Arcanum

Chapter 7: Lucas

This world is cruel, and constantly out for your throat. If you don't realize this, you won't even realize why you grow weaker in the world.

When I was waken just hours after the last fight, I realized that the king was slowly torturing me by sending me off on every one of these battles. What's the point anymore, anyway?

I groaned and felt every muscle hurt when I walked down the hallway. When I got to the training field where knights were training, I called them together and led them out of the castle, grabbing our horses on the way.

It made everything easier, but I was still exhausted.

I looked up at the sky, and judging by where the moon is, it's a little after midnight.

I looked back ahead, and saw the catori village I had been previously the other day. I drew my sword slowly, and charged into the village, but I could only feel sick when I saw mothers and their children running through the village. When I saw a knight about to strike a child, I quickly interviened, glaring harshly at him. The knight stared at me quizzically and the child took that moment to run away.

The knight shrugged, and jumped back into the battle.

I whirled around, but everything was developing around me too quickly, and everything began to become one. I gripped my head angrily, but I was quickly knocked out of my stupor, when I was tackled to the ground.

It took me a moment to realize the princess was attacking me, and my sword was knocked from my hands.

I glared harshly back, and struggled, but felt my body move against me. Soon, my armor was torn, and I was awaiting the single swipe, but it never came.

The princess narrowed her eyes, and backed off.

"Go!" She snarled, and it took me a moment to get my barring's. I stood up, looking at the battle helplessly, before I shouted retreat. We should've never come to this battle... It was lost before we even got here.

I climbed onto my horse, and waited for every human pass me, before I followed.

We didn't slow down until we reached the human territory, and I looked over my soldiers. They all looked exhausted, and a lot were missing.

I gritted my teeth angrily, and led the army back to the castle.

As soon as I reached it, I swung off my horse, and stormed to the throne room. Not one human stood in my way, and I ignored the pain from every limb, as I burst into the room.

The king sat on his throne like usual, and he sat up as soon as I entered.

"Why did you send us there?" I asked, practically spitting venom.

He frowned, and shook his head slowly.

"We needed to attack when they were still weak." He told me, and I laughed harshly.

"We need our rest too! We've lost so many so quickly this week. I'm exhausted and others are too. I've seen many nearly die today. Let alone, seen those who've died too! Just let the army rest for a couple days!" I said to him, and he narrowed his eyes before he stood, making himself look more threatening.

"You may be the general of the army, but I still own you and this entire land! The humans are ready for anything! You shall lead the charge when I say." He said, and I stared at him in shock.

I had no words left, and I turned away, stumbling out and back to my room.

When I closed the door behind me, I stared at the painting on my wall.

It was the human castle. I could see people standing around it, looking happy.

But that was just a taboo.

People aren't truly happy here, because you either charge off into battle and possibly get killed, or you sell, and farm, but it just gets ruined anyway by the catori.

I curled my lip in disgust. Death was seen so much these days, people begin to loose the meaning of it, until they see the face of the devil himself.

I sat down on my bed, and brushed my fingers through my hair.

Then another thought strucked me.

Why did the princess let me escape?

I laid back on my bed and stared at the ceiling, and smiled softly at the stars that were painted on it.

"There we go Lucas, now this room looks a lot prettier!" I sat on the chair, as I watched my mother finish painting the dark sky, and I stared at it in admiration.

I rushed up to her and hugged her tightly.

"Now listen to me Lucas, you have your father's blood running through your veins.. That means the king expects a lot from you. I want you to become the best knight out there. Alright? I love you." She whispered to me.

I shuddered out of my memories, and I quickly stood up, shedding my armor as I did and put my sword back in my closet, since I didn't get it bloody this time.

I was about to fall asleep, when someone knocked on my door, and I gripped my fists hard.

I ripped open the door, and glared at the person who dared to knock on my door at this hour.

Trisha stood there, looking tired herself.

"What?" I snapped, feeling my temper flow.

She sighed, and then shrugged.

"My brother's gone. Someone hit him right through the stomach. They tried to save him but he just died." She shook her head.

I could see the tears threatening to fall from her eyes, and I felt guilty for shouting at her.

I sighed, and enveloped her into a hug. We stood there for a little, before she broke away, and tried to smile at me. I shook my head, and patted her head.

"Don't come to training tomorrow. Take the day off." I ordered, and she nodded before she was down the hall.

I watched her leave, and I walked back into my room, falling back onto my bed, and falling asleep quickly.