The air was tense. Leonard was facing off a holy knight in the middle of the street. The time was at a standstill. The knights sword gleamed with light magic. Both stood before the other. The knight just wants tpresente the man in front of them. Leonard... Didn't waver his feet moving slowly. Circling the knight his eyes not leaving the knight's. Leonards sword was a rugged and chipped. The Knight's sword was smooth, pristine, and embedded in holy runes.
Leonard's shoulder is dripping with blood a rag covering the wound is stained in red. The air has the smell of metal...
Leonard wasn't fazed his eyes never leaving the Knight's gaze. In this backwater town. The knight saw someone who was not just a guard. They could tell Leonard is no pushover. And they can definitely feel. That this man has killed people... Not monsters. Humans... The Knight stood there clutching the part of their neck that was nearly chopped off if they hadn't reacted in time.
The air was so thick it felt like they we're submerged in an ocean. Everyone seem to hold their breath at that moment. Time is at a standstill. How did this all even happen?
A few hours ago...
The saintess wanted to search for the chosen one herself. So she sneaked out of the church in her robes and veil. Using illusion magic so she would blend in and not be recognized by the townsfolk. Shifting her appearance to a common girl with a short brown hair and modest clothing.
Meanwhile...
Leonard just came from the market and is walking to the docks. He saw Leo surprisingly outside the office. Leo saw him and he approached "Uhm. Are... Are you free Leonard?" Leo asked blushing and fidgeting his hands. Leonard stopped for a second. "After the docks I'm free. Leo's blush disappear his voice low and defeated. " Okay... I'll see you later Leonard..." Loe walked away back to his guild with a more defeated body language.
Leonard continues with his duties and he bumps into someone. "Ahh!" The person said. As they fell on their behind. He looks at the figure a girl short brown haired with yellow eyes. It was the saintess. Leonard had no idea who she was. "Are you okay miss?" He said offering his hand to her. She accepted and He pulled her up gently. "Are you hurt miss?"Leonard asked.
"I'm fine... May I ask your name sir?" She asked. She sounds a quite formal... Too formal... Leonard thought then he answers in monotone voice "Leonard, I'm Leonard the town's guard." One of her holy knights came by the vicinity. And they saw Leonard with The Saintess. They immediately recognized her because she has a unique affinity with light and holy magic making her emit a bright aura to people who can see it using mana detection.
The saintess contemplated and "I'm Te-" She gets cut off as a shadow looked over her. The knight stood behind her. Many onlookers notice the knight because of his white armor and height. "Ma'am you must not wander around." They say putting a hand on her shoulder gently pulling her along. Leonard watched as she was guided away. He didn't want to intrude on things he does not associate with. So Leonard walked away. But he felt something sharp graze the back of his neck. He turned around and saw the knight staring at him... "Heretic..." The knight said in a smooth voice. They approach pulling their silver sword out of their hip sheath.
In the eyes of the knight there was something different about Leonard. This man has darkness in their soul. Unlike everyone else in the town. The knight pointed his sword at Leonard's direction signalling his intent clearly. The crowd had finally noticed the commotion and all retreated away from the on coming fight.
Leonard pulled his sword out. A rugged chipped sword that contradict the prestine and engraved sword of the opposing force. In Leonard's eyes he sees this armor clad individual before him as a threat to his peace.
The air was at a standstill as both stood idly. Leonard stood there his sword down and his eyes piercing the grates or the knight's helmet.
The knight approached in a slow pace...
Then swung their sword at Leonard. It takes a chunk off Leonard's shoulder. But he jumps at the knight and cleaves their neck... The knight turns into the direction of blade in that moment reinforcing their skin. Stopping Leonard's blade from hitting their artery.
Leonard jumped away grabbing a rag from his satchel wrapping it around his shoulder.
The blood drips to the pavement...
Back to the present.
Leonard lunged at the Knight even when the odds are stacked against him. Before they stop suddenly with a calm voice.
"What is going on here?" Father Maverick walked calmly.
The two combatants their blades halting at their motion.
The knights long sword was aimed at Leonard's torso only a few inches from his clothes.
While Leonard's blade is deep into the knight neck although not fatal because of their tough skin, it is just a small move away from hitting the artery.
His pupils dilated and agitated like a beast that's fighting for their life.
When Leonard didn't move from his position. Maverick approached placing a hand on Leonard's wounded shoulder. A dim and warm light eminated from the old man's hand. The sensation permeates the wound taking the pain away and mending the flesh and blood vessels.
"Calm down child. There is no danger here." At these soft words spoken by an old man who genuinely meant his words pull Leonard out of their unconscious state. And the young man returned his sword back to his scabard.
"Now continue on with your duties Leonard. This old man will take it from here." He said adjusting his glasses as he approached the taller knight.
Leonard calmly walked away he couldn't remember anything that happened... It was like he was in a flow state where his body moved on his own.
Back at the town church...
The saintess recounted the events.
"Hmm-hmm... I see, so why did a knight of such caliber swing their weapon at a young guards man?" He asked addressing the knight that was on the floor kneeling with their arms up like a punished child.
"He... Was a heretic pontiff..." The knight responded in a more human voice. Sounding femine.
Maverick stood up sitting closer to the kneeling knight. "And what made you think that child?" He queries in a gentle tone his face displaying curiousity than anger.
"He... He... Uhm... He had the darkness inside him. He-he, he looked. Looked like of the heretics. Pontiff..." She said stammering nervously at Maverick's closeness. Maverick in turn removed her helmet. Revealing a pretty girl with short red hair. The scar on her neck still there from earlier that day.
"It's father, child." Maverick got up and approached the knight. "Is something wrong child? Your shaking." He said holding the knight's wrist. "Is this really necessary, child?" She asked the saintess
"It is absolutely necessary for nearly killing a civilian. Divine law says-" She stops when Maverick raised his hand near her face. "Stop" he cuts her off pinching the bridge of his nose in resignation "As much as that is wrong no one should be punished like a child." He said standing up straight.
"Then should lashings be adequate?" Maverick shook his head in disappointment his brow furrowed for a moment. After a moment of silence he speaks again "Child the divine laws aren't that straight forward." The old man walked to the nearby window the moonlight shining through. Hmm a waxing crescent he observed before opening his mouth. "Just because of an misunderstanding no one should be punished. A mistake is a mistake. No amount of suffering can undo what had been done." He turns around, facing the two.
"... Knight. You can have an off, as a punishment for your actions. You are relieved from your duties for a day effectively tomorrow." He faced the saintess sighing deeply. "And saintess don't wander off on your own. You know how much authority you hold in the church." He opened the door. "Now, if you excuse me I'll be resting now. And so should you two." He guided the two out his chambers. Closing the door gently.
Meanwhile at the guild...
Leo was on his desk the paper works we're done for the day. He was drinking tea by himself... After taking a sip his porcelain cup cracks as he applies pressure. "That knight dare to harm my Leonard?" His tone was calm and he took a gentle bite of a tea biscuit before a gripping it so tight it turns to powder. "I have patients... And that's running thin tonight..." He states in a smooth tone that belied his inner anguish.
He remembered vividly from the incident In the morning. He was there watching from the shadows as be heard the commotion when Leo was about go enter his guild. How Leonard was hurt yet kept on fighting and how that-
SLAM! He slammed his empty hand on his desk making a fist sized crater where his hand has sturct. How that knight dare to swing at Leonard...
His rage is palpable now... He takes a deep breath calming himself down then his lips turns to his usual kind smile he wears all day.
Before he slams his cup on to the coaster making his desk shake. Standing up suddenly and facing his window. "I won't let what's mine break before I, get to use them..." The porcelain cup turns to broken glass dust. "I hate... Nosy people..." He said his voice becoming sharper than it ever was before.
The next morning
The night from before is now out of her armor. In a casual clothes... "Goodluck on your Day off Claire... And I'm sorry for causing all this..." The saintess said her veil obscuring her face yet her voice is gentle and encouraging. "Saintess didn't I punish you to not leave your chambers?" Maverick asked as he leads her back to her chambers.
Claire now out of her armor felt lighter than anything she's ever felt. Her red hair feels amazing with the wind hitting them. She exited the church into the streets of Eden. Now that she wasn't in her armor or duty, she finally sees the beauty and peace of the town. Even if it's in small things.
She sees a rough looking teen help an old lady with carrying heavy groceries, the shopkeepers giving more of their products away because of the bountiful harvest, and the butcher gives meat to the nearby restaurant. This was already different than what she sees at the holy capital. There are barely any guards yet everyone is behaving orderly.
She bumps into a big burly man who is carrying a giant fish on his shoulder. He was bigger than her... She thought of pulling her sword out but... "Hmm? Oh. Did I hit you missy?" The man turned to her direction offering a hand. She accepted his hand and pulled herself up. "I'm Brent Brigant. Ya can call me Brutus. Hmm... Ya don't look like your from here Missy... What's your name?" Brutus asked in a wide bearded smile.
Before she could answer the Burley man spots something. "Hmm? That's a gnarly scar ya got on your neck there." She was surprised that he could notice such a subtle detail. "I-I'm Claire..." Brutus nods "Nice to meet ya. I'll get going now. Make sure to watch ya step missy!" Brutus yelled as he walked away to the fish market.
She started to get weary because a random person noticed something so subtle... In her weary state bumps into another person, Leo. He was surprised to see her. "Oh. I'm sorry for bumping into you. I'm running late..." Leo jogs away after his apology. That girl is the knight from yesterday... That scar is all the evidence I need... Leo thought as he glanced back at her.
Leonard was on his usual patrol when he bumps into Leo. And he catches a glimpse of Claire over Leo's shoulder. "Oh!" Leo exclaimed coming out more high pitched than intended "L-leonard... Uhm... Are you free today?" He asked looking at Leonard with hopeful eyes. "Sure... I'm done with my quota." He said subtly looking over Leo's shoulder to see Claire staring back at him.
"So... Uhm..." Leo awkwardly fiddled with his hands... "Uhm... Want to hang out today?" Leo finally blurted out while blushing prefiusly and staring at the pavement...