Flames of Ashes

Chapter Five. Worthy.

"I pose a question: The future, the past, and the present, which is a vindicator of the soul?"~Purity
***
I always thought that pain was like a rushing waterfall. But I was wrong. It was miserably slow like a drop of water dripping from the ceiling to the ground. The problem was, I didn't know which hurt the most: The dripping or when it landed on the ground.

The darkness was a comfort to me. When I opened my eyes to the light, I winced. The room wasn't even that bright. It was brownish.
The walls were cracked and I was lying on one of the many beds on both sides of the room.
I was in the aid bay. The beds I could see that were unoccupied were stained with a brown substance. The brown had been engrained in the bed and it felt like that was the natural color. Other people were resting on the bed.

"You're awake" I looked up and saw a short woman with frizzly hair staring at me with scrutiny.
She had big brown eyes. Unlike healers, her face was hard and stony. Her voice was rough and lacked the feminity and melody a healer usually had. She was a healer. A healer in the knight division.

"How are you feeling?" She asked.
I tried to move but I groaned in pain.
"Stop whining. You'll live" I thought I saw her eyes rolling.

"Get changed or else you'll miss the orientation." She informed me gruffly and left.

I was allowed to visit the aid bay to tend to my wounds this morning. I passed when I was being treated. I knew I was given some pain relief medicine because I felt numb. But when the effects were lifted it was going to hurt like a bitch.

The uniform was a black leather jacket with a collar that reached my neck, pants, and boots. A black sleeveless top was what I wore underneath the outfit. At least the outfit wasn't bad.
I braided my hair and wrapped the mouth in a bun. I was ready. Ready to die. I smiled depreciatingly.
***
Thousands of people were standing waiting to be spoken. No one spoke. I knew we were 500 that made it this year. Knight school was a four-year training.
First-years were called recruits because we could die at any time. Sadistic bastards.
The second years were Cadets, the third years were junior cadets and the fourth years were senior cadets.

There was a stage in front of us all. Then, five people wearing the same uniform but with a cape walked on stage.

Amongst them was my brother, Auorn of Calyptex Ruby. He was the second child and he was in his fourth year. The last I heard was that he was the legion leader of the tamers. He was more handsome than the last time I saw him, which was four years ago. His hair was shorter and he had brown eyes and his jaw was much more defined. He was a man now.

But that wasn't who made my heart skip multiple beats. My eyes gazed at eyes the color of the moon. His eyes were shining. He stood beside my brother, who was behind another man. He was a creation that the gods each had a hand in making. Everything else became a backdrop in his presence. His hair was a natural silver, but his brows were black. His skin was flawless yet rough. His face was beautiful and despite the white features he had, the darkness and mystery were more pronounced. He drew everyone's attention to him.

He was my brother's closest friend and I had known him since childhood, I fell in love with him the first time I saw him. I was five the first time and I didn't know what love was, but I knew I wanted him. I was obsessed with this man. The thoughts of him swirled in my head every time.

I quickly averted my eyes when I saw that he had caught me.
Fool, fool, fool.

I focused my attention back on the man speaking. He was the same man who told us to sleep outside.

"Welcome all of you to the knights' division. My name is Godric and I am one of the members of the four people in the garrison." His voice was loud and powerful. The garrison was the leader of the knight division.
Zarir, my obsession, was the youngest member ever.