner in the nation was heard.
Each and every moment as a member of the resistance was new to him as a noble-born son.New as it was, it was far from unwelcome. There were many members—many social classes—and he indulged in their stories. What wonderful people they were! What a world this was! In this way, his eyes were opened to an entire world outside of his castle walls. As his view of the world broadened, he awakened to truths he had never known before. There were so many things there were only obvious when you took a closer look and reflected. There was always a cost to prosperity and there were always those who suffered for the sake of others. Whenever he walked the palace halls or visited his own castle, he would be reminded of the miserable alley where he joined the resistance. All of the privileges he had enjoyed because of his birth were based on a corrupt system and all of the ideals he had once aspired to were the delusions of the noble class. As he performed his duties by the king's side, he was astonished at how the king's council oversimplified the problems of the people and how lightly they weighed the suffering of the commonfolk against their own gains. The more he saw, the more he realized that neither the king nor his father were not the great heroes of the people that he'd thought they were. Therese, on the other hand, was a different story. She owned nothing, and yet she was always confident. She never wavered in the face of a challenge, never compromised with injustice, and never despaired at any obstacle. At the same time, she seemed to draw upon an endless well of sympathy for those worse off than she was. Even when she made a mistake, she would own it rather than make excuses. Working by her side, Kael realized a new truth. Being a hero had nothing to do with being of noble birth or having a talent for battle. Moving ever forward towards a just goal and having the vision to make the right choices. Those were the marks of a true hero.
Kael used every resource he had to support the resistance. By night, he worked with them as a masked rebel; and by day, he used his position as a knight to cover their tracks. At about that time, the king had started on a fresh series of military campaigns, multiplying the suffering of the people. The hope of the resistance spread through the commonfolk began to swell, and what started as a ragtag gang of protesters became a well-oiled operation with agents throughout the kingdom.
-----
“Your Majesty, there's something unusual happening amongst the commoners.”
At the sound of Count Elnova's voice, the rest of the royal council stood to listen.
“Unusual happenings, you say?”
“Yes, sire. Seditious sentiments have been noted throughout the kingdom. Towns refusing to pay the proper tribute, protests against the draft, and children going about singing songs with... questionable lyrics.”
“What...?”
“I'm sorry to say this, but I fear there is a rebellion brewing.”
At the word rebellion, the king's face flashed red. From his place at the king's side, Kael could see him clutch at his robe until his knuckles turned white.
“Who is behind this? The commonfolk would never turn against me. Has that marquis, our old enemy, eturned to stir up trouble?”
“I don't believe so, Your Majesty. The people behind this call themselves a resistance force.”
Kael's heart began to race. He'd worked so hard to keep his two lives separate; this is one discussion he'd never wanted to hear in the council hall.
“Rumor has it that the resistance is made up of commoners and low-class riffraff. I believe that this group is behind all of the recent incidents. They move systematically, stirring up the ire of the ignorant with slogans, and sometimes even resort to violence. They were a disorganized mob before, but something has changed.”
“How dare they...? I have devoted my whole life, faced countless armies, for the sake of my people, and they dare rebel...?”
The king muttered to himself, clutching at his forehead.
“Incidentally, I hear that this resistance is based in Elnova's territory.”
One of the count's political rivals chimed in with this insight.
“I find it strange that a decorated war hero like the count cannot even handle his own people. Perhaps they have been getting help from someone with a higher station...”
“I don't care for such implications! I admit my failure in allowing their movement to grow, but I will not stand here and have my honor questioned!”
“Then why didn't you mention where the resistance began? Isn't it because you're hiding something from us?”
The conversation quickly devolved into a shouting match. They only stopped when an even louder voice rang out.
“I will have order in my council!”
They fell silent at the reprimand of the enraged king.
“I shall get to the bottom of this myself. I will lead the army to Elnova's county and punish this resistance by my own hand. Count Elnova will head my vanguard.”
“Your... Majesty...!”
“What is it, count?”
“Surely a king should not draw his sword against his own people. Please allow me to deal with them alone.”
“Are you trying to protect the integrity of the crown? Or are you trying to shield the resistance from the king's justice?”
“...We will do as you wish, Your Majesty.”
In the face of the king's harsh words, the count was left with no choice. He instantly bowed to the king's decision. Meanwhile, Kael was left in devastation.
“Father, will you really lead an army against our citizens?”
Kael confronted his father as they left the palace.
“What choice do I have? Once he has made a decision, the king does not change his mind.”
“...”
“Our house cannot appear to be soft on rebels. This is a costly path, but there is honor in following the command of our king.”
“But once the royal army reaches our home, there's no way of knowing how many lives will be lost. And if this resistance really is made of commoners, it will be the blood of the lower classes that will be spilled. Do we not have a duty to protect the people over whom we rule?”
Kael tirelessly pleaded with his father to turn from the king's plan. However, the count merely listened in silence, his face a mask of despair.
“If you cannot persuade the king, then I will do so myself.”
“You'll only invite his wrath, boy.”
“But we cannot stand and do noth—”
“Kael.”
The word was spoken in a stern tone Kael had never before heard from his father. He climbed into his carriage, leaving his son with these final words:
“This is inevitable. Accept it.”
-----
Therese and her comrades gathered around Kael and listened as he told them of the events at court.
“In three days, the king's army will come here...”
“That's right. And they will not leave until the resistance is destroyed.”
“...”
A grim cloud hung over the gathering.
“We knew we'd have to face the king sooner or later, but this isn't how I pictured it happening.”
“It'd be one thing if it was just us, but innocent people will get caught in the middle...”
“Hey, if we're all gonna be dead in three days anyway, I'm going to get sloshed. What do you say, Sev?”
“Aww, you get sloshed every night, Thoma.”
The group laughed weakly to cover the panic growing within them. However, even with the attempts at humor, the atmosphere quickly grew suffocating in the meeting room. Therese had remained quiet, but she seemed to be the only one keeping her cool in the face of Kael's news.
“Attention, everyone, please.”
She didn't have to raise her voice to command their complete attention.
“The king is coming. That does not bode well for us, nor will it be good for the common people of this city. However, this is an opportunity to take a step forward into a new world.”
“...?!”
“This battle cannot be stopped by anyone. The loss of life cannot be stopped. In just three days, it's likely that none of us will be able to see each other ever again. But we won't give up. We won't hide like cowards, hoping to save our own hides. We will stand tall and defend the people. We will fight for the hope of a new world. And even if the king strikes us down, our fight will be remembered. Our cause will be burned into the hearts of the people forever.” “Right...” “She's right!”
As the others shouted their agreement, the life seemed to come back to their faces.
“Comrades! We must prepare for our final resistance. We will fight until the very end, to the last man, wielding every sword and tool we can get our hands on! Let our blood spread the truth and plant the seeds of a better future!”
“For the resistance!”
“Let's fight!”
“To the last man!!”
With their spirits reignited, they raised their fists to the sky and gave a rousing shout. The fear and terror that had pervaded them soon gave way to hope. But one person, Kael, watched them in grief.
The group began their preparations. They collected anything that could be used as a weapon and recruited volunteers. Even townsfolk who weren't part of the resistance joined in the effort, knowing that their hometown and neighbors would soon be stomped into the earth. In remarkably short order, the resistance had raised a small army of its own. However, even in the face of that, they all knew that it wasn't a winnable battle.
“Therese. Please. You must listen to me.”
“I thought you'd understood by now, little lord. We will fight until we're all dead.”
“But the king's army is made up of veteran soldiers. The resistance will be overrun in hours.”
“We are well aware.”
Therese frowned slightly. Kael could tell that she wouldn't change her mind.
“You've taken a great risk, helping us. We wouldn't have made it this far without you. And since the night we met again, I've never doubted your intentions.”
“...”
“However, you've stood at the fork for long enough. Make your choice. Will you walk with your father and the king as a knight... or will you walk with us?”
“Therese...”
“I will not ask you to stand with us this time. I won't ask you to turn your blade against your father and friends. If you wish, you may leave the resistance.”
Kael's face was a picture of agony, but Therese said her farewell in her usual, calm manner.
“Thank you for everything. It's been an honor to fight with you.”
Kale said nothing. He could not say anything. All he could do was turn his back to Therese and disappear beyond the alleys of the slum.
-----
The night before the final battle came before they knew it. Elnova Castle was brightly lit to welcome the king and his army. As the night deepened, Kael's mind grew more and more conflicted. With all the tension in the air, he couldn't possibly sleep. He crept from his chambers and walked the gardens. The night was eerily still, but even the biting cold could not snap him out of his nervous haze. After his last farewell with Therese, Kael had not revisited the resistance once.Instead, he stayed by his father's side, begging him to turn from this path. But no matter how he pleaded, no one would listen to him. All he could do was watch as everything he held dear plummeted towards destruction.
Kael turned Therese's words over in his mind again and again.
“You've stood at the fork for long enough. Make your choice.”
“Will you walk with your father and the king as a knight... or will you walk with us?”
After hearing her, he realized that in trying to serve two sides, he had been a true ally to neither. He cared about the plight of his people—but he was still a noble. He had told himself that leading a double life was the best way to help the cause, but was he really just delaying the inevitable choice? Was it that he didn't want to lose his noble lifestyle? He finally had to confront these questions.
He drew a long breath. After all this agonizing, he still couldn't decide which side to choose. He loved both sides with all of his heart. Side with the king and his father, and the comrades who expanded his world would die. Side with the resistance, and the family who taught him love would die. No matter what he chose, it would hurt people he cared about.
But what if he didn't have to choose? What if he could find another way?
“Is it really right to pick one side to the detriment of the other?”
He could not scrub away his noble birth, nor could he deny the righteousness of the commoners' cause. The son of a highborn noble. The heir of a county. His whole life, he'd always carried such titles. He'd been defined by them. Such titles were natural to him. He'd never questioned them. Without his realization, his view of the whole world had been distorted by those titles.
Upon reaching that conclusion, his confusion began to clear. He could not scrub away his noble birth, nor could he deny the righteousness of the commoners' cause. But surely there was a third path that only he could walk.
The stars slowly vanished from the sky as the sun rose over the horizon. There was no time left to think. It was time for him to act.
“No one is dying today.”
With steely resolve, Kael adorned himself for battle, mounted his horse, and hurried to the square.
-----
The cloud of war darkened the square. To groups with opposing purposes stood at either side, with the fountain at the center. No one spoke a single word. The two forces stared each other down, only animosity and silence between them. Each side tensed, coiled, ready to charge.
The first one to break the silence was the count, who stood by the king.
“Hear me, rebels! The king is a merciful man. You have disturbed the peace of our great country, but his grace is willing to overlook your transgressions. Surrender now and we will spare your lives!”
The king, mounted atop his horse, gave an exaggerated nod as if to reassure the resistance of the count's sincerity. Therese stared them both down and gave her reply.
“Do you think we're fools? A merciful man does not lead an army to slaughter his own people. We don't care who wears the crown, but we will resist any injustice, no matter the source. And as long as there is injustice, we will fight to our last breath!”
Against the great might of the royal army, Therese spoke clearly and confidently. Her sheer determination through the king into a dark rage.
“If that is your wish...”
The king grabbed the hilt of the sword sheathed at his hip. Following his cue, the soldiers lifted their gleaming weapons, prepared to battle the untrained masses armed with scythes and rakes, rusty hammers and chipped swords.
At that moment, a shout filled the square, accompanied by the clapping hooves of a galloping horse.
“Stop! Please—do not attack!”
A young man in blue armor leaped into the center of the square, swordstaff held high and a black cloth in his hand. At his sudden appearance, the king lowered his sword.
“Your Majesty. Father.” “Kael...?”
There wasn't a soldier who didn't know the name Kael or recognize the pegasus engraved on his rmor. A royal knight and son of a count, begging them to lower their weapons? It didn't make any sense. Of course, the king's soldiers weren't the only ones who were shocked. The resistance was thrown into even more confusion than the king's army. Kael turned his back on the king, facing the resistance force. Even Therese looked on at him in awe.
“Pray, Your Majesty, stay your sword!”
“Why do you aid these vile rebels? You swore an oath as my knight. Do you dare betray your king?”
“I do.”
“...!!”
He held up the black cloth so everyone could see it.
“I am a member of the resistance. The tomorrow they dream of is the very same as mine.”“What...?!” “You're in the... resistance...?!”
The king and the count were stunned into speechlessness.
“You... honorless...! Faithless...! You dare call yourself a knight?!”
“Your Majesty, I must do what I believe is right. Even if I am branded a traitor, I must not allow the blood of the innocent to be so thoughtlessly spilled.”
“You dare insult me? In front of my subjects? You don't think this will change anything, do you? Stop standing about, men. Strike down this treacherous dog!”
At the king's command, the soldiers started a halting charge at Kael. He nimbly brought his swordstaff about, keeping them from getting close.
“Do you still not understand, sire? I am here to stop this battle. If I must turn my blade against you to do so, then I will.”
Watching him nonchalantly cast his honor aside left the king overwhelmed.
“How...? Why do you betray me so...? After I cherished you so...”
“I've already told you. The tomorrow they dream of is the tomorrow that I want to see.”
Kael pressed on.
“I was raised inside a flawless, brilliant world. But I was blinded by that brilliance. I didn't know that for every day I lived in the light... others were forced to live in the dark. That while I sat content upon my throne of riches, others were coerced into evil just to see tomorrow's sunrise. However much Your Majesty, Father, and even I feign ignorance, it does not change what simply is. These people are the foundation of our society. They struggle to survive every day, toiling endlessly and dying in our wars so that we at the top may prosper. Knowing their cause, would you still treat them as vile? Won't you cherish them rather than spill their blood? You claim that you rule on their behalf, but you never consider what they actually want or need. My king, do you think this is justice?”
“...”
“It is obvious that you will win today's battle. But it is a victory tainted by injustice, and it cannot last. The more people you crush under your heel today, the more who will join their cause tomorrow. The will to resist injustice will spread like wildfire and will not be contained.”
“You've completely lost your senses...”
“You may think of me what you will. Please... leave this land and its people be.”
A singular will, strong and unbending.Countless eyes staring, demanding justice. What had seemed so trivial to the nobles before was now tangible, undeniable. The king had lost his will to fight.
“...Let us withdraw.”
“Your Majesty...!”
The count was stunned by the king's sudden command.
“Turn the army back. I have no intention of fighting today.”
“...”
The king left the square, his words having more meaning than any surrender. The army scrambled to fall in behind him.Kael and the people quietly watched as the force on the other side of the square receded. Soon, there was no sign of the enemy in sight. A loud cheer came up from the crowd.
“Hurray!” “We did it! We did it!!”
“I'm alive... We're alive!”
People hugged each other, crying tears of joy. Resistance fighters shouted for joy and patted each other on the back. Meanwhile, Kael stood there, watching the people who he had defended with every fiber of his being. His heart was still racing from standing against his king.
“...This will do.”
He quietly turned from the crowd and left the square, the cheers of the people still echoing in his ears.
-----
Where would it go from here? None knew—but this day, at least, had come and gone with not one drop of blood shed. The resistance and the people went back to their daily lives. However, Kael had betrayed the king. The only fate for a knight who had abandoned his oath and join a rebellion was execution. Yet his father's tireless pleas halted this horrible fate—on one condition. He was to be confined to Elnova Castle's prison for the rest of his days.
Trapped by cold stone walls, Kael had all the time in the world to worry about the future. His victory at the square was only delaying the inevitable. Sooner or later, the king's rage would boil over and he would crush the resistance on a massive scale. His days were spent with a heavy heart, contemplating the many terrible things that surely awaited the kingdom in the future.
-----
Clang! Clang!
The discordant noise woke Kael from his sleep. At first, he thought it was the mice who made the dungeons their home. However, the face that appeared wasn't a mouse, but his long-missed comrade.
“Therese... How did you get in here...?”
“I've come to save you, little lord.”
With her usual determined gaze, she held her hand out to Kael.
“There's no time to waste. Let's hurry and get out of here.”
-----
They found a secluded spot near the castle to hide and catch their breath.
“How do you manage to stay so handsome after being locked in a place like that?”
With that quip, Therese searched Kael's tired face. He smiled for the first time in a long while.
“How fares the resistance?”
“Since the day you won that victory for us, there haven't been any attempts to stop us.”
“...I'm glad to hear it.”
“But how are you? I'm glad you weren't executed, but you've sacrificed your freedom...”
“I'm happy simply to be alive. But...”
Kael shared all of his worries with her.
“So you think you may have only made things worse for us in the future.”
“That's correct...”
“Ah, but you've been locked away. The kingdom is different now.”
“Different...?”
“Word of what's happened here has spread. The whole world is watching our nation. If the king tries to silence us, commonfolk everywhere will rise up against him. Even he knows that he can't kill all of us.”
Her words filled Kael with relief. The world really was changing for the better. The fact that he had a hand in it gave him some small amount of pride.
“Your bravery has lit the light of justice in minds everywhere. The resistance owes you everything. You are a true hero.”
“I'm no hero. I merely did the best I could do with what I had.”
Kael smiled softly at her. She smiled slightly back at him.
“So, little lord. What will you do now?”
He closed his eyes and thought. There was no returning to his old life. He would be a fugitive in his own kingdom, but there were now infinite possibilities before him. After pondering the question for a little bit, he answered.
“I wish to leave this kingdom and learn more about the world... and myself.”
“How do you mean?”
“I feel like my whole life has been nothing but an illusion. For far too long, I've been entranced by the beauty of status. My honor was tethered to the will of the powerful. But now that beauty is wretched, and I am left with many questions—questions that can only be answered by starting anew. I pray I find what I'm looking for.”
“I think that's a good idea, little lord. There's no need to wait, then, is there?”
“Right.”
After their conversation, he quietly stole into his own chambers in the castle.The room was exactly as he'd left it. He strapped on his armor and grabbed his weapon. Then, after a moment's thought, he left one last letter saying farewell to his family. Without another moment's hesitation, he walked out the door.
It was a beautiful night. The perfect night to begin a new life. There was nothing left to constrain him. No status, no honor, no fixed destination. And never had he felt so free.
The road before him was plied with fresh dirt. It was a beautiful night—a night where the stars shined with an exceptional brilliance amidst a glimmering meteor shower.
Author: Sitrom / Illustrator: kingseo, jin
