Tirnanog

The surface was quiet as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the land. Youth and his companions had spent the day training, their temporary headquarters nestled in the safety of the woods. As the evening fell, the group relaxed, sharing stories and laughter.

Youth, however, stood apart, his spear gripped tightly in his hand. He practiced his techniques, each movement precise and deliberate. Sweat dripped down his face, his breath coming in steady puffs as he pushed himself further. Then, without warning, his right eye began to glow faintly. A sharp pain shot through his skull, and he stumbled, clutching his face.

"Youth! Are you okay?" Sequana called, concern evident in her voice.

"I'm fine," 

he muttered, waving her off. But the truth was far from it. The glow in his eye grew brighter, the pain intensifying until it felt like his head would split apart.

Night descended fully, and while the others settled in for rest, Youth found himself unable to sleep. His mind was restless, haunted by memories of that fateful day eleven years ago. The echoes of his father's voice, the sight of Ketergia's betrayal, and the searing pain of the gem embedding itself in his eye all played on a loop in his mind.

Unable to bear it, he left the camp, his steps quiet as he ventured into the forest. The night air was cool, but it did little to soothe the storm within him. As he walked, his right eye began to glow again, brighter this time. The X-shaped symbol within it flared to life, twisting and shifting as memories overwhelmed him.

He stopped, gripping his spear tightly. His breathing quickened, his free hand pressing against his eye as the glow threatened to consume him.

"Get out of my head," he growled, his voice low and strained. But the memories wouldn't relent.

"So, this is your headquarters?"

The sudden voice snapped Youth out of his torment. He spun around, his spear raised, to find Rooks standing a few paces away, his spear resting casually against his shoulder.

"How did you find me?" Youth demanded, his voice sharp.

Rook's smirk was faint but unmistakable. "You guys need to work on your hiding because it wasn't that hard to find you" he chuckled

"I know who you are now, son of Gordon."

The words hit Youth like a hammer, his grip tightening on his weapon. 

"What did you just say?"

Rooks shrugged, stepping forward. 

"It all makes sense now. Your armor, your eye, your strength. You're the son of the Knight of Truth. Gordon."

Fury surged through Youth, and without a word, he lunged at Rooks. Their spears clashed with a burst of sparks, the force of the impact sending ripples through the air.

Rooks grinned, meeting Youth's strikes, both are equally matched. 

"Not bad…..i'm not here to fight you though"

Youth fought harder, but the pain in his eye slowed him down. His movements became erratic, the glowing X in his eye flickering as if feeding off his turmoil.

Rooks took advantage, sidestepping one of Youth's attacks and striking him square in the chest with the butt of his spear. Youth stumbled, falling to one knee, his breath ragged.

Rooks wasted no time, pinning Youth to the ground and pressing the tip of his spear against Youth's face.

"You're strong," 

Rook said, his voice calm but firm. "But in terms in your base form, i am superior"

Youth glared up at him, his eye still glowing faintly. 

"What do you want from me?"

Rooks's smirk softened into something more serious. 

"Answers. And maybe, just maybe, the truth you've been hiding"

Rooks and Youth stared at each other, the tension of their clash lingering in the quiet night. Youth's breathing slowed, and he lowered his spear, though his eye still glowed faintly. Rook, seeing the moment of calm, relaxed his stance and leaned slightly on his spear.

"Alright, kid," 

Rooks said, his tone softer now. 

"Let's talk."

Youth hesitated, then nodded, lowering himself to sit on a nearby log. Rooks followed suit, watching as Youth pressed his palm against his glowing eye.

"It's this thing," 

Youth started, his voice tinged with frustration and pain. "This gem in my eye. I don't know what it is, but it's the reason I can… transform into a Grade 3. At least for a little while. It's not something I can control completely."

Rooks listened intently, nodding slowly.

"That explains a lot. But do you know why you have it? Or what it's doing to you?"

Youth shook his head. 

"No. I just remember… When I was a kid, there was an accident. My father… he gave me something. It was a gem. He said it would protect me. But I don't think he ever told me the truth about it."

Rook's expression darkened as he thought back to the files he and the others had read just days ago.

THE TRUTH OF GORDON

In the dim light of the barracks, Rooks, Fort, Tranquilia, and Soudios huddled around the drive, their faces illuminated by the screen as they read the files and watched the footage. The name that appeared repeatedly sent chills down their spines: Gordon, Knight of Truth.

"Gordon was a descendant of one of Alfred's knights," Soudios explained, his voice steady. "Junos, the Swordsman of Light."

Fort's brow furrowed. 

"Junos? Who was that?"

Soudios adjusted his wings as he continued. 

"Junos was one of the first knights to wield a blaster weapon, forged by the legendary weaponsmith, Blasteed. The blaster was more than just a weapon; it amplified power, but at a cost."

"And Gordon was his descendant," Rooks muttered. 

"That explains his ideals."

The footage revealed more shocking truths: Gordon had been secretly aiding the surface dwellers, providing them with resources stolen from Ketergia. But it was the mention of the gem that froze the group in their tracks.

"The gem was another creation of Blasteed," Sadios said. 

"It boosts the strength of its user but at a terrible cost. It drains their lifeforce. The only recorded user was Junos, and it corrupted him completely, turning him into what we know as Blaster Dark."

"Blaster Dark?" Fort asked, his voice shaking.

Soudios nodded grimly. 

"Junos became a monster, but eventually, one of Alfred's loyal knights, Ahmes, managed to bring him back to his senses. That's why Junos is remembered as both a hero and a cautionary tale."

The group watched as the files revealed Gordon's plan: to overthrow Bastion and unite the surface and Ketergia. He intended to use the gem to boost his own Grade 3 power, knowing it might push him into Grade 4 territory. The implications were terrifying.

"He was playing with fire," Rooks said, shaking his head. 

"And Bastion knew it. That's why he ordered Gordon's execution."

The screen displayed a single image of the executioner: Flient, the Heavenly Blade of Vow.

"Flient?," Fort whispered.

Tranquilia crossed his arms, his usual smirk replaced with a rare seriousness.

"So that's the truth. Gordon wasn't a traitor. He was trying to make things better, but his methods… they were dangerous."

Soudios frowned. 

"If this man is anything like Gordon, he could end up repeating the same mistakes. Or worse… becoming the next Blaster Dark."

Rooks's gaze hardened. 

"We don't know that for sure. We need more information before making a move."

PRESENT

Youth's eye dimmed slightly as he finished recounting his fragmented memories. He looked up at Rooks, his expression a mix of determination and uncertainty.

"So that's it," Youth said quietly. 

"That's what my father was trying to do. And now I'm stuck with this thing he left behind."

Rooks studied him carefully, the weight of the revelations from the files still fresh in his mind. 

"You've got a choice to make, kid," he said finally. 

"Whatever your father's plans were, you don't have to follow them. But you need to figure out what you're fighting for. Before it's too late."

Rooks and Youth sat opposite each other, the tension from their earlier clash still hanging in the air. Youth's right eye glowed faintly as he studied the elf in silence. Finally, he broke the stillness.

"Too late?" Youth said, his voice low but sharp. "Look around you, elf. Look at this place. The people, poor, starving, forced to labor for the likes of you. I think it's clear who the bad guys are."

Rooks stayed silent, his gaze fixed on the ground.

Youth leaned forward, his tone cutting deeper.

"Based on your expression, it seems like the realization of being the bad guys must've taken a toll on your ideals, eh?"

Rooks finally looked up, his expression pained but resolute. 

"All my life, we were told the people on the surface were garbage. Thieves, rapists, criminals. But when I first set foot here… I saw something else. The people here are no different from those in the sky. I was lied to. I saw men, women, and children suffering so that Ketergia could live in luxury. I tried to rebel against it at some point. But of course… I was no match for them. The higher-ups, the knights, they're too strong."

Youth's eyes narrowed. 

"But you gave up. Because you're a Grade 2 who didn't believe in his own power. A coward. You will never level up to Grade 3 with that mindset."

Rooks's jaw tightened, his hands gripping his spear. 

"Oh, shut it," he snapped, the frustration in his voice palpable.

Youth smirked, leaning back slightly. 

"Hit a nerve, did I?"

The two stared at each other in silence, the weight of their shared truths and opposing views pressing heavily on the moment. For the first time, the gap between their worlds felt smaller, but the path forward remained uncertain.

Rooks broke the silence, his tone measured but filled with resolve. 

"I hate the leaders of Ketergia as much as you do. So how about a proposal?" 

He leaned forward, his gaze piercing. 

"You make sure to get stronger and fight Bastion. Bring peace and unity between the heavens and earth. You can do that, right?"

Youth's eyes narrowed further, his voice sharp. 

"Who the hell are you to give me such a mission? I have one mission—to avenge my father."

Rooks shook his head, his voice rising slightly. 

"You have the power to turn the tides between heaven and earth, and you're going to waste it on revenge? Your father helped the people here, so do what he did. Help them. Bring balance to all this mess. It's what your father would've wanted. It's what Alfred envisioned."

The tension between them crackled as they stared at each other, their gazes locked in an unspoken battle of wills. Finally, Rooks stood, turning to leave.

Youth's voice stopped him. 

"Give me information whenever you knights make an attack or expedition here. You want me to unite heaven and earth? Help me, then."

Rooks paused, a faint smile crossing his lips. He nodded slightly before disappearing into the night.

Youth watched him go, his mind racing with new possibilities and burdens. The path ahead was unclear, but one thing was certain—his father's legacy was now intertwined with his own.

Morning rose over the village, the first light of the sun casting a warm glow on the modest homes and fields. Schneizal leaned against the doorway of their small house, sipping a steaming cup of coffee. He raised an eyebrow as he noticed Youth standing in the distance, his gaze fixed on the horizon.

"Wow, you're up early, Youth," Schneizel said casually, taking another sip. 

"What's up?"

Youth didn't respond. He hadn't slept all night, his mind consumed by the conversation with Rook. His thoughts raced, replaying the elf's words over and over again.

Schneizal chuckled softly. 

"Brooding as always," he said, shaking his head as he watched Youth's silence.

Youth began to think as he stared at the village. U

"Unite, huh? Rooks's words echoed in his mind, overlapping with fleeting memories of his father. Help them. Bring balance to all this mess. It's what your father would've wanted.

He looked around at the villagers starting their day. Families shared laughter, children ran through the streets, and the community worked together to keep their lives afloat. Despite their hardships, they found moments of happiness. Youth's gaze shifted upward, toward the floating city of Keteria, glowing faintly in the morning light.