My Throne of Light (Seven Knights Fanfiction)

Chapter 12: I'll be With You Always pt 2

Kris exhaled.

He knew it would not take a while for Rudy to notice. He did not look at him at all; in fact, he was avoiding his friend's gaze. "Nothing happened." He hung his head shortly before lifting his face again. "Something did. I don't want to tell you, but I figured hiding it will only make me feel worse."

Rudy frowned at his friend's words. However, he cleared it and replaced it with a smile. He rested a hand on Kris' shoulder as if asking him to continue.

"I met a succubus nights ago." He opened his palm before him. "She was looking for the darkness core as they call it. It sounds like it was stolen from the Underworld and brought somewhere in Asgar." He took a deep breath. "The darkness core- it was affecting the monsters, turning them more aggressive and powerful than normal."

Rudy twitched and flashed a big smile. "You found out the reason of their attacks!? This is wonderful!" Rudy motioned to run off. "We have to-" -he felt someone tugged on his arm- "go see- what's wrong, Kris?"

Kris looked away, his hold on Rudy's sleeve tightening. "The succubus came to me because they believed I had the core." He heard Rudy gasp softly. "She said that the darkness inside me was too much for just a fragment." The noble sighed. "I can't believe I'll admit this" -he turned to Rudy who was looking at him the entire time- "but I'm scared. I don't want this darkness to overpower me."

His friend only smiled again. He took Kris' hand off his sleeve and into both of his. "You are a Knight of Light, Kris. You might have darkness in your heart, but it will never be enough to hold you down. Believe in yourself. You're stronger than all of its words; the Goddess' Light embraces you. You will never fail. We are made to be incorruptible by darkness."

"...What if- I grew weak?" Kris' hand involuntarily squeezed one of Rudy's.

"In an event that you'll lose yourself, I will save you." Rudy chuckled a little. "In days that it might rule your heart, I will do my best to wake you. You might not be able to see me, I'll be with you always." He laughed out after some silence. "So don't be scared, Kris. I will stand next to you no matter what happens.

"Always stay with me, too" -he chuckled as well- "okay, Kris?"

Kris stared at his unmoving smile. He soon broke into a light chuckle, forcing their hands to be brought down. However, their hold on each other did not change. He turned away. "It's really inappropriate to be holding your hand in a place like this."

Rudy softened his hold, but left one of his hands still cupped with the blond's. He looked up at the moon that lit the skies again. "This place is indeed dreamy. We should go before someone chooses to spread rumors about the Knights of Light being-"

"Don't say it." Kris walked away from the railing and past Rudy.

He opted to walk back from where they came from so as to not cross the entire bridge. The brunet only shrugged his shoulders with a smile. He let himself be dragged by the blond until they reached the end of the bridge.

The brunet Knight then pulled on him gently, making Kris stop walking and look at his friend. Rudy hummed with curiosity. "About the succubus, what did you tell her when she asked for the core?"

"I told her I don't have it." Kris looked ahead and continued to walk, Rudy catching up to him. "Learning about its involvement to our problem made me decide I'll look for it." He turned to his friend who was beside him by then. "Listen, that core is filled with darkness. Don't get near it."

"If we're going to look for it, we have to go near-"

Kris would protest, but he only sighed. He looked away for a while. "Just don't get too near. We don't know how strong it is."

"Don't worry, Kris. It will never succeed against the two of us," Rudy answered with confidence. Deep inside, he knew it would be possible, but knowing that Kris was scared, he had to be strong in words at least.

"Rudy! Kris!" Aragon showed up nearby, making them stop walking. "I was worried you two weren't back yet. The Council asks you to report to them" -he twitched loudly- "immediately." He chuckled. "The night's quite chilly, isn't it?"

Rudy laughed out and raised their hands a little. "I was afraid I might get lost in this part of the kingdom, Sir Aragon. I haven't been here yet."

Kris cleared his throat but not his faintly reddened face. He lowered the raised hands. "Why is the Council calling for us at this hour, Commander?"

The Commander dropped his smile. "The situation outside the gates got worse. The Council said they located the problem."

The two exchangedlooks of certainty and ran off towards the Council building. By then, they didnot forget letting go of each other's hands.