Sundering 'Of Honor and Glory'

Path of Light

Their robes move gently with the wind atop their horses. Shades of green, and yellow leaves fall from the high trees; Bouncing around the penetrating light cast of the high setting sun. On a mission to negotiate strategy against the undead forces; Aiden Lochard and Tyrion are asked to speak with King Tiberius II for military support.

"How is the child?" Aiden Lochard broke the chanting of far-away birds chip playfully in the Deotoro pines.

"Pleasant," Tyrion responds from atop his horse "He is always smiling or laughing," he says with a chuckled reminder of the child.

"I cannot thank you enough for watching him." Aiden says looking over to Tyrion from atop his horse, 'Loyalty'

"Please." Tyrion says with a dismissive response. "He has changed our lives for the better,' he joyously looks back at Aiden. "In fact, Odessa and I have considered having a child of our own." Tyrion admits to his master, and they slow their pace to a halt.

"It is forbidden," Aiden stops in frustration.

"Yes; but, perhaps things have changed." Tyrion says looking into the distance of the thick colorful forest.

"You aren't still considering of abandoning the order... Have you?" Aiden curiously asked

"I have grown tired of the conflict," Tyrion says turning his horse to face Aiden.

"But, the war..." Aiden reminds his comrade.

"It is exhausting," Tyrion interrupts. "You and I both, have seen too much unnecessary death." Tyrion reflects into the blue sky.

"And, you would just walk away from it all?" Aiden asked pulling back Tyrion's attention. "I would have never thought you to be so selfish." Aiden says with disappointment, and kicks his horse forward.

Tyrion watches the horse move past him as he spaced out, and reflecting on his words. 

"We spend the sunlight practicing for war; Yet, our purpose is peace." Tyrion attempts to point out the hypocrisy once more as he catches up to Aiden.

"Sometimes battle is the only option if we wish to maintain peace." Lochard rebukes. Tyrion looked down with subtle disappointment, and thought to himself 'You are wrong.'

"I suppose," Tyrion muttled after a short pause.

"After everything we have seen," Aiden speaks in disbelief, "Do you understand what this order represents? Do you understand who you are in this universe?" Aiden questions the young prophet.

"...By my strength I must pursue a life of love to any and all that surround my presence." Tyrion recites a line in Omega from the Codex of Light. "Do you believe this is being preached in our training grounds?" He rhetorically asks, "Visit us sometime when you aren't busy bathing in rum with the King." Tyrion jabs at his Master; Whom stood silent above his horse in the midst of realization.

Master Lochard sighs. "We mustn't fight each other; Besides, you have grown from the Academy." Aiden attempts to stop the argument.

Tyrion does not feed his masters reply with a response; He simply kicks his horse and heads for Turalyon's Kingdom.

----- (Training Grounds, Zødius) -----

The training of the Light continued once more. The path of Light's Hand however, was uncertain. Each of the young knights had been training the way of the warrior as early as they could hold a sword. The practice of light was never truly achieved due to the progressing war against the living, and undead.

"Gather round." Damien yelled out from the middle of the proving grounds, and getting the attention of the knights. "Focus your energy on your surroundings," the headmaster began to speak with a lack of passion the knights were accustom to. "Hold out your staff," he led by example. "This is an extension of yourself," he taught the knights, as 'The Light' was practiced as a more peaceful method of combat--to not harm, but disarm; Not to strike, but defend -- However, this is not how he taught.

Extending their arms and holding their staves horizontal in front of them, the young knights began to close their eyes, listening closely to Damien's teaching.

"Swing!" The Headmaster roared.

Each staff swung in different directions, the knights stopped each other with looks of confusion. The unorganized mess infuriated the headmaster, but not as the knights would suspect.

"Just. Awful," he first said in disappointment. "The sword is an extension of a knight," the topic diverts in anger. "Not a staff," He spit. " I refuse to train this way knowing we stand no chance against a full scale war. These barks of wood will not protect silver steel from the flesh of your loved ones," Damien spoke to the knights in an attempt to  influence the knights to willingly abandon this practice.

"He is right," Elias muttered under his breath.

"Each of you have the power to make your own choices," The headmaster continues to perform his speech. "You must decide your own path; Do you truly trust the Light?" The headmasters question sunk into the Knights. The proving grounds were silent beside the rustling of robes, as the knights looked around at each other.

"This is wrong," Stilo breaks the silence. "A staff will never protect us in combat with your training," The agitated knight said. Shocking the comrades next to him.

"You dare challenge my authority?" Damien snapped his shoulders wide.

"You have no honor," Stilo says confidently. The others in line begin to distance themselves; All except for Elias, whom steps forth ahead of the Headmaster -- Challenging the tone of Stilo.

"Show what honor you possess!" Elias roared into the unflinching face of his comrade. Their eyes narrowed on each other with hatred. Elias shoved Stilo off-balance, the audience knew well what will happen before Stilo swung back.

"Enough!" Damien interrupted after the punch landed. The other knights formed a loose, broken circle around the duelists. Damien looked at either combatant with a blank, and annoyed expression; and the fight was on when he disappeared into the crowd.

Elias squared up with his opponent; Quickly lands an intense blow with his fist in showcase of his strength. Stilo recovers without grace, and swings his arm in frustration. Elias avoids the desperate act, and hastily lands another mighty strike. Stilo falls hard to the ground, and the fight was over. A handful of knights in the corner of Elias begin to cheer, but the majority stand quiet, and await for The Headmaster.

"Where is the honor you speak of?" He asked the beaten duelist. Stilo's head lay low, and his mouth stay closed. 'This is not honor' Stilo thought to himself.