Aegis

“Dismas has always been kind of withdrawn, even while I was in the academy. A lot of the Templars right now were my classmates in those days so I got to know them pretty well, but he preferred to be by himself. And I respect that, you know? I absolutely despise being alone, so I admired that part of him—that sort of listlessness and uncaring demeanor.

“He was content with life, and it wasn’t as if he was unsociable either; he talked when he needed to and put in the effort when it mattered. Even when others mocked him for his odd way of speaking, he just brushed them off without a care. I was also made fun of since I never learned proper noble speech, but Lorelai and Annalay were there to chase them off for me.

“I had someone I could rely on, but Dismas didn’t have that. All he had was a really stubborn attitude and a sharp one-two. Seriously, that jab of his wasn’t something you’d want to mess with. Fast. Precise. No wonder he started using daggers: that man knew how to move. He really was someone I looked up to.

“But then, one day, he changed. Even to this day I don’t know exactly why. He stopped coming to classes for a while, and when he returned, there was a scary light in his eyes. Almost desperate. From then on, he tried harder than anyone else to become a knight, and the instructors were praising him for the sudden change. But I thought differently. To me, it seemed like he was chasing after something—something far out of reach. He became a Templar for that reason, and yet I don’t think he ever managed to find what he was looking for. Is he still searching for it now, even after all this time? I wonder…”

- Surasha Power, Templar of the Mending Virtue

———

Dariel

Dariel very nearly faints before the sight right then and there, but with a firm grit of his teeth and a fearful desire to not embarrass himself, he manages to stay upright as Lorelai casually walks up to them with the dismembered carcass in hand.

“Oh? Is that you, Dariel?” she says without a care for the baffled expressions of the knights around her. “I thought you would have long returned home by now.”

“Sorry, Lorelai,” he mumbles. “I know you told me to leave and all, but I brought some help just in case. Though I… guess you didn’t need it in the end.”

“Don’t be! I appreciate the thought.” She pats his shoulder as if to comfort him, and it would have worked if not for her gauntlet leaving a scarlet print on his suit. Blood makes Dariel squeamish, so to have a man’s guts hanging out in full view is not easy on the eyes, to say the least. “I was wondering why there were so many knights out. I tried to reach out to them at first, but then they ran away shouting about needing reinforcements before I could come close. It was odd, but I suppose I was in the darkness at the time: one’s sight tends to play tricks on you when staring at the unknown. My identity is supposed to be a secret, anyway, so I didn’t try very hard to correct them.”

“I don’t think the corpse in your hand helped with the misunderstandin’,” Dismas says with what sounds like a grimace. The sight must be particularly brutal even for a Templar like him. “I’m guessin’ this was the phantom Dariel’s been talkin’ about?”

“This?” Much to his dismay, she lifts the body up and presents it to him—gouged flesh and all. “I suppose that is a fitting name. I knew at first glance his intentions weren’t benevolent, but with Dariel there and us in the middle of the theatre, I didn’t want to risk endangering the public. So, I followed him to the back alleyway, and it was there he finally revealed himself.”

Lorelai turns her head and looks at Sir Dismas with a curious look, as if scouring for a particular memory. “His power was quite similar to yours, in fact.”

“Like me?” he questions. “Huh, didn’t think ya’d remember. We only met a few times before you were sent off to the front.”

“I’m sorry, I was referring to the courtroom. You were there, weren’t you? The one in the shadows watching over everyone.”

Dismas stumbles over his feet, appearing to be rather perplexed that another has managed to see through his concealment. “Hah? Now that’s a sorry blow. I’ve a lot of pride in my skills: Not even Ascalon can discover me if I’m at my best. How’d you figure it out?”

“Hehe, I like to think my senses are quite keen. Without them, I’d be the corpse instead of this fellow here.”

“Well, can’t complain ‘bout that.” He leers at their surroundings and quickly grabs the other two—pulling them in near. The other knights murmur amongst themselves all the while, and soon, the other groups from around the area begin to congregate, lured in from all the commotion. “… But let’s continue this talk in a more private spot. Don’t want to attract any more attention than we’ve already ‘ave. I’ll send some of my subordinates to clear things up around ‘ere, and in the meantime, you two’ll follow me.”

Oh no. Dariel sighs and braces himself for the inevitable. Just as he expects, the ground beneath disappears, and the three are sucked into the darkness.

They emerge out into a large dwelling. It’s nice here, much more comfortable than the spaces at the Cherubims, for the interior is thoughtfully furnished with warm colors—a maple-lined floor, rich brown walls, and a crackling fireplace nestled behind a quaint little desk. The decor is simple, but that is what makes it all the more welcoming to the young Dariel. He very much likes it here.

“Ah, bother… forgot ‘bout the blood,” Dismas grumbles as he takes a seat behind the desk. “No use frettin’ about it now. Just toss that damned corpse to the side and I’ll deal with later. For now, I need a recount of what happened for the records. Even if it’s you, Lorelai, killing in the capital is real serious business, and it’s my line of work to know everythin’ there is to know ‘round here.”

“Of course, sir…?” she says.

“Dismas. Templar Dismas of the Order of the Skulking Dominion. I’m responsible for investigation, infiltration, and any other work that requires a shifty fellow like me. Interrogation is also part of that work, so don’t take it personally if I seem a little rough; the scowl’s just for effect.”

But… we can’t see your face, Dariel almost blurts out loud.

“Hehe, you are quite the humorous person, Sir Dismas.”

“Just trying to lighten the mood, is all. Glad it seemed to work.‘”

Huh? Dariel is very lost, but he chooses to remain oblivious. There isn’t any room for him to butt in, and besides: some things are better left unsaid lest he make himself out to be the fool.

“But let’s not get too distracted now. I’ve already got the gist from Gadreel’s kid over there. What I need to know is what exactly happened after he left. Did you know the man was after you?”

“Not exactly,” she says with a trailing hum. “I did notice a presence following us while we were enjoying the district’s entertainment, but I decided to ignore it at the time. Dariel was having fun, and I didn’t want to ruin this precious evening by making him worry over such things.”

“Lorelai…” Dariel murmurs.

“However, I could not keep my silence any longer when that presence finally approached us at the Arthurian Theatre. I knew then that a confrontation was inevitable, so I bid Dariel to leave before he could get involved in his scheme.”

“And that’s when he brought ya out to the alley?” Dismas questions.

“Yes. He owned a small boutique there, hidden in an obscure little corner. We went inside, and then he began rambling about art and making me his masterpiece. I tolerated his nonsense in the case he would reveal more about his purpose, but all I really learned was that he was a complete, utter madman. He did not seek to kill me under someone’s orders or for some grand reason: No, he merely wished to turn me into one of his grotesque artworks.”

“Knew that bastard was a sick one,” he groans. “So he wasn’t some spy from Caelum, then? No mentions of anyone else involved with his murders?”

“None. He appeared to be alone in his pursuits, and his reasoning for entering the capital was for finding suitable victims in which he may use as his inspiration.”

“And I’m guessin’ he got in through that power that’s similar to mine?”

Lorelai nods. “Yes, he could blend in with the light. Cast himself in an intangible veil whilst in front of my eyes. It was very difficult to resist against. He attacked me whenever I was most vulnerable, and he ran away if I attempted to make chase. The only reason I claimed victory in the end was in due thanks to his naivety.”

“Oh? How’s that?”

She smiles. “Sound. Though I could not see his body, I could hear his footsteps: the hard knocking against the floor. And I could hear his voice, ever persistent with his goading. When he thought me at my lowest, I seized the opportunity and cleaved him in half. I was lucky. If he put his full effort into fleeing, I would have never caught him.”

Dismas slowly reclines back into his seat and lets out a deep sigh of relief. “Doesn’t matter what could’ve happened. Ya managed to slay him: That’s what counts. And it seems he’s the one I’ve been searchin’ for as well. Not many people in this world are that adept at stealth. Looks like I can finally get a good night’s sleep for once.

“Ah, d’ya remember where he took you? Probably’s where all his victims are kept.”

“… I do know where it is, but I do not think you will—”

“It’s alright. I’m not expecting much,” he says, interrupting her with a raised hand. His voice still has that rough tone, but Dariel notices something else: a sad, sad tremble. “But we should at least find their bodies. Lets the families ‘ave a bit of closure. A way to mourn. Ain’t nothin’ more painful in this world than not knowing for certain what’s become of yer folks. You know they’re gone, that there ain’t any way for them to still be alive, but… there’s always that possibility. That damned sliver of hope. Next thing ya know, you’re obsessed with it, and then it’s too late to move on.”

Dariel doesn’t know what to say. How to comfort him. For those aren’t the words of someone merely speaking in conjecture.

“Personal experience?” Lorelai asks.

“Hah. Hard to find anyone here who doesn’t. I’m just tryin’ to stop others from becomin’ a poor sop like me.”

“And we will, Dismas. I’m sure of it.”

He looks at her, and for a moment his coarse posture softens. It’s just a little bit, and he soon returns to his gruff no-nonsense guise from before, but Dariel likes to think that the two have become closer. At the very least, he seems more relaxed.

“Well,” he says, shyly turning away and letting out a gruff cough. “I’ve got all I need. Sorry for draggin’ you here so sudden and all: It must've been a rough night—for both of you. Get some rest and I’ll send someone over in the morning to get the exact spot.”

“Thank you. And, I hope you do not blame yourself too much. He was a very cunning man; it is not your fault he was able to evade your sight. On the contrary, thanks to your efforts, I think you prevented many others from being spirited away. Be confident in yourself, Dismas. You’re a much more capable man than you believe.”

“… Ah, damnit,” he sighs. “It’s like ya can see right through me. Not a bad feeling, I’ll admit. But at least let me save some face in front of the kid.”

“Being vulnerable is not something to be ashamed of. I doubt he respects you any less. Isn’t that right, Dariel?”

“Indeed,” Dariel chuckles. “Trust me. I’ve had my fair share of embarrassing moments after meeting Lorelai.”

She really does resemble that of a beacon—a light for all those who’ve lost their way. Above all else, he admires her ability to comfort people. To know what it is that troubles them from merely a few short glances. You can’t hide anything from her, and that’s why she knows exactly what to say to make you feel better.

“Alright, alright. The air’s gettin’ a bit too sappy for my liking. Get going already or I’ll have to drag you out myself.”

Grumpy to the end, hm? Hehe, you’re not fooling anyone. I bet there’s a big, bright smile hiding under that mask; you’re just too flustered to show it.

“Besides, Ascalon’s goin’ to need ya soon. There’s a lot o’ stuff to be done, and the sooner you go to his side—the sooner I’ll be free from all this work.”

“Hm? What does his Majesty need so much help preparing for?” Dariel says.

“The funeral ceremony, and Lorelai here’ll have the most important role of all.”