Zenith's Dream

When Theo woke up, he had the vague sense it was still early in the morning. Yet he felt well-rested. Surprisingly, it hadn't taken him that long to fall asleep; the long day topped off with a hot bath had put him out like a light. He couldn't even remember any dreams.

As he climbed off the pallet, he noticed a neatly folded note on the floor. Opening it, he saw it came from Zenith. 'Good morning, Theo. I have gone to the training room on the floor below.'

Before he could stop himself, Theo grinned. Zenith's written messages were just as terse as his texts.

Now Theo didn't know when Zenith had left the note, but he figured he might as well try to find his familiar in the training room. The coward's voice in him insisted it'd be better if he didn't, but it was easy to ignore.

Strangely, the prospect of seeing Zenith again didn't hurt half as much as Theo had thought it would. Maybe because this time, he'd decided to no longer run away from his feelings.

The vow he'd sworn echoed through his heart. 'One day, I will tell Zenith I love him. When I can say those words for his sake, not mine.'

Armed with this resolve, Theo got dressed and set out. Who knew, maybe it'd crack like glass the instant he saw Zenith's face. He'd just have to find out for himself.

Before long, Theo reached the training room. The shouts and clatters from inside echoed all the way down the hall, which surprised Theo; it didn't sound like Zenith was alone in there.

Curious, he peeked through the entryway. Sure enough, there was Zenith, standing back with his arms folded. And in front of him, Oren was holding his sword and shield.

'What the?' Theo blinked hard, but the bizarre image didn't go away.

Face creased in concentration, Oren lunged and jabbed the sword. In the light of the globe-fish, the blade glinted just like it did in battle. Except now someone other than Zenith was wielding it.

Yet Zenith didn't seem to mind. He nodded sharply and said, "Good form. You're picking it up quickly."

Oren's eyes sparkled. "You think? Thank you, Sir!"

He lunged and slashed the sword a few more times, as if battling an invisible opponent. Zenith watched with careful attention, only to suddenly step in front of Oren and hold out his hand.

"Wait. You mustn't forget about your shield. It isn't just dead weight on your left arm, only used in response to an enemy attack. A knight's shield is as much a weapon as his sword, and his sword is as much a defense as his shield. Only by mastering both will you be able to fight to your fullest. Understood?'

"Yes, Sir!" Oren nodded. The next time he lunged, he jabbed the shield forward at the same time as he swung the sword. "Like this?"

"You're getting there. Put more resolve in your movements. Every moment you hesitate provides a potential opening for the enemy. Never give up. Never forget what you are fighting for. That is the essence of being a knight!"

Theo had never seen Zenith so animated before. Even when battling, it never seemed like he was actually enjoying himself. And sure, right now he might be shouting at Oren, his face serious as ever, but Theo couldn't deny just how brilliantly his Levia sparkled.

Though Zenith had invited him here, Theo found he couldn't step inside. Not only would he be interrupting, but he also felt like he'd end up shattering something fragile and infinitely precious.

But he couldn't bring himself to leave either, so like some creepy stalker he hung by the entrance watching Zenith drill Oren. Even though he didn't have the first clue about sword fighting, he could tell Oren's movements became steadier and smoother over time, more...more like the way Zenith moved in battle.

Through it all, Theo's heart just wouldn't stop racing, and he felt himself fall even deeper in love.

When Oren finally handed the sword and shield back to Zenith, it felt like a spell had broken. He was panting, face slick with sweat. "Thanks so much for doing this, Sir Zenith. I – I really – I'm so grateful to you."

"It was my pleasure," Zenith said. "Keep training. You have the makings of a fine knight."

Some part of Theo was amazed Oren didn't flat out swoon upon those words. But all silly thoughts fled when Zenith started striding toward the entrance.

Theo froze. Shit. He had to get out of here – but Zenith had invited him – but – but – he definitely hadn't meant Theo should skulk around outside –

And no time to decide before Zenith stepped into the hall. The instant his eyes landed on Theo, Theo's heart rocketed into his throat.

Zenith, however, reacted calmly as ever. "Good morning, Theo. Did I keep you waiting long?"

"N-no, it's okay," Theo stammered, waving his hands. "Didn't want to interrupt…."

"Oh hey, Theo!" Oren called from behind Zenith. "You slept okay? Well, I'm off, can't wait to tell everyone I got to train with Sir Zenith!"

Humming to himself, he skipped down the hall. After he disappeared down the corner, Theo glanced at Zenith. The knight glanced back.

When their eyes met, Theo's heart skipped a beat, but to his relief that was his only reaction. It really was a lot easier to look at Zenith in full armor.

And the image of Zenith training Oren still burned bright in his mind, so much stronger than the memories from last night. This, too, was a side of Zenith he'd never seen before.

"What gave you the idea?" he found himself asking. "To train Oren, I mean."

Zenith blinked. "Do you disapprove?"

"No, no!" Theo's face flooded scarlet. "Not at all! I'm just a little surprised."

"He asked me for it," Zenith said. "I saw no reason to object."

"It looked like you were having fun," Theo couldn't resist teasing.

"Fun?" Zenith's eyes widened.

"Yeah, don't say you're not capable of it." Winking, Theo knocked on Zenith's chest. "'Cause from where I was standing, you seemed pretty damn happy."

"Happy…," Zenith echoed. He looked down at his hands. "I...suppose I was?"

The uncertainty in his voice flooded Theo with warm affection. "There you go. That wasn't so hard, was it?"

"What makes me happy…." Zenith paused. "Is...fighting for my liege."

Not too long ago, that simple statement would've filled Theo with dismay. Now, he only had to remember the passion in Zenith's voice as he shouted instructions at Oren. "And what does fighting for her mean to you?"

With a clank of armor, Zenith fell still. His surprise thrummed through their contract.

"Oh, uh." Theo rubbed the back of his head. "Sorry, didn't mean to interrogate you or anything…."

He should just let this whole thing drop. Otherwise he was coming dangerously close to stirring up the whole mess from last night again. Or even earlier, that time they'd kissed in his room. When he'd asked Zenith what he would do if he didn't have to fight for Darian….

Theo opened his mouth, ready to tell Zenith to forget it, but Zenith spoke before he could. "I suppose...that is a good question."

"Uh, you don't have to – "

To his surprise, Zenith spoke over him. "When I was wandering the wasteland by myself, I witnessed acts of both great cruelty and immense kindness. People did everything they could for the sake of survival. But when I met my liege...it was more than just her Levia that drew me to her."

When he looked back at Theo, he had on a startlingly warm smile. "My liege was the first person I met who wanted something greater than mere survival. She wished to change the world itself."

His eyes slid shut and he pressed his hand to his chest. "For that wish, she would fight with everything that she had. When I swore myself to her service, I also swore to fulfill her wish. The Tielos my liege desires is the Tielos that I am fighting for."

"And...what does that Tielos look like?" Theo asked, his heart slamming a violent rhythm. Somehow he felt he stood on the cusp of something, a revelation even greater than the one he'd come to last night.

"Hm." Eyelashes fluttering, Zenith opened his eyes. "I cannot say exactly what my liege's vision is. But I am sure it is very much like my own. The Tielos my liege desires, the Tielos I am fighting for, is one where every place can be like the sage mountains. Where all people can chase their dreams as freely as Novice Oren does."

Conviction sparkled in his eyes, brighter than the crystals on his armor. And almost as bright as the Levia sparking inside his core. All Theo could do was stare at him in amazement, feeling yet again that he was seeing Zenith for the first time.

'I said I loved him, yet I didn't even know about this,' he thought in awe. 'About his dream.'

When Zenith blinked, his eyes no longer gleamed. In fact, judging by the pink tinge to his cheeks, he seemed a little embarrassed. "Forgive me. I don't think that made very much sense."

"No." Without thinking, Theo reached out and grabbed Zenith's hands. The armor felt cold and hard beneath his fingers, so unlike Zenith's warm touch from last night, but it was all the same. Still a part of Zenith. "Don't apologize. You're amazing, Zenith."

"Amazing?" Zenith's hands twitched, but thankfully didn't pull away. "What do you mean?"

"I mean, I mean – " Theo could barely get the words out through his excitement. "I'm going to pay the Star core another visit."